New York State is full of so much beauty, and there are so many incredible and memorable places to visit. We’re so lucky, too, to have such an extensive state park system – there are 180 of them in all. Harriman State Park is one of our state’s largest parks. It’s popular with outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds, but one fun and easy way to experience the park is by driving along Seven Lakes Drive. This scenic drive in Harriman State Park covers 18 miles and, you guessed it, passes seven beautiful lakes. Read on to learn more about it.

Harriman State Park is one of the biggest state parks in New York; it's in Rockland and Orange Counties. In fact, it's our state's second biggest after Allegany State Park out in Cattaraugus County. It was established in 1910 and covers 47,527 acres.
Tim Birbeck/Google Local
Harriman State Park is very popular because it's so close to our state's biggest population center - New York City. It's only 30 miles north of The Big Apple.
There are over 200 miles of hiking trails in the park, but another great way to see it is by car. Seven Lakes Drive in Harriman State Park actually begins (or ends, depending on which way you're headed) in neighboring Bear Mountain State Park, but it only passes through it briefly.
Harriman State Park, 800 Kanawauke Rd, Southfields, NY 10975, USA
Ken Levins/GoogleReviews
The majority of the route's 18 miles crosses Harriman State Park diagonally northeast to southwest. The Seven Lakes Drive starts in Highlands, New York, and ends in Sloatsburg.
Along the way, you'll pass seven beautiful lakes. Queensboro Lake, in Highlands, is the first one.
Queensboro Lake, Highlands, NY, USA
Patton BS/GoogleReviews
Next, you'll pass Silver Mine Lake in Woodbury.
Silver Mine Lake, Woodbury, NY, USA
Mayur Kanadkhedkar/GoogleReviews
Lake Tiorati is next. If the weather's nice, you can stop there for a swim!
Eugene Belozersky/GoogleReviews
The beaches here are phenomenal.

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Just look at how calm that water is!
Lake Tiorati, New York 10975, USA
Namal Palamakumbura/GoogleReviews
Lake Tiorati is partially in the town of Tuxedo. So are the next few lakes. This is Lake Askoti.
Lake Askoti, Tuxedo, NY 10975, USA
Igor Ostrovsky/Google Local
Lake Skannatati is the fifth lake you'll pass on this journey. Every lake on this list has some trails around it, so be sure to get out and explore.
Lake Skannatati, Tuxedo, NY 10975, USA
Howard Hong/GoogleReviews
Many of these trails are, of course, waterfront hikes... but you'll find yourself immersed in the trees too.
Lake Kanawauke is the last lake that lies within the town of Tuxedo, but it's not the last lake on this New York scenic route!
Lake Kanawauke, New York 10975, USA
Javier Torres/GoogleReviews
The last of the seven lakes on Seven Lakes Drive is Lake Sebago in Haverstraw.
Lake Sebago, New York, USA
Igor Ostrovsky/GoogleReviews

The Seven Lakes Drive in New York is special and memorable, and it’s also a very easy way to enjoy some of the incredible beauty that our great state has to offer, whether you pull over to hike and camp or just admire the beauty from afar. If you’ve been looking for scenic drives in New York, you’re sure to love this one!

Are you looking for more scenic road trips in New York? We’ve got a full year of road trip itineraries already planned out for you. While you’re out and about hiking and exploring, make sure you’ve got everything you need – a trail app included!

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More to Explore

Harriman State Park & Related Info

Jennifer | August 19, 2023

How many state parks are in New York?

New York has a whopping 180 state parks, more than any other state on the East Coast, and the second-most in the entire country (California tops the list with the most state parks). But those 180 don't even include the state's 35 historic sites! Of all of these, Allegany State Park is New York's largest state park.

What are the most beautiful lakes in New York?

There are at least 7,600 gorgeous lakes in New York to choose from, and all of them are worth a day trip or summer dip. Some of the most beautiful lakes in New York include:

  • Blue Mountain Lake
  • Chautauqua Lake
  • Green Lake
  • Keuka Lake
  • Heart Lake
  • Lake Champlain
  • Lake Erie
  • Lake George
  • Lake Minnewaska
  • Lake Ontario
  • Long Lake
  • Nine Corner Lake
  • Oneida Lake
  • Skaneateles Lake

 

What are the best family-friendly hikes in New York?

Whether you have little ones in tow or are just on the hunt for a nice walk that doesn't involve a grueling uphill climb in the Adirondacks, New York has plenty of easy hikes to enjoy. Bring the whole family with you on these family-friendly hikes in New York:

  • Pelton Pond: This 1.1-mile loop is located within the over 14,000-acre Clarence Fahnestock Park in Putnam Valley. It’s nice and flat and will provide visitors with the opportunity to see some fun wildlife along the way, such as beavers, geese, and ducks. The pond is about eight acres.
  • Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park: Located in Poughkeepsie, here you can walk over a 1-28-mile 1888 railway bridge 212 feet over the Hudson River.
  • The Wild Center, Tupper Lake: A short and sweet sub-mile loop trail offers bountiful beauty in a safe and gorgeous nature center environment.

 

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Seven Lakes Drive, Seven Lakes Dr, Sloatsburg, NY, USA