The Palisades Interstate Parkway runs about 38 miles from the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee, New Jersey, north to the Bear Mountain area in New York. Built in the late 1940s and 1950s, it winds through woods along the top of the Palisades, the dramatic basalt cliffs above the Hudson River, with scenic overlooks like Rockefeller Lookout and State Line Lookout. Like other parkways, it is closed to commercial vehicles, preserving its park-like character.

At a glance
Length About 38 miles
Southern end George Washington Bridge, Fort Lee, NJ
Northern end Bear Mountain area, NY
Built Late 1940s–1950s
Commercial vehicles Not permitted

The Palisades

The cliffs formed from volcanic rock about 200 million years ago. In the late 1800s, quarrying threatened to destroy them; conservationists, including many New Jersey women’s clubs, campaigned to protect them, leading to the Palisades Interstate Park Commission in 1900. The Rockefeller family later donated land for the parkway.

Overlooks and stops

  • Rockefeller Lookout — sweeping views of the Hudson and Westchester.
  • State Line Lookout — near the New Jersey–New York line, with trails and a seasonal café.
  • Alpine area and Kearney House — accessed from below, along the river.
  • Bear Mountain at the northern end. Read Bear Mountain day trip.

Fall color

The parkway is one of the closest fall foliage drives to Manhattan. Read fall foliage drives near NYC.

Practical notes

The parkway is a pleasant route north for passenger cars. Larger vehicles such as vans should confirm rules before planning routes. Chauffeurs plan accordingly. Read Robert Moses and New York’s parkways and Edgewater local guide.