Dater Mountain Is the Hike Everyone’s Talking About—Here’s Why

Once an under-the-radar hike in Rockland County, Dater Mountain Nature Park in Sloatsburg has been making national headlines in Travel + Leisure, The Travel, and other national media after topping Google’s list of trending U.S. hikes for 2024. Located about 40 miles from New York City, this 350-acre preserve is now drawing hikers from far beyond the Hudson Valley for its unexpectedly wild beauty.

The park’s star attraction is the Dater Mountain Loop—a manageable 2.2-mile trail with big payoffs: sweeping vistas of surrounding mountains and valleys, peaceful forest paths, and babbling streams. The loop peaks at an elevation of about 416 feet and takes about 1 hour round trip. There are longer, more rigorous hikes that lead to higher elevations on Dater Mountain as well.

For those craving a nature escape that still feels like a hidden gem, Dater Mountain’s moment in the spotlight might be the perfect excuse to go see what all the buzz is about.