Top 5 Places to Go Ice Skating in Orange County, New York
Are you looking for a place to go ice skating? Located just 90 minutes away from New York City is the idyllic Hudson Valley, my former home. It has several great places for ice skating, including five that I consider the best in Orange County.
Here are my picks:
1. Bear Mountain State Park
Bear Mountain State Park is located off Route 9W on Seven Lakes Drive. It is a very popular park that includes an outdoor ice skating rink, and opportunities for ice fishing and cross-country ski trails. There is an $8 vehicle fee charged to access the park and additional fees for accessing the ice skating rink. The ice skating rink opens to the public the beginning of November and remains open until the beginning of March. It maintains varying hours of operation, weather permitting, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Fees range from $3 to $5 per person. Children 3 years old or younger are admitted gratis. Ice skates may be rented for as little as $4. While you are there, you can also pay $5 to have your ice skates sharpened.
2. Fancher-Davidge Park
3. Thomas Bull Memorial Park
If you prefer ice skating on a pond instead of a lake, the Thomas Bull Memorial Park on State Route 416 is your best bet. It features a 5-acre pond, and you must bring your own skates.
4. Winding Hills Park
Winding Hills Park is home to the 40-acre Diamond Lake. It located on Route 17K in Montgomery. You will need to stop by the Ranger Office first to register before heading onto the ice. Even though you need to register, there is no fee charged for ice skating. The registration process is merely a safety measure.
5. Wallkill Golf Club
The Wallkill Golf Club is located on 40 Sands Road in Middletown. It allows the public to ice skate on the property without charge, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., weather permitting. The facility does not provide ice skate rentals.
