Harriman State Park: Jackie Jones Fire Tower

Scenery:
Difficulty: 4 out of 10 (short-ish hike with mostly gentle inclines)
Highlights: fire tower, gorgeous views, NYC skyline, ruins, that "new fire tower" smell
Distance: 2.8 miles, Up-and-Back
Approximate roundtrip time: 1.5 Hours
Total ascent: 553 ft
Max elevation: 1,330 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You want to take a short hike to a fire tower with awesome views of the New York City skyline (with lots of other non-skyline-related beauty, too).

Balsam Lake Mountain

Scenery:
Difficulty: 6 out of 10 (long hike with steady, gentle inclines)
Highlights: alpine feel, fire tower, gorgeous views, lack of lake
Distance: 6.0 miles, Up-and-Back
Approximate roundtrip time: 3 Hours
Total ascent: 1,214 ft
Max elevation: 3,723 ft above sea level
This hike is for you if: You enjoy beautiful trails and fire towers with gigantic views. Who doesn’t like those things?