Since much of the land on the mountains and up to the county line is owned by the city to protect the watershed, an extensive system of roads and trails makes it a popular hiking area.

Both summits afford extensive views of the mid-Hudson region, and on clear days New York City is visible from the fire tower.

Additionally there was once the Mount Beacon Incline Railway, which stopped running in 1978 but has since been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1901 the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution erected a monument at the site of the original signal fire near the summit of North Beacon.

The white-blazed Fishkill Ridge Trail leaves from the end of Pocket Road on the west side of Beacon.

Parking area and trailhead are located at the intersection of Route 9D and Howland Avenue in the City of Beacon, across from Bob's Corner Store.