[4] The park is located on a ridge of Hook Mountain above the west bank of the Hudson River.

Rockland Lake eventually became known as the "Icehouse of New York City", with a reputation for having the cleanest and purest ice in the area.

In 1926, workers who were demolishing one of the ice houses accidentally set fire to the structure's sawdust insulation.

This was followed by the installation of a second recreation area near the south end of the lake known as the "Quaspeck Park Beach Club and Casino".

During the intervening years, additional land acquisitions increased the park's size to its current total of 1,133 acres (4.59 km2).

[1] Rockland Lake also has its own fire department, Knickerbocker Engine Company 1, located at the rear of the park.