One of the largest parks in the Hudson Valley, Minnewaska State Park Preserve is a favorite of hikers, bikers, climbers, and swimmers. According to the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, it attracts nearly half a million visitors every year.
It’s not hard to see why: the preserve’s 24,000 acres of land along the Shawangunk Ridge contain over 35 miles of carriage trails; 50 miles of footpaths; nine different parking lots and entrance points; three lakes; rocky escarpments; and even explorable ice caves. You could visit Minnewaska several times and experience something new on each trip. Use our guide to this expansive state park to choose your own adventure, whether you’re looking to take a leisurely stroll or spend a day tackling a challenging hike.
“The lake loop is a lovely hike with beautiful views. It’s very peaceful with only bird song to disturb your thoughts.”
–Angharad Laetsch, AllTrails user
While we encourage you to use this guide as a starting point out on the trails, we realize you might not want to take it with you. For a free personal hiking guide that you can carry in your pocket, we recommend downloading the AllTrails app. It’s chock-full of trail maps with elevation information, seasonal warnings, reviews from real people who have recently completed hikes, and much more. Our editors use it and love it!
Did You Know?
All three of the lakes in Minnewaska State Park are sky lakes, fed completely by rain. The water’s slightly elevated acidity keeps the lakes pristine and crystal clear.
The Main Park
Minnewaska’s main entrance is located off Route 44/55 (GPS address: 5281 Route 44-55, Kerhonkson). After paying the $10 day-use fee at the booth, proceed to either the lower or upper parking areas, which provide access to Awosting Falls and Lake Minnewaska, respectively. Since it’s a very popular destination, plan on arriving early (especially on summer weekends and holidays) to ensure you can grab a parking spot and for more solitude on the trails. Many of the hikes are kid- and dog-friendly, but leave them at home when doing lengthier trails if they’re not used to going on long walks. (Per park rules, all dogs must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet.)
Before You Go
Stop in a neighboring town on the way to purchase snacks for the trail, grab a light breakfast to go, or a lunch to eat after your hike. Passing through New Paltz? Frank’s Fresh Pickling Co. and New Paltz Gourmet Deli offer sandwiches, snacks, and more. In Kerhonkson, we recommend Mill & Main Provisions—the store opens at 8 a.m. and is stocked with grab-and-go snacks and pre-made foods. And, in Gardiner, the Mountain Market has breakfast sandwiches, coffee, granola bars, and more.
Spend a Few Hours
► Lake Minnewaska Carriage Road, 1.9 miles, loop
Bring the kids, take the dog, great for biking
An easy walk with beautiful vistas, this trail is a terrific way to sample all that the park has to offer. Starting from the Visitor Center, go left on the trail (follow red blazes) and you’ll pass by several cliff-edge scenic overlooks with views of both the Shawangunk Ridge and the 36-acre Lake Minnewaska. The south and west ends of the lake have additional trails that branch off to more challenging hikes. Towards the end of the loop is the Minnewaska Lake Beach, open for swimming until Labor Day.
► Awosting Falls, 1.1 miles, out & back
Bring the kids, take the dog, great for biking
From the lower parking lot, take the Awosting Falls Connector footpath (white blazes) through the woods to the red-blazed Awosting Falls carriage road. From here, you’ll walk along the Peter’s Kill on a trail that is flat until descending next to the waterfall. The creek runs over a sharp cliff face and drops 60 feet into a large pool before narrowing.
► Mossy Glen, Blueberry Run, and Lower Awosting Carriage Road, 3.3 miles, loop
Bring the kids, take the dog
Look for the yellow-blazed Mossy Glen footpath from the lower lot and set off on a shady wooded trail that runs along the Peter’s Kill. A quarter of the way through, you’ll cross the creek on a narrow wooden bridge—if the trail isn’t too busy, stop in the middle and look for mountain laurels on the rocky banks. When you reach Blueberry Run (blue blazes), you’ll cross the water once more before turning right on the Lower Awosting carriage road, a flat, open passage.
Bring the kids, take the dog
This easy trek starts from the orange-marked Beacon Hill carriage road near the upper lot—you’ll walk along the main paved park road for a short time before reaching the trailhead. Nearly a mile in, the trail leads to a rocky outcrop with panoramic views of the ridge below. Sky Top Tower on the Mohonk Mountain House property lies in the distance. From here, take the wooded Beacon Hill (yellow) path towards the Lake Minnewaska carriage road—take a right to return to the parking area, or head left to tack the lake loop on to your journey.
Spend a Day
► Lake Awosting, 8.2 miles, out & back
Bring the kids, take the dog, great for biking
The destination of this adventure is a one-and-a-half-mile-long sky lake—although the hike in isn’t too strenuous, you’ll want to take a dip upon arrival. The Upper Awosting carriage road (green blazes) southeast of the Visitor Center is the most direct route. After walking or biking three miles, you’ll get your first glimpse of the lake at an open overlook. From there, follow the black markers of the Lake Awosting road until you hit the swimming area, a large, smooth rock slab that gradually slopes into the water.
► Gertrude’s Nose and Millbrook Mountain, 6.7 miles, loop
Bring the kids, take the dog
Work your way up to this trail—rock scrambles and narrow paths along the cliffside make it a challenging hike. From the Visitor Center, go southwest on the Lake Minnewaska road until meeting the trailhead of the Millbrook Mountain carriage road (yellow). Before converging on to the red-marked Gertrude’s Nose path, you’ll pass Patterson’s Pellet, a freestanding boulder on the edge of a cliff that overlooks the Palmaghatt Ravine.
Watch your step on the path as you traverse rocks, roots, and creek crossings, and follow the trail to Gertrude’s Nose, a stone formation that hangs over a cliff edge. From here, the path continues along the cliff edge until the summit of Millbrook Mountain, which rewards you for your hard work with beautiful views of the surrounding Shawangunks. After taking it all in, continue on the red-blazed Millbrook Mountain footpath back to the Lake Minnewaska carriage road.
► Hamilton Point and Castle Point, 8.6 miles, loop
Bring the kids, take the dog, great for biking
This moderate route is almost entirely on wide carriage roads and passes nine scenic overlooks with views of Lake Minnewaska, the Ridge, and jagged rock formations. From the Visitor Center, embark on the lake loop, going clockwise around the water to reach the Millbrook Mountain road, then onto the yellow-blazed Hamilton Point trail. The first landmark you’ll pass is Echo Rock, which overlooks the Palmaghatt Ravine, then continue to Hamilton Point.
From here, the carriage road continues east before forming a hairpin shape, but you can also opt to take the Blueberry Run footpath as a shortcut, which will lead directly to Castle Point. The cliff has plenty of flat stone slabs where you can rest before starting the journey back to the parking lot. To return, go northeast on the blue-marked Castle Point road until it converges with the Lake Minnewaska road. Finish out the loop, and take a well-deserved plunge at the beach before heading home.
After a Long Day…
Kick back in the relaxed setting of casual eateries like Rough Cut Brewing Co., a brewery with pub food just down the road in Kerhonkson; Gardiner’s Mountain Brauhaus, a German restaurant with brews and schnitzel that welcomes hikers; or Clemson Bros. Brewing in New Paltz, serving burgers and more with views of the other side of the ‘Gunks.
If you want to visit Minnewaska several times this year (and gain access to other state parks), consider purchasing an Empire Pass. Starting at $72, the pass waives the day-use parking fee charged at most NYS Parks from January 1 to December 31. For more information, visit parks.ny.gov/admission.
“Gertrude’s nose is a magnificent and incredibly scenic trail that is well-maintained and marked. There was an assortment of beautiful vegetation which was fun to identify, and breathtaking views. Well worth the hike”
– Dan Gerber, AllTrails user
Sam’s Point Area
The southernmost area of the park, the entrance to Sam’s Point is in Cragsmoor (GPS address: 400 Sam’s Point Road, Cragsmoor). Due to the area’s smaller size and conservation efforts, parking reservations are required on weekends and holidays through November 10, which can be made up to two weeks in advance on newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com.
All trails in the Sam’s Point Area begin at the parking lot and pass the Lenape Steps—a grand 89-step stone staircase that cuts through two rocks—and Sam’s Point, a pronounced cliff face that offers panoramic views of the surrounding valley (and a wonderful photo op). Take extra care to stay on the trails at Sam’s Point—the preserve is home to an endangered ecosystem with a rare dwarf pitch pine barren.
Before You Go
Make a detour to Ellenville (only 10 minutes away from the parking lot) to stop by Morning Sunshine for breakfast sandwiches and provisions. Early birds can flock to Cohen’s Bakery, which opens at 6:30 a.m., for coffee and pastries before hitting the trails.
Spend a Few Hours
► Ice Caves, 3.4 miles, out & back to loop
Bring the kids
After passing Sam’s Point, continue straight on the carriage road, then turn right onto the Ice Caves Road which goes by a scenic overlook before bringing you to the white-blazed Ice Cave Trail (ICT) footpath. The ICT loop is under a mile long, but is considered a challenging route; you’ll face rock scrambles, ice flows, boardwalks, short ladders, and narrow passageways. While traversing the Ellenville Fault ice caves you’ll experience cool breezes, which help hikers chill out on hot days. (This trail is closed seasonally, as it’s unsafe in the colder months.)
► Lake Maratanza, 3 miles, loop
Bring the kids, take the dog
Although it’s not open for swimming, the sky lake at Sam’s Point offers pretty views and is favored by birders. The Loop Road trail is not blazed but is a wide carriage road that is well-marked. Almost halfway through, you’ll hit the main lookout point for the lake. Take in the scenery before continuing to the more wooded section of the trail. Along the way, keep an eye (and ear) out for bald eagles, black-billed cuckoos, northern flickers, and a variety of warblers and other forest birds.
Spend a Day
► Verkeerder Kill Falls and High Point, 8.3 miles, loop
Bring the kids, take the dog
This is considered a difficult hike, but the payoff is significant. From the Loop Road, turn onto the Ice Caves carriage road. The challenge begins when you start on the Verkeerder Kill Falls footpath (aqua-marked), which contains steep sections and rock scrambles on the way to the 187-foot waterfall. From the falls, follow the trail to the red-blazed High Point path, which will continue to gain elevation until reaching the High Point summit (2,244 feet). Follow the footpath to the High Point carriage road and finish out the hike on an easier terrain.
After a Long Day…
Return to Ellenville and fill up at Gaby’s Café, an elevated Mexican locale with fajitas, tacos, burritos, and house specialties. Or take a load off at The Publik House, a traditional pub serving American classics, comfort apps, and drinks.
“Sam’s Point is exhilarating to view over the edge—what a rush! The ice caves are no joke. The stairs down are very steep, but while you’re down there, it’s like an ice box.”
–Jacob Gerwien, AllTrails user
Gear Up
Outdoor company REI suggests hiking with these essentials: a pack, weather-appropriate clothing and footwear, snacks, water, navigation tools (such as a park map or compass), a knife, first-aid supplies, and sun protection. Hit up these nearby outdoor stores to get everything you need, from supportive shoes to stylish water bottles, for a successful trip.
Kenco Outfitters
1000 Hurley Mountain
Road, Kingston
Montano’s Shoe Store
77 Partition Street, Saugerties
Pegasus Footwear
10 Mill Hill Road, Woodstock 3 E. Market
Street, Rhinebeck 27 N. Chestnut Street, New Paltz
Rock and Snow
44 Main Street, New Paltz
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