Minnewaska State Park Preserve —
Your Complete Guide
24,000+ acres of sky lakes, waterfalls and cliff-top carriage roads on the Shawangunk Ridge, about 90 minutes from New York City.
What is Minnewaska State Park Preserve?
Minnewaska State Park Preserve is a 24,000+-acre New York state park on the Shawangunk Ridge in Ulster County, about an hour and a half from New York City. It has sky lakes, waterfalls, sheer cliffs, 35 miles of carriage roads and 50 miles of footpaths. Entry is $10 per vehicle, it opens at 9 a.m. every day, and on good-weather days the lots fill and the gate closes until cars leave, so arrive early.
NY State Parks says the ridge here rises more than 2,000 feet. Most visitors start at the main entrance on Route 44-55 in Kerhonkson, walk the 2-mile loop round Lake Minnewaska and visit Awosting Falls. The preserve's southern section, the Sam's Point Area in Cragsmoor, has the Ice Caves, Lake Maratanza and a 187-foot waterfall.
Three things to know before you go: the swimming areas at Lake Minnewaska and Lake Awosting are closed until the 2027 season (swimming); Sam's Point needs a parking reservation on weekends and holidays from mid-April to November 15 (parking); and the preserve is day use only, with no camping, cooking, drones, smoking or trash cans (rules).
Minnewaska at a Glance
What to Do at Minnewaska
NY State Parks lists hiking, biking, swimming, picnicking, scuba diving, rock climbing, bouldering, non-motorized boating, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Lake Minnewaska
A 2-mile carriage-road loop round the lake from the visitor center, about an hour.
The Lake Loop →
Awosting Falls
The park's best-known waterfall, 2.5 miles round trip on a wide carriage road. No swimming.
Waterfall Walk →
Sam's Point & Ice Caves
The southern section: Ice Caves, Lake Maratanza, dwarf pine ridges. Weekend parking by reservation.
Sam's Point Guide →
Carriage Roads & Biking
35 miles of gravel carriage roads. Helmets, 15 mph, Class 1 e-bikes only.
Bike Rules →
Rock Climbing
Allowed only at the Peter's Kill Area, April to December, with a $10 day pass.
Peter's Kill →Trails at Minnewaska
35 miles of carriage roads and 50 miles of footpaths. Times are NY State Parks' round-trip estimates from the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center.
About 1 hour from the visitor center; wide gravel, shared with bikes.
2.5 miles round trip to the falls from the visitor center, about 1.5 hours.
To the Castle Point overlook: 7.2 miles round trip, about 4.5 hours.
7.0 miles round trip from the visitor center, about 5.5 hours; cliff edges.
How to Get to Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Two separate entrances, and lots that fill on good-weather days.
Main Entrance
5281 Route 44-55, Kerhonkson, NY 12446, on Route 44-55. Lake Minnewaska, Awosting Falls, the carriage roads. Parking guide.
Sam's Point Area
400 Sam's Point Road, Cragsmoor. Reservation needed weekends and holidays, mid-April to Nov 15. Sam's Point guide.
Visitor Center
Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center by the upper lot: restrooms, maps, exhibits. Phone (845) 255-0752.
Next Door
Mohonk Preserve, a separate nonprofit with its own fee, adjoins Minnewaska to the north-east and holds the Trapps cliffs. The tent-only Shawangunk Gateway Campground on Route 299 is the closest place to camp. The whole ridge, from Mohonk to Sam's Point, is the Shawangunks, or the Gunks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get into Minnewaska State Park Preserve?
$10 per vehicle, at the main entrance and at Sam's Point. An $80 Empire Pass covers a calendar year of day-use entry at most New York State parks.
Where is Minnewaska State Park Preserve?
On the Shawangunk Ridge in Ulster County, New York. The main entrance is 5281 Route 44-55, Kerhonkson, NY 12446, five miles west of Route 299 in Gardiner. The Sam's Point Area is at 400 Sam's Point Road, Cragsmoor.
Do you need a reservation for Minnewaska?
Not at the main entrance, which is first come, first served and closes temporarily when full. Sam's Point needs a parking reservation on weekends and holidays from mid-April to November 15; call (845) 647-7989 with questions.
Can you swim at Minnewaska?
Only at the designated areas on Lake Minnewaska and Lake Awosting with lifeguards on duty, and NY State Parks says both are closed until the 2027 season. Swimming in waterfalls and streams is never allowed.
Are dogs allowed at Minnewaska?
Yes, dogs on a leash of 6 feet or less. Not at beaches, in picnic or bathing areas, in buildings, or on groomed ski trails.
What time does Minnewaska close?
It opens at 9 a.m. and closes at a seasonal time: 9 p.m. in June, 6 p.m. in late October, 5 p.m. from November to early March.
Can you camp at Minnewaska?
No. It is day use only. The tent-only Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground is five minutes away in Gardiner.
When did Minnewaska become a state park?
New York State bought the land in 1987 and opened Minnewaska State Park Preserve in 1993.