Minnewaska State Park Preserve

Minnewaska State Park is about a 2-hour drive from Manhattan, and it’s completely worth it. The park has a beautiful waterfall and a stunning lake surrounded by vibrant fall colors. I did a short 30-minute trek to reach the top viewpoint instead of driving directly to the sunset spot and the view was spectacular 😍😍 The scenery from above was truly breathtaking, especially during fall. I didn’t have much time to explore the whole park, but even the little I saw was amazing. Highly recommend visiting if you love nature and want a peaceful escape from the city! 🌿🍁🏞️

Hands-on most beautiful state park in New York has preserved the legacy of park’s founders Smiley brothers by maintaining the carriage roads and trails in excellent state. My favorite loop is to follow Castle road to Lake Awosting and return back via Hamilton road back to Minnewasca lake. Very scenic views that don’t require serious hiking effort, just slight inclines and declines. Natural beauty of Shawangunk Mountains here is supplemented by road building prowess of preserve’s founders and is the reason that we still have the park available now to thousands of daily visitors at a modest fee. Many grand historic hotels of Catskills don’t exist anymore including burnt out Cliff House and Windmere hotels previously located at shores of Lake Minnewasca till 1970s, so really glad that conservation efforts have succeeded here. New visitor center and expansive parking lots are huge improvement over park’s facilities of just six years ago.

Visited: Friday, October 24, 2025 I hiked the Castle Point Loop starting from the Upper Parking Lot. The parking lot was spacious and not crowded — definitely past the peak season — and parking was $10. The weather was a bit chilly, but the fall colors were still beautiful. At first, I took the UA trail toward Castle Point, but it was mostly gravel and not very exciting. Later I switched to the BR trail, which was better, though I hardly saw anyone the entire time — maybe fewer than five people total. The hike itself felt a bit monotonous; even on the way down, it was just gravel again, so I ended up jogging down. I remembered Gertrude’s Nose being much more interesting and scenic in comparison. I stopped by the Falls at the end, but honestly, it wasn’t something I’d go out of my way to see again. Overall, it’s a decent hike for solitude and views, but not one I’d rush to repeat — especially considering it takes around 5 hours round trip.

Oh, it's so lovely. I come down from the north, and seeing the beautifully colored autumn leaves is especially a big treat. The most basic trail around the large lake in the park is perfect for couples to come and take a light, short walk. Of course, the surrounding scenery is beautiful, needless to say. If you've done a lot of hiking, there are courses suited to different abilities, so it would be great to experience them together. The view of the park from above is truly breathtaking. The visitor center is clean, and the staff are very friendly. Even though I visited on a cloudy day, I highly recommend it to anyone nearby or within a 1-2 hour drive!

There is a lot of canopy for shade but there wasn't a lot of water coming over the falls. It was like a clogged shower head. You need to come after a rain storm. Over all it was nice, quiet, and not crowded. You can hear the sound of silence, and nature.

Minnewaska State Park is honestly one of my favorite places to just get away and chill. The views are unreal—think cliffs, lakes, waterfalls, and endless trees. I love hiking the trails here; every turn feels like a new adventure, and the air is so fresh. Whether I’m hanging out by the lake, snapping photos, or just taking in the scenery, it’s always super relaxing. It’s the kind of spot where you can totally unplug and just enjoy nature. If you’re looking for a peaceful escape with awesome views, you’ve gotta check this place out!

Amazing place for a hike!! Pretty easy trail, but spikes are a must since all the paths still have ice.

Gorgeous area. We must of hit it just right because the waterfall was really flowing. Wide gravel path with plenty of space when passing other people. We did the Awosting falls trail. We then took the steep hike up to the Minnewaska lake and did the trail easy trail around the lake. It's really beautiful and we plan on going back in the fall to see the colors and do more trails.

PROS: Amazing place to go hiking. the scenery is unbeatable, place is super clean, all kinds of hiking trails (short to long, easy to hard). Nice amount of parking and even a visitor center CONS: Not one single garbage can anywhere, not even in or around the visitor center. Also, they demand $10 per car, $100 per bus which is a ripoff since many other places provide free parking OVERALL: Throw away your trash in the bathroom and get some cash from the ATM cause this is one of my favorite hiking spots now

Recently, visited Minnewaska State Park w best friend, Zagbolt, the artist formerly known as Pots & Pans. Visiting mid-week in May is always a pleasure. No crowds. Easy parking. Our intent was to hike to Gertrude's Nose, about a 7+ mile RT from the Visitors Center. Perfect weather. Lots of turkey vultures surveying the landscape (and Zagbolt?). The carriage road was nice and gentle, with easy elevation gains and descents. The footpath to Gertrude started out pretty tame, but turned a bit steep and rocky. Heeding the advice of Zagbolt's daughter, Amelia ("The Troublemaker"), who implored me to look out for her beloved Dad, I decided the prudent thing to do would be to reverse course and head for Millbrook Mountain. We still got our 16K + steps in, and Zagbolt lives to see another day. Minewaska is always a 5-star park!

There are countless hiking/biking trails, restrooms and picnic tables. The shortest hike to a waterfall, Awosting Falls, is just over half a mile. This park is a great place to visit in the fall and see beautiful Autumn leaves. In the summer, it affords swimming opportunities. When there is snow, cross country skiing is an enjoyable activity to engage in. My only complaint is that if you don't get to the park early, there will be no parking until others depart.

This place is ridiculously beautiful and I finally got a chance to check it out when two of my plus size hiking groups did a collab earlier this month. We did the Carriage Road Loop which took us from low-lying beach and water features to dramatic cliffs and sheer rock faces. A ton of bang for your buck in 2 miles! The hard pack trail was at least partially accessible. I saw a person in a power chair and a couple of folks with strollers. There are plenty of inviting rocks to have a rest break. There's also a beautiful visitor center with flush toilets and historical exhibits. Things to know: -Parking fills up so you need to be at that gate at least 20 minutes before opening. -$10 payable by cash or card at gate There are a ton of trails so you can add on as you see fit! 20/10 will return!

On the way home with my daughter who loves the "hairpin turn" Route 44/55 just east of Minnewaska state preserve park. Entrances and exits, parking all along 44 and 55. Just before the hairpin turn, we stopped for our traditional photograph overlooking the "Gunks" ( Shawungunk mountains) a favorite spot for adventurous and fearless, Rick climbers. TIP: don't let the people behind you make you feel rushed. One missed up on this winding road and it's about 150 feet down, if you're lucky. ROCK CLIMBING ENTHUSIASTS: Please visit one of the official places to get up-to-date information about potential rockslides and dangers. Be observant and cautious.

What a beautiful state park! Another gem that is part of the NYS park system so grab your Empire pass and hit the trial. While in the Hudson Valley area on spring break we came here on a hike with the family. If you have young kids it is not super stroller friendly, so I absolutely recommend a baby carrier if you have littles. I'll make the journey a bit easier. About halfway through the trail opens up and there are large fields you can sit and relax or have the kids run free for a bit. Perfect spot for a snack and a water break. The main building when you walk in is beautiful, modern and informative. They have booklets where you can go to the different stations and create leaf embossings on leaves that are native to the area. Really beautiful and a nice keepsake. In April there was still a little snow on the trail so keep that in mind. You may want to dress in layers. Definitely worth checking out and then hit up New Paltz for lots of delicious lunch options.

A beautiful and well maintained state park preserve. We enjoyed our short hike around the lake this afternoon, while taking in the incredible scenic views. Not crowded at all (but it is currently mid-September also). Dogs on a leash are allowed. "A must see" if you are in the New Paltz area.

We have lots of family and friends visit us from out of state and this is always a place we recommend or bring them to. It's just an absolutely stunning view, a walk around the lake that provides beautiful views from up top and down below. It's not strenuous and people of all ages can enjoy!

Beautiful park in the autumn! Came on a tuesday oct 11,2022 and the fall colors were nice, but I think its still a tad early before peak colors. Maybe by next week it'll look more vibrant. Its a $10 parking fee per car. We got there around 115pm and parked by the visitors center. Visitors center is nice with bathrooms and has various info about the area but I didnt get a chance to read it. The center and the trails werent too busy at this time and day. I came with my 10 month old baby in a carrier and took the easy carriage road trail around the lake. Its about 2 miles and trail was wide and super easy. Its a beautiful nature walk for family and my baby enjoyed looking at the trees. The leisurely stroll probably takes less than an hour if u rush through it but it took me about 1.5 hours because of pictures and just sitting by the lake enjoying the views. The trail branches out to numerous other trails but we didn't take them. There are also bikers so just be mindful of them. After finishing the loop around the lake, we drove down to the awosting falls parking lot. Its a short mile walk to the awosting falls. Also wide and easy trail. The falls were beautiful. Baby loved looking at them. The trail continues further past the falls but after we reached the falls, we just walked back to the car and left for home. So I have no idea whats beyond. We spent a nice 3.5 hours at the state park even with stopping to feed the baby and whatnot.

The Gertrude's Nose loop is tough, but well worth the views! Wear good shoes, your feet will thank you! No reservations needed on non holiday weeksays

Gorgeous state park in the Hudson Valley! not a lot of time? check out Awosting falls and get a ton of bang for your buck with a short walk! More time? Do the loop around the lake at the top! Beautiful year-round!!!

This review is for the lookout on 4455, top of the mountain in Kerhonkson. On the bike, just me and my hubby, just enjoying and feeling what our area and what God has put in front of us..just natural beauty. Don't get lost in it looking for trendy shit, enjoy what's in front of you

We went for a hike at Minnewaska State Park back in March and loved it! We did the hike around the lake and the views were simply incredible. At the time of our visit the lake was frozen over which was a very cool site to see but I'm sure this park is even more beautiful when everything is lush and green. The hike was fairly easy, highly recommended!

Had a wonderful time here with my wife and my dog. It had great trails and awesome views. The surrounding towns are very quaint . We're looking forward to coming back in the future.

Great hiking, biking, plenty of nice picnic spots and trails for every ability level. easy access and parking, reasonable fees. This is a carry in/carry out facility, there are no trash cans anywhere, so don't go tossing your garbage into nature, be a good steward. Also, please stick to the trails, keep your dogs close and leashed, there's wildlife around and you don't want to have to deal with it. THat said, do not miss out on this wonderful park when you're in teh area ro even make it your business to plan a trip there.

Came here two weeks ago on my time off with a friend and loved my hike here. Came here on a weekday and parking was not an issue. Really great views of nature and its just absolutely beautiful after it snows. It was definitely not a challenging hike which is good because I didn't have snow shoes! I loved going to the waterfall, nothing like that winter crisp air. We stopped by the visitors center afterwards to use the restrooms and the building was very cozy and clean. You can also get a view of the lake from there :)

Awesome trails and wonderful vistas! Just hour and half away from NYC this park has that classic New England feel with crisp air and smell of fresh pine. I really enjoyed the trail "Bull Wheel to High Peter Kill" - we did this with a few friends on a perfect fall day to see all the autumn colors. We parked in the Peter Kill parking lot and started the trail from there - which I highly recommend since the "harder" portion of the trail is encountered first when momentum is high and then ends with a softer easier path. We packed a some sandwiches and enjoyed them on a sunny edge of the cliff about 40min into the trail - it was perfect! We ended the trail near the edge of the road and walked over to Lower Awosting Parking lot, from where we went to the waterfall. The waterfall was "ok" not as amazing as a the trial and heavy foot traffic as it's easily accessible from the lot. Biggest reason why I refused to give that last star is because of the attitude of the park rangers. I get it, people are equally aggressive in trying to get into the lots but I dunno there could be some sort of form of better management. Like after driving 90min imagine having to only wait another hour or more to get a spot to park?!! insane but also very much a consequence of the pandemic restrictions. Anyways, I was able to secure my spot by getting out of the car and walking through peter kill lot - and I found a empty spot in the back even though the ranger in front wouldn't allow anyone in. I told him I found a spot so let my car come in - at which point my husband who was waiting along the shoulder a little further came up. Phone signal is terrible in the park so cross ya fingers that you find a way to manage and coordinate!

This park is highly recommended ... a family and pet friendly. The trail around the lake is fairly doable and accommodates any age. Magnificent view of the lake from the top . The trail to the falls is an easy mile hike too. I could imagine how beautiful the mountains will look like during fall. There is a limited parking to guests during the visit as we all know that due to Covid , state parks are only open at 25% capacity. We did not make it to the ice cave part of the state park . We will do it next time around. There is a swimming / beach area on the lower point. There are various trails that will lead to different parts of the preserve. A construction is going on , it seems they are putting up something interesting for the visitors . Carry in , carry out kind of park . Lots of porta toilets aside from standard toilets. $10 to get in. $5 for a map. Bring your own drinks and food. There are no place to get it inside the park.

Breathtaking. Absolutely stunning. Came here for a day hike on a Saturday arriving right when it opened at 9am. Beware, the parking lot was nearly full when we got here so do come here early! We did the Gertrude's nose hike which is a solid 5-6 hours long hike depending on which specific route you take. Along the path there were a few scrambles so I would consider this trail a moderate in difficulty, despite a lot of trailheads online claiming that this was "difficult" and had a lot of upward and downward scrambles (there was a few, but nothing insurmountable for an infrequent hiker like myself). Views were breathtaking, especially at Gertrudes Nose where you can literally get beautiful panoramas of the Hudson Valley. Highly recommend for the adventurous spirit!

My friends and I drove from the city to this state park, which was about a two hour drive to reach the park. We got to the park at around 9:30 to hike the Gertrude's Nose Trail and there was already a long line to get into the parking lot. We couldn't even get into the lot that was closest to the trail as it had already closed off within the first 40 minutes of the park's opening. We u-turned and went to the parking lot down the road, which also had a long line of people trying to get in. We paid $10 for parking. Our lot quickly filled and closed off as well. When we finally got ready for our hike, we had to walk the connecting path to Gertrude's Nose Trail since the lot we parked at wasn't at the entrance of the trail. The trail started off paved and you could enjoy the waterfall and lake close to the beginning of the path, but then the path became more terrain. Overall it was about a 12 mile hike and took 6-7 hours total, but worth! I really enjoyed the views from the Nose and the light breeze of nature. The tree colors were beginning to change when I came, so I can only imagine how it'd look like now. If you do decide to hike this trail, I highly recommend getting here early to ensure a parking spot that's close to the trail! The park also had picnic tables for a more relaxing visit! Such a beautiful park!!

It gets crowded but I love this place. Awesome views here and a nice wide trail. Dog friendly also for those wondering ; ) After or before the trails around the lake bake sure to see the beautiful waterfall too.

Enjoyed our time here. We went in June. There are several trails to chose from, however due to social distancing guidelines, some were closed so we opted for the walk around the lake. Walking path was wide enough for three cars to travel in the same direction/speed easily. It was a gravel road. We were able to veer off on another trail (Indian rock). We weren't supposed to at the time, but we could clearly understand after doing so why they closed them. There is no space to pass anyone. It was pretty cool as we were walking along this tiny path surrounded by what looked like brush that was intentionally burned. The walk around the lake was really nice, cool breeze, with occasional lookout spots, with great views. Very peaceful, and serene. We took lunch, found a great spot with a view and relaxed for a bit. According to my watch, we walked 4.8 miles, keeping in mind that we veered off the path to around the lake twice so. We wanted to visit the ice caves however it was closed so it gave us an opportunity to return. As I write this am pondering on wether or not to surprise my husband with a trip this weekend, I will follow up with the state park to see if they have reopened, fingers crossed they are.

Simply beautiful. The parking situation changed the last 2 times we went there. They have been closing one lot or another as they do improvements to the lots. One time we parked near the entrance and walked a mile up to the lake. Another time we were able to park up by the lake itself. The hike from the entrance to the lake is a bit steep. But, anyone in decent shape can do it. If you are having problems, you can visit the Awosting falls close to entrance/parking lot. Once at the lake, you will find a small beach. Going around the lake is fairly easy. The carriage road is paved with gravel and is only a bit hilly in certain areas. Should be suitable for everyone. It takes less than an hour to make your way all the way around, including taking time out to take copious amounts of pictures. There are porto potties by the parking lots and also by beach. This is a carry in/carry out park. There are NO trash cans. Please take all of your garbage with you and let's keep our parks clean! And, if you want to hike more than a couple miles, you can always try other trails that branch off from the lake. The trail/loop to lake Awosting and Castle Point is amazing. It's about 8 miles all the way around. Bring lots of water. The views are spectacular. And you'll be glad you accomplished such a hike.

When I arrived, there was a portable construction sign outside the parking lot that read "parking lot full". So I pulled into the parking lot because I'm not the sort of guy who listens to signs. There was a ranger there who told me there was no wait time and I could just go to the parking lot... The lesson here is signs are dumb. So I parked and paid ten dollars at the upper Awosting parking lot. I hiked to the falls and there were all sorts of city folk on the trail with their dogs. The trail STUNK of perfume. I went off the beaten trail to rainbow falls and there were far less people away from the parking areas. Next time you see a sign, make sure you point at it and yell "shut up, you ol goose!" And do the opposite of what it says. Let's goooo!

The best season to visit Minnewaska State Park Preserve is definitely in Autumn. The mountain is in warm colors with lake views and it was astonishingly beautiful and magnificent. The trails are wide, flat and great for beginners and elders. The direction and signs are also easy to follow. The lake is transparently clean and natural. The only complaint is the maintenance of the facilities, which should be held responsible by all the visitors, especially the restroom. It is really dirty and sticky without any cleaning.

A wonderful NYS park within a day's trip from the city. Miles and miles of trails with scenic views.

I LOVE HIKING !!! This day (foliage peak) me, my wife and a friend decided to hike to Gertrude's nose which is in Minnewaska State Park Preserve. This is a 7.6 mile loop hike. We have decided to take the counterclockwise trail of the loop, hiking the easy part first, reaching Gertrude's nose and then taking the difficult path at the end of the hike. This is one of the best hike I have ever been, scenic, vertigo-inducing mountain top/cliff top views and added to that the beautiful rich colors of fall season. The hike encompasses going through along the side of Minnewaska lake, through a carriage road, walking alongside a cliff, rock scramble through boulders, jumping over narrow fissures, climbing on some rocks, balancing on a narrowing rock pathway where each side is a cliff, and enjoying the most scenic trail of the Hudson valley. Most of the hikers rate it as 9/10 difficulty. Please practice caution when doing this trail. I recommend this trail to Gertrude's nose for those who are adventurous, those who are not afraid of heights, those who have an endurance to hike a lengthy distance. All in all, it was an amazing, breathtaking and SUPERFANTASTIC hiking experience.

This place is absolutely breathtaking. It is VERY busy especially weekends & you CANNOT park on the road or they will tow you. We were lucky the first time we passed the entrance it was full so we looked for parking along the road & a bunch of cars were parked pretty far from the entrance & as we were getting out a police car said on a speakerphone: you cannot park here or your car will be towed. We decided to find somewhere else to hike but as we went back they had opened the entrance and said it would be 1 hour wait to get inside but we only waited 20 minutes max. The loop we took was about 2 miles around Minnewaska lake & the scenery was gorgeous, especially around this time with the trees changing color. The pictures doesn't do it justice at all! For a holiday weekend the trail wasn't as busy as I thought it would, given that the parking lot was PACKED, but we could still comfortably take pictures of the landmarks and scenery without people overcrowding it. I will definitely be coming back, probably earlier (we got here at 1pm) and do the longer trails & maybe see the waterfall (the park ranger suggested we skip it today since it hasn't rain & wouldn't be as nice to see.)

Minnewaska State Park Preserve In New Paltz, NY Passed through New Paltz towards the cliffs of Minnewaska, right next to Mohink Preserve. We were lucky enough to park near the lake, and the lot has been renovated, expanded, and newly paved. We started along the carriage road, LM, trail called Lake Minnewaska. Then proceeded onto MC, still the carriage road type, easy for everyone to walk on. Then we started to head to the cliff, GN - Gertrude's Nose, which is a walk all along the cliff. Every point is a Kodak moment. Plenty of spacious spots to take pictures of. LM and MC are all carriage road type, so it is a doable trail. It is pretty long if you want to a good exercise.

My partner and I were here in early January to this state park but the hiking trails were too icy to continue our trek to the waterfall. Our mission again was to see the Awosting Fall. What a difference several months make! Located in the heart of the Shawangunk (land of white rocks" in the Native American Lenape language ) Ridge in Kerhonkson, Minnewaska state park has multiple hiking spots where we noticed numerous hikers and some with their dogs along the trails. Similar to our January visit, we parked at the Peter's kill area whose admission price is $10. There's a clean restroom on the spot and a few picnic tables. There's a garbage policy - carry it in, carry it out as there are no trash cans at any of the parking area. From the parking lot to the fall, it's a hike about 1 1/2 miles along the Awosting Falls Carriage Road with a steep incline. Comfortable shoes are highly recommended. There's parking closer to the waterfall (upper area) but it's usually full by mid-morning. Plunging 60-foot down to Peters Kill creek, the Awosting Falls are inside the park. The water was pretty moderate and calm. I've been here after a heavy rain and it was raging white-water river. You can walk up pretty close to the cliff wall. In fact, you can probably walk right into the falls itself (although swimming and climbing is prohibited). Besides the waterfall, there's a visitor center near the lake with information about the area. A designated swimming area at the lake for enjoyment. We recommend this place as a great day trip.

Hiked through Minnewaska State Park Preserve along the Red Loop and High Peter's Kill Trail on Saturday morning. Tough parking, large crowds, and mundane trails, made this a less than enjoyable trek. Quality: It may be unfair to judge Minnewaska State Park Preserve based on the limited amount we explored, but I just was not excited about the hiking trails. We navigated the Red Loop and High Peter's Kill Trail, in total a little more than 6 miles. The Red Loop is a very short and simple trail that runs adjacent to Peter's Kill and operates more as a link to other trails. High Peter's Kill Trail is a fairly simply cliff route, which runs parallel to the water way, but you don't see it from above. It is a one-way path, with no real opportunities to loop back and see other areas of the park. Quantity: Minnewaska State Park Preserve is a massive 22,000 acre park. Value: $10 for Parking in the designated area. Ambiance: Minnewaska State Park Preserve is a large park in Upstate New York. It has multiple different areas to explore and our visit was spent mostly along Peter's Kill. This forested area offers views of the surrounding hills and mountains, which were in near-peak Fall colors. There is also the opportunity to walk along the small waterway in this area. The problem is the denseness of the forest and the drab terrain, quickly making it a monotonous walk. And the simplicity of the trails we picked, only made it worse. Crowd: We arrived at 9:30 on Saturday morning and were among the last few cars permitted into the Peter's Kill parking lot. Also, even with multiple trails, expect to run into many people regardless of the trek you pick. Service: They are in desperate need of a better system to help guests navigate the parking areas. Parking: Arrive early or risk not finding a space in the designated parking areas. Police also patrol the surrounding roads to make sure guests do not park in the shoulder.

If you love to hike, but are looking for a challenging path full of boulders to climb down, then this is not the place for you. I love challenges but taking a chance that I may break a leg isn't one that I'm up for. I'm also clumsy AF and while I may have decent stamina for endurance, again... not the greatest at hiking down uneven or rocky paths. Minnewaska is perfect for me and likely perfect for you if you are a not-all-that adventurous city person. Hey, you can admit it to me. No shame there. It's great to hike in the summer because if it's a hot and sunny day, you've got plenty of shade to keep you cool. Fall-time is glorious because of the spectacular colors around you. Winter. I avoid outside. Couldn't tell you anything about it here, if it's even open. Springtime this year was chock full of quarantine, but I recall it being quite pretty last year. I haven't gone swimming in the lake because I don't really like the idea of swimming in lakes, but I see they have some serious lanes for serious lap swimmers (I think you have to get some kind of permit to show that you're not just clowning around in the lanes making things annoying for actual swimmers. I like that). Finally, rattlesnakes could be a thing here, I've heard, especially in the spring, this year more than ever apparently. Just be careful. Even the idea of that makes me a bit paranoid but I try to pretend that I don't care. See above. City people are streetwise. We ain't snakewise.

Amazing place with helpful, friendly staff, great signage, lakes and mountains with trails for all levels

My brother and I decided that Minnewaska would have the honor of being our first motorcycle adventure of the season. The road there is a pretty good ride, with steep ascents and winding turns. We got to the main parking area, but it was full. The guy at the gate let some people in, but turned others away and I don't get why. So we were told to park at the Peterkill lot. The parking fee is $10. My brother and I each had our own motorcycles. Since it's technically a vehicle use fee, they charged us per motorcycle. Which I think is dumb since multiple bikes fit in one parking spot. I didn't even get to park in the paved lot, I had to park in the grassy area. The trails are pretty clear and well marked. We took a quick hike over to Awosting Falls. It's very scenic and well worth the hike. It's not a well kept secret though, and it is an easy hike, so expect to see a lot of people on the trail.

What a beautiful and serene place to spend the day. There are hiking trails, waterfalls, and a gorgeous lake. The lake has a beach and an area to swim. This place is also perfect for birdwatching. Take advantage of the current situation and visit on a weekday when there are very few visitors. Bring water and snacks and spend the day hiking along the mountain trails.

This park is amazing. Beautiful views and relaxing. Now let's get to the realness, gertrudes trail was quite an experience and to get here I recommend you take the path by the beach to get there. The entire trail is pretty much climbing boulders of every size. Took us about 5 long hours round trip. Pack a good lunch, lots of water and plenty of snacks and TAKE YOUR TIME. Once you get up there, breathtaking. Parking is craziness so get here an hour early to get a spot quickly. Park on upper level. Once you park go down to the beach (it says carriage path) and continue on millbrook mountain trail to the left, (the right will lead you to the falls) and you'll eventually end up in gertrudes nose trail (you'll see the sign for entering gertrudes trail). Park is open till 7pm!

Lovely state park that had the upper parking lot full on a random Wednesday fall afternoon so we had to park in the lower lot. Parking was only $10 and you could stay as long as you like. We did the easy hiking trail, not adam's nose so the hike was quick and easy to the waterfalls. The waterfall is a great place for a photo shoot if you have an event coming up- wedding shots, gender reveal ect.. would recommend as an easy hike!

Great for nature walks, it has some beautiful scenery and even a waterfall. There's quite a bit of construction going on. They are building a visitor center and it looks amazing. I would like to come back here next year and check it out! The road is very winding to get up there but it's so worth it. I think maybe it was 10 - 12 bucks for both trails. I can't remember but it wasn't a lot. The trails are clearly marked and easy for novices like me.

Feeling grateful to NYS for honoring my senior citizenship with free admission every weekday to this haven of natural beauty. Forest bathing is the healing call of this sanctuary that offers lakes, waterfalls, trails, picnic tables, flora and fauna galore.

Lovely park.... best time to come is fall/October when the leaves change Entrance to the main park is on Rt 44-55. $10 per car for day use. Their map that they give at the main gate kinda sucks lol. I really like the NY-NJ trail conference elevation map that you can get at stores like REI. There are a few points of interests/hikes here Check the website for closings in the park. Right now Sams Point and Stony Kills Waterfall is closed. Awosting Falls is a gorgeous waterfall ! It's so beautiful and powerful! You can park near the entrance that says "awosting falls parking" and walk up on the concrete road -past the entrance to gain access to the short walk/trail to the falls OR you can drive up the mountain to the main parking lot near Lake Minnewaska and walk down the "Sunset Carriage" trail which is much harder but you want a good cardio workout then do that. At Lake Minnewaska- you can see some lovely views especially from the stone ledges. There is a 2 mile loop around the lake- concrete road/trail - probably one of the more easier and quicker hikes You can also take the "upper awosting carriage road" ( also a concrete road trail) to Rainbow Falls. The "rainbow falls" trail intersects upper awosting carriage road -and you would have to descend down some steps and a foot trail to get to the water falls - rainbow falls trail can be wet and muddy. It's not as spectacular as Awosting Falls in my opinion. It was good to do it once but I probably won't do it again. It's a three mile hike to Lake Awosting from Lake Minnewaska Another point of interest is Castle Point which I was told is the highest point in the park- you can take The "Castle Point Carriage Road" trail there. Gertrude's nose is another point of interest but is a harder hike.

***Pre-COVID*** Terrific area for outdoor anything. It's not too far away from the city of New Paltz, and hosts a wide variety of trails to hike, forest to enjoy, views to look out over, and crags to climb! Our group had a blast going through many of the lower level crags along the hiking trails, and definitely got a great nature day in. Dog friendly. Family friendly! Would recommend for the young or old.

Amazing scenery, well maintained walking paths and miles of wilderness to explore, this park has something for everyone. If you live in NY, you are lucky to have free admission here but even for us visitors there is only a $10 parking fee then you can explore as much as your feet will allow. The employee at the gate suggested I start with an easy walk to see a spectacular waterfall, followed by a walk around the lake. She obviously knew I was looking for "easy". I understand weekends are busy here, but I visited during the week and was impressed at the quiet peacefulness of the park. There are clean pit restrooms near the parking areas so that is a plus. The easy trail to the waterfall confused me a bit because you cross the road you come in on, but then fortunately good signage put me back in the right direction. After the waterfall views this path continues on along the river for some more beautiful views. The highlight for me is the path around the lake. I parked at a large paved parking area and headed out to my right. Just a couple of miles with slight elevation changes this path had spectacular fall views all the way around. The swimming area was closed for the season when I visited but I still enjoyed looking at the clear water and the reflection of the blue sky and multi colors of tress on a crisp, clear, fall day. There are several path diversions along the way around the lake, but fortunately they are well marked. By the time I needed a break and a snack, I found myself in a clearing with picnic tables on the top of the cliffs overlooking the lake. Such a perfect spot to relax a bit then continue along the path. From there in just a short distance I found myself back in the parking and was mildly disappointed that it was that quick and easy. I would highly recommend this path. I understand I barely touched a tiny corner of the entire park but I will leave the many wagon trails for the serious hikers. Even just viewing the popular locations I did was well worth the visit.

Just a beautiful park! We enjoyed a few miles of hiking from the parking area to the falls, back out and then up to the lake and back down. Just gorgeous all around, inside the park and the views out for miles and miles around from the higher vantage points. Great way to take in the changing leaves. The park was VERY busy on an October Saturday. We arrived early enough parking was not a problem but by the time we left we saw they were turning people away. If you go on a weekend plan to get there early!!

This place is awesome. I feel like I'm in Maine or somewhere. The views are spectacular. You need to get here early if you want to find parking during peak seasons. We got here the week after peak foliage season. It's amazing that the leaves disappeared in a week owing to fierce winds and foul weather. It doesn't matter though the scenery is awe inspiring. There are several trails to take but we stayed on the main one. Mohonk Mountain can be seen across the valley and many other wonderful views. Bring the kids but don't let them wander too close to the edge.

Gorgeous place!! Very clean and beautiful. My only complaint is when you drive in to pay for parking, they charge $5 for a map! Don't buy it because inside there's free maps!!! Anyway, it was definitely worth the trip. The views are gorgeous and the state park is HUGE! We didn't finish it in one day

Amazing time here at Minnewaska State Park Preserve. I've known of this place for a few months now and waited a little while until the COVID situation eased down before visiting. I finally decided to make the trip up from the Bronx (1.5-hour drive) on a Wednesday morning. Keep in mind that during the COVID crisis, this place has been filling up due to their liited capacity. Their website will let you know once they have met capacity...it has been around 11:30 AM - 12 PM recently. So plan on getting there early to play it safe. I arrived at 10 AM and the parking lot was practically empty. By the time I left at 1 PM, it was full. Upon entering the park, you self pay at a machine ($10 per vehicle) and can then follow the signs to either the Upper or Lower Parking Lots. There are attendants in the lots guiding you into parking spaces. The Lower Lot of closer and is closest to Awosting Falls. Once you park there, it is ony about a 10 minute walk along the Red Trail to the falls. There are bathrooms there. The Upper Lot is a bit bigger and is closer to Minnewaska Lake where the public beach is. You can walk between the two locations by following the Orange Trail. it is about a mile long but has lots of hills, so prepare for a trek, especially with younger children/older adults. The trail between the two isn't any spectacular. I would suggest to park in the Lower Lot, follow the Red Trail to see the falls and stream and then go back to the car and drive to the Upper Lot, where you can enjoy the Lake. By the time you are finished with the Falls, there will be parking spots freed up by around 12/1ish. The park itself is very clean and well kept. All staff members I encountered were friendly and helpful. I believe there is some construction going on so I can't wait to return to check out the result. I would also like to check out some of the surrounding trails. As always, bring sunscreen/bug spray. Though I didn't have a problem with bugs, it is always a good idea for anyplace with water. Also WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES! Lots of hills and uneven grounds so watch your footing. I arrived at 10 AM and left at 2 PM...you could easily spend an entire day there between the two locations. Lots to see. A must for any photographer. Both the falls and lake are amazing.

The best hiking experience ever!!! I've gone hiking before but nothing quite like this! This is how I imagined hiking to be! It was challenging, yet doable. It was beautiful beyond measure. It blows my mind just how amazing Mother Nature is. It had all the different elements I expect from a hiking trip. I went on the Gertrude's nose trail and it was not for the weak. You really gotta put that work in to reach it but it's totally worth it. We parked at the higher up parking lot and I would suggest going early and doing the same. That way you get the views and take your pictures right away. Towards the end of the hike you get tired and just want to see the wonderful lake. I'm definitely coming back here very soon! This has made me become a new fan of hiking!

Amazing, amazing, amazing!! Went here on a beautiful October day. It was about an hour and half drive from Long Island. The views were absolutely incredible. We did the sams point hike and the cave and the cave was indescribable! You can't do this trail without doing the caves. However, parking was atrocious. We would have been able to start the trail at 1230, however we circled the entire town looking for parking for an hour and a half. The state rangers that were running the parking were extremely rude as well. Other than that, breathtaking and will definitely be back!!

Came here with some friends on Sunday during labor day weekend around 12 pm, and there was a 10-15 minute wait for a parking spot. When I came the weekend before there wasn't any wait but I was not surprised and this wasn't too big of a deal. One of the park rangers gave us and the other cars a box of Nature Valley granola bars during the wait :) We walked from the Awosting falls parking lot to the actual falls. Only about a 5-10 minute walk, and the falls are stunning! When we were at the smaller waterfall on the top, there was this one guy who got pissed if anyone dare went near the falls because he was filming some sort of video with his tripod (for a long time..). PLEASE don't be this person... This is a public park AND this was prime time during labor day weekend. If this person happens to be reading this, please learn how to be considerate. You don't own the park. That is not why I am deducting one star though. I wouldn't rate a park down based on some a-hole being selfish. I am rating 4 instead of 5 because when my friends and I were trying to get out of the Awosting Falls parking lot to park at the Lake parking lot, this one park ranger gave us a huge attitude and complained how we needed to stay in this lot because he's already struggling with fitting people in. He insisted that the walk to the lake from this lot isn't bad at all and it's only a mile, but he failed to mention that it's mostly incline. He is extremely rude and whiny. We didn't want to waste energy walking on some road as we wanted to hike a trail around the lake and enjoy the views. We ended up not listening to him and driving to the other lot and we QUICKLY found parking. The ranger there welcomed us with opened arms and we had spots to choose from. I'm only deducting 1 star because the park is very beautiful and there are many different hikes/trails you can do! Can't wait to come back.

This is such a beautiful park. I love the trees and hiking and biking trails. Views are amazing from Top of mountains. I go with my hybrid bike cannon dale and it's perfect for the carriage roads. The trails are beautiful you can ride for miles take breaks and swim or take picture and air is so fresh. There are fresh blueberries there too. The cost to enter is free. There was were waterfalls as well so beautiful. If in upstate and you love out doors and nature this is the park to check out. There are many hiking routes as well as biking.