Name: Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Location: 5281 Route 44-55 Kerhonkson, NY 12446
Phone number: 845-355-0752
Description: Minnewaska State Park is a beautiful park with amazing scenery, endless hikes, numerous waterfalls and three stunning lakes. There’s 50 miles of trails to walk, hike or bike. It is also home to the highest point in the Shawangunk Mountains, Sam’s Point. The park offers beautiful views, especially during the fall, and is a perfect spot to enjoy the mountain range.
Why Go: It’s easy to feel trapped in New Paltz and while most students come from the hustle and bustle of downstate, those from (the real) Upstate, like myself, can feel too crowded in this town. This state park is beautiful and lets you get back into nature and feel like a person again. Whether you want to go for a hike with some friends or just sit by the lake and look at the scenery, this park is quiet and has it all. If you do want to do a small hike, I recommend going to Awosting Falls, which is inside the park. It’s a nice walk with little to no incline and you can get right next to the falls.
How to Get There: Take NY-299 towards the mountains until you come to a stop, then turn right onto U.S. 44. Be careful because a hairpin turn comes quickly once you’re on that road. You’ll then climb up the mountains and after about five miles, you’ll see the sign for Minnewaska State Park on your left.
