Fall is in full swing and now is the perfect time to experience the natural beauty of New Paltz in its best season of the year. From the ever-present hikes and walking paths to seasonal events and festivals, there’s something for everybody to enjoy this fall in New Paltz.
You can’t talk about fall in New Paltz without mentioning the Shawangunk Ridge. Known by many as the Gunks, the Shawangunk Ridge is a ridge of bedrock overlooking the town with some of New York’s most beautiful natural lakes and trails.
Only 15 minutes from town, Mohonk Lake and Lake Minnewaska are two of the most popular lakes to visit in the Gunks, both of which have countless hikes surrounding them.
The Awosting Falls and Eagle Cliff trails are some more laid-back hikes that don’t require much physical effort time dedication. But for those with their eyes on a greater challenge, Mohonk’s Labyrinth and Bonticou Crag are both hikes with serious rock scrambles that will test any hiker’s skills.
Entry to the Minnewaska State Park Preserve is $10 per vehicle, and Mohonk hiking trail passes are $35 per adult and $30 for children.
The Shawangunk Mountains can even be accessed from New Paltz by foot or bike using the River to Ridge Trail, which begins at the Carmine Liberta Bridge at the bottom of town. The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail and the Hudson Valley Rail Trail are some other paths that branch out of town and are particularly well-suited for biking.
If you’re still looking for trails but don’t want to leave town, the Nyquist-Harcourt Wildlife Sanctuary and Mill Brook Preserve are two preserves with scenic walks that are both situated within the borders of New Paltz.
However, there’s more to fall than hikes. One fall event that has long brought the New Paltz community together is the annual Halloween Parade. Returning once again this year, the Halloween Parade will start at New Paltz Middle School at 6 p.m. and end at Huguenot Street at 7:30 p.m.
Mohonk Mountain House will be hosting some public fall-themed events, including a Halloween Haunts and Happenings weekend Oct. 25-27, an Adventure Weekend Nov. 1-3 and a Fall Wellness Weekend Nov. 22-24. Reservations for all weekend events are required and can be booked on Mohonk Mountain House’s website.
Water Street Fourth Fridays, a monthly community event with pop-up food vendors, local distilleries, wineries and breweries at Water Street Market, will be concluding this year’s season with celebration on Oct. 25 from 6-9 p.m. Halloween costumes are encouraged.
Various farms surrounding New Paltz offer apple picking, including Twin Star Orchards, Apple Hill Farm, Dressel Farms and Minard’s Family Farm. Twin Star Orchards also hosts public fall-themed events, with some upcoming ones being a Halloween pet parade and costume contest on Oct. 26, a pig roast on Nov. 2 and a holiday market every Saturday and Sunday between Nov. 23 and Dec. 22. Wallkill View Farm is another farm just outside of town that hosts pumpkin picking on October weekends and a corn maze every day through the end of October.