When to go
Weather, crowds, and what the season changes about the trip.
Spring
Cool and variable, with mountain laurel blooming in June and fast-changing ridge weather.
Pack Layers, rain shell, and grippy footwear for slick carriage roads.
Summer
Warm and very busy, with lake swimming and parking lots that fill and close by mid-morning on good days.
Pack Early arrival plan, sun protection, water, and swim gear.
Fall
Cool, clear hiking weather with dramatic foliage on the cliffs, drawing heavy October crowds.
Pack Warm layer, headlamp for short days, and an early or backup parking plan.
Winter
Cold and quiet, with snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on the carriage roads.
Pack Insulation, traction, and gear for groomed ski trails.
Top things to do
Lake Minnewaska and Millbrook Mountain loop
The classic carriage-road and cliff-edge loop around the sky lake to the Millbrook Mountain overlook.
Gertrude's Nose
A dramatic cliff-edge footpath with exposed white-conglomerate ledges and long Hudson Valley views.
Awosting Falls
A short carriage-road walk to a 60-foot waterfall, the easiest signature payoff in the preserve.
Anchor the day around Lake Minnewaska and Millbrook Mountain loop
Keep one flexible slot in the day, because weather, parking, and energy usually decide more than the map does. For one day in Minnewaska State Park Preserve, make Lake Minnewaska and Millbrook Mountain loop the non-negotiable, add Gertrude's Nose only if the first stop runs clean, and keep Awosting Falls as the flexible finish.
- 1Start with Lake Minnewaska and Millbrook Mountain loop: The classic carriage-road and cliff-edge loop around the sky lake to the Millbrook Mountain overlook.
- 2Add Gertrude's Nose: A dramatic cliff-edge footpath with exposed white-conglomerate ledges and long Hudson Valley views.
- 3Use Awosting Falls as the optional finish, not as a reason to rush the whole day.
Plan your trip
Turn Minnewaska's conditions into water, pack, and sleep-system decisions.
Build around conditions
Let season, elevation, and weather set the plan.
Plan your trip
3 quick tools, already seeded for Minnewaska State Park Preserve. Tune the numbers around temperature swings, footing, layers, and how much margin the route needs.
What to pack
Start with the gear decisions this park changes: footing, weather, camping, and water.
Kit Authority
Minnewaska State Park Preserve packing list
0 of 15 packed. Check items as you pack, then take this list to the store, trailhead, or campsite.
Pack planning
Decide what Minnewaska State Park Preserve asks of your kit before you start checking boxes.
Use this as a constraint check while you are still shaping the trip. The active checklist becomes useful once your route, dates, and sleep plan are set.
- First constraintHydration and exposureWater, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, Navigationmap, downloaded GPS, or a GPS watch, 3 more
- Route realityFooting and tractionTrail running shoes, Hiking socks, Trekking poles
- Load choicePack and carry systemDaypack
- Season checkLayers for conditionsMoisture-wicking base layers, Rain jacket, Insulated jacket, 1 more
Checklist mode
15 items, grouped for the trip you are actually taking.
- Dates and season are set.
- Primary route, campground, or lodge is chosen.
- Water, footwear, and overnight needs are sized.
One researched pick
The first gear decision for Minnewaska
A stable daypack is the one purchase that organizes water, layers, food, first aid, and the small safety margin.
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THE DAY-HIKE PICK
Osprey Talon 22
- Volume
- 22 L
- Weight
- 2 lb 1 oz (945 g)
- Back Panel
- AirScape foam with ventilation channels
- Hipbelt Pockets
- 2 zippered
- Hydration
- Compatible up to 3 L reservoir (sold separately)
- Warranty
- All Mighty Guarantee (lifetime repair or replace)
The Talon 22 is the daypack you see on the trail more than any other for good reason: it packs in a padded hipbelt, adjustable torso harness, and dual hipbelt pockets into a 22-liter package that handles loads up to 20 lb without complaint. Owners across hundreds of Amazon ratings consistently cite its adjustability and durability as standouts.
- Adjustable torso fit covers a wide range of body sizes
- Padded hipbelt and dual hipbelt pockets at this size are rare
- At 2 lb 1 oz it runs heavier than ultralight rivals for the same volume
Best for
Hikers who want a proven all-around daypack with solid load support, plenty of adjustment, and a warranty they can actually use.
Gear for Minnewaska
The buying guides that match what Minnewaska asks of your kit, with our current top picks across budget and use case.
Where to stay
There is no camping inside the preserve itself. The Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground, a tent-only site managed by the American Alpine Club and Mohonk Preserve, sits five minutes from the main entrances and is the closest camping. Gardiner, New Paltz, and Kerhonkson offer hotels, inns, and rentals for travelers who want a room.
Camping reservations
Camping reservations
Camp at the Shawangunk Gateway Campground, not inside the preserve.
Minnewaska is a day-use preserve with no campground of its own. The tent-only Shawangunk Gateway Campground is the closest option, with 24 drive-in and 26 walk-in sites, open mid-May through mid-November.
Reviewed June 11, 2026
Booking window
The Shawangunk Gateway Campground books through the American Alpine Club lodging system. Reserve early for summer and fall-color weekends.
- The preserve charges a $10 per vehicle parking fee, and an Empire Pass covers day-use entry.
- Lake Minnewaska and Sam's Point parking lots fill on good-weather days and close intermittently when full.
- The campground is tent-only. Recreational vehicles are not permitted, and each site holds up to two tents and four people.
Where to book or verify
Official American Alpine Club page for the tent-only campground near the preserve entrances.
Official preserve page with hours, fees, trail maps, and parking alerts.
Check for federal campground, backcountry, tour, and permit inventory tied to this park.
Campgrounds to know
Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground
Details- Booking
- Reserve through the American Alpine Club lodging system.
- Season
- Open mid-May through mid-November, weather permitting.
- Sites
- Tent-only sites: 24 drive-in and 26 walk-in, with a pavilion, cooking area, and bathhouse.
- The closest camping to the preserve, about a five-minute drive from the main entrances.
Getting there and practical info
Plan the handoff from arrival to shuttle.
Parking, pedestrian entrances, and shuttle timing decide how calmly the first morning starts.
Getting there
Get to Minnewaska State Park Preserve, then remove the first-morning friction.
- Access rhythm
- Plan the last mile
- Region
- New York
Arrival note
Minnewaska is in Ulster County on Route 44/55, about five miles west of Gardiner and roughly an hour and a half from New York City.
Car strategy
A car is the practical way to reach the preserve, and arriving early is the single most important move because the Lake Minnewaska and Sam's Point lots close when they fill.
Pair this with lodging: sleep where the park transfer is simple, especially if your route needs an early start.
Can you photograph here? Permit and drone rules
New York State runs no statewide photo permit; OPRHP permits shoots in state parks region by region, and New York City is an entirely separate permitting regime.
- Permit
- Usually fine for personal shoots; commercial or large productions can need a permit
- Drones
- Commercial drone work requires FAA Part 107
- Land
- Yes: you can photograph what is visible from public space in the US
From our photography sister site, Aperture Authority. Verified 2026-07-01.
Frequently asked questions
Can you camp inside Minnewaska State Park Preserve?
No. The preserve is day-use only. The closest camping is the tent-only Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground, about five minutes from the main entrances, managed by the American Alpine Club and Mohonk Preserve and open mid-May through mid-November.
How much does it cost to enter Minnewaska?
The preserve charges $10 per vehicle to park. An Empire Pass covers day-use entry. Rock climbing, boating, and horseback riding carry separate permit fees.
When do the Minnewaska parking lots fill up?
On good-weather summer and fall weekends, the Lake Minnewaska and Sam's Point lots can reach capacity by mid-morning and close intermittently. Arriving early is the most reliable way to get in.