Minnewaska State Park Preserve is located in Ulster County, NY. This stunning park is set on the dramatic Shawangunk Mountain Ridge. The park features 21,106  acres  of land that contain numerous breathtaking waterfalls, dense hardwood forests, cliffs and ledges opening to beautiful views including the nearby Catskills Mountains.

Lake Minnewaska, Lake Awosting, and Mud Pond are three sky lakes that are found within the preserve. Clear streams cut into valleys throughout the park. There are twenty five miles of footpaths on which to bike, walk, hike or to simply enjoy the spectacular views.

We went to the Minnewaska early in the summer season and took a short hike down to the waterfall and the children enjoyed swimming and wading in the vacant water below. When we went back a different year on a summer Sunday afternoon the area of the waterfall was full of people.

Hours Updated: May 20, 2023

Posted: September 28, 2018