Awosting Reserve

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Credit: Marni Horwitz

When a developer announced plans for a golf course and 349 luxury homes along upstate New York's Shawangunk Ridge, "Save the Ridge" signs appeared as far away as New York City. With waterfalls, lakes, forested ridges, and rocky outcrops, the area south of the Catskills affectionately known as "the Gunks" has been popular with nature lovers and rock climbers since the 19th century. Tens of thousands of acres have been protected here, and conservationists and residents worried that development of the 2,500-acre Awosting Reserve would spoil views and disrupt the area's wild ambience. TPL and its partner, the Open Space Institute, acquired the land in 2006 for addition to adjacent Minnewaska State Park Preserve.

Visit

Hiking, biking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing are very popular activities in the Shawankgunk Mountains. The Minnewaska State Park Preserve is one of the most unique and beautiful parks in New York State, featuring numerous waterfalls, three crystal clear lakes and more cliff edge views than you can imagine. There are 35 miles of old carriage roads as well as 25 miles of footpaths on which visitors can bike, walk, hike, and explore this special place.

Directions: Take NY Route 17 to exit 113 (Wurtsboro/Ellenville). Take Route 209 through Ellenville to Kerhonkson. Turn right onto Route 44/55 to the park entrance on the right.

Hiking guide for Minnewaska State Park Preserve.