How to Get to Minnewaska

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Driving Directions

GPS lat/long (approx) = 41.73501,-74.23904 = N41.73501 W74.23904

from the New York State Thruway: Take Exit 18 for New Paltz. At the traffic light at the exit, turn Left and go West on Route 299 through the village of New Paltz. Then continue 5.7 miles on Route 299 until it ends at a T-intersection with Route 44. Turn Right and go 4.4 miles West-bound on Route 44: which takes you up and down two or three big hills. Along the way, the first Minnewaska parking area you see is the "Peters Kill area" on the right, but you continue past that to reach the Main entrance. The Minnewaska Park main entrance is on the Left side just after a steep uphill.

from the Mid-Hudson Bridge: After passing by the toll booths, turn Right and get onto Route 9W North. After 2.4 miles, turn Left onto Route 299 and go West about 6.5 miles into New Paltz. Then follow the directions "from the Thruway" above.

from Route 209 near Kerhonkson: Turn onto Route 44 East and go 5.5 miles up a long hill with a couple of dips along the way. At the top of the hill, the parking lot on the Right is the "Bottom parking area". After the top of the hill, continue down 0.2 mile past that first parking area to the Minnewaska Park main entrance which is on the Right side.

from New York City: Take your favorite route to get to the New York State Thruway, go North to Exit 18 for New Paltz, then follow the directions "from the Thruway" above. Usually somewhere around 2 hours from Manhattan.

from New Jersey: From the Garden State Parkway, exit onto Route 17 North and take that to the New York Thruway. Or take route 287 North to the Thruway. Go North on that to Exit 18 for New Paltz, then follow the directions "from the Thruway" above. Usually less than 1.5 hours from the intersection of routes 287 and 17 with the Thruway at the NY-NJ state border.

Parking

Most people drive up the steep and curvy access road to the upper parking area by Lake Minnewaska, but there is at least one alternative to consider -- see the discussion of parking options.

Minnewaska State Park Preserve

Where: west of New Paltz in Ulster county of New York

Phone: 845-256-0579

Website: [ official Park web page ]

if this link does not work, try
New York State Parks page

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