The Mohonk & Minnewaska State Park Preserves (New York)

The Mohonk Mountain House, a majestic castle-like resort and spa less than 100 miles north of New York City, with fireplaces throughout its buildings and antique rooms, three included farm-to-table meals, lake swimming, kayaking, shuffleboard, tennis, yoga/fitness classes, ice skating, and so much more. . . is ridiculously expensive. Over $1000/night expensive. There are ways to stay overnight for less, with last-minute discounts and mid-week rates, but the real treasure of Mohonk is the land on which it rests, and like most wild places, the most beautiful, peaceful, and inspiring experiences begin to be found a 5-10 minute walk from where the people are. . .

The Mohonk Mountain House is situated amid the Mohonk and Minnewaska State Park Preserves, which combine for over 30,000 acres of rugged, rocky terrain, crystalline sky lakes and waterfalls, dense forests, 2000ft cliffs and ledges opening to beautiful panoramas, streams cut into valleys, and over 100 miles of carriage roads and 75 miles of trails to walk, hike, bike, snowshoe, cross-country ski, and simply enjoy. Home of the “Gunks” (Shawangunks), one of America’s premier climbing areas, hosting 50,000 climbers each year who enjoy more than 1,000 climbing routes.
Access to all of this terrain ranges from as little as $10-$15 to $35 per person depending on where you’re headed, and if you’re making a habit of it, annual passes/memberships sell for $70-$80 per person.

This post will cover everything you need to know about the Mountain House and two preserves, details on three incredible hikes, one in each location, as well as some information on the surrounding area. This region can be visited as a long day trip from New York City, or if you choose to spend the weekend, there are tons of beautiful and unique AirBnb/VRBO options (in New Paltz, Gardiner, Kerhonkson, Accord) and even some nearby campgrounds.

Mohonk Mountain House

The Mohonk Mountain House and its immediate grounds are spectacular. Wooden gazebos adjoin the scenery as if part of nature itself. A beautiful Victorian garden and treehouse feel like a painting. Various porches looking out over the lake and surrounding mountains are lined with comfortable wooden rocking chairs, and in the late afternoon tea and cookies are served. . .

Overnight Guests: Those interested in staying overnight should check out the specials page for discounted rates of 10-30% on select dates.
Day Guests: A great alternative is making an advance reservation for a meal or spa treatment. With full access to the house, grounds, and hiking trails, you can plan around your reservation to explore from dawn to dusk.
- Dining: Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner options for $130 per person.
- Spa: Massage and other treatments starting at $200 per person.
Hiker Day Passes: A third option is the hiker day-pass which as of May 2022 was $35 per person. Hikers do not have access to the Mountain House itself and have to park their cars at the Gatehouse entrance, which is a 2.2 mile / 45 minute hike from the Mountain House and Mohonk Lake (Lame!). This option only makes sense if you wish to hike to Mohonk Lake, Skytop Tower, and/or the Labyrinth, and you absolutely should at least once. Otherwise, parking elsewhere makes the most sense for hikers: The day-use fees for all other parking lots throughout the Mohonk Preserve are $15 per person, and in the Minnewaska State Park Preserve just $10 per vehicle.

Magnificent Hikes

Below are three incredible hikes. Each one is a bit intense in its own way due to length and/or terrain. All of them involve rock scrambles and sections that could induce a fear of heights or claustrophobia.

I promise they are all worth it.

Purchase the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference “Shawangunk Trails” map set (~$12) for confidence exploring these hikes and many more. These topographical maps display every major feature and scenic viewpoint across the Mohonk and Minnewaska State Park Preserves so you can make the most of your visit (and not get lost!).

The Labyrinth & The Lemon Squeeze

(Mohonk Mountain House)

1 mile, 290ft elevation gain | additional 4.4 miles roundtrip from Gatehouse

An adventurous cavernous rock scramble following a maze of red arrows through the boulder-strewn Labyrinth climaxing with a wooden ladder climb up and through the “Lemon Squeeze” crevice, one of the most memorable outdoor experiences in the Hudson Valley . . .

Details:

This ~1 mile rock scramble is popular for families and children and most enjoyable when there are less people on the trail. It is easy for the obstacle course to get bottlenecked and hikers spend more time waiting for others than hiking. So plan to go early in the morning and/or on a weekday if at all possible. Clear skies and fall foliage are always a good idea too.
If you are staying at Mohonk Mountain House overnight or reserved a meal or spa treatment, you will already be near Mohonk Lake and a few minutes from the Labyrinth trailhead.
If you are visiting with a hiker day pass, you will start from the Mohonk Gatehouse (as mentioned earlier in this post) and need to walk an additional 2.2 miles to/from the trailhead. The map below shows the path between the Gatehouse and Mohonk Lake that you can follow to/from your car (making the total roundtrip from your car up the Labrynith and back about 5.5 miles). The path is beautiful with some fantastic views in the latter half. You will also see the colorful gardens on your right. The 2.2 miles takes about 45 minutes up and less on the way down.

*Gatehouse <> Hugenot Trail <> Whitney Road <> North Lookout Road <> Glen Anna Path <> Huguenot Drive <> Mohonk Lake*

The Labyrinth trailhead is located on Lake Shore Road adjacent to Mohonk Lake. A small sign denotes the trail where you immediately begin the rock maze. Pace yourself and enjoy the views. At the end of the scramble, you will scale a series of ladders into a narrow passageway of rock with still more ladders at the end culminating in a minor (but intimidating for first-timers) bouldering maneuver emerging onto a ledge with breathtaking views. You might need to remove your backpack and pass it up to the person in front of you. Just take it slow and watch your step . . .

After taking in the ledge, continue to follow the red arrows across the bridge now above the Lemon Squeeze and up a little further to Sky Top Road where you can ascend Sky Top Tower for panoramic views before heading down Sky Top Path, a peaceful gazebo-lined stroll back down to the lake. Follow the first map back to the Gatehouse.

Bonticou Crag & Table Rocks Loop

(Mohonk Preserve)

AllTrails 5.1 miles, 940ft elevation gain

This hike will test your navigation and rock scrambling skills, and features absolutely spectacular views almost throughout. The crux is a short but steep/intimidating rock scramble up Bonticou Crag rewarded with a stunning ridgeline. The encore is Table Rocks, a formation and panorama that will leave you in total awe. A forecast of clear skies is the goal. Bring lunch or a snack for Table Rocks.

Parking: Spring Farm Trailhead
Cost: Mohonk Preserve. $15 per person for a day pass or $70 for an annual membership as of May 2022.
Route: Begin at the Spring Farm Trailhead. Follow the blue-blazed Table Rocks Trail a short distance before turning right onto the red-blazed trail to reach the Bonticou Crag trailhead eventually behind the half loop of Cedar Drive. Follow the yellow-blazes up the crag for 0.45 miles and connect to the blue-blazed Northeast Trail for 0.8 miles before turning left onto the Clearwater Road Trial for 0.3 miles. Turn right onto the blue-blazed Table Rocks Trail for 0.8 miles out to Table Rocks. Retrace the 0.8 miles and either continue along the Table Rocks Trail back to the parking lot or switch to the Spring Farm Road carriage trail passing Spring Farm and Million Dollar View along the way. Check out this post from Hike the Hudson Valley for photos and more details.

Jenny Lane, Rainbow Falls, Litchfield Ledge, and Lake Awosting

(Minnewaska State Park Preserve)

AllTrails 11.65 miles, 1600ft elevation gain

This is one of my favorite. Beautiful and inspiring in all seasons. Pack a feast and lots of water (and a filter) and plan to spend the day basking in the beauty. Great in the fall season for the colors. Great in the summer so you can go for a swim. Take your time and enjoy it.

A section of the Shawangunk Ridge Trail (SRT).

Parking: The best place is this small parking area. Parking is limited so best to get there early. I believe it is free to park here since it is not an official location but if not the following applies:
Cost: Minnewaska State Park Preserve. $10 per vehicle or $80 for annual Empire Pass (NY State Parks).
Trailhead: Located on the opposite side of the road (US-44/NY-55) from the parking area about 500ft to the left upon exiting the parking area. So, exit the lot towards the road, turn left, walk ~500ft, and cross the road. The trailhead sign, slightly offset into the woods, is a large informational graphic that reads “Jenny Lane Footpath” with blue blazes.
Route (Highlights in bold): Take Blue Trail (Jenny Lane) for 2.8 miles to intersection with Black Trail (Lower Awosting Carriageway) • Right turn at intersection and then take a quick left onto Orange Trail (Rainbow Falls Trail). • Rainbow Falls is the 3.25 mile mark. • Cross Upper Awosting Carriage Road (Green) and remain on Orange Trail (Rainbow Falls Trail) around 3.7 mile mark. • Litchfield Ledge is the 4.5 mile mark. • Intersection with Blue Trail (Castle Point Carriage Road) at 4.8 mile mark. This is a loop and you should turn left at this intersection. • Pass another Blue Trail (Blueberry Run Trail) on your left at 5.3 miles. • Make a SHARP right turn descending off of Castle Point Carriage Road (Blue Trail) to remain on SRT (Lilac/Violet Trail) and travel down its precipitous rock scramble to Yellow Trail (Hamilton Point Carriage Road) at which point turn right again. This is the 5.4 mile mark. • At 5.5 mile mark Yellow Trail intersects with Blue Trail and SRT. Make sharp left to remain on SRT (Lilac/Violet). • At 5.9 mile mark, SRT intersects with Wolf Jaw Trail. Continue to follow SRT (Lilac/Violet). • Margaret Cliff is the 6.2 mile mark. • At 6.8 mile mark, turn right at Spruce Glen Path intersection to head 0.2 miles to Lake Awosting. Turn right at lake intersection onto Black Trail (Lake Awosting Carriageway) to reach beach. • Beach is 7.2 mile mark. Swimming Area. Restrooms. • Follow Black Trail (Lake Awosting Carriageway) along perimeter of lake passing Blue Trail (Castle Point Carriage Road) intersection at 7.8 mile mark, turning left to remain on Black Trail when it intersects with Green Trail (Upper Awosting Carriage Road) at 8.2 mile mark, until finally veering right at the NE tip of lake / 8.4 mile mark to head back on the Lower Awosting Carriageway (Black Trail). • Pass Orange (Rainbow Falls) and Blue (Jenny Lane) intersections around 8.8 miles and remain on Black (Lower Awosting Carriage Road) until hitting the Blue (Blueberry Run) intersection around 9.7 miles. Turn left here to sync up with Jenny Lane. • Turn right at Jenny Lane intersection (9.9 miles) to head back to car (11.65 miles).

The Mohonk & Minnewaska State Park Preserves (New York)

Magnificent Hikes

Other Things Nearby

Artist’s Point Snowshoe Hike (Mt. Baker Ski Area, Washington)

Letchworth State Park (New York)