Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Sam's Point Area
Notice: Park Trail Closure Wednesday November 4th — details
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- $10 per vehicleAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed6-ft leash
- Camping
- None listed
- Official site
- parks.ny.gov(845) 647-7989
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 3
Closure Park Trail Closure Wednesday November 4thThe following trails will be closed to all users for your safety for the day due to a trail improvement project. Please adhere to these closures and… (more)
The following trails will be closed to all users for your safety for the day due to a trail improvement project. Please adhere to these closures and plan to utilize different trails. High Point Carriage Road Verkeerderkill Falls Footpath Berry Picker Footpath Indian Rock Footpath Scenic Trail from Lake Awosting to Verkeerderkill Falls
Posted by the park. Official alert
Alert No SmokingSmoking is NOT permitted anywhere in the park preserve. No Smoking, No Vaping, No Cannabis
Posted by the park. Official alert
Alert Parking Reservations 2026Parking Reservations required Weekends and Holidays starting April 18, 2026. Parking reservations are required weekends and holidays April 18 through… (more)
Parking Reservations required Weekends and Holidays starting April 18, 2026. Parking reservations are required weekends and holidays April 18 through November 15. Parking reservations can be made through ReserveAmerica.com or by calling 1-800-777-9644. Reservations can be made up to two weeks in advance.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Sam's Point Area is a natural area in Ulster County, about 11 miles west of New Paltz.
Popular activities here are winter sports, hunting in season, biking, and hiking.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Open year-round, current hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. hours will change seasonally. Bus Permits are $60, and must be scheduled in advanced by calling the Sam's Point Visitor Center. Unannounced buses have a fee of $150 but may only be permitted if there is not a group scheduled that day. Sam's Point permits 1 bus/group per day. Buses are not permitted on weekends or Holidays. A bus is considered a group of 15 people or more in a motor vehicle.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| $10 per vehicle | $10 · vehicle |
| Bus Permits: Bus permits | $60 |
| Bus Permits Not Scheduled in Advance | $150 |
| $15/day | $15 |
Official wording
Vehicle Entrance Fee $10 per vehicle Parking reservations are required weekends/holidays from April 15 through November 15. Reservations can be made online at Reserve America or by calling 1-800-456-2267. Bus Permits: Bus permits: $60 Bus Permits Not Scheduled in Advance: $150 Buses are not permitted on weekends and holidays. Please contact the Visitor Center to schedule a bus. Snowshoe Rental $15/day
New York park passes
- Empire Pass — from $80. Unlimited day-use vehicle entry at most State Parks and DEC facilities (one vehicle at a time) Details
- Golden Park Program — free. Free vehicle entry on non-holiday weekdays for NY residents 62+ Details
- Access Pass — free. Free or discounted use for NY residents with disabilities Details
- Lifetime Liberty Pass — free. Free or discounted use for NY resident veterans and Gold Star parents, spouses, children Details
- Every Kid Outdoors (NPS 4th-grade pass) — free. Free entry for 4th grade students Details
From the New York state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com)
- Phone
- 1-800-456-2267
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed · leash up to 6 feet
Dogs only, must be on a leash not more than 6 feet and under the owners control. Please clean up after your dog and dispose of properly.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Things to do
BikingHikingHuntingWinter sports
Amenities
Facilities
- Visitor center
- Park or camp store
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Rules and permits
Restrictions: • Smoking is NOT permitted anywhere in the park preserve. No Smoking, No Vaping, No Cannabis
- There are no trash cans at this park preserve; please carry in and carry out everything you bring to the park preserve.
- Swimming is NOT permitted in any lakes, streams or waterfalls.
- Barbequing/Cooking is not permitted at any location within the Sam's Point Area.
- The use of motorized scooters, equestrian use, skateboards, and one-wheels are NOT permitted anywhere in the park preserve.
- The use of drones is prohibited at the Sam's Point Area.
- Amplified music is prohibited throughout the park preserve.
- Buses are only permitted on non-holiday weekdays.
- Groups of fifteen or larger require a permit in advance
Parking Reservations: Parking reservations are required weekends/holidays from April 15 through November 15. Reservations can be made online at Reserve America or by calling 1-800-777-9644. Please respect our neighbors and surrounding communities, do not park on adjacent roadway shoulders to the park preserve, you will be ticked or towed
Getting there
- Address
- 400 Sam’s Point Road
Cragsmoor, NY 12420 - Nearest town
- New Paltz — about 11 mi west (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 41.7158, -74.2932
- Phone
- (845) 647-7989
Entrances
- Entrance
Google Maps directionsApple Maps
Directions from the park
Entrance: Sam's Point
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- New York State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- NY State Parks 'All Locations' park finder (server-rendered, ?page=N)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology