Last Updated on April 29, 2024 by Sam
The Awosting Falls Trail in Minnewaska State Park Preserve is one of New York State’s hidden gems. It’s a short and easy trail with a spectacular reward – up-close views of the awe-inspiring Awosting Falls. Standing at 60-feet tall, the waterfall perfectly encapsulates the stunning nature of Minnewaska State Park – which is home to a number of other wonderful walking and hiking trails. This guide covers a range of information about Awosting Falls, including the trail itself, how to get there, and where else to visit in New York’s Minnewaska State Park.
Looking for more amazing hikes in Upstate New York? Make sure to read our guides to the Kaaterskill Falls Trail and the incredible Giant Ledge hike in the Catskills!
Awosting Falls Information
Awosting Falls Height – 60 feet (18 metres).
Awosting Falls Entrance Fee – $10 per vehicle for access to Minnewaska State Park.
Awosting Falls Opening Hours – 9am to 6pm although hours may vary depending on the season. Visit the Minnewaska State Park website and check the hours of operation section for the current opening hours.
Awosting Falls Trail Difficulty – Easy. There is a short descent section to the falls itself, but it is not particularly strenuous. You will need to ascend this section on your return, but it isn’t overly steep.
Even though this is an easy trail click here to view it on AllTrails!
How to get to Awosting Falls
Awosting Falls is located in Minnewaska State Park Preserve, close by to the main entrance to the park. The falls are most easily accessible from the Lower Awosting car park, which is conveniently located near to the park entrance.
We recommend using Google Maps for directions to Awosting Falls, with the best option being to set your destination as the Lower Awosting Lot. Click here to see the location of the car park on Google Maps!
It’s approximately a 15-minute drive from the nearby town of New Paltz, and is also accessible from a number of other towns in the Hudson Valley. Unfortunately there is no public transport to Minnewaska State Park itself, so you will need to either rent a car or take a taxi in order to visit Awosting Falls.
Renting a car is the better option if possible as it makes exploring the park a lot easier, and there is plenty to discover including the amazing views from Sam’s Point Preserve, the picturesque Lake Minnewaska, and more!
One of the best options when it comes to renting a car is to check the Discover Cars website, as they compare between a number of operators to get you the best deal. Click here to find the best prices for your trip on the Discover Cars website!
It’s less than a 2 hour drive from New York City to Minnewaska State Park, so it’s normally easiest to rent a car from somewhere in or around Manhattan – but it depends on exactly where you’re coming from. We recommend spending a few days staying in New Paltz or another nearby town, so that you can make sure to discover the amazing natural beauty the park has to offer.
Upon arrival at the main entrance there is a $10 entry fee per vehicle, and once inside there are parking areas near Awosting Falls and Lake Minnewaska. Tickets are valid for a full day, so if you have already paid for entry at another part of the park then you can use the same ticket for entry at the main entrance by Awosting Falls to avoid paying again.
Awosting Falls Trail Walk
The Awosting Falls trail is a fairly easy walk, taking approximately 10-15 minutes one-way from the Lower Awosting parking lot. Starting from the car park, the trail leads alongside the road for a few minutes – and at this point the path is flat and not at all strenuous.
After a few minutes you will need to cross the road to reach the Awosting Falls trailhead, which is marked with a sign to the falls. The Peters Kill stream will be on your left hand side as you continue to walk, and the surrounding forest make it a pleasant spot for a walk.
Within a couple of minutes you will be near the top of the waterfall, and if you climb onto the rocky area to your left then you can enjoy lovely views of Awosting Falls from above. Take care when walking on the area as it is a little rocky and can be slippery if it’s been raining recently.
After enjoying the views from above, it’s time to continue on the path down to the base of the waterfall. It only takes a few more minutes to hike to the bottom of Awosting Falls, at which point you can get a full view of this beautiful waterfall.
There is a plunge pool at the base of Awosting Falls but swimming is strictly prohibited. Instead, just admire the views from land of this impressive 60-foot tall waterfall that plunges over a dramatic cliff edge into the pool below.
When you are ready you can retrace your steps back to the Lower Awosting car park, which involves a short uphill section back to the top of the waterfall. This section is the most challenging bit of the Awosting Falls trail, but only lasts a few minutes and isn’t too steep – so it is easily manageable for most people!
Tips for visiting Awosting Falls
Explore more of Minnewaska – Don’t limit your visit to just Awosting Falls. There is plenty more to see in Minnewaska State Park, with two of the highlights being the sweeping views from Sam’s Point and the nearby Lake Minnewaska.
Visit during different seasons – If you live nearby then it’s worth visiting Awosting Falls and Minnewaska State Park at different times of year to witness the seasonal variations. It’s a particularly beautiful place to visit during the fall foliage, where the surrounding trees put on a wonderful display of yellow, orange, and red coloured leaves.
Swimming is prohibited – One thing to keep in mind is that swimming is not allowed at Awosting Falls. If you’re looking for somewhere nearby to go swimming nearby in New York State then you can do so in Lake Minnewaska during the summer season.
Try to visit on a weekday or off-season – If possible you will want to time your visit for a weekday or off-season, as the car parks in Minnewaska State Park can fill up quickly. The summer months and weekends are the busiest times to visit the park, so if you can avoid these it makes it easier to find a parking space.
If you do plan to visit on a weekend or during the summer months, make sure to arrive early to ensure a parking spot and to enjoy the park’s beauty before it gets too crowded!
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