New Paltz is just 15 minutes away from Jellystone Park™ Gardiner and offers a variety of hiking trails for all levels of expertise. Whether you're staying at our Camp-Resort for a week or weekend, or just passing through New Paltz, we recommend checking out one of the many hiking trails this city has to offer. Keep reading for beginner, advanced, and expert hiking trails near New Paltz to find one that's perfect for you!
Wallkill Valley Rail Trail: Beginner - 14.4 Miles
Rated 4.5 stars, the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is an easy hike for beginners and is a beautiful New York hiking trail! This 14.4 mile hike takes just over 4 hours to complete and is great for both hiking and biking. This trail is 20 minutes away from Jellystone Park™ Gardiner and is open year-round! Plus, dogs are allowed as long as they are on a leash!
Sky Top Trail: Beginner - 1.6 Miles
Located 20 minutes away from our New York campground, this 1.6 mile loop features scenic views of the Catskills, Shawangunk ridges, and the Mohonk mountain house, plus there is a fire tower at the top of the trail! Sky Top Trail is located on the Mohonk Preserve and is perfect for beginner hikers. Keep in mind there is a fee to enter the Mohonk Preserve - day passes begin at $30/day.
Compass Rock: Beginner - 1.9 Miles
Minnewaska State Park offers some of the best hiking in New Paltz, NY including Compass Rock! This hike is a local favorite and features a beautiful overlook at the end. The 1.9 mile hike takes about an hour to complete, and is just over a 10 minute drive away from Jellystone Park™ Lazy River.
Bonticou Crag Trail: Advanced - 2.3 Miles
For our first advanced trail option, we recommend the Bonticou Crag Trail for great views! This trail usually takes hikes about an hour to complete and is only 20 minutes away from our Camp-Resort. Also located on the Mohonk Preserve, the Bonticou Crag Trail is popular for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking and ends with amazing views of the valley below.
Gertrude's Nose and Millbrook Mountain Loop: Advanced - 6.7 Miles
Rated 5 stars, Gertrude's Nose is one of the best hikes in New Paltz for advanced hikers! This 6.7 mile long trail travels along various cliff edges and rock formations, starting from Millbrook Mountain down to Patterson's Pellet. This hike takes about 3 hours and is located in Minnewaska State Park, only 10 minutes away from Jellystone Park™!
Castle Point Carriage Road to Upper Awosting Carriageway Loop: Advanced - 9.3 Miles
Another great hike that begins at the same trail head as the above Gertrude's Nose hike is Castle Point Carriage Road to Upper Awosting Carriageway Loop. This is one of the most scenic walks in Minnewaska State Park, featuring two large lakes and views of the Catskill Mountains. Exploring the 9.3 mile hike usually takes 3.5 hours. This trail is located 15 minutes away from our park.
Rainbow Falls via Jenny Lane: Advanced - 7.6 Miles
Hike past streams and a small waterfall on the Rainbow Falls via Jenny Lane loop! This 7.6 mile hike will take you 3 hours to complete. Located about 30 minutes away from Jellystone Park™ Lazy River, it is a popular trail for hiking, mountain biking, and trail running. Plus, dogs are allowed as long as they are on a leash!
Lemon Squeeze and Eagle Cliff Loop: Expert - 7 Miles
Located a half hour away from our Camp-Resort, this 7 mile hike is adequately named for the squeeze between rocks towards the end of the trail. Lemon Squeeze and Eagle Cliff loop will have you climbing over, under, and around rocks, plus up a few ladders! The trail takes about 3.5 hours to complete and will take you past duck pond, steep cliff faces, and great views.
High Peters Kill Trail: Expert - 6.5 Miles
Enjoy ridge views while you hike toward Peters Kill, a stream that runs through the Appalachian Mountains in Minnewaska State Park. This New Paltz hiking trail features outlooks and bridges over the stream, and will take you a little over 3 hours to complete. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash! This trail is located 15 minutes away from our park.
The Labyrinth Trail: Expert - 1 Mile
Don’t be fooled by the short length of this hike - it is not for the faint of heart! The Labyrinth Trail involves lots of climbing through various tight pits and ditches, and scrambling up boulders. The trail takes an average of 30 minutes to complete, and you will be rewarded with views of Skytop Reservoir & Memorial Tower at the end. Dogs aren't allowed on this trail so you'll need to leave pups at home. This trail is also located on the Mohonk Preserve.
What are you waiting for?! It's time to explore one, multiple, or all of these New Paltz hiking trails to top off your family getaway. Don't forget to bring sunscreen, plenty of water, and snacks!
