Rock & Cliff Climbing
in the
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Lower Peter's Kill Escarpment

n 1997 Minnewaska State Park Preserve opened an area of the park for technical climbing. The area opened for climbing is known as the Lower Peter's Kill Escarpment and provides the opportunity of climbing the rock face for all levels of skill. On its western end are low scrambles and overhangs, on its eastern end are challenging cliff faces towering over 100 feet in height. The escarpment is easily accessible, open to the public and challenging enough to meet the requirements of even the most experience of climbers.

Climbers please take note: CLIMBING IN MINNEWASKA STATE PARK PRESERVE IS LIMITED ONLY TO THE LOWER PETER'S KILL ESCARPMENT. CLIMBING IN ANY OTHER LOCATION IN THE PRESERVE IS ILLEGAL AND SUBJECTS YOU TO FINES AND OTHER PENALTIES, INCLUDING ARREST.

This includes climbing on the eastern face of the Shawangunk Escarpment in any area where the Preserve Property is above you! The cliff face itself is probably owned by private landholders as part of their parcels at the foot of the cliff. However, once you reach the top edge of the cliff face, you are on Minnewaska State Park Preserve property and immediately fall under their jurisdiction.

The Park Police are very serious about enforcement of the restrictions on climbing in the Preserve. They want you to enjoy your experience while at Minnewaska, but require you to follow the rules established, not by them, but by the State of New York as part of its land management plan. Minnewaska State Park Preserve contains extremely fragile ecological areas in which all wildlife, plants as well as animals, are protected. As a user of the natural area, you have an impact on it's ecology.

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The Park Police are there to serve two very different functions. Their primary role is to aid and assist visitors to the Preserve. But their secondary role is to protect the environment from those same visitors. Minnewaska State Park Preserve is potentially a very dangerous place as it is crisscrossed with cliffs, ravines and escarpments. Trails and Overlooks are frequently adjacent to cliff edges. And everywhere you go in the Preserve, you are surrounded by extremely fragile environment. So please play by the rules, stick to developed paths and established trails. And only climb in the designated area of the Preserve.

The section of the Preserve that is open for technical climbing, the Lower Peter's Kill Escarpment, is extremely easy to locate and reach. It lies immediately adjacent to the Peter's Kill Entrance on Routes 44/55. If you want to pursue this sport, just go to the Peter's Kill Entrance and proceed to the office located at the parking area to obtain your permit. Once you are armed with your permit, the escarpment lies just a few hundred feet to the north of the parking area. For more challenging climbs, go to the eastern end of the parking area and follow the trails for a short distance to the east, then head north. The towering cliff faces providing the most challenging access begin in this area.

Rules of Minnewaska

• Minnewaska State Park Preserve has a fragile ecology. Please stay on established trails.
• All wildlife is protected.
• Share the area and be respectful of other park users.
• Climbing permits are required. You can obtain a permit at the Peter's Kill Office, immediately adjacent to the Peter's Kill parking area. Climbing Permits must be acquired on the day of use and cannot be reserved in advance. Minnewaska State Park Preserve very frequently closes down before it officially opens in the morning from the crush of users. To insure access, arrive early.
• Climbing permits are limited to help protect the fragile ecology of the area. To insure getting one of the limited permits issued daily, arrive early.
• Climb only within designated areas. They are very clearly marked and cannot be confused.
• Anchors on trees can cause bark damage, and so are prohibited.
• Rappeling is prohibited. Don't even think about it!
• You may only use removable gear; pitons, bolts and anchors are prohibited. All gear you bring in and use must be taken back out at the end of your climb.
• Please avoid excessive use of chalk and when possible, very carefully clean off any chalk you use.
• Tree cutting, rock trundling, hold chopping and bolting or gluing of holds is prohibited.
• Minnewaska State Park Preserve is a Carry In - Carry Out park. Please leave the area cleaner than you found it.
• Glass, camping, fires and amplified music are not allowed anywhere in the park. Cooking fires are allowed only in the picnic area at the Main Entrance of Minnewaska State Park Preserve immediately adjacent to Lake Minnewaska, and then only within the fire enclosures provided.

Minnewaska Requests...

• Stay on Designated Trails and Climb Only in Designated Areas. This minimizes erosion and damage to the delicate wetlands and flora and fauna of the area. Be aware of where you walk. Foot traffic on shallow mountain soils can compact the soil which can damage vegetation.
• Watch Your Step. Lichens, mosses and ferns take a long time to grow. Don't "clean" your route. Lichens are symbiotic organisms made up of algae and fungi. A palm-sized piece of Smooth Rock Tripe can be 75 years old.
• Mountain Spleenwort is a threatened species in New York State. This small fern is typically found in horizontal or vertical cracks near the base of cliffs. We are counting on climbers to help protect this plant.

Information

Peter's Kill area hours are 7am to 6pm (after October 28, 5pm).
(check ahead to be sure as the hours vary from year to year...)

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Minnewaska State Park Preserve
PO Box 893
New Paltz, NY 12561
(914)255-0752
(914)255-3503 - fax

For after-hours assistance call:
NYS Park Police: (914)786-2781

Overview Map of Minnewaska State Park Preserve

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Minnewaska State Park Preserve is part of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission and is also a part of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.