Two dome tents on a gravel tent pad in a wooded campground with a picnic table

Camping Near Minnewaska

You cannot camp at Minnewaska State Park Preserve: it is day use only, and camping, fires and cooking are not permitted anywhere in it, including the Sam's Point Area. The campground NY State Parks points visitors to is the tent-only Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground at 953 State Route 299 in Gardiner, about a five-minute drive from Minnewaska's main entrances. It is run by the American Alpine Club and Mohonk Preserve and opens mid-May to mid-November.

At a Glance

Camping at a Glance

In the preserveNo camping, fires or cooking; day use only

Nearest campgroundSamuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground

Address953 State Route 299, Gardiner, NY 12525

Run byAmerican Alpine Club and Mohonk Preserve

Sites24 drive-in, 26 walk-in; tents only, no RVs

Per siteUp to 2 tents and 4 people

SeasonMid-May to mid-November, weather permitting

Phone303-951-4571

Why There Is No Camping

NY State Parks' trail maps for both the main preserve and Sam's Point say the same thing: day use only; camping, barbecuing and cooking, and fires are not permitted. The preserve opens at 9 a.m. and closes at a posted seasonal time, and visitors must be out by then. Mohonk Preserve, next door, does not allow camping either.

Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground

NY State Parks describes it as a high-quality, minimalist campground for visitors to the Shawangunks:

Tents only. Recreational vehicles are not permitted.
50 sites: 24 drive-in sites (one vehicle per site) and 26 walk-in sites.
Up to two tents and four people per pad.
Facilities: a pavilion and cooking area, a bathhouse and restrooms, and walking paths round the grounds.
Season: mid-May through mid-November, weather permitting.
Office hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Where: 953 State Route 299, Gardiner, NY 12525, within five minutes of Minnewaska's main entrances.
Contact: 303-951-4571, or book through the American Alpine Club's lodging page.

The campground is not part of the state park; its rates and booking rules are the American Alpine Club's.

Fires and Cooking in the Preserve

Even for a day picnic, Minnewaska does not allow barbecues, grills or any cooking. Picnic tables near the lots are first come, first served. There are no trash cans, so carry out everything.

Backpackers on the Long Path

The Long Path and the Shawangunk Ridge Trail cross the preserve, but the day-use rule still applies inside it: plan overnight stops outside the preserve boundary. See the Shawangunk Ridge.

Plan a Weekend

Day 1: Lake Minnewaska and Awosting Falls from the main entrance; arrive at 9 a.m.
Day 2: Sam's Point and the Ice Caves (weekend parking needs a reservation), or Mohonk Preserve.

Camping Near Minnewaska FAQ

Can you camp at Minnewaska State Park?

No. The preserve is day use only; camping, fires and cooking are not permitted.

Where is the closest campground to Minnewaska?

The Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground, 953 State Route 299, Gardiner, about five minutes from the main entrances. It is tent-only.

Can you bring an RV to the Gunks campground?

No. The Shawangunk Gateway Campground is tent-only and does not allow recreational vehicles.

When is the Gunks campground open?

Mid-May through mid-November, weather permitting.