Stony Kill Falls

Stony Kill Falls is a waterfall on the north side of Minnewaska State Park Preserve, close to the boundary with Witch's Hole State Forest. On NY State Parks' trail map it sits on the white-marked Stony Kill Trail, half a mile long, which links to the 1.5-mile Stony Kill Carriage Road. It is away from the busy Lake Minnewaska lots, NY State Parks does not publish a separate trailhead address for it, and as at every waterfall in the preserve, swimming is not allowed.

Where Stony Kill Falls Is

NY State Parks' map places the falls on the preserve's northern edge, next to Witch's Hole State Forest, well away from the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center. Two routes touch it:

• Stony Kill Trail (white footpath), 0.5 mile.
• Stony Kill Carriage Road, 1.5 miles, part of the carriage-road network on that side of the park.

Nearby footpaths on the same map include Jenny Lane (light blue, 2.9 miles), the Mossy Glen Trail (yellow, 1.7 miles) and the Wawarsing Turnpike (pink, 1.7 miles).

How to Plan a Visit

NY State Parks' Minnewaska page lists only two entrances, the main Lake Minnewaska entrance and the Peter's Kill Area, and gives no directions to Stony Kill Falls. Before you go:

• Call the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center at (845) 255-0752 for the current access point and parking.
• Carry the official trail map. It is sold at the visitor centers for $5 and posted as a free PDF on NY State Parks' site.
• Do not park on road shoulders. NY State Parks asks visitors not to, out of respect for neighbours.

Rules at the Falls

• No swimming in any stream or waterfall in the preserve.
• Stay on designated trails.
• Bikes only on carriage roads, never on the Stony Kill Trail footpath.
• Dogs on a leash of six feet or less; clean up after them.
• No trash cans: carry out what you carry in.

When to Go

Waterfalls run fullest after rain and snowmelt. Watch the closing time, which moves from 9 p.m. in June to 5 p.m. in winter. See hours.

Other Waterfalls

• Awosting Falls: the easy one, 2.5 miles round trip on a carriage road from the main entrance.
• Verkeerder Kill Falls: 187 feet, from Sam's Point.
• Rainbow Falls: on the orange-marked Rainbow Falls Trail (see hiking).

Good For / Maybe Skip If

• Good for: a quieter waterfall away from the Lake Minnewaska crowds, for visitors who have checked access first.
• Maybe skip if: you want a sure, signed route from the main lot. Go to Awosting Falls.