Lower Peters Kill
This area has a number of pretty falls, culminating in a spectacular fall with the ruins of an old power station at its base. We don’t know the safety or legality of swimming in these falls, but it is a beautiful hike.
THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO ROUTES TO CHOOSE FROM***
FULL STREAM: From the ranger station by the parking lot you can follow a path that leads through the northwest corner of the parking lot, and down about 10-15 mins. to the river. There may be other paths leading to the river, and the station can provide you with a map. Hike upstream along (and in) the river to find small pools and waterfalls along the way, some of which are deep enough to swim in. The hike up to the largest fall is probably 45 min., and some of it involves some bush-whacking and scrambling over rocks. The “trail” ends at a huge fall where Route 44/55 crosses the river. If you don’t want to back track, you can access the main road and the parking lot by climbing up the left side of the embankment, and following the trail closest to the main road. It isn’t terribly difficult for an average adult, as it isn’t very steep-but it isn’t a groomed trail, and you will get messy.
MAIN FALL: Alternately, you can enter at the top fall, which is along the same road as the parking area. You can park in the lot and then walk out onto the road you entered on. On the main road (44/55) take a right, and soon you’ll see a guardrail that goes along the road and over a bridge, which is where the largest falls are. Take the path to the right of the guardrail, and this will bring you on a short, steep hike down to the ruins of the old power station, and to the falls. We’ve included a picture of the path, and one of (the very hard to see) sign marking the area.
Minnewaska State Park
Location Details
- Variable
- +41 44.317, -74 13.077
- Moderate to Difficult depending
- (845) 255-0752
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