Event Search Results
14 events matched your search
Fri
14
Aug
Friday, August 14, 2026 08:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
(845) 255-0752
Join Nick Martin, Minnewaska Park Preserve Educator, for bird walks starting at the Gardiner Library, during the month of August. During this program, we will take an approximately three-quarters-of-a-mile walk on the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail and wander through Majestic Park, which may be muddy and wet from rain or morning dew. We will primarily focus on looking for birds during this slow-paced walk, though we will examine whatever natural curiosities intrigue the group. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather, wear waterproof shoes or boots, and bring binoculars. Our loop route will be divided into three, quarter-mile-long sections, including the crushed gravel surface of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, the mowed grass and rolling hills of Majestic Park, and the paved roads in and around Majestic Park, which will lead us back to our starting point. This program is open to nature enthusiasts of all experience levels and anyone who is interested in birding. Meet at the Gardiner Library, in the Lower Parking Area. No pre-registration is required. For more information, please contact the Gardiner Library directly at 845-255-1255 or the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center at 845-255-0752.
Registration: Required
Sat
15
Aug
Saturday, August 15, 2026 09:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
(845) 255-0752
Join Nick Martin, Park Preserve Educator, for an approximately three-mile, loop hike along one footpath and two carriage roads. From the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center, we'll walk down to the Beacon Hill Carriage Road, which we'll follow until we connect with the Beacon Hill Footpath, which ends near Lake Minnewaska. We'll then continue around to the south and west side of Lake Minnewaska on the Lake Minnewaska Carriage Road. On a clear day, this route offers numerous, beautiful, scenic vistas of the Park Preserve and the Wallkill Valley. The footpath section of this hike includes some continuous, uphill sections and rocky, uneven footing, which may be difficult for some. All participants should come well prepared with appropriate footwear, food, and water. Meet at the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center at 845-255-0752.
Registration: Required
Sun
16
Aug
Sunday, August 16, 2026 09:30 AM - 01:30 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
(845) 255-0752
Join Jenna Toro, Student Conservation Association/AmeriCorps Environmental Educator, for an approximate five-mile Sunday walk highlighting Minnewaska's gorgeous Palmaghatt Ravine. We'll hike to the two cliff-edge, scenic vistas of Patterson's Pellet and Echo Rock, and walk closely alongside the lower ravine filled with moss and ferns, learning about some of its ecology. Our journey starts on Lake Minnewaska Carriage Road going towards the south end of the Lake until we join Millbrook Mountain Carriage Road. This will lead us to our first stop at Patterson's Pellet- a glacial erratic perched on the cliff's edge. This spot features expansive views reaching out to New Jersey on a clear day, and we'll get a nice look of the Palmaghatt Ravine from high above. Then, we'll retrace our steps until we reach our turn onto Hamilton Point Carriage Road. Here we will see where the ravine emerges from the bottom, walking alongside it until it eventually widens out to a broad expanse at Echo Rock. We will peer across the ravine to a view of Patterson's Pellet- the vista we just visited earlier in the hike. Then, we will make our way back to the Visitor Center. This hike is primarily on our gravel surfaced carriage roads. Participants should come well prepared with appropriate footwear, food, and water. Meet at the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling Minnewaska at 845-255-0752.
Registration: Required
Tue
18
Aug
Tuesday, August 18, 2026 07:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
This weekly series of outings, led by Nick Martin, Park Preserve Educator, is open to birders of all experience levels. During this program, we will focus on looking for and listening for birds in the Park Preserve, though diversions to examine flowers, insects, and other natural interests are welcome. Participants should dress for the conditions, bring binoculars, water, and a snack, and they should wear hiking shoes or boots. The birding route will be determined on the day of the program. Outings may be up to five miles in distance, taking place mostly on carriage roads. Routes may also include grass-covered footpaths, which may be wet or muddy. Poor weather conditions will trigger a program cancellation. Participants will meet at the Lake Minnewaska entrance. Participants MUST arrive prior to the start of the program, but no earlier than 6:30 am. The Park Preserve gates will be locked at 7:00 am or as soon as the maximum participant limit has been reached. Late arrivals will NOT be let into the Park Preserve for the program. The total number of participants for this program is limited to 24 individuals. Meet at the Lake Minnewaska entrance. For questions, please call the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center at 845-255-0752. This program is set up on a first-come, first-served basis.
Registration: Not required
Tue
18
Aug
Tuesday, August 18, 2026 09:30 AM - 03:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
(845) 255-0752
Join Jenna Toro, for an all-day adventure to Lake Awosting: the treasure of the Park Preserve. The total distance for this hike is about nine miles, and hikers are rewarded with serene glimmering waters and expansive views. We will set out from the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center and join Upper Awosting Carriage Road, following this for three miles to its terminus. From there, we'll join Lake Awosting Carriage Road for less than a mile, leading us to Lake Awosting Beach where participants can picnic and take a dip in the cool and clear waters if they choose. After spending some time here, we will continue our hike by taking Lake Awosting, Castle Point and Hamilton Point Carriage Roads for about four miles, offering gorgeous sweeping views on Hamilton Point for our return trip. The last stretch of our journey leads us along Millbrook Mountain Carriage Road to Lake Minnewaska Carriage Road for about a mile. This route is primarily on gravel surfaced carriage roads, with gentle hills. While this path has relatively easy footing, its length is recommended for hikers with experience walking long distances. The Lake Awosting Swim Area has a changing area and composting toilets. All participants must come well prepared with appropriate footwear, swim gear, towels, food, and plenty of water. Meet at the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center at 845-255-0752.
Registration: Required
Wed
19
Aug
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 09:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Join the Sam's Point Educators to learn about monarch caterpillars and butterflies. We will discuss their life cycle and look at caterpillars in the Sam's Point Gallery. After the lesson, we will play a monarch migration game to learn about the tremendous journey monarchs take to get here. After the game, we will take a three-mile hike on Loop Road to look for milkweed, a favorite food of monarch caterpillars. With any luck, we may find some caterpillars on these plants. Younger and older siblings are always welcome, but very young naturalists may require some assistance. All participants should come well prepared with appropriate footwear, food, and water. This program is recommended for children between the ages of seven to twelve years old, accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Well-behaved younger siblings are always welcome. Meet at the Sam's Point Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by signing up via Eventbrite.
Registration: Required
Wed
19
Aug
Wednesday, August 19, 2026 05:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
(845) 255-0752
Join Nick Martin, Park Preserve Educator, for an evening, open-discovery hike along some of the carriage roads near Lake Minnewaska and through the old golf course and orchard. During this approximately two-mile hike, we will focus on awareness of the natural world – looking at and discussing what participants are interested in, such as trees, mosses, amphibians, birds, and more. Part of this hike will take place on Lake Minnewaska and Upper Awosting Carriage Roads, which are gently sloping, gravel trails. The other part of this hike will take place on the grassy paths that wind through the old orchard and golf course. These paths may be muddy or wet and they have a modest gain in elevation. Participants should come well-prepared with enough food and water for the outing and they are encouraged to wear sturdy and waterproof boots. Participants may want to bring binoculars if they have them, otherwise a few pairs will be available for participants to borrow. Meet at the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center at 845-255-0752.
Registration: Required
Fri
21
Aug
Friday, August 21, 2026 08:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
(845) 255-0752
Join Nick Martin, Minnewaska Park Preserve Educator, for bird walks starting at the Gardiner Library, during the month of August. During this program, we will take an approximately three-quarters-of-a-mile walk on the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail and wander through Majestic Park, which may be muddy and wet from rain or morning dew. We will primarily focus on looking for birds during this slow-paced walk, though we will examine whatever natural curiosities intrigue the group. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather, wear waterproof shoes or boots, and bring binoculars. Our loop route will be divided into three, quarter-mile-long sections, including the crushed gravel surface of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, the mowed grass and rolling hills of Majestic Park, and the paved roads in and around Majestic Park, which will lead us back to our starting point. This program is open to nature enthusiasts of all experience levels and anyone who is interested in birding. Meet at the Gardiner Library, in the Lower Parking Area. No pre-registration is required. For more information, please contact the Gardiner Library directly at 845-255-1255 or the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center at 845-255-0752.
Registration: Required
Sun
23
Aug
Sunday, August 23, 2026 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
Join Alexa Howe and Jenna Toro, Student Conservation Association/AmeriCorps Environmental Educators, for a workshop where we will make our own nature journals. After completing our nature journals, we will go on a 1-mile hike up to Sam's Point. Along the way we will stop to document anything that catches our eye and inspires curiosity in nature! This program is recommended for children between the ages of seven to twelve years old, accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Well-behaved younger siblings are always welcome. Meet at the Sam's Point Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by signing up via Eventbrite. Parking reservations for Sam's Point are required. You can reserve a parking spot through Reserve America New York.
Registration: Required
Tue
25
Aug
Tuesday, August 25, 2026 07:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
This weekly series of outings, led by Nick Martin, Park Preserve Educator, is open to birders of all experience levels. During this program, we will focus on looking for and listening for birds in the Park Preserve, though diversions to examine flowers, insects, and other natural interests are welcome. Participants should dress for the conditions, bring binoculars, water, and a snack, and they should wear hiking shoes or boots. The birding route will be determined on the day of the program. Outings may be up to five miles in distance, taking place mostly on carriage roads. Routes may also include grass-covered footpaths, which may be wet or muddy. Poor weather conditions will trigger a program cancellation. Participants will meet at the Lake Minnewaska entrance. Participants MUST arrive prior to the start of the program, but no earlier than 6:30 am. The Park Preserve gates will be locked at 7:00 am or as soon as the maximum participant limit has been reached. Late arrivals will NOT be let into the Park Preserve for the program. The total number of participants for this program is limited to 24 individuals. Meet at the Lake Minnewaska entrance. For questions, please call the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center at 845-255-0752. This program is set up on a first-come, first-served basis.
Registration: Not required
Tue
25
Aug
Tuesday, August 25, 2026 09:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
(845) 255-0752
Join Jenna Toro, Student Conservation Association/AmeriCorps Environmental Educator, on this approximately three-mile hike loop on Beacon Hill and around Lake Minnewaska. The first section of our route follows Beacon Hill Carriage Road until we meet the entrance to Beacon Hill Footpath. This section of forest is home to a beautiful diversity of natural life. We will hike around swaths of mountain and sheep laurel, a range of hardwoods and blueberry species, pitch and white pines, lush mossy patches, and old growth lichens on boulders. We will enjoy scenic vistas overlooking the Wallkill Valley and the neighboring Mohonk Preserve, and we may see Turkey Vultures coasting on the winds along the ridge. This footpath includes some uphill inclines and footing over exposed tree roots and rocks which may be tricky for some. All participants should come well prepared with appropriate footwear, food, and water. Meet at the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center at 845-255-0752.
Registration: Required
Wed
26
Aug
Wednesday, August 26, 2026 09:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
(845) 255-0752
Let's discover the wonderful world of insects together. To start off this program, we'll have a short talk about the characteristics and adaptations of insects. Next, we will learn how to use sweep nets to search for crawling and flying insects and practice using these tools in a field habitat. We will gently collect and observe insects that we catch with our sweep nets in a container. After we observe them, we will release them back into the field where they came from. After the insect search, we will hike approximately a half-mile hike on the Lake Minnewaska Carriage Road and head back to the Minnewaska Nature Center. Back at the Nature Center, we'll explore our creative side and make an insect-related craft. All participants should come well prepared with appropriate footwear, food, and water. This program is recommended for children between the ages of seven to twelve years old, accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Well-behaved younger siblings are always welcome. Meet at the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center at 845-255-0752.
Registration: Required
Thu
27
Aug
Thursday, August 27, 2026 09:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
(845) 255-0752
Every autumn, millions of songbirds and raptors take to the skies as they fly south to their wintering habitats. Learn about some local places to look for this amazing feat of nature during a presentation by Nick Martin, Park Preserve Educator. After this discussion, we will go for a slow-paced walk of up to two miles on the carriage roads near Lake Minnewaska. Participants should come well-prepared with enough food and water to sustain themselves for the outing. Participants are also encouraged to bring binoculars, but a few pairs will also be available for participants to borrow. Meet at the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center at 845-255-0752.
Registration: Required
Fri
28
Aug
Friday, August 28, 2026 08:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Minnewaska State Park Preserve
(845) 255-0752
Join Nick Martin, Minnewaska Park Preserve Educator, for bird walks starting at the Gardiner Library, during the month of August. During this program, we will take an approximately three-quarters-of-a-mile walk on the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail and wander through Majestic Park, which may be muddy and wet from rain or morning dew. We will primarily focus on looking for birds during this slow-paced walk, though we will examine whatever natural curiosities intrigue the group. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather, wear waterproof shoes or boots, and bring binoculars. Our loop route will be divided into three, quarter-mile-long sections, including the crushed gravel surface of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, the mowed grass and rolling hills of Majestic Park, and the paved roads in and around Majestic Park, which will lead us back to our starting point. This program is open to nature enthusiasts of all experience levels and anyone who is interested in birding. Meet at the Gardiner Library, in the Lower Parking Area. No pre-registration is required. For more information, please contact the Gardiner Library directly at 845-255-1255 or the Lake Minnewaska Visitor Center at 845-255-0752.
Registration: Required