Your Kids Will Love This Easy 1-Mile Waterfall Hike Right Here In New York

Natural wonders can be found in every region of New York, but one thing that might feel tricky to discover is an adventure to one of these scenic places that the entire family can go on. As a parent of younger children, I always love discovering a new beautiful place to explore that has a trail that’s easy for all of us to navigate. A hike that won’t have my kids almost instantly saying “I’m ready to go home now” but will also give them their daily dose of exercise and have them passed out in the car by the time we pull out of the trailhead.

If shorter hikes like this sound like something that interests you, then you’re going to love today’s post. Something short but oh so sweet, it’s time to go exploring the old carriage roads of Minnewaska State Park Preserve for family-friendly adventure that leads you to an exciting waterfall.

Down in Ulster County, Minnewaska State Park Preserve covers over 22,000 acres of New York State.

Inside the massive park, you'll find everything from three sky lakes, waterfalls, and nature trails...

...To rocky ledges and overlooks that will give you sweeping views along the Shawangunk Ridge.

One of the best parts about Minnewaska State Park Preserve is that the majority of the trails here are made up of old carriage roads that are flat, and easy to follow and navigate.

If you start at the Lower Awosting Parking Lot seen below where the Old Minnewaska Trail is on Google Maps, you'll follow the carriage roads for roughly 1-mile until you reach one of our favorite places.

Along the way, you'll pass the stunning little falls that cascade down along the Peter Kill and other wonderful scenery.

Until before you know it, you'll hear the peaceful roar of Awosting Falls, guiding you to your final destination.

Flowing down 60-feet along the Peter Kill, Awosting Falls is one of the most beautiful nooks to explore inside Minnewaska State Park Preserve.

Since the hike is nice and short, you'll have plenty of energy to explore all around the base of the falls by the time you get here.

With so many interconnecting carriage roads and trails, you'll also be able to explore the top of Awosting Falls as well while you're here.

At the top, you'll find more floral scenery and unique pieces of Mother Nature surrounding the creek.

And you'll even further grasp just how tall this waterfall is once you peak out at the view from the top.

A marvelous day-trip to take with the whole family, Minnewaska State Park Preserve opens daily at 9 a.m.

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Looking for another family-friendly adventure to take in our state? Then you won’t want to miss out on reading about This Easy Hike In New York That Will Lead You Straight To A Jaw-Dropping Waterfall!

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Your Kids Will Love This Easy 1-Mile Waterfall Hike Right Here In New York

Lea Monroe

Author

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