The 5,700-acre Sam’s Point Preserve shelters one of the Earth’s rarest ecosystems, the dwarf pine barrens. Consisting of mature stunted trees and a shrubby understory, the barrens are noted for their low fertility rate and sparse canopy. Blueberry, huckleberry, and sheep laurel shrubs dot the Sam’s Point area while species like wintergreen, wild lily-of-the-valley, and a diversity of mosses cover the ground. Sam’s Point was formerly known as the Ellenville Ice Caves, named after the deep glaciated crevasses that retain winter ice and snow through much of the summer, making them a popular destination for those escaping the summer heat.
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NEWS RELEASE:
Sam’s Point for September 2020
Pre-registration is required for participation in most public programs. Please call the Sam’s Point Area Office at 845-647-7989, unless otherwise noted. For outings, please wear appropriate clothing and footwear and bring snacks and water. A parent or guardian over the age of 18 must accompany children wishing to participate in any programs.
COVID Protocol: Public program participation is limited. All participants must wear a face covering or maintain social distancing of six feet minimum between themselves and others. These limitations are strictly adhered to for the safety of all participants. Only pre-registered participants will be allowed to join the group. For outings, please wear appropriate clothing, trail shoes and a face covering and bring snacks and water. A parent or guardian over the age of 18 must accompany children wishing to participate in any programs.
Saturday, September 5, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Holiday Weekend Hike – Loop around the Lake for Families at Sam’s Point
Join us for this three-mile loop to view magnificent Lake Maratanza! On our way to the lake, we will stop at the Sam’s Point Overlook where on a clear day there is a great view of the Wallkill Valley, the Catskills, and much more. We’ll walk past the site of the 2015 forest fire and see how the plants are adapting to the changes brought by the fire. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Meet at the Sam’s Point Visitor Center. Due to COVID protocols, the total number of participants for this program is limited to twelve individuals. All participants must wear face coverings or keep a minimum six foot distance away from others who are not part of your immediate household.Meet at the Sam’s Point Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling Sam’s Point at 845-647-7989.
Wednesday, September 9, 9:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m.: Geology Hike around Lake Maratanza at Sam’s Point
Join Becca Howe-Parisio, Interpretive Ranger, for this three-mile loop walk to view magnificent Lake Maratanza. On our way to the lake, we will stop at the Sam’s Point Overlook, where we will find clues left on the landscape by the last glaciers, thousands of years ago. Once you learn what these features are, you’ll start to notice them all over the Shawangunks! At the lake, Becca will describe the amazing, land-sculpting, glacial process by which the lake was formed. Pack a lunch and sit on the shore to enjoy a mid-day picnic. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Due to COVID protocols, the total number of participants for this program is limited to twelve individuals. All participants must wear face coverings or keep a minimum six foot distance away from others who are not part of your immediate household.Meet at the Sam’s Point Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling Sam’s Point at 845-647-7989.
Thursday, September 10, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Homeschoolers at Sam’s Point: We Love Butterflies!
Join park educators to learn about butterflies and what makes them so unique. We’ll search for evidence of their activity, including eggs, caterpillars, leaf chewing and actual butterflies! Bring your own crayons and decorate a monarch butterfly mask that we’ll provide to each child. Feel free to bring your own insect nets or borrow one of ours. This program is recommended for children between the ages of six to ten years old, accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Siblings of any age are welcome; however, younger siblings may need parental assistance. Due to COVID protocols, the total number of participants for this program is limited to twelve individuals. All participants must wear face coverings or keep a minimum six foot distance away from others who are not part of your immediate household. Meet at the Sam’s Point Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling Minnewaska at 845-255-0752.
Saturday, September 12, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Migration: An Epic Journey for our Feathered Friends at Sam’s Point
Come join Student Conservation Association/Americorps member, Christina Seymour, and learn about the epic journey of migration. Beginning in late Summer, birds embark on incredible journeys to their overwintering grounds, sometimes traveling as far as 16,000 miles! Learn about how our feathered friends complete this amazing feat. Children will play interactive games and become a bird for the day, embarking on this astonishing flight. Afterwards, take a short hike up to Sam’s Point Overlook to search for migrating hawks travelling along the Shawangunk Ridge migratory corridor. This program is recommended for families with children over the age of seven. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Meet at the Sam’s Point Visitor Center.Due to COVID protocols, the total number of participants for this program is limited to twelve individuals. All participants must wear face coverings or keep a minimum six foot distance away from others who are not part of your immediate household. Meet at the Sam’s Point Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling Sam’s Point at 845-647-7989.
Tuesday, September 15, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Homeschoolers at Sam’s Point: Migration, An Epic Journey for our Feathered Friends at Sam’s Point
Come join park educators to learn about the epic journey of migration. Beginning in late Summer, birds embark on incredible journeys to their overwintering grounds, sometimes traveling as far as 16,000 miles! Learn about how our feathered friends complete this amazing feat. Children will play interactive games and become a bird for the day, embarking on this astonishing flight! Afterwards, take a short hike up to Sam’s Point Overlook to search for migrating hawks travelling along the Shawangunk Ridge migratory corridor. This program is recommended for families with children over the age of seven. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Meet at the Sam’s Point Visitor Center.Due to COVID protocols, the total number of participants for this program is limited to twelve individuals. All participants must wear face coverings or keep a minimum six foot distance away from others who are not part of your immediate household. Meet at the Sam’s Point Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling Sam’s Point at 845-647-7989.
Saturday, September 19, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Cranberry Walk around Lake Maratanza at Sam’s Point
Join Becca Howe Parisio, Interpretive Ranger in a three-mile, educational walk around Lake Maratanza. Along the way, we’ll learn about wild cranberries, including their habitat and required growing conditions. We will also discuss their human history and how we’ve cultivated them. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Meet at the Sam’s Point Visitor Center. Due to COVID protocols, the total number of participants for this program is limited to twelve individuals. All participants must wear face coverings or keep a minimum six foot distance away from others who are not part of your immediate household.Meet at the Sam’s Point Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling Sam’s Point at 845-647-7989.
Saturday, September 26, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: National Public Lands Day Volunteer Event at Sam’s Point
Come join us at Sam’s Point to celebrate National Public Lands Day! This year, we will be pulling invasive plants from along the sides of our trails. Removal of these species is a very important step in protecting the globally rare ecosystem found here. All necessary training and tools will be provided. Bring enough water to last the day (at least two liters), snacks, and a lunch. After the work day is over, please feel free to continue to celebrate National Public Lands Day by hiking our wonderful trails. All National Public Lands Day volunteers will receive a free day pass to participating federal public lands, including most National Parks. This volunteer opportunity is appropriate for adults and children who are at least eight years old, accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18. Meet at the Sam’s Point Visitor Center.Due to COVID protocols, the total number of participants for this program is limited to twelve individuals. All participants must wear face coverings or keep a minimum six foot distance away from others who are not part of your immediate household. Meet at the Sam’s Point Visitor Center. Pre-registration is required by calling Sam’s Point at 845-647-7989.
For more information and to register for programs at Minnewaska, please call the Park Preserve Office at 845-255-0752. For more information and to register for programs at the Sam’s Point Area, please call the Sam’s Point Visitor Center at 845-647-7989. Minnewaska State Park Preserve is open from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.
The fee for parking is $10 per vehicle or a valid Empire Pass may be used. To learn more about the Empire Pass and other admission programs, please visit: parks.ny.gov/admission. All fees are subject to change. There are no additional fees for public programs, unless noted otherwise.
The Palisades Interstate Park Commission administers 30 parks, parkways and historic sites for the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in New York as well as the Palisades Interstate Park and parkway in New Jersey. For more information about New York State Parks, please visit parks.ny.gov