One of the most magical places during the fall season in the Hudson Valley area is Minnewaska State Park. The rugged trails, roaring waterfalls, picturesque lake and stunning mountain-top views make it one of the best places for an awesome weekend adventure.
And like so much in the Hudson Valley, Minnewaska State Park is rich in natural beauty and interesting history. Many people don’t know it, but Minnewaska was founded by the same family who founded the world famous Mohonk Mountain House, and for nearly 100 years the lake was home to two “mountain houses” of it own – The Cliff House and Wildmere House. Both properties provides visitors with year-round adventure, taking advantage of the many seasonal offerings the mountain and lake had to offer. Unfortunately, the mountain houses around Minnewaska met their demise in the late 1970’s and 1980’s and today natural has reclaimed the properties with only slight traces of the grand properties evident only to the trained eye.
While the majestic resorts may be gone, thanks to the Smiley family, the subsequent owners of the properties and a deal with the State of New York residents and visitors of the Hudson Valley area can now all enjoy the amazing natural gifts around Lake Minnewaska as the property is part of the New York State Park systems and open for the public to enjoy. If you’re interested in learning more about the park please visit https://parks.ny.gov/parks/127/details.aspx
Don’t forget to stay curious about the world around you! Get out there and explore life!
