Lenape Steps & Ice Caves – Sam’s Point Area

June 26, 2026– Cragsmoor, NY

Issue: Simple – Average

Size: Roughly 4.3 miles

Max elevation: 2,251 ft.– whole elevation achieve roughly 603 ft.

Route sort: Circuit

Purchase Map: Shawangunk Trails #104

Free Map: Sam’s Level Path Map 2025

Payment: $10.00 per automobile – Empire Move Accepted

Trailhead parking: 400 Sam’s Level Highway – Cragsmoor, NY 12420

Please Notice: The automobile use price is $10 per automobile. Sam’s Level has a small parking facility, with room for 64 automobiles and a pair of buses.

Reservations are required weekends and holidays ONLY, from Could 1st via October thirty first for the Sam’s Level Space of Minnewaska State Park Protect.

 

Overview:

Perched atop the dramatic Shawangunk Ridge in Ulster County, New York, the Sam’s Level Space of Minnewaska State Park Protect is likely one of the Hudson Valley’s most extraordinary mountaineering locations. It’s collectively managed by the New York State Workplace of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (NYS Parks) and the Palisades Interstate Park Fee (PIPC). This distinctive panorama is residence to sweeping cliff-top vistas, uncommon pitch pine barrens, fascinating ice caves, and among the most distinctive geological options within the Northeast.

The protect affords an intensive community of carriage roads and mountaineering trails that result in spectacular overlooks, distinctive pure landmarks, and fragile ecosystems discovered nowhere else in New York. Whether or not exploring the cool depths of the Ice Caves, wandering via the dwarf pine barrens, or taking within the breathtaking views from Sam’s Level itself, guests are rewarded with a panorama in contrast to some other within the state.

Lenape Steps ~ The Lenape Steps at Sam’s Level Protect are one of many Shawangunk Ridge’s most iconic historic options. Tucked right into a slim rock cleft beneath the cliffs, the stone staircase offers a dramatic ascent from the protect’s carriage street to the panoramic overlook at Sam’s Level.

From the cliffs of Sam’s Level Overlook, the views stretch for miles throughout the Rondout Valley to the Catskill Mountains past. On a transparent day, the panorama is nothing wanting breathtaking, making this probably the most iconic viewpoints within the Shawangunks and a well-earned reward for the brief climb up the historic Lenape Steps.

Ice Caves ~ The Ice Caves at Sam’s Level are one of many protect’s hottest and weird sights. Fashioned by huge blocks of Shawangunk conglomerate that tumbled from the cliffs hundreds of years in the past, the deep crevices between the boulders entice chilly air, permitting ice to persist properly into the summer season months. A sequence of stairways and slim passageways leads hikers via this cool, shaded labyrinth, the place temperatures will be 20 to 30 levels cooler than the floor above. The Ice Caves are usually open seasonally, often from late spring via early fall, when situations are secure for guests.

Historical past:

The land that now includes the Sam’s Level Space of Minnewaska State Park Protect has an extended and diverse historical past. Throughout the late nineteenth century, Sam’s Level Mountain Home and later the close by Ice Caves attraction drew guests to the summit for its spectacular surroundings, cool mountain local weather, and distinctive geological options. A lot of the encompassing property was later acquired by the Village of Ellenville to guard its watershed, whereas different parts remained privately owned and operated as a vacationer vacation spot.

Within the 1980’s, proposals to develop the ridge with a whole bunch of wind generators galvanized native conservationists, in the end resulting in the safety of the panorama. In 1996, the Open House Institute acquired the property with help from The Nature Conservancy, which started managing it as Sam’s Level Protect. Administration was transferred to the New York State Workplace of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Palisades Interstate Park Fee in 2015. At the moment, the protect protects one of many largest remaining dwarf pitch pine barrens on the earth and is acknowledged as one in all New York’s most ecologically vital landscapes.

Lenape Steps ~ The unique staircase was constructed within the late 1850’s by Thomas Botsford, who constructed the close by Sam’s Level Mountain Home to draw guests to the ridge’s spectacular views. Though the lodge was destroyed by hearth just some years later, the stone steps remained, turning into a beloved landmark for generations of hikers and sightseers. Over greater than 150 years, repeated freeze-thaw cycles and erosion steadily left the staircase unstable and unsafe.

Following a painstaking three-year restoration, the Lenape Steps formally reopened in March 2022. Expert volunteers from the Jolly Rovers Path Crew recreated the historic staircase utilizing conventional stonework methods, shaping and inserting 89 huge stone steps by hand. Greater than 7,000 volunteer hours went into the undertaking, with stone sourced from the instant space to protect the staircase’s historic look and mix seamlessly with the encompassing Shawangunk conglomerate cliffs.

At the moment, the restored Lenape Steps as soon as once more provide guests a memorable climb via the slim rock passage to one of many most interesting overlooks within the Hudson Valley. From the highest, expansive views stretch throughout the Rondout Valley, the Catskill Mountains, and the distinctive dwarf pine barrens that make Sam’s Level Protect one in all New York’s most distinctive pure landscapes.

Ice Caves ~ Within the late nineteenth and early Twentieth centuries, the world round Sam’s Level was usually promoted as “Ice Caves Mountain,” reflecting the rising recognition of the caves as a vacationer attraction. Ads, postcards, guidebooks, and railroad promotions highlighted the exceptional pure refrigeration of the caves, the place guests might discover snow and ice lengthy after it had disappeared elsewhere. The title helped distinguish the world from different locations within the Shawangunks and drew vacationers arriving by rail to Ellenville earlier than making the journey to the mountaintop motels. Though the title steadily fell out of widespread use, it stays an enchanting reminder of an period when the Ice Caves had been among the many Hudson Valley’s most celebrated pure sights.

A glimpse into the Ice Caves Mountain period, when Sam’s Level was promoted as a roadside vacationer attraction. Like many fashionable locations of the mid-Twentieth century, guests might pose with a carnival-style face-in-hole photograph board, making a enjoyable memento from their go to to the well-known ice caves. These playful sights captured the spirit of the time, when households got here to discover the frozen caverns, take within the mountain views, and expertise one of many Shawangunks’ most uncommon pure wonders.

Though the Ice Caves had been fashioned naturally hundreds of years in the past by the collapse of huge Shawangunk conglomerate cliffs, they’ve fascinated guests for properly over a century. To enhance entry, stone steps, picket stairways, and walkways had been constructed via the slim rock passages, permitting guests to soundly discover the cool, ice-filled crevices. At the moment, the Ice Caves stay probably the most fashionable locations within the Sam’s Level Space, providing hikers a uncommon alternative to expertise a naturally refrigerated panorama that has captivated generations of tourists.

Trails Overview:

The carriage roads at Sam’s Level had been initially constructed within the late nineteenth century to supply horse-drawn entry to the Sam’s Level Mountain Home and the world’s scenic sights. At the moment, these large, gently graded gravel roads function the protect’s major routes, providing a straightforward method to discover the mountaintop panorama. They wind via uncommon dwarf pitch pine barrens, open meadows, and forests whereas offering entry to locations akin to Sam’s Level, the Ice Caves, VerKeerderkill Falls, and quite a few mountaineering trails.

The Lenape Steps are a brief however steep connector that climbs via a slim rock cleft between Loop Highway and the summit of Sam’s Level. The historic stone staircase was painstakingly restored and reopened in 2022 after years of decay. Though solely a fraction of a mile lengthy, the 89 stone steps affords one of many protect’s most memorable climbs and serves because the gateway to the spectacular views from Sam’s Level.

The Ice Caves Path is likely one of the most unusual hikes in New York, main guests via a maze of huge boulders and deep rock crevices created by historic landslides alongside the Shawangunk Ridge. Wood stairways, stone steps, and boardwalks descend into the cool passageways, the place ice can usually be discovered properly into the summer season months. The path kinds a one-way loop via the caves and is usually open seasonally, providing hikers an unforgettable journey into one of many protect’s most exceptional pure options.

Parking and facilities:

The Sam’s Level Customer Heart is situated at 400 Sam’s Level Highway in Cragsmoor, NY, the place a big paved parking space (64 autos) offers entry to the protect. As a result of Sam’s Level is likely one of the Hudson Valley’s hottest mountaineering locations, parking usually fills early on weekends, holidays, and through the fall foliage season.

Advance parking reservations are required on weekends and holidays from mid-April via mid-November, whereas weekday parking is accessible on a first-come, first-served foundation.

The customer middle affords restrooms, ingesting water, reveals, maps, and details about path situations and the protect’s distinctive pure historical past. Seasonal refreshments and a present store are additionally accessible, making it a handy place to organize earlier than heading out on the paths. Picnic tables are situated close by, however there aren’t any in a single day tenting amenities throughout the Sam’s Level Space.

Hike Overview:

My final go to to Sam’s Level was in 2019, again when the Lenape Steps had been nonetheless underneath development and closed to the general public. It was lastly time to return to this spectacular space.

To beat the weekend crowds, we opted for a weekday journey and had been welcomed by a heat, however foggy morning on the Shawangunk Ridge. The solar did shine brilliant in a while. Take into account that the carriage roads and Sam’s Level itself provide just about no tree cowl, leaving you fully uncovered to the solar. The Ice Caves, nonetheless, are a unique story altogether. They’re so cool and damp that the sudden temperature shift fogged up my glasses and digital camera lens the second we stepped again exterior.

If you wish to beat the warmth, I extremely suggest visiting early within the morning, or planning your journey through the spring or autumn months.

Sam’s Level opens at 9:00 a.m., and we arrived simply minutes after the gate opened. Even then, the parking zone already held a couple of dozen autos. Sadly, the morning started with dense fog and overcast skies, obscuring the views. Thankfully, the climate steadily improved over the subsequent few hours, and by the point we returned to the Sam’s Level overlook, the skies had cleared sufficient to disclose the spectacular panorama.

Though the Ice Caves Path is a couple of 1/2 mile lengthy, the rugged terrain and quite a few stairs make it extra strenuous than its distance suggests. There isn’t a vertical scrambling concerned, however you’ll have to climb over a number of rocks and boulders, and duck underneath some low hanging ledges. The remainder of the hike is comparatively straightforward, however the Ice Caves are the spotlight of the hike, and the primary motive for visiting, so I might counsel that in the event you’re bodily capable of do it, give it a shot.

This hike covers roughly 4.3 miles and is primarily an out-and-back route, apart from the Ice Caves Path, which is a one-way loop. Whereas this route highlights a lot of Sam’s Level’s signature sights, it may simply be prolonged by persevering with alongside any of the protect’s connecting trails and carriage roads, providing alternatives to discover extra scenic overlooks and pure options.

This hike options roughly 603 toes of cumulative elevation achieve. A lot of the elevation loss happens on the descent into the Ice Caves, which implies you’ll have to regain that elevation on the return climb. Whereas the grades are typically reasonable, the quite a few stairs and rocky terrain in and across the caves add to the hike’s general problem.

The Hike:

From the parking space, stroll across the gate and take the proper fork of the Loop Highway. Loop Highway connects all the trails at Sam’s Level, and begins and ends close to the Customer Heart. Observe the street uphill on switchbacks via a deciduous forest. In about half a mile, you’ll go dramatic cliffs of Shawangunk Conglomerate on the left.

Simply forward on the left, the cliffs of Sam’s Level rise dramatically above Loop Highway. Nestled inside a slim cleft within the rock are the historic Lenape Steps. Flip left and climb the 89 stone steps to succeed in the Sam’s Level Overlook. If you happen to’d slightly keep away from the steps, merely proceed straight on Loop Highway to the subsequent path junction and switch left. That route offers a extra gradual strategy to the overlook.

Carved right into a slim cleft within the Shawangunk cliffs, the Lenape Steps present probably the most memorable climbs at Sam’s Level. Initially constructed within the late 1850’s to offer visitors of the Sam’s Level Mountain Home direct entry to the overlook, the historic staircase was painstakingly restored and reopened in 2022. At the moment, hikers ascend the identical route that guests have adopted for greater than 160 years on their method to the breathtaking views from Sam’s Level.

Perched atop the Shawangunk Ridge, Sam’s Level Overlook usually affords sweeping views of the Rondout Valley, the Catskill Mountains, and the encompassing countryside. On this go to, nonetheless, dense fog and low overcast skies fully obscured the panorama, remodeling the overlook right into a quiet, mysterious scene the place the dramatic cliffs disappeared right into a sea of white. Generally the mountains produce other plans.

On a transparent autumn day, Sam’s Level Overlook delivers one of many Hudson Valley’s most spectacular vistas. The colourful forests of the Rondout Valley stretch to the horizon, whereas the Catskill Mountains rise within the distance past a vibrant patchwork of purple, orange, and gold. It’s a wide ranging reward for the brief climb and one in all New York’s premier locations for fall foliage.

After taking within the views from Sam’s Level, flip round and comply with the carriage street to a junction with Loop Highway and switch left. Observe the carriage street for roughly 0.5 mile to the subsequent junction. There, flip proper onto Ice Caves Highway and proceed downhill towards the Ice Caves.

The street ranges out, and the panorama undergoes a placing transformation. The hardwood forest offers method to a uncommon ridgetop dwarf pitch pine barrens, the place dense thickets of blueberries and huckleberries blanket the forest ground. Right here, most of the pitch pines stand solely three to 6 toes tall—barely rising above the encompassing shrubs—creating probably the most distinctive and ecologically vital plant communities in New York.

While you get to this flip, make a psychological word of this intersection, as you’ll return right here later within the hike. Flip proper onto Ice Caves Highway, following the signal towards the Ice Caves. A brief distance farther, you’ll go the trailhead for the VerKeerderkill Falls Path on the left. Proceed straight on Ice Caves Highway because it descends steadily and curves north. Alongside the way in which, there are scenic views of the northern Shawangunk Ridge, together with Fort Level and Gertrude’s Nostril in Minnewaska State Park Protect.

Dense fog and low overcast skies obscured the views on this go to, so I’ve included images from a earlier autumn hike to indicate the spectacular surroundings seen from this part of the path when the climate cooperates and the encompassing forests are ablaze with fall shade.

On the finish of Ice Caves Highway, you’ll arrive at a big open space that after served as a parking zone when autos had been permitted to drive this far into the protect. Close to the far finish of the clearing, an indication marks the start of the Ice Caves Loop Path. The caves had been operated as a personal vacationer attraction starting in 1967, full with man-made enhancements akin to coloured lighting to reinforce the customer expertise. After the property was acquired for conservation in 1996, the attraction was closed and later reopened in 2002 with a renewed emphasis on preserving its pure character. At the moment, guests expertise the Ice Caves a lot as nature created them, with out the unreal options that had been as soon as a part of the tour.

Flip proper and start descending the winding Ice Caves Path. The footpath, geared up with picket handrails, is steep in a number of locations because it drops towards the maze of boulders under. Earlier than lengthy, you’ll descend a flight of stone steps right into a slim rock crevice, passing beneath an enormous chockstone suspended overhead. As you enter the caves, the temperature drops noticeably, providing a welcome reprieve on heat days.

The path then turns left via an excellent narrower passage earlier than rising right into a extra open part of the boulder subject. Proceed following the white blazes because the route crosses a number of picket bridges and winds alongside the bottom of towering cliffs, passing beneath spectacular overhanging rock ledges. Alongside the way in which, you’ll encounter a brief picket ladder that gives entry over one of many bigger rock obstacles, including a little bit of journey to this distinctive hike.

Quickly, the path turns left and continues via a rock crevice deep under the floor. Movement-sensitive lighting has been put in to light up your passage via this cool, darkish space. While you depart this crevice and once more emerge into the open, you’ll descend picket steps, climb stone steps and a picket ladder, and proceed previous extra dramatic cliffs and underneath overhanging rock ledges.

A brief distance forward, the path bears left and goes via one other slim crevice on a raised boardwalk. The Ice Caves are named for this spot, the place ice and snow can often be seen even in late summer season!

After leaving the ultimate rock crevice, climb a picket ladder to emerge onto an open rock outcrop. A small photo voltaic panel put in right here offers energy for the path lighting throughout the Ice Caves. This marks the top of your fascinating journey via the caves.

At this level, the white-blazed path turns proper to finish the loop and return to its place to begin. Earlier than heading that method, flip left and stroll a brief distance to the uncovered rock ledges, the place expansive views to the north and east present a becoming finale to your go to to the Ice Caves.

After taking within the views, proceed alongside the white-blazed path. It quickly rises gently and leads again to the open clearing the place you started your journey via the Ice Caves, finishing the loop. From right here, retrace your steps alongside Ice Caves Highway to proceed the hike.

Retrace your steps alongside Ice Caves Highway, passing the junction with the Verkeerderkill Falls Path, till you attain the intersection with Loop Highway. Flip proper on the T-intersection and comply with the carriage street northeast for a brief distance because it heads towards Lake Maratanza.

If you happen to occur to go to in Autumn, contemplate wandering a brief distance alongside the Verkeerderkill Falls Path to expertise the good purple blueberry bushes that line each side of the trail. The path transforms right into a sea of crimson foliage, making a spectacular show that’s properly well worth the detour.

After turning proper onto Loop Highway, take a second to look to your proper. Among the many underbrush, it’s possible you’ll discover the charred stays of timber nonetheless standing — a reminder of the devastating wildfire that swept throughout Sam’s Level in 2016.

In Could 2016, a wildfire swept throughout Sam’s Level Protect, burning greater than 2,400 acres of the Shawangunk Ridge, together with giant parts of the uncommon dwarf pine barrens. The fireplace, which was brought on by an unattended campfire, dramatically altered the panorama but additionally grew to become a part of the pure cycle that helps regenerate this distinctive ecosystem. Alongside Loop Highway close to Lake Maratanza, guests can nonetheless see the ghostly stays of fire-scarred dwarf pine timber standing among the many recovering vegetation — a long-lasting reminder of the ability of fireside and the resilience of the ridge.

As you proceed alongside Loop Highway, hold an eye fixed out for an unmarked path in your left. This brief spur path results in the southern finish of Lake Maratanza, providing a peaceable glimpse of one in all Sam’s Level’s scenic mountain lakes. On this go to, the water degree was noticeably low, and the view was not fairly as spectacular because it has been on earlier journeys, but it surely stays a worthwhile facet tour.

Lake Maratanza is the best of the 5 “Sky Lakes” (the others are Mohonk Lake, Lake Minnewaska, Lake Awosting and Mud Pond) on the Shawangunk Ridge at 2,245 toes above sea degree. It receives its water solely from rainfall, each straight and as a runoff from the very low slopes round its perimeter.

As we stood alongside the shore of Lake Maratanza, the skies started to clear and the solar broke via, rapidly turning up the warmth. We had initially deliberate to proceed across the lake, however with little shade alongside the route and the afternoon solar turning into extra intense, we began to rethink. Since we had not but skilled the expansive views that Sam’s Level is thought for — and I used to be mountaineering with two companions visiting the protect for the primary time — we determined to go again towards Sam’s Level Overlook and provides the views one other probability.

It turned out to be an ideal determination to return to the overlook. Because the clouds continued to interrupt aside, the views opened up, revealing the sweeping panorama we had hoped to see. The expansive vistas throughout the Shawangunk Ridge and surrounding panorama made the reroute of our hike properly value it, offering the right reward after our trek via Sam’s Level.

We then retraced our steps again to Loop Highway and turned proper, persevering with our descent towards the parking space. Alongside the way in which, hold an eye fixed out for a number of rocky outcrops on the left facet of the street. These pure viewpoints provide sweeping views to the south and southwest, with the open panorama stretching out throughout the horizon — a reminder of why Sam’s Level is likely one of the most scenic locations on the Shawangunk Ridge.

Past the viewpoints, Loop Highway begins a mild descent, winding previous spectacular rock formations, uncovered ledges, and the towering cliffs that assist Sam’s Level Overlook above. After passing the historic Lenape Steps, the street descends via a sequence of broad switchbacks earlier than returning to the customer middle and parking space, bringing this memorable hike to a detailed.

Assessment:

This 4.3-mile hike is likely one of the most rewarding and distinctive adventures within the Hudson Valley. Whereas the mileage is comparatively modest, the route packs an unbelievable number of surroundings right into a single outing. From the historic Lenape Steps and the sweeping views at Sam’s Level Overlook to the fascinating maze of boulders and funky rock passages of the Ice Caves, there’s one thing memorable round each nook.

The carriage roads make for snug strolling, whereas the Ice Caves Path provides a enjoyable and adventurous component with its stone staircases, picket ladders, slim rock crevices, and boardwalks. The dramatic change in panorama—from hardwood forest to the uncommon dwarf pitch pine barrens after which into the naturally refrigerated Ice Caves—makes the hike really feel like a number of completely different adventures rolled into one.

Though dense fog hid the well-known views through the early a part of this go to, the hike was no much less pleasant. The mist added an nearly mystical ambiance to the cliffs and forests, and former visits have confirmed simply how spectacular the panoramas will be on a transparent day. Whether or not you’re drawn by the historical past, geology, distinctive ecosystems, or just the prospect to discover one in all New York’s most exceptional pure sights, this hike delivers on each degree.

If you happen to’ve by no means been to Sam’s Level, this route is a superb introduction to the protect and deserves a spot on each hiker’s bucket checklist. It’s a hike you’ll seemingly end up returning to in each season.

Execs:

Spectacular surroundings, historic Lenape Steps, panoramic views, distinctive Ice Caves, uncommon dwarf pitch pine barrens, fascinating geology, well-maintained trails, scenic carriage roads, wealthy native historical past, seasonal selection, glorious path signage, family-friendly (with warning within the caves), nice pictures alternatives, various landscapes, handy customer middle facilities, straightforward to increase the hike if desired.

Cons:

Crowded on weekends and through fall foliage, advance parking reservations required on weekends and holidays (seasonally), parking zone fills rapidly, Ice Caves Path will be slippery when moist, slim rock passages could also be difficult for some, restricted views in fog or poor climate, seasonal closure of the Ice Caves, no pets allowed on the Ice Caves Path, restricted cell service in some areas.

Take a hike!

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