Ice Caves

This is a 6.8 mile (10.9 kilometers) moderately challenging hike (1,007 feet elevation gain) at Minnewaska State Park Preserve.
Highlights of the trail are Sam's point, Ice cave and lastly Verkeerderkill falls.
At Sam's point there are dramatic overlooks and spectacular cliff views, A photographer's paradise. Ice cave was amazing, we had to go through some crevices, my headlamp was very useful at those dark areas and footpath, I noticed remnants of ice inside even at the start of summer (that's when I did the hike), did a little rock scrambling outside the cave, there was an extraordinary ridge overlook at the end of the cave and a fantastic view from a large rock outcrop.
The most challenging and strenuous part was the hike from the Ice cave to Verkeerderkill Falls - rocky, narrow, lengthy, uneven, wet, slippery, stream-like path, trekking poles and waterproof hiking boots was a big help to endure the trail.
Verkeerderkill falls is a spectacle to see, there are a few ridges, escarpment, and ledge spots (somewhat perilous as all were near the drop-off) to rest and view the falls (I found a good spot facing the falls while hydrating, snacking and replenishing my energy).
A solid day's workout, this is everything I could ask for from a great recreational, adventurous, stimulating hike with mother nature.

**USEFUL INFORMATION**

In typical Yelp fashion they wont' remove the bogus bullshit information for this listing. The "readyhiker.com" site is someones personal website that even looks incomplete with check back soon subtitles. UGH! How'd that site make Yelp is beyond me! I'm shocked we aren't directed to Pornhub! UGH!

Here is the information you will need for your visit because it's all the information I found and used for myself...

Address:
400 Sam's Point Road
Cragsmoor, NY 12420
Phone: (845) 647-7989
Website: https://parks.ny.gov/parks/193

The above info will help you plan your trip and includes parking fees and if you have any other concerns the phone number is very much valid because I used it myself.

Have fun!

Nice low-key hike that we went on with my father-in-law. I saw postcards for the Ice Caves at a nearby bookstore and the view sold me, but what that postcard was showing was actually Sam's Point (with the white rock cliffs and spanning view behind it). The ice caves are maybe 1.5miles from that view and quite an adventurous scramble with a lot of ducking down and walking into dark crevices - which are luckily lit by motion-sensing lights!

We got here around 2pm on a Monday in October.

STATS: 3.9 mi, 581ft, 1hr 24m of moving time according to my Strava.

PARKING: Lot was maybe 1/4 full. Bathrooms, water, and visitor's center available at Sams' Point Staging Area. We ran into a decent number of people on the trails but it wasn't crowded.

FOLIAGE: On 10/21/19, there were a lot of yellow's, green's, and oranges, but it was not quite peak season. Not many reds.

TRAILS: Very wide and open trails, except in the actual ice caves themselves. Three of us easily walked abreast in the trails. Some puddles due to recent rain that we had to walk on the edge of the trails to avoid.

COVERAGE: First quarter of a mile climbing up were covered, but after that we were in the open (except when we were in the caves).

VIEWS: Best from Sam's Point! Make sure to take that out and back detour. The photos of the "ice caves" you might have seen on postcards are most likely taken at Sam's Point. You get some nice views exiting the ice caves too.

I've done a good amount of hiking in my life time, this was the most fun I've ever had hiking. Not really difficult at all to navigate, just scenic and fun making your way through the rocks and caves. There was only one spot that my dog couldn't get up on her own (the first log ladder), so we climbed up and around.

This hike is just awesome. You have to pay $10 for parking and it is definitely worth it. The walk to the ice caves is rather easy since it is on a gravel road. Once you get the the actual caves it starts to get a little harder but is nothing crazy. However, it is extremely slippery so move slowly.

Being able to walk through the caves is just amazing. They are always cold and there was still some snow left in June. At the end of the caves there is a look out which gives you an amazing view of the area.

In addition to the caves you can also go to Sam's Point which has another great view of the area. This makes it one of my favorite hikes because you get multiple amazing views and the ice caves. The hike is not hard and most people should be able to complete it. I strongly recommend taking this hike because it really has some amazing things to see.

We visited during July and this hike was a lot of fun! The contrast between the The cool interior of the caves in the warm weather outside was phenomenal! The Cave entrance is not so well demarcated on the trail but we eventually found it and it has a few light sensors inside. I would not recommend this for any claustrophobics but it's really amazing to see how nature has created these interesting spaces! I will certainly come back to do this again perhaps during autumn. Sam's Point is along this trail as well, which is an incredible overlook.

Very unique place.

1) The caves are cold even during the summer. When you pass through it, it is like an air conditioner breeze.
2) The hike there is not very difficult. But careful of your head, some places are very short.
3) There are some places where you need to climb ladders, so bringing a dog might not be a smart idea.

Absolutely beautiful views. The hike is good for families. There are just a few tricky spots that small children may have a difficult time with. We go every year!

Amazing Ice Caves great place to visit if you can get a parking spot ...the parking is a complete joke they have thousands and thousands of Acres but only about 75 parking places they want you to enjoy the trails but offer absolutely very little parking and have the room to easily double or triple their parking capacity, it's ridiculous! Oh and its 10$ to park which nobody tells you about.... I drove an hour and a half to the place and the Rangers says "sorry no parking come back later" what a joke!!!!!

My favorite hike in all of upstate NY. The trail is easy enough without being boring and definitely left the little kids feeling accomplished. The cave is pure magic and feels wonderfully cool in the summer