Hike to the Unforgettable Verkeerderkill Falls in Minnewaska State Park
Verkeerderkill Falls is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the Sam’s Point Area in Minnewaska State Park Preserve. Seeing the waterfall dropping down 187 feet is a spectacle itself but getting there is a huge part of the adventure too.
On the 6 mile hike, you will pass the most famous viewpoint in Sam’s Point Area (Sam’s Point Overlook), walk along the beautiful ridges of the Shawangunk Mountains, and enjoy wildlife (especially birds), rare species of high altitude pitch pine barrens, and other common flora and fauna plants.
As locals, we already ventured on most of the trails in Minnewaska State Park. We have completed the hike to Verkeerderkill Falls twice in different seasons of the year.
Continue reading to get essential information about the hike to the waterfall, a detailed trail description, suggestions for other hikes in the area, and more.
Our Other Resources for Waterfalls in New York State
- Explore the Awosting Falls Trail in Minnewaska State Park
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- How to See the Picturesque Indian Brook Falls
- How to Hike the Striking Indian Head Trail Adirondacks + Rainbow Falls NY
- The Most Picturesque Finger Lakes Waterfalls You Have to See
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- How to Hike the Indian Ladder Trail at Thacher State Park
- 90+ Best Quotes about Falls to Inspire Your Wanderlust
Know Before You Visit Verkeerderkill Falls
Verkeerderkill Falls is located in Minnewaska State Park Preserve. Minnewaska is one of the 180 State Parks spread out throughout New York. The park sits along the striking Shawangunk Mountain ridge at 2,000 feet above sea level and consists of dense hardwood forests, dramatic ledges, and rough and rocky terrain.
There are 2 sections to Minnewaska State Park, the main area and the Sam’s Point area. The Sam’s Point area is where you will find the stunning Verkeerderkill Falls.
The Sam’s Point Area is the southernmost area of the park on the highest section of the Shawangunk Mountains. It is a remarkable natural feature in New York’s Hudson Valley featuring a sky lake, waterfalls, cliffs, ice caves, and striking vistas.
Quick Facts: Sam’s Point Preserve
Location: 400 Sams Point Road, Cragsmoor, NY 12420
Hours: Opens at 9:00 AM all year round – Closing times are posted when entering the park (changes seasonally)
Parking: Sams Point Parking Area
Cost: $10 entrance fee
Facilities: Visitor Center, Restrooms
What to Expect Hiking to Verkeerderkill Falls Trail
General Information
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 6.0 miles
Type of Hike: Out and Back
Elevation Gain: about 700 feet
Parking: Sams Point Parking Area
Begin your journey to Verkeerderkill Falls from the parking lot. The trailhead to the waterfalls is just past the Visitor Center. You will head to the right, up the slight incline of switchbacks as if you were going to Sam’s Point Overlook. There are signs there to help guide you.
NOTE: If for some reason you end up going to the left, you can also reach Verkeerderkill Falls. This way will just take you a little longer as you will be completing a larger portion of the Sam’s Point Road Loop around Lake Maratanza.
Once you have reached the top of the switchbacks, you will almost be at Sam’s Point Overlook. This is an absolute must-visit attraction for a grand view of the surrounding area. Just make a left-hand turn off of the gravel road. It is the most recognized spot in the whole park, and you will probably see people lingering around there. Expect a crowd of people snapping selfies or having a little picnic.
After you are done walking around on the dramatic ledges and enjoying the views, you can continue your way to the Verkeerderkill Falls. Simply go back to the gravel road the way you came.
For the next section, you will be walking along a portion of Sam’s Point Road, which is surrounded by a large amount of rare dwarf Pitch Pine barren. Please remember to protect this endangered ecosystem by admiring it from afar.
After a short while, there will be a turn-off to the right. Turn there. Continue straight until you see a sign for Verkeerderkill Falls on the left side of the path. Take this path along the Shawangunk Mountain ridgeline with beautiful views of the surrounding area until you reach the waterfalls.
Since the path can be narrow at times, try your best to stay on the designated trail to preserve vegetation. Along the rocky uneven path, you will also find a lot of large boulders. Climb up and enjoy the scenery from over there.
NOTE: In the summertime, you won’t find a lot of shade on this trail. Be careful hiking when the temperatures are too hot and always carry enough water with you.
This section of the trail seemed to last forever on our hike to Verkeerderkill Falls. There were several times, we thought we could hear the rushing waterfalls, but it was just our mind playing tricks on us.
TOP TIP: The day we hiked the trail in fall, it was extremely wet and muddy. There were actually many sections with puddles taking up the entire trail. Make sure to wear appropriate hiking footwear to avoid wet feet.
Eventually, you will hear the sounds of the 187-foot waterfall (this time for real). This is a good sign you are getting closer to your desired destination.
To get the best look of Verkeerderkill Falls, you will have to cross over a little stream, which is actually the top of Verkeerderkill Falls.
Follow the path around to the right to find an opening to get to the Verkeerderkill Falls Overlook. Enjoy the beautiful waterfall as it plunges over the sheer cliffs.
NOTE: Verkeerderkill Falls sits on private property. Please be mindful and stay on the trails when you are visiting.
When you are ready to head back to your car, retrace your steps back the way you came. At the intersection which would bring you back to Sam’s Point Overlook, you could decide to turn right to complete the whole Sam’s Point Road Loop along Lake Maratanza.
Keep in mind that this State Park closes at a specific time. Keep an eye on your watch while hiking to make sure to arrive back at the parking lot before the gates to the park are closed and you can’t leave.
If you prefer loop trails and don’t mind adding around 2.3 miles to your trip, don’t go back the way you came from, after checking out the Verkeerderkill Falls. Instead, follow the Verkeerderkill Falls trail until you can turn left on the High Point Trail. You will have to do some fun short rock scrambling along the way and end up at the High Point Carriageway. Go straight and after a right-hand turn, you will eventually end up on the Loop Road which will bring you back to the parking lot.
How Long Does it Take to Hike to Verkeerderkill Falls?
To fully enjoy and appreciate the hike to Verkeerderkill Falls we would recommend planning anywhere from 4 to 4.5 hours to complete the hike.
We usually hike 2 miles an hour, sometimes we are a little quicker or a little slower depending on how much we stop to take photos or enjoy the vistas. Since there are some really good views along the way, we are sure you will want to take your time.
Nearby Trails Around Verkeerderkill Falls
Enjoy more of the Sam’s Point Area by extending your hike with some other Minnewaska State Park trails.
All these trails are located in the same area and can be reached from the Sam’s Point parking lot.
Ice Cave Trail – Explore the intriguing Ice Caves of Minnewaska on a thrilling 3.3 miles out and back trail over massive boulders and through narrow passages.
NOTE: This trail is not open all year round. Check the park’s website for up to date information.
Sams Point Loop Road – Take in the views of Lake Maratanza along the Sams Point Loop Road on this simple 3.1-mile stroll. As already mentioned, you can easily combine this loop with the hike to the Verkeerderkill Falls without adding too many more miles.
Shingle Gully Trail – Hike along the steepest and most secluded section of the Shawangunk Mountain ridge on a difficult trail in the Sam’s Point Area of Minnewaska State Park. This area you can’t visit on your own, you will need to make a reservation for a guided hike.
Tips for Visiting Sams Point Preserve
When to Visit
It is best to visit Verkeerderkill Falls from spring to fall since the trail can be icy and slippery during the winter months.
We did this hike in the spring and the fall and both experiences were phenomenal. Although we liked it a little better in the fall. Since a huge section of the trail is along the ridge, you get rewarded with breathtaking views of the colorful leaves during the fall foliage in New York.
Know Which Trail to Take
Before you get in your car, make sure the trail you want to explore can be found in the Sam’s Point Area in Minnewaska State Park. Otherwise, you will make a huge detour, since Sam’s Point is located in the southern part of the park. It is a 30 minutes drive from the main entrance to Minnewaska State Park located on Route 44-55.
Check for Seasonal Closures
Check the park’s website for trail closures before starting your adventure. Due to poor conditions, some trails (e.g. the Ice Caves) are usually closed throughout the winter months and in bad weather conditions.
Arrive Early
Minnewaska State Park is a well-known Hudson Valley gem. Expect crowds during spring to fall when the weather is good. There are not a lot of spots in the Sams Point Preserve area and the parking lot fills up quicker than you think. When the capacity is reached, the park might even close for incoming visitors. Parking along the side of the road is strictly prohibited.
TOP TIP: Check the latest closure updates on the Minnewaska State Park Preserve website.
We have made the mistake of arriving too late and not being able to find a parking spot. Getting there even before the gate opens (9 AM) is great advice to avoid turning back home disappointed. Usually, there is a sign and/or a staff member at the entrance to the parking lot informing you about the parking situation.
Purchase an Empire Pass
If you live in New York or visit frequently, you can save a lot of money on visiting New York State Parks by purchasing an Empire Pass. The pass costs $80 dollars for access to all State Parks and the State Dept. of Environmental Conservation areas for 1 year. Even though the daily entrance fee is just $10, it sums up quickly when you want to explore all the magnificent trails in Minnewaska State Park.
Not sure it is worth it? Here is where the Empire Pass is accepted.
Have a Trail Map
You can ask for a free trail map when you pay the entrance fee at the Visitor Center, but don’t expect too much. No matter the area you visit, you always get a general, very small map of the whole State Park.
While hiking, make sure you are following the correct colored blazes for your desired trail. If you do research beforehand (aka read our posts), you shouldn’t get lost. But if you are serious about hiking in Minnewaska State Park and want to explore more hidden trails, carry your own trail map or use an app like All Trails.
Upcoming Events
You can participate in great programs in Minnewaska State Park Preserve all year long. If you don’t want to visit Verkeerderkill Falls on your own, join a regularly offered guided hike. The guided hike provides you with more geological information about the area.
But there is so much more to experience in this area of the park. Depending on the season, you can improve your route finding, gardening, or even drawing skills, observe the changing of the seasons, go birdwatching, or explore more secluded areas of the park (e.g. Shingle Gully Ice Caves).
Leave No Trace
Please recreate responsibly. Anytime you are exploring and enjoying the outdoors, it is important to remember to follow the Leave No Trace principles. Respect and appreciate nature, so that future generations can enjoy the same beauty. If you aren’t familiar with the Leave No Trace Principles, here they are:
- Plan Ahead & Prepare
- Travel on Durable Surfaces
- Properly Dispose of Waste
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Others
Final Thoughts
The trail to get to the Verkeerderkill Falls is a must-do Minnewaska State Park trail and our favorite hike in the Sam’s Point area.
It does not just feature an epic waterfall, you will also be able to see some of the most incredible vistas of the Shawangunk Mountain area, and stand on the famous Sam’s Point ledges. Even though we already hiked this trail twice, we can’t get enough of this area and can’t wait to get to hike it again soon.
What do you like the most about Verkeerderkill Falls? What is your favorite hike in the Sam’s Point Area?
Let us know in the comments below!
Our Other Resources for Minnewaska State Park
- 13 Most Scenic Minnewaska State Park Trails
- Explore the Awosting Falls Trail in Minnewaska State Park
- Stony Kill Falls: Best Kept Secret in Minnewaska State Park
- How to Hike the Dramatic Gertrudes Nose Trail
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Do you know of a quick route to see the waterfalls as a pitstop on a road trip? Thanks!
Unfortunately we do not know of a quick route to see the waterfall. To see Verkeerderkill Falls it takes a little bit of a hike to see it. It is definitely not a falls you can stop by and see quickly. But if you are looking to check out a different waterfall in Minnewaska State Park, check out Awosting Falls, this one does not require much effort to see it. Here is a post we wrote about visiting Awosting Falls.