The early steps lead to a swimming beach at cliff-fringed Lake Minnewaska. These wide, carefully graded roadbeds are where you will be doing most of your hiking with Seaman. When they made nice again the Smileys built a network of carriage roads between the hotels. The state park on the dramatic Shawangunk Mountain ridge is where feuding brothers Alfred and Albert Smiley opened competing vacation houses in the 1800s. If your dog could talk you would hear about this hike for a looooong time. Photo: Storm Damage on Palisades Park Road (Photo by Sean Rose).The Best Day Hike You Can Take With Your Dog In New York Please adhere to all posted trail closings. All hikers must park in the Awosting Parking Lot and all climbers must park in the Peter’s Kill parking lot. Access is only available for hikers and climbers. Biking and equestrian use will not be permitted. The Preserve will only be open for hiking, picnicking, and swimming at Lake Minnewaska and climbing at the Peter’s Kill area. * Minnewaska State Park Preserve will be open on a limited basis until further notice effective Saturday, September 3, 2011. * Lake Welch and Tiorati areas of Harriman are without power and water. * Sebago Beach at Harriman is closed for the season. * Camping at Sebago Cabins, Beaver Pond and group camps at Harriman State Park is unavailable until further notice. * Bear Mountain State Park services are limited due to disruption of water service and the pool will remain closed for the season. Before visiting, visitors should contact the respective park offices for the most up-to-date information on availability of facilities and hours of operation. The list of closings will be updated as conditions changes. Parks will reopen as power is restored, debris is removed, floodwaters recede, and public safety can be assured. Many state parks and historic sites in the Palisades Region are inaccessible due to damage from Tropical Storm Irene.

High tor state park hike