Awosting Falls Trail: Everything You Need to Know

Awosting Falls is the iconic 60-foot waterfall along a dramatic cliff in Minnewaska State Park and is one of the most visited waterfalls in the area. Minnewaska State Park offers many things to do, including waterfalls, fun trails, and scenic views around Lake Minnewaska, and the Awosting Falls Trail is one of the most popular hikes.

And the best part? The trail is well-maintained and not strenuous, making it great for the entire family to enjoy! The Awosting Falls Trail brings you to the bottom of the falls, where you can view the impressive waterfall at its base. If you want to hike to Awosting Falls, you are in the right place! This guide has everything you need to know about the Awosting Falls Trail.

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Awosting Falls Overview

Before planning your hike to Awosting Falls, here are a few things you should know.

Awosting Falls Location

Awosting Falls is south of the Catskill Mountains in Minnewaska State Park Preserve. Minnewaska State Park Preserve is a beautiful preserve with over 24,000 acres and many hiking trails for all levels. Awosting Falls is near the main entrance and has many fun trails nearby, so if you want to hike more after visiting the waterfall, there are many options.

Awosting Falls Hike Length

The Awosting Falls Trail is only 1.2 miles round trip and mostly flat, making it a great hike for the entire family! The trail is well-maintained and follows along the road until descending to the bottom of the falls. Although it is prohibited to go into the water near the falls, you can take in the views from the trail near the base of it.

Awosting Falls Trail Parking

The closest parking area to Awosting Falls is the Lower Awosting Lot near the main entrance to Minnewaska State Park Preserve. It costs $10 to enter the park, and the pass is good for the entire day. Once you enter the park, you follow the road to the right until you reach the Lower Awosting Lot.

The trail from this parking lot is the shortest to Awosting Falls, making it the best place to park. Many trails in Minnewaska State Park Preserve are connected, so there are many areas you could park in, but the Lower Lot is the closest!

Is Awosting Falls Dog Friendly?

Yes, dogs are allowed on the trails in Minnewaska State Park Preserve, including Awosting Falls. Dogs must be on a leash no longer than six feet. We took Meadow on the hike, and she loved it! Since the trail is well-maintained, it is great for all dogs.

Best Time to Hike Awosting Falls

Minnewaska State Park Preserve is open year-round, allowing you to hike Awosting Falls every season! Late Spring and early Summer are some of the best times to visit Awosting Falls because the waterfall will have a high volume of water.

Fall is also great if you want to see the waterfall surrounded by vibrant foliage. Winter is an underrated time to hike Awosting Falls because the trail has fewer people and is beautiful, covered in snow. You honestly cannot go wrong with any time you hike Awosting Falls!

What to Pack for the Hike

Although the Awosting Falls Trail is not strenuous, I recommend wearing supportive shoes with good traction and packing layers. Below are a few things I always pack for hikes, no matter how long the trail is.

Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and support on your trip, hiking boots are the go to.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.

Where to Stay near Awosting Falls

If you want to stay near Awosting Falls, you can find many hotels and campgrounds nearby for your getaway.

beautiful waterfalls in the catksills

Awosting Falls Trail Hiking Guide

*Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.

Although many trails in Minnewaska State Park Preserve connect to Awosting Falls, I recommend parking in the Lower Awosting Lot to begin the hike. It is the quickest and easiest trail to the falls.

Since Awosting Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the area, the parking lot fills up quickly. I recommend arriving at the park as soon as it opens to secure a spot and enjoy the waterfall with fewer people. We arrived at 9 AM and were the second car in the parking lot. When we finished the hike 45 minutes later, the lot was full. We visited in the off-season, too, so I can only imagine how busy it is during the summer and fall.

Once you park in the Lower Awosting Lot, the Awosting Falls Trail starts next to the bathrooms along the bike path. This trail is popular for biking, so keep an eye out for bikers while you are hiking! This portion of the trail follows along the road for about 0.3 miles before crossing the road. You will want to cross the bridge and take the first trail on the left immediately after the bridge. Make sure to be careful crossing the street since it is highly trafficked by cars.

The trail follows along the Peters Kill River with several viewpoints of the surrounding mountains until turning right to begin the descent to Awosting Falls. It is crucial to stay on the trail because the rocks above the falls are slippery and could lead to an injury or worse. Unfortunately, there have been many deaths near the waterfalls in New York because people did not stay on the designated trails.

The last 0.3 miles of the Awosting Falls Trail is the steepest section, but it never becomes too steep as it gradually descends to the bottom of Awosting Falls. Once you get to the bottom, you can enjoy the stunning waterfall along the trail.

It is prohibited to go into the water near the falls, but the views along the Awosting Falls Trail are breathtaking, and you will not be disappointed. The trail near the base of Awosting Falls is wide, so there is plenty of space for you to find a quiet area to enjoy the 60-foot waterfall.

Once you enjoy Awosting Falls, you can either hike back the way you came to the parking lot or continue the hike to Compass Rock. The loop from Awosting Falls and Compass Rock is 5.1 miles and has breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. The trail only gains about 800 feet of elevation, so it is not overly strenuous and a great option if you are looking for a day hike near Awosting Falls!

easy hikes in the catskills

After the hike to Awosting Falls, I recommend driving further into the park to explore the trails near Lake Minnewaska if you have time. These trails are some of my favorites in the area because the views of the lake and surrounding mountains are stunning! Below are a few great trails near Awosting Falls to enjoy:

Lake Minnewaska Carriage Road Loop: 2 miles
Beacon Hill Loop: 2 miles
Hamilton Point and Castle Point Loop: 8.6 miles

If you want to hike to Awosting Falls, this guide is the perfect place to start planning! It has everything you need to know about visiting Awosting Falls. When you visit Awosting Falls, you will quickly realize why it is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in New York!