Stony Kill Falls

Ulster County, New York

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height: Not recorded
Location: Ulster County, New York
Access status: State park trail with steps and footbridges; parking on Shaft 2A Road
The walk: About 1.45 to 1.8 miles round trip from the gate on Shaft 2A Road
Ground & access: Gravel road, then a built trail with stone steps through boulders and a steep climb near the falls. Rocks at the falls are slippery.

Scenes From The Trail: Stony Kill Falls, Minnewaska State Park Preserve

Stony Kill Falls is an 87 to 90-foot waterfall on the Stony Kill in the southwest part of Minnewaska State Park Preserve. From Route 44/55, about 4.3 miles past the main Minnewaska entrance, turn left onto Minnewaska Trail, then immediately left onto Rock Haven Road; in about two miles turn left onto Shaft 2A Road and follow it to its end. Park in the parking area (a former gravel pit) past the gate, or at the gate without blocking it. The red-blazed Stony Kill Falls Trail starts at the southern end of the parking area. It passes the fenced Delaware Aqueduct shaft and the old quarry, then follows the creek upstream on a built trail with two footbridges and stone steps through a boulder field, with a steep section up to the upper falls. Return the same way.

Plan your visit

Shaft 2A Road off Rock Haven Road near Kerhonkson, red-blazed Stony Kill Falls Trail past the aqueduct shaft and old quarry to the falls

Hike the Hudson Valley gives 1.45 miles up and back, Scenes From The Trail about 1.7 miles out and back, and Harriman Hiker about 1.8 miles, all measured from the road gate. Scenes From The Trail says a newer parking area past the gate is now the start, which shortens the walk; no figure is given from that lot.

Gravel road, then a built trail with stone steps through boulders and a steep climb near the falls. Rocks at the falls are slippery.

Where to start

Parking area at the end of Shaft 2A Road (a former gravel pit just past the gate), which Scenes From The Trail lists as open 9 am to 5 pm. Do not block the gate; the road has little shoulder.

Timing & water

Flow drops to a trickle in summer; best after rain or snowmelt. Trails beyond the falls close in winter because of ice.

Before you go

No fee for the Shaft 2A Road parking area is stated. Minnewaska State Park Preserve; swimming is not allowed at the waterfalls.

Visitor information

Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore New York

Waterfall location

Ulster County, New York.

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