sam's point preserve

I went up to Sam's Point at the end of March 2014. I wasn't prepared to see all the snow still there but what a great hike. I took the log road as the one up the mountain was too steep and icy for me(bad knee). Got some amazing photo's of the gorgeous views. I hadn't been up to the ice caves since my husband and I were dating(we've been married almost 35 years now). Great hike. Make sure to have plenty of water with you.

Sam's point isn't just great hiking, sightseeing, wild blueberry picking and historic. It's a connection to another continent The rock formations here are the exact rocks in Ireland. You're on top of the world here and you'll feel it. Must see to understand.

This preserve offers short hikes as well as a longer loop trail. You can take a short hike with the kids to the ice caves. The ice caves are really cool and you have great views for the trip to them and a ridge line view of the gunks after you exit the caves. You can take older children and teens to veerderkill falls which is a lovely waterfall that is best to visit after a good rain. You can continue past the waterfall and hike the ridge (teens and adults can handle this 8-11 mile sometimes steep hike) and loop all the way down and around the lake to the parking area. All hikes have some steep hills so you should be relatively fit when doing these trails and in the summer very little shade exists so bring LOTS of water and sunscreen. You can also connect to the AT from here if you want something more challenging. Parking fee applies.

Don't know who enjoyed themselves more. My wife, my dog or myself. The previous reviewers nailed it so all I can add is that if you're wound up take hike. The more wound you are the steeper the trail you should take.

Beautiful area. Parking fee but I'm sure it goes to a good cause. Good information from the staff. The ice caves are awesome! However, they are not for beginning hikers. I'll be sore for awhile.

The views here are spectacular and the welcome center is very nicely managed and designed! We hiked to the waterfall, since you're on a ridge (no tree tops) full time you'll need sunscreen and very sturdy shoes when you head off the groomed loop, it's rocky like a creek bottom, tight and wet in many places. It's totally worth it for the waterfall reveal, but take off your shoes to cross over at the end.

The hike up to Sam's Point is fairly steep in the beginning, but you make stops along the way for the views so it is quite doable even for the out of shape. If you are up for more of a challenge you can hike to the ice caves, or to Verkeerderkill falls. Bring a lunch and make a day of it.

Hiking, scenery, wildlife, history- Sams Point has it all. Can do easy hikes, moderate or challenging- all kinds of trails available. Been here several times, as I live nearby, and never get tired of it. It is considered one of the "last great places on earth" by the Nature Conservancy. Worth the trip.

Enjoyed an amazing hike on my birthday. We could not get through the ice caverns due to dangerous conditions but we did make it to Verkeerderkill Falls. It was worth the trip. Breathtaking views, beautiful and peaceful. I can't wait to go back in the spring.

Beautiful. We hiked to the Ice Caverns and to Sam's Point. For an out of shape person the walk to Sam's Point was fine. The view was worth it! The Ice Caves were interesting but were a little harder for this out of shape hiker to manage. But we succeeded and was well worth the effort. Will be going back soon. There is a hike for everyone there

The 360 degree view is breath taking! Makes you feel literally "on top of the world." The air is clear-and, even in ugly weather, what a spot. You feel like YOU are causing the lightning perched here in a Catskill Classic Thunderboomer!My Favorite town in the valley below- Ellenville, NY. Been going here over 50 years, and am thrilled to see life coming back! Come enjoy the best of the Catskills, just ninety miles north of Times Square!

We took this hike up to the Ice Caverns two weeks ago. What beautiful scenery. Ice Caves were created from the Ellensville Fault Line and is the largest open fault line in the USA. Saw Peregrene Falcons, the remains of the huts used by the Huckleberry pickers lives in during the summer picking season back in the 1900's. Wonderful lake at the top of the mountains with very clear water. Then a short hike down into the ice crevaces. Hike was a moderate hike, but slippery around the ice caves. Scenic view from the top of the mountain streches to NJ and PA. The conservation center house some wonderful artifacts and history about the area. Cost is $10 a vehicle to park. Restrooms are clean and large. Bring your own snacks/water because there are some lovely areas to have lunch break. We will be doing this hike again soon.

My friend and I took my two beagles on a hike to the ice cave in July 2013. It is a well run hiking trail with a visitor center run by The Nature's Conservancy. Cold bottled water is for sale for $ 1 and there is also a vending machine with snacks. The map they gave you give several option for a hiking destionation. The Ice Cave round trip hike is approximately 1.5 hour while the Lake trail is 2 hours. There is also a hiking route to a water fall. It is an easy hike for 99% of the time. The challange came in the last 5 minutes to the Ice Cave as the trail become spiralling and steep, narrow and sliperry. However, when you get to the Ice Cave, it is wonderful cool; litterally! On the way up about 10 minutes from the visitor center a wonderful sweeping views of the valley is amazing! I will be back to check out the water falls and the lake in the future.

We have been here before but the views always amaze me. The trail is wide and easy for kids and the peak is very rewarding with great views to take in and wild blueberries to munch on.The nature center has a well stocked vending machine which was great since my 2 year old daughter and I were separated from our group (with the water and snacks).

I hiked here for the first time in May. At this time, the ice caves were closed and we decided to take the waterfall path and then the longest hike (loop road). I soon realized this was a bad idea-it is definitely a hike and requires a lot of rock climbing. The waterfall is beautiful and I wanted to go to the bottom (which is private property) The second time we went here was to go to the ice caves. I loved the ice caves and decided at that point that buying a season pass would be well worth the $40. This past weekend, I took my sisters (11 and 12), my niece (15) and my best friend to the ice caves and then waterfall. Everyone was tired by the end but loved the ice caves. Bring lots of water especially if you bring your dog. The views are amazing and beautiful pictures can be captured at several locations.