Construction is underway at the new Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground. The long-anticipated campground will be a major addition to the Shawangunk Mountains region’s lodging facilities. Since 2006, Mohonk Preserve, the American Alpine Club, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Palisades Interstate Park Commission have been working in partnership toward the creation of a campground in the Gunks.
A key partner to these groups from the outset has been the Open Space Institute, which assembled the land for the campground and helped raise some of the capital funds for its installation.
The Mohonk Preserve has also worked closely and collaboratively with the Town of Gardiner and campground neighbors to help shape the plans for the design and operation of the facility.
The 50-acre campground will include approximately 50 campsites within walking distance to the Trapps and Near Trapps, which have hundreds of rock climbs and miles of historic carriage roads and hiking trails. Located along Route 299, the campground is also just a short walk from the Mohonk Preserve Visitor Center.
The American Alpine Club, in cooperation with Mohonk Preserve, will manage the campground. Campground amenities will include an outdoor central gathering and cooking area, bathhouse facilities and indoor space for visitors to gather during rainy weather. The anticipated date of completion is spring 2014.
“The Samuel F. Pryor Shawangunk Gateway Campground will provide a high-quality, minimalist camping experience to the thousands of annual Shawangunk Mountains visitors and be an important resource for the local community,” said Mohonk Preserve director of land stewardship/chief ranger Hank Alicandri. “This campground will fill an important, and currently missing, niche in overnight lodging in the region.”
For information on the campground and progress updates, visit the Preserve’s website at www.mohonkpreserve.org/camping.
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