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Bonticou Crag
4.9 ★★★★★ 182 Google reviews · Running trail in New Paltz, New York · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Bonticou Crag's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Wooded area for easygoing jaunts with boulder-filled trails and views, plus an adrenaline-fueled rock scramble.
What runners say about Bonticou Crag
“The view is of course beautiful and we we're extra pleased to find no one in the booth on Christmas!”
“Great views and a fairly easy hike.”
Spent a half day with my family hiking Bouticou Crag. Park at the Spring Farm Trailhead parking lot. Arrive early, because the lot is pretty small, dusty and often fills up early. The lot opens at 9am, unless you're a member, in which case you can enter early at 7am. The entrance fee is $15 per adult.
Best place to hike, it is 2 hours drive from the New York City. It has paid to the park and money is used for the conservation of the park. They give hand stickers per person. You can use rock climbing with proper gear and guidelines. At the top, it has amazing 360 views of mountains and nature.
Beautiful hiking. $12/pp for access. 3-mile loop to the Crag and back or to Table Rocks and back, 6 miles to hit both. If you're not too too afraid of heights and reasonably agile, I'd recommend scrambling up the Crag, otherwise you can meander around the back and get there that way.
Beautiful and well-kept recreation area with great views. The rock scramble is well-marked with yellow arrows, but you can take any path depending on how daring you are. The loop hike is only 3 miles long though, so $15 for parking seems a bit steep. You can extend the hike, but its recommended to be out before sunset.
Trail conditions & character
“So, if you like to test yourself and see amazing views as a reward, I highly recommend wearing shoes you trust and climbing up.”
“This was the first time doing such a hike and there was one spot where it was a bit scary or challenging to climb but we managed.”
“The loop hike is only 3 miles long though, so $15 for parking seems a bit steep.”
“3-mile loop to the Crag and back or to Table Rocks and back, 6 miles to hit both.”
Plan your run at Bonticou Crag
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websitemohonkpreserve.org
- Phone(845) 255-0919
- Social Instagram · Facebook
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