gunks camping beta

Looking for some info on camping at the Gunks...

- Best / cheapest? Free is good.
- Distance to the crags? Walking or driving?
- Likely hood of availability? We'll be arriving the morning of Thurs. 4/28 and leaving sometime Sun. 5/1

I have read a little about the MAU, but it seems to have a pretty limited number of sites. Would we be pretty sure of getting a spot on Thursday morning?

Thanks!!

Camp Slime is free and is right on top of the Near Trapps.

is "Camp Slime" the same as the MAU?

No, the MUA is on Rt 299, approximately 1/4 mile from the intersection with Rt 44/55. To get there from the Trapps parking lot, exit and turn left heading back to New Paltz Shortly after the hairpin turn (maybe a 1/2 mile?), arrive at the bottom of the hill and turn left on Rt 299. The MUA will be on your right side about 1/4 to 1/2 mile down. (Look on Google Maps to find it). It can be very difficult to find in the dark. Also, make SURE you camp only in one of the designated spots (there is a map on a kiosk in the center of the parking lot, as well as signs nailed to trees at each site). The rangers frequently come through in the early morning and give you EXPENSIVE tickets for being outside of a site.

Camp Slime is essentially right on the Carriage Road. It is at the big steel bridge over Rt 44/55.

Jon H wrote:...Camp Slime is essentially right on the Carriage Road. It is at the big steel bridge over Rt 44/55.

Also worth mentioning is that there is no parking at Camp Slime. You essentially park in the West Trapps lot, then follow the path back towards the cliffs. After short walk you'll eventually come to the steel bridge, port-a-johns and a rock staircase. The camp is on the opposite side of the road, so either walk under the bridge across the street or climb the staircase and cross the bridge. There really aren't any signs you, basically camp in the woods to the left of the ranger hut. It's noisy because of the proximity to the road and I don't believe they allow campfires.

FWIW, you shouldn't have a problem getting a spot if you arrive on a weekday.

Geez I can remember those days back in the early 80's when we could cram 20 some cars into that small parking area right next to the bridge at Camp Slime. And fill the side of the road all we wanted with cars all the way down to the lot at the turn. Those were good ole' days.

Woodchuck ATC wrote:Geez I can remember those days back in the early 80's when we could cram 20 some cars into that small parking area right next to the bridge at Camp Slime. And fill the side of the road all we wanted with cars all the way down to the lot at the turn. Those were good ole' days.

Camping on the road below the hairpin (as long as you knew/talked to the owner).
You would get picked up in a split second hitchhiking to the cliff (tried doing that last summer after parking at the welcome center, at least 30 cars went by, most were climbers...)

I remember back in the day camping on the road by the hairpin turn and climbing by 6 or 7 in the morning. The last time I climbed there was back in 2000 after they had built the stone stairs, and that building with a parking lot down from the hairpin. They had also stopped parking along the road back then.

WHAT A DRAG...
Via: gunksclimbers.org/
New Restrictions at the Shawangunk Multi-Use Area Campground

The Gunks Climbers' Coalition received this important notice about the MUA campground from the DEC:

ATTENTION SHAWANGUNK MULTIPLE USE AREA CAMPERS

Due to continued impact on public health, safety and environmental resources at the Shawangunk Multiple Use Area, designated campsites are being reduced to 9 as shown on this map.

All designated camp sites will be on the south side of the road and large enough to accommodate the legal limit of up to 9 campers per site. Groups are encouraged to share campsites in order to allow the maximum number of 81 campers.

Parking will only be allowed in the main parking lot on the south side of the road, the same side of the road as camping. The parking lot on the north side of the road will be blocked off to prevent the public (campers) from parking there and crossing the road to camp. Parking along the shoulder of route 299 will be prohibited to limit traffic/pedestrian issues.

Any questions should be directed to Jeffrey Wiegert at (845) 256-3084

-sp wrote: Also worth mentioning is that there is no parking at Camp Slime. You essentially park in the West Trapps lot, then follow the path back towards the cliffs. After short walk you'll eventually come to the steel bridge, port-a-johns and a rock staircase. The camp is on the opposite side of the road, so either walk under the bridge across the street or climb the staircase and cross the bridge. There really aren't any signs you, basically camp in the woods to the left of the ranger hut. It's noisy because of the proximity to the road and I don't believe they allow campfires. FWIW, you shouldn't have a problem getting a spot if you arrive on a weekday.

Can you park in the West Trapps lot overnight?

Yes, you can park in West Trapp. The basic rule is this, you go to Camp Slime, pick a spot for your tent. You are supposed to camp next to designated sites (trees with number on it). You are also supposed to fill out a form with two parts with your site number and license plate. Put that on your site and car. I don't think they ever enforced the rule.

Alicia Sokolowski wrote: Can you park in the West Trapps lot overnight?

Yup, just what divnamite said.

Thanks to you both!

Perhaps I'm not reading this correctly or I'm missing something, but can you still camp across the street (on the North side of the road) from the MUA? Is that area even considered to be part of the MUA?

"All designated camp sites will be on the south side of the road and large enough to accommodate the legal limit of up to 9 campers per site. Groups are encouraged to share campsites in order to allow the maximum number of 81 campers.

Parking will only be allowed in the main parking lot on the south side of the road, the same side of the road as camping. The parking lot on the north side of the road will be blocked off..."

What I want to know is, how are enough vehicles for 81 campers going to fit in that one little lot on the south side of the road - with no parking allowed on the north side or along the shoulder?

Chris Duca wrote:Perhaps I'm not reading this correctly or I'm missing something, but can you still camp across the street (on the North side of the road) from the MUA? Is that area even considered to be part of the MUA?

Yes it was part of the MUA, it will now be closed to both parking and camping.

Any restrictions at the MUA?

campfires, alcohol, etc?

Not sure of there any any formal regulations for Alcohol, but it's rare to see a dry campsite. Unfortunately, there are often large groups (mostly college student non-climbers) who take advantage of this and throw raging parties well into the early morning. Most people are good about cleaning up, but as traffic increases, so does empty beer bottles and cans.

Fires are permitted at designated campsites, which, as you have probably read above, are noticeably reduced with the recent changes. It's recommended that you pick up some firewood in town, since there is not much on the ground to gather.

Self-imposed and unspoken regulations seem to be:

1.) being respectful at night and not getting too loud
2.) Sharing campsites (now even more important with newly closed sites)
3.) Be quiet in the morning if you get up early- especially in the parking lot (alarms, car doors, etc.)
4.) Clean up after yourself and make an effort to clean up trash left by others.

Any good places for supplies (ie. firewood, food, beer, etc.)?

JBaker wrote:Any good places for supplies (ie. firewood, food, beer, etc.)?

the mobil station across the street from rock and snow has a pretty good selection of beer and i believe they have firewood.

JBaker wrote:Any good places for supplies (ie. firewood, food, beer, etc.)?

K & E Discount Beverages Inc. right pass McDonalds as you pull off the highway - a beer mecca. Just before the McD's there is Stop & Shop supermarket if you need food and other sundries.