Sam's Point Preserve | park, nature preserve, National Natural Landmark

 park, nature preserve, National Natural Landmark

A 5,400-acre preserve sheltering one of the best examples of ridgetop dwarf pine barrens in the world, owned by the Open Space Insititute and managed by the the Nature Conservancy. At 2,289 feet, the highest point in the Shawangunk Ridge ("The Gunks").

Fire roads on the plateau were built during the Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps. In the Seventies, the Town of Ellenville allowed a contractor to operate the area as a tourist attraction called Ice Caves Mountain; walls were built and roads were paved. It is being allowed to return to a natural state; visitors now must walk up from the visitor center, but it is not at all a difficult hike.

Located within the preserve is the Ellenville Fault and Ice Caves. The largest open fault system in the United States, it results in ice caves which keeps ice year-round and creates a cooler microclimate for more northern plants.

www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/newyork/...

Overall preserve extends well outside this outline.