The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will close all campsites on the 58-acre Shawangunk Multiple Use Area (MUA) property located in Gardiner, effective May 3.
According to a report by the Hudson Valley News Network, the property will remain open for other outdoor activities including hiking, snowshoeing, birding, picnicking, orienteering, hunting and trapping.
Years of overuse have negatively impacted both the natural resources and public health and safety. Because of this, DEC has been gradually reducing the number of campsites over the past years with the intention of eliminating all camping.
The recently opened Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground, owned by NYS Parks and run by the Mohonk Preserve and American Alpine Club, is very close to the MUA.
Other nearby camping facilities offer plenty of developed camping opportunities for those who had been using the MUA.
