Everything you Need to Know for A Visit to Peekamoose Blue Hole!
Peekamoose Blue Hole in Sundown, NY
Fun Fact: the water from this creek provides hydration for more than 9 million people in NYC!
Yup, Peekamoose Blue Hole, located in the Sundown Wild Forest, is a gorgeous spot with some of the freshest water you’ll find near NYC. The clear blue waters are perfect for a refreshing summer trip and the location limits guests, so you’ll never have to worry about overwhelming crowds. Important things to note are there is no cell reception, very little parking, and parts of the hike are on private property (so don’t wander far unless you know the area).
The location is also getting more and more restricted because of constant littering and damage. Nature is something for everyone to enjoy, but if you can’t follow the rules please don’t go and ruin this paradise for everyone else.
Below is more crucial information to note when making a trip to this natural wonder and how you can do your part to make sure it remains open!
Permit Info:
To enjoy the area you must obtain a $10 permit up to a day before (no walk-ins). To reserve a parking permit visit this website, https://newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com
**Make sure to print or screenshot your permit before arriving at the park because there is no cell reception once you arrive.
*** Permits are required from May 15th and September 15th.
Address:
Peekamoose Blue Hole
Peekamoose Rd, Sundown, NY 12740
OR
Coordinates:
41.915043°N, 74.428761°W
Arriving:
When you arrive at the destination you pass by several small parking lots along the road. Make sure to stop at the parking lot with the check-in table to show proof of your permit (you can’t miss it). Parking spots are scarce so get there very early, but also keep in mind that this is not a tropical beach getaway or community pool. Most people will go for a couple of hours and then leave to experience other farms, gardens, and nature nearby. If you want to go for a longer period consider going during a weekday when crowds are smaller.
***Parking is prohibited along the road and cars that violate this rule will be towed. Get familiar with the Sundown Wild Forest parking map here.
Once You’re There:
According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, these are banned from the premises,
“Camping
All fires (including charcoal fires, wood fires, gas grills, propane stoves or other portable stoves)
Use of portable generators
Alcohol
Glass containers
Coolers larger than 12” in any dimension
Radios and other audio devices”
***Note that smoking of any kind and playing music is prohibited.
Leaving:
This is a carry-in/carry-out park. Guests are required to take any trash and all belongings with them when leaving. There are garbages/dumpsters when leaving the park, but if they are overflowed please take your garbage with you.
How You Can Be a Responsible Visitor:
Like I said earlier, nature is something for everyone to enjoy! However, we can’t ignore the impact tourism has on our natural spaces and should do everything we can to be respectful visitors to help preserve these areas. Below are some of the best ways to ensure you are doing your part to protect the land.
Follow the trail!
Although it may seem fun to wander off, please don’t as this will damage plant life and will, over time, make the trail less distinguishable. It’s also dangerous!
Don’t smoke!
Cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, and other smoking devices add pollutants into the air. Discarding finished cigarettes on the floor is littering.
Leave everything how you found it.
Do not take any flowers, plants, rocks, etc. It can damage the natural ecosystem, so taking pictures is the best way to preserve the memory.
Protect the water.
Be mindful when walking/swimming in water sources. Consider wearing a coverup instead of harmful oils, sunscreens, and perfumes that pollute the water. However, it’s best to not enter the water at all (or minimally). When my sister, and I, visited Peekamoose Blue Hole we went for a couple of hours but enjoyed the area while sitting at a rock in the shade. We didn’t go into the water (which is freezing anyway) and still had an amazing time. ***Also, please don’t use the restroom in the water. There are several portable bathrooms that you can access easily.
Lastly, enjoy yourself! We all had a difficult past couple of years and if you’re like me, quarantine gave you a newfound appreciation for the natural wonders of the world. We all deserve to experience the nature around us, but we need to keep these spaces protected and accessible for everyone.
***For additional information please visit New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation website to read the most up-to-date park hours, rules, regulations and outdoor safety info.
