> Canonical: https://nyparks.org/guides/new-york-park-reservations-and-permits
> Content revision: 2026-10-25T21:17:08.989Z

THE FIELD GUIDE

# Plan for park reservations and permits

See two current area-specific requirements and verify the official booking or permit step before travel.

Reviewed Oct 20, 2026 · New York Parks

Check requirements for the activity and entrance you plan to use. A parking reservation and a climbing permit serve different purposes, and neither should be assumed to apply statewide. The current notices below carry the source link and affected area.

## Sam's Point parking

[Sam's Point](https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/minnewaska-state-park-preserve-sams-point-area) requires parking reservations on weekends and holidays from April 18 through November 15, 2026. State Parks says a reservation can be made through ReserveAmerica or by phone up to two weeks ahead. Confirm your visit date, available space and current instructions on the official page before setting out. This notice concerns the Sam's Point parking area; it does not say all of Minnewaska State Park Preserve requires the same parking step.

## Thacher climbing

At [John Boyd Thacher State Park](https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/thacher-state-park), State Parks says the climbing area is open for the 2026 season and every climber must complete a free permit for this season. Use the park's current permit instructions before climbing; a general park visit and a climb are different plans.

If a date or instruction here no longer matches the linked agency page, follow the agency's current requirement. An expired notice does not prove a requirement was renewed or removed for a later season.

## Documented current impacts

These notices are shared with affected park pages. Regional guidance is labeled separately.

Visitor advisoryAccess & reservations

### Bear Mountain State Park: October 25 parking capacity and incoming traffic

Park-specific information

- October 25 parking capacity and incoming traffic

The operator’s October 25 capacity alert reports full parking and a temporary restriction on incoming visitors and traffic. Roadside parking is prohibited. This is a dated capacity snapshot; check the live park alert before travel and choose another destination if entry remains restricted.

[Read the official notice: New York State Parks visitor directory ↗](https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/bear-mountain-state-park)Source checked Oct 25, 2026

[Bear Mountain State Park ↗](https://nyparks.org/parks/bear-mountain-state-park)

Visitor advisoryAccess & reservations

### Sam's Point parking reservations required on weekends and holidays

Applies to the named area

- Sam's Point parking area

State Parks requires Sam's Point parking reservations on weekends and holidays from April 18 through November 15, 2026. The agency says reservations may be made through ReserveAmerica or by phone up to two weeks in advance.

Start date not recorded – Nov 16, 2026

[Read the official notice: New York State Parks visitor directory ↗](https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/minnewaska-state-park-preserve-sams-point-area)Source checked Oct 20, 2026

[Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Sam's Point Area ↗](https://nyparks.org/parks/minnewaska-state-park-preserve-sams-point-area)

Visitor advisoryAccess & reservations

### Thacher climbing area requires a 2026 permit

Applies to the named area

- Thacher climbing area

The climbing area is open for the 2026 season, and State Parks requires every climber to complete a free permit for this season.

[Read the official notice: New York State Parks visitor directory ↗](https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/thacher-state-park)Source checked Oct 20, 2026

[Thacher State Park ↗](https://nyparks.org/parks/thacher-state-park)

## Sources & further reading

- [parks.ny.gov: minnewaska state park preserve sams point area ↗](https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/minnewaska-state-park-preserve-sams-point-area)

- [parks.ny.gov: thacher state park ↗](https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/thacher-state-park)

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