Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Mine Kill State Park is once again offering its annual "Learn to Swim" program at the Olympic-sized pool complex within the park. Lessons are available for both children and adults and will be taught by certified Water Safety Institute (WSI) instructors.

All lessons are based on American Red Cross guidelines and include the Infant and Preschool Aquatic Program (IPAP) Stages 1 and 2 for children 6 months to 4 years, followed by instruction Levels 1-6 for ages 4 and up. Mine Kill will be having two 4-week sessions for IPAP, Stage 2, and American Red Cross levels 1-6.

Lessons will be held Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Session 1: July 1 - July 25
Session 2: July 29 - August 22 

In addition to the traditional Learn-To-Swim classes, Mine Kill State Park is also offering Adult Swim Lessons and a Competitive Swimming class. The competitive swimming class will aid students in improving their stroke definition based on the Red Cross level they have completed. Participants will learn competitive swim techniques, drills, and self-discipline. This class will be taught by WSI certified, coach, and competitive swimmer.

If you would like to enroll yourself or your son/daughter in this program, please visit https://bookwhen.com/minekill to register online. If you have any questions or have trouble online, please contact Katrina Vance at (518) 827-8690.

Mine Kill State Park presents our 10th annual Summer Festival. Come out to the park on July 20th for local food, vendors, exhibitors, music, entertainment, open pools, games, environmental education presentations, and much much more. This event will be held from 10 am till 6 pm. Fun for all ages and free for all. As we get closer to summer check out Facebook for updates of this festival. For more information contact the parks office 518-827-8690

Take our Smart Start Kayak Course! During this course, you will learn the basic strokes and maneuvers to successfully paddle on calm, flat water. We have many diverse kayaks available for rent for $10.00. Bought your own kayak already? That's fine too! You can take the Smart Start course for FREE. Sign up today as there are a limited number of spaces!

Pre-registration is REQUIRED. No walk-ins will be allowed. PFD's are REQUIRED. Children must be 10 years of age to kayak on their own. Accommodations can be made for younger children. Please call the park office at (518) 827-8690 to register or for more information.

Back by popular demand, Mine Kill is hosting another moonlit paddle! Participants will get the chance to paddle around the reservoir and if the water is high enough, we might even be able to paddle up the creek. This is a great way to have some fun, test your skills, and listen for some wildlife on a nice relaxing night. Canoes are welcome to join!

Space is very limited, so sign up fast! Pre-registration is REQUIRED. Participants must be 10 years of age or older. Kayaks are available to rent for $10.00. No alcoholic beverages are permitted. PFD's are REQUIRED and must be worn AT ALL TIMES. For more information or to sign up, please call the park office at (518) 827-8690.

Come Adventure Kayaking with Mine Kill! Depending on water levels, participants will get the chance to paddle up the Schoharie Creek on a guided tour. You'll see amazing sights from different soil types, aquatic invasive, bald eagles, fish, rock formations, small waterfalls, and more!

Kayaks are available to rent for $10.00. Personal kayaks or canoes are permitted for free. All participants are required to wear an approved and fitting PFD that will be checked by staff. Participants must be 10 years of age or older. Arrangements can be made for younger children but please call ahead. Pre-registration is REQUIRED; no walk-ins will be allowed. Flip-flops are not allowed. Please wear sneakers, water shoes, or closed toe sandals. Barefoot is not recommended. For more information or to sign up, please call the park office at (518) 827-8690.

Back by popular demand, Mine Kill is hosting another moonlit paddle! Participants will get the chance to paddle around the reservoir and if the water is high enough, we might even be able to paddle up the creek. This is a great way to have some fun, test your skills, and listen for some wildlife on a nice relaxing night. Canoes are welcome to join!

Space is very limited, so sign up fast! Pre-registration is REQUIRED. Participants must be 10 years of age or older. Kayaks are available to rent for $10.00. No alcoholic beverages are permitted. PFD's are REQUIRED and must be worn AT ALL TIMES. For more information or to sign up, please call the park office at (518) 827-8690.

Join us in the NEW Mine Kill State Park classroom for a "Painting in the Park" program! Registration is required. $15 per person, includes guided instructions, education about the chosen painting, all your materials and light refreshments. You may also bring your own refreshment. This event is indoors and is suitable for ages 10 and up. To register please call (518) 827-8690

Join hundreds of thousands of people at sites throughout the country and take part in the 26th annual National Public Lands Day (NPLD). NPLD is the nation's largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands. The day is great to connect people to public lands and their communities, inspire environmental stewardship, and encourage use of public lands for education, recreation, and general health. Lend a hand and have fun at the same time by bringing your family, friends, classmates, students, or coworkers of all ages and abilities to spend the day outdoors celebrating public lands. Your work will help ensure our public lands continue to be beautiful places for all to enjoy.

John Burroughs once said "How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days." If you want to witness some beautiful Autumn colors, sign up for our Fall Paddle Tour! We'll paddle up the Schoharie Creek if the water level allows and witness the bright yellows, reds, and oranges, that signal the changing of the seasons. This is a relaxing, quiet tour for patrons who need to rent a kayak, or have their own. Sign up today as there are a limited number of spaces!

We have many diverse kayaks available for rent for $10.00. Pre-registration is REQUIRED. No walk-ins will be allowed. PFD's are REQUIRED. Children must be 10 years of age to kayak on their own. Accommodations can be made for younger children. Please call the park office at (518) 827-8690 to register or for more information.

Get ready for two days of ‘Scho-haire-raising' Halloween fun, Friday and Satuarday, October 18-19, at the New York Power Authority's Blenheim-Gilboa Power Project Visitor Center.

On Friday, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Mine Kill will host its annual Halloween Haunted House. take a hauntingly scary tour of some local landmarks through the Haunted Village. On Saturday, starting at 11am Nypa holds a costume parade and contest for children of all ages, with prizes awarded in various categories. Mine Kill's haunted house will open at 12pm and run till 3pm There will be free pumpkins for all participants, a hayride, Halloween crafts and more! For more information please contact the Mine Kill office at 518-827-8690

Join us in the NEW Mine Kill State Park classroom for a "Painting in the Park" program! Registration is required. $15 per person, includes guided instructions, education about the chosen painting, all your materials and light refreshments. You may also bring your own refreshment. This event is indoors and is suitable for ages 10 and up. To register please call (518) 827-8690

Enjoy the Park's trails under the nearly Full Beaver Moon. Use your night-vision and your ears to detect the presence of wildlife as we walk along the Long Path from Mine Kill to the New York Power Authority Visitors Center. Please wear sturdy footwear, dress appropriately for the weather, and meet at the Mine Kill State Park Office.

This is a free event. For more information, please call the park office at (518) 827-8690.

Join us in the NEW Mine Kill State Park classroom for a "Painting in the Park" program! Registration is required. $15 per person, includes guided instructions, education about the chosen painting, all your materials and light refreshments. You may also bring your own refreshment. This event is indoors and is suitable for ages 10 and up. To register please call (518) 827-8690

Join Mine Kill State Park to create seasonal kissing balls, made from clippings of Eastern White Cedar, found on the grounds of the New York Power Authority Visitors Center. Kissing balls, orbs of evergreen, make a beautiful addition to your front porch in the snowy season, and it is most satisfying to craft these decorations yourself. The workshop will be offered for a $10 fee, and pre-registration is required. Please call the Park at (518) 827-8690 to reserve your spot, as space is limited.