Mohonk Preserve

What Mohonk Preserve does

Mohonk Preserve is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit nature preserve founded in 1963 and headquartered in Gardiner, New York. It permanently protects over 8,200 acres of the northern Shawangunk Ridge and serves approximately 300,000 visitors per year through a portfolio of outdoor recreation, education, and conservation programs. Its core offerings include trail-access memberships and day passes for hiking, rock climbing (at the world-famous Gunks), biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and horseback riding across 70+ miles of carriage roads and trails; the year-round Visitor Center; the Slingerland Pavilion event venue; the co-managed Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground; and the Library Lending Program operating with 80+ partner libraries across the Hudson Valley. Supporting operations span Conservation Programs (land protection, conservation science, GIS), Stewardship, Community Education (NatureAccess program since 1994, Junior Ranger, Youth Nature Ambassador), and Visitor Experience, sustained by 400+ volunteers contributing 15,000+ hours annually and a paid staff of 11-50 employees.

The Preserve's business model is a hybrid of subscription (annual Basic and PLUS+ memberships), usage-based (day passes tiered $15-$25 by activity and day-type), transactional (event rentals at $5,000 and retail via the Nature Shop), managed-services (campground), and nonprofit donations and grants (anchored by recurring memberships and project-specific grants such as the $1.1 million NYS Department of State award for Kleine Kill restoration). GTM is community-led and event-driven: digital properties (mohonkpreserve.org and online ticketing portal), email newsletters, social channels, signature endurance events (Rock The Ridge, Shawangunk Grit, Bridge 2 Bridge), annual benefit auctions, and partner libraries together drive membership sign-ups and donations. Underlying technology is operationally supporting rather than product-defining — GIS mapping, NYS Mesonet weather station, Avenza Maps digital trail maps, and community science platforms — and the organization holds Land Trust Accreditation, Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, BBB accreditation, and Leave No Trace Gold Standard Site designation.

The Preserve operates six staffed trailheads plus the Visitor Center, serves a broad outdoor recreation and educational customer base across NYC commuters, regional families, school groups, and underserved Hudson Valley residents, and pursues climate adaptation, accessibility, and conservation science as core mission pillars. Customer segments are deliberately diversified — outdoor enthusiasts, educational groups, conservation-minded visitors, regional campers and tourists, event clients — supported by deep institutional partnerships with the American Alpine Club, Open Space Institute, Mohonk Mountain House, Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Leave No Trace, Shawangunk Nordic Ski Association, and Student Conservation Association.

Name

Mohonk Preserve

Legal name

Mohonk Preserve

Website

https://mohonkpreserve.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mohonk Preserve is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit protecting 8,200+ acres of New York's Shawangunk Ridge, serving roughly 300,000 annual visitors through memberships, day passes, the world-famous Gunks climbing destination, 70+ miles of trails, the Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground, and conservation and education programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nature Preserve / Outdoor Recreation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Skiing Facilities (713920)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

National Park & Protected Area Tours (THAJAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Rock Climbing, Mountaineering & Via Ferrata Guides (THAAADAC), Rock Climbing, Via Ferrata & Mountaineering (THAJABAE), Winter Adventure Experiences (Ski Touring, Snowshoeing, Dog Sledding) (THAJABAH), Wilderness & Backcountry Lodges (Remote/Off-Grid) (THAGAIAB), Historic Preservation & Landmarks Conservation (BPAGAHAE)

Keywords

• Nature preserve conservation
• Outdoor recreation services
• Land stewardship nonprofit
• Environmental education programs
• Trail access memberships

Headquarters

HQ city

Gardiner

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees providing 365 days of access to Preserve trails, with Basic membership for hiking/running/skiing and PLUS+ membership adding climbing, biking and horseback riding privileges. Members receive 10% discount at Nature Shop and other benefits.
2. Day Use Fees: Day passes sold at trailheads and Visitor Center: $15 for hikers Monday-Thursday, $20 for hikers on weekends/holidays, $25 for bikers, climbers, cross-country skiers and horseback riders.
3. Event Site Rentals: Slingerland Pavilion rental at $5,000 for weddings and special events (up to 120 guests), Visitor Center room rentals, and Testimonial Gateway Tower access for events.
4. Campground Operations: Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground operated in partnership with American Alpine Club, with 26 drive-in spots, 24 remote parking spots, and 5 camp-in-vehicle sites. Member discounts available.
5. Donations and Grants: Nonprofit funding from donors, members, and grant funding including $1.1 million NYS Department of State grant for Kleine Kill restoration and various conservation grants.
6. Retail Sales: Nature Shop sales including trail maps ($5 at trailheads, $1.99 digital), climbing guidebooks ($34.99), and other outdoor merchandise.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Mohonk Preserve is New York's largest nonprofit nature preserve protecting 8,200+ acres of the northern Shawangunk Ridge. The organization provides trail access memberships and day-use passes for hiking, rock climbing at the world-famous Gunks, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and horseback riding across 70+ miles of carriage roads and trails. Supporting amenities include the Visitor Center, Slingerland Pavilion event venue, Shawangunk Gateway Campground, trail maps and guidebooks, and educational and conservation programs.

Product overview

Mohonk Preserve is New York's largest nonprofit nature preserve offering a unified portfolio of outdoor recreation and conservation services centered on 8,000+ acres of the northern Shawangunk Ridge. The core offering is trail access membership programs providing hiking, rock climbing (the world-famous Gunks), mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding across 70+ miles of carriage roads and trails. Supporting this are visitor amenities including the Visitor Center, Slingerland Pavilion event rental, Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground, the NatureAccess accessibility program, Library Lending Program, and comprehensive educational programming including Youth Nature Ambassador, Junior Ranger, and Community Naturalist programs. The organization also operates the Visitor Center as a community gathering space with meeting room rentals and an art gallery. The Preserve is not a technology company but utilizes third-party integrations including Avenza Maps for digital trail navigation, Gunks Apps for climbing guides, and NYS Mesonet for weather monitoring.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Trail Access Memberships Annual membership providing 365-day access to 70+ miles of Preserve trails and carriage roads. Basic membership covers hiking, running, and cross-country skiing; PLUS+ adds climbing, biking, and horseback riding privileges. Members receive a 10% Nature Shop discount, Ridgelines newsletter, and free or reduced admission to programs.
• Day Use Passes Single-day access passes sold at trailheads and Visitor Center: $15 for hikers Monday-Thursday, $20 for hikers on weekends/holidays, and $25 for bikers, climbers, cross-country skiers, and horseback riders. Free for children age 15 and under.
• Slingerland Pavilion Rental Outdoor event venue at Spring Farm trailhead with stunning views of the Catskill Mountains, available for $5,000 rental for weddings and special events with maximum capacity of 120 guests.
• Visitor Center Meeting Room Rental ADA-accessible meeting spaces including Conference Room (seats 20) and Discovery Room (accommodates 20-35), available for rental plus after-hours entire complex rentals.
• Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground Campground operated in partnership with American Alpine Club offering 26 drive-in sites, 24 remote parking spots, and 5 camp-in-vehicle sites, open April through November each season with member discounts available.
• Trail Maps and Guidebooks Full-color water-resistant trail maps ($5 at trailheads), digital maps via Avenza Maps app ($1.99), Shawangunk Trails Maps ($11.95), and climbing guidebooks ($34.99) sold at the Visitor Center Nature Shop and online.
• Event Programs (Rock The Ridge, Bridge 2 Bridge, Shawangunk Grit) Annual endurance and recreation events including Rock The Ridge 50-Mile Endurance Challenge, Rock & Snow Bridge 2 Bridge 5-Mile Run, and Shawangunk Grit gravel bike ride, with registration fees supporting the Preserve's mission.
• Group Visits and Youth Programs Self-guided group visits for 10-30 people including youth weekday non-holiday discounted rates at $8 per person, plus school field studies, Youth Nature Ambassador program, and Junior Ranger program offered to schools and youth organizations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 300,000 annual visitors supporting local economy and conservation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Open Space InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership to create the 6-mile River-to-Ridge Trail providing direct pedestrian and cyclist link between Town and Village of New Paltz and the Preserve. Open Space Institute transferred 857-acre Foothills property to Preserve management.
• American Alpine ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Created in partnership the Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground - the first new public campground in New York State in over thirty years. American Alpine Club and Mohonk Preserve cooperatively manage the campground which opened 2015 with 55 camping sites.
• Mohonk Mountain HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdjacent resort providing linkages for hiking and skiing access. Partnership on cross-country ski grooming operations through Shawangunk Nordic Ski Association. Mountain House property allows Preserve day pass holders to hike onto grounds with separate regulations.
• Minnewaska State Park PreservecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdjacent state park connected via carriage roads and the new Trapps Bridge (opened 2017), providing expanded trail access. Partnership on climbing access and recreation management.
• Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor EthicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Partner and Gold Standard Site designation (first in NY State). Leave No Trace team delivers education programs and partners on restoration and stewardship projects.
• Shawangunk Nordic Ski AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed community fundraising for new 84-inch Ginzu Groomer grooming equipment. Coordinates grooming operations with Preserve and Mohonk Mountain House for cross-country skiing.
• Student Conservation AssociationsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership to employ SCA members supporting research, land protection, education and stewardship programs. SCA Hudson Valley AmeriCorps led 2024 Patriot's Day Service project with 47 members rehabilitating Millbrook Mountain Trail.
• New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner for Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground and Marakill Woods management. Also partnered on various land protection and recreation projects.
• New York State MesonetsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerWeather monitoring station at Spring Farm (installed 2016) as part of NYS Early Warning Weather Detection System with 125 automated stations across state measuring temperature, humidity, wind, pressure, radiation, and soil data.
• 80+ Participating LibrariessecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLibrary Lending Program enables patrons to check out free Preserve passes at 80+ libraries including Adriance Memorial, Albert Wisner, Kingston Library, Elting Memorial, and many others across Hudson Valley region.
• Land Trust Accreditation CommissioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCommission that awarded Mohonk Preserve accreditation and second reaccreditation (2024), recognizing compliance with Land Trust Alliance Standards and Practices.
• Registered Climbing Guide ServicessecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor10 registered guide services including Advanced Rockcraft, Alpine Endeavors, Gunks Guides & Climbing School, High Xposure Adventures, Mountain Skills, and others authorized to provide climbing instruction at Preserve.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Adirondack Mountain Club: New York-based membership nonprofit protecting mountain landscapes and offering hiking, climbing, paddling, and backcountry education. Directly comparable to Mohonk in mission, NY regional focus, and member-supported outdoor recreation model.
• Green Mountain Club: Vermont-based hiking club maintaining the Long Trail. Comparable to Mohonk in member-supported trail maintenance, hut/trail network, footpath stewardship volunteers, and Northeast outdoor recreation focus.
• Appalachian Mountain Club: Northeast-based outdoor recreation and land conservation nonprofit operating trails, huts, and lodges. Comparable to Mohonk in scaled membership model, multi-state visitor access, climbing/hiking programming, and conservation advocacy mission.
• Open Space Institute: Regional land conservation nonprofit that transferred the 857-acre Foothills property to Mohonk in 2019. Comparable in land acquisition strategy, conservation finance, and partnership with public land trusts.
• The Trustees of Reservations: Massachusetts-based land conservation nonprofit preserving 120+ properties with public access. Highly comparable in nonprofit preserve model, membership-driven revenue, trail access tiers, and event programming at preserved properties.
• New York-New Jersey Trail Conference: Regional volunteer-powered trail stewardship organization maintaining 1,500+ miles of trails. Comparable to Mohonk in volunteer-driven stewardship, trail mapping focus, hiking/recreation mission, and Hudson Valley/Northeast geographic overlap.

Emerging players

• American Alpine Club: National climbing-focused nonprofit operating huts, camps, and conservation programs. Co-manages Mohonk's Shawangunk Gateway Campground. Comparable in climbing community stewardship, conservation advocacy, and nationwide membership model.

Regional players

• Mohonk Mountain House: Adjacent historic resort coordinating cross-country ski grooming with Mohonk Preserve. Comparable in Hudson Valley outdoor tourism, seasonal recreation programming (skiing, hiking), and overlapping carriage road/trail network though structured as for-profit lodging.
• Scenic Hudson: Hudson Valley land trust focused on conservation, public access, and advocacy along the Hudson River. Directly overlaps with Mohonk's geography and conservation mission, though its focus is riverfront preservation rather than mountain recreation.
• Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Adjacent NY State Park with carriage road linkages to Mohonk Preserve via the Trapps Bridge. Comparable in hiking, climbing (Gunks cliffs), and seasonal outdoor recreation offerings on protected Shawangunk Ridge land.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mohonkpreserve
• Facebookfacebook.com/mohonk.preserve
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mohonk-preserve

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mohonk Preserve