August 30-31, 2025 – GunksFest
Welcome to GunksFest 2025, presented by the Gunks Climbers Coalition!
We are back for Labor Day weekend, and back at the Center at Stone Mountain at 310 River Road Extension in New Paltz, NY for our fourth festival.
Clinics
We are reinforcing our core mission of education this year, centered around a host of top-shelf guides here in the Gunks.
We’ve got a full lineup of clinics including climbing workshops on self-rescue, top-rope anchor building, learn-to-lead sessions, multipitch strategies, as well as supplementary workshops like a leader’s introduction to the Gunks, map & compass orienteering, climbing photography, and search and rescue. Register for the clinics when you purchase your festival tickets.
Camping Update
Unfortunately due to construction and permitting issues we are still unable to offer attendee camping at the festival. As a result we have reduced our general admission ticket prices, and provided a list of local lodging/camping options below in the FAQ.
Film Festival
Our film festival will be two nights long, and as usual feature special guests to get the stoke going for climbing in the Gunks with the largest social gathering of Gunks climbers annually. As always we do have evening film program only tickets available for those who don’t want to attend clinics – either night or both. Check out the film program here.
Evening admission starts at 5:30pm, and film screenings typically end around 10pm.
We’ve got some great vendors, contests, and sessions in store – book your ticket now as we’ve got limited space and a hard cap on ticket sales.
How to buy tickets to GunksFest
If you attend the festival during the day and want to register for clinics and tours, whether or not they are paid or free clinics, you must have a full festival ticket – either for Saturday, Sunday, or the Full Weekend, available from our digital box office below. If you do not wish to attend clinics or tours and only want to come for the evening program of films, vendors and contests, there are tickets for either or both nights.
Note: Prices below do not include processing fees (4.9%+$0.30/transaction):+
- Full Weekend Pass: $100.00 (includes films)
- Saturday Pass: $75.00 (includes films)
- Sunday Pass: $75.00 (includes films)
- Evening Films Only – Both Nights: $30.00
- Evening Films Only – Saturday Only: $25.00
- Evening Films Only – Sunday Only: $25.00
Buying tickets for more than one person? When purchasing multiple Day or Weekend passes, each ticket has its own set of clinic add-ons to select. The ticket sections are already expanded, showing all available clinics for each pass. Simply scroll through the full list—you’ll find clinic options for your first ticket at the top, followed by clinic options for your second ticket below, and so on. Each grey-barred section represents a separate ticket, so make sure to select clinics within the correct section for each attendee.
Add-On Clinics
We have a handy list for you to learn about the clinics we’re offering this year before you purchase your tickets. However, the ticket store will have the latest status on what’s sold out or not.
To view the clinics in our ticket store, simply select your day or weekend pass and continue through the checkout process. Register for the clinics and tours before checkout after adding your festival ticket(s) to the cart. Don’t wait to sign up for clinics, they have limited space and many sell out quickly!
For a detailed look at the clinics, simply select your ticket (Full Weekend, Sat. Only, Sun. Only) and continue through the checkout flow. If you have trouble, please write us an email here.
FAQs
COVID 19 Policy: We ask all attendees respect the precautions of neighboring festival-goers and be courteous when it comes to close personal space.
- If you are not feeling well, have had a recent COVID exposure, or a recent positive test please stay home.
- If you are unable to attend due to testing positive for COVID you will be issued a refund.
Onsite Climbing: In addition to the Mohonk Preserve, The Center at Stone Mountain offers the renowned Waterworks bouldering area, which will be accessible directly from the festival grounds through guided tours to help control impact in these remote areas. Please note that roped-climbing onsite at the Center at Stone Mountain will require hiring a guide this year.
Accessibility: Our festival is suitable for all mobility types except motorized wheelchairs, and we will provide designated parking and facilities – please reach out directly if you have any special access needs.
Transportation: All events will take place at the Stone Mountain Farm, please plan accordingly.
Carpooling: For those looking to rideshare up to the event or for rides to the Trapps, we set up the Caroster carpooling app. Please add yourself if you can offer rides to anyone. Note: rides are offered by individuals and are independent of the GCC and GunksFest.
Films: Click here for the full lineup!
Food: Participants are welcome to be self-sufficient, but as usual the Rail Trail Cafe will be open for service and this year we also have the Ground Up Food Truck on site.
Vendors: If you have an interest in vending please fill out our GunksFest Vendor Intake Form.
Volunteers: Please reach out to volunteering@gunksclimbers.org if you are interested in volunteering, or fill out our volunteering form.
Pet Policy: No animals allowed at any time. If you have a specific request for a service animal please contact us at gcc@gunksclimbers.org for review.
Youth Policy: Children under 12 are free, and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
In Event of Rain: The event is Rain or Shine, and unless you are contacted due to severe weather the GunksFest will be taking place.
Lodging Options
- AAC Gunks Campground (Samuel F. Pryor III)
A standard here in the Gunks; full-service campground with ADA sites available. - SoHi Campground
RV and tent-friendly campground in nearby Accord. - Yogi Bear Campground
Located just up the road from the Mohonk Preserve, Yogi Bear offers RV sites, cabins, and tent sites. - KOA Newburgh
Full service campground less than 30 min from Stone Mountain Farm. - Nearby Hotels
Quick link for those looking for the comforts of 4 walls and running water including nearby New Paltz and Kingston. - Nearby Airbnb Rooms
Here you can find all nearby house/room rentals from Airbnb.
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