September 8-9, 2025
A pit stop in New Paltz that always pays off
On my way home from New Hampshire, I booked a Hipcamp site in New Paltz, New York — a familiar favorite called Red Fox Meadow. I’d stayed there before and loved it, mostly because it sits right on the Wallkill Valley Bike Trail, which makes it easy to sneak in a peaceful flat ride.
I try to get to New Paltz every few months, partly for the scenery and partly for one irresistible reason: Rock and Snow. It’s an outdoor gear lover’s dream store — the kind of place that smells like adventure (and slightly of wet Gore-Tex). But the real treasure is the Rock and Snow Annex right next door, where they sell used outdoor clothing and gear.
Here’s my little secret: I drop off my gently used name-brand clothes there, and they sell them for me. So far, I’ve made over $1,000 just by cleaning out my gear closet. I think it helps that the store draws a steady crowd from New York City, where apparently even secondhand fleece can be fashion-forward.
My campsite this time didn’t disappoint — tucked at the back of a big open property, surrounded by tall wildflowers and the soft hum of late-summer insects. A small pond sat nearby, calm and inviting — the perfect spot to start the day slowly.
Sometimes, it’s not about finding a new place — it’s about revisiting a favorite one that keeps giving back (literally and figuratively).