Nestled in the Shawangunk Mountains of Kerhonkson, New York, Minnewaska State Park Preserve delivers the kind of natural beauty that makes you question whether your eyes are playing tricks on you.

The Apalachicola River, which flows into the bay, is a paddler’s paradise with its clear, tea-colored water and abundant wildlife. As you glide along, you might spot ospreys diving for fish, ...