We open at 9 am. Last weekend there were 130 cars outside the gate at that time. Our parking lot holds about 75 cars. The fall weekends when the leaves are at peak foliage are always extra busy. You can add the "NY Parks Explorer" app to your phone, and favorite Sam's Point- then you will receive live updates on parking status.
We showed up at 12:30 expecting to be turned away. We were one of the first cars in after the initial rush. I'd day to try back after a couple hours, after people have gotten to see their sights and leave. Maybe we were lucky. The guard told us they turned 123 cars around before they accepted us... said people were angry, throwing things, yelling.... so just keep in mind that this is a beautiful place and many people want to here.
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