Catskill Outdoor Recreation Bulletin

March 2021

This bulletin provides only the most recent notices. Check the Catskill Backcountry Information webpages for more detailed information on access, outdoor recreation infrastructure, and conditions.

Emergency Situations: If you get lost or injured; keep calm and stay put. If you have cell service, call 911 or the DEC Forest Ranger Emergency Dispatch, 518-891-5850.

Hike Smart by packing the proper gear. See our recommended packing list and safety tips.

Recreation Highlight: Becoming and Outdoors-Woman Program

This Women’s History Month, we are celebrating women past and present who are advancing the work of DEC. If you are interested in growing your legacy in the outdoors, consider DEC’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) and Beyond BOW programs.

These programs teach participants the outdoor skills they need to become comfortable, confident, influential members of the outdoor community. DEC experts provide information, encouragement, and hands-on instruction in outdoor skills such as fishing, shooting, archery, hunting, trapping, outdoor photography, map and compass, survival, camping, canoeing, and outdoor cooking.

BOW workshops are designed primarily for women who have little or no experience with outdoor activities but are open to anyone ages 18 and over. Past participants have ranged in age from late teens to mid-80s!

View the photo gallery from past BOW workshops on DEC's Flickr page.

NYS Outdoor Burn Ban: March 16 - May 14

Open burning of debris is the largest single cause of spring wildfires in New York State. When temperatures are warmer and the past fall's debris and leaves dry out, wildfires can start and spread easily and be further fueled by winds and a lack of green vegetation. In 2020, DEC Forest Rangers extinguished 192 wildfires that burned a total of more than 1,122 acres. In addition, local fire departments, many of which are volunteer, all too often must leave their jobs and families to respond to wildfires caused by illegal debris fires.

DEC will post a Fire Danger Map rating for the 2021 fire season on DEC's website once there is a moderate risk anywhere in the state.

New York first enacted strict restrictions on open burning in 2009 to help prevent wildfires and reduce air pollution. The regulations allow residential brush fires in towns with fewer than 20,000 residents during most of the year, but prohibit such burning in spring when most wildfires occur. Campfires using charcoal or untreated wood are allowed, but people should never leave these fires unattended and must extinguish them. Burning garbage or leaves is prohibited year-round. For more information about fire safety and prevention, go to DEC's FIREWISE New York website.

Welcome to the Catskills

The Welcome to the Catskills webpage is the place to go if you are interested in learning more about the Catskills. It provides information about the Forest Preserve and conservation easement lands, outdoor recreation opportunities, and Leave No Trace. Be sure to check out the links to additional information and tips for recreating safely and minimizing your impacts on natural resources, recreational infrastructure, and other backcountry users in the Catskill Mountains.

Catskills Visitor Center

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Catskills Visitor Center building is temporarily closed to the public. 

A walk-up window has been installed for visitor information and map sales. Staff is on-site to answer questions in person, via phone or email Monday -Tuesday & Thursday - Sunday from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Stop by on your way to the trails for the latest park news, local maps, information, and more!

Contact the Catskills Visitor Center for more information: 845.688.3369 or info@catskillcenter.org.

Recent Notices

Attention Catskill Hikers: 

Doubletop and Graham Mountains, located in the town of Hardenburg, Ulster County are no longer available for public use. This also includes the surrounding private lands. Local landowners have graciously allowed public access to these mountains and private lands for many years, however; they are no longer allowing access.   

If hiking from the Seager Trailhead on Dry Brook Road in the Big Indian Wilderness or the Drybrook Trailhead on Millbrook Road in the Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest, only the parking areas and marked trails that traverse private property are accessible to the public until you reach the larger expanse of State Forest Preserve Lands. Please respect private property and stay on the marked trails in these areas until you reach the larger expanse of Forest Preserve Land.  

Catskills Visitor Center

• The accessible trails at the Esopus Creek Fishing Access across the street from the Catskills Visitor Center has experienced damage during the recent flooding events. The trails were scoured by the overflowing Esopus Creek which also deposited several inches of thick, sandy mud over several hundred feet of the trail. Due to the damage, the trails at this location no longer meet ADA standards of accessibility.   
  Willowemoc Wild Forest  - The gates allowing snowmobiles access to trails in the  will be closed for the season due to conditions no longer being favorable for snowmobiling.

Shandaken Wild Forest

• Rochester Hollow: Access to the Rochester Hollow Trailhead on Matyas Road in the Shandaken Wild Forest is currently limited to 4-wheel drive vehicles due to damage sustained from the recent flooding events in the Catskill Forest Preserve. Please use caution when attempting to access the Rochester Hollow Trailhead – 2wd vehicles should not attempt access at this time. 

Bluestone Wild Forest

• Onteora Lake: The gate allowing access to the lower parking will be opened for the season when conditions allow. Currently, the gate is still locked due to slippery road conditions.  

Sundown Wild Forest

• The gates allowing snowmobiles access to trails will be closed for the season due to conditions no longer being favorable for snowmobiling.
• Red Hill Trail and Trailhead: The newly constructed Red Hill Fire Tower Trailhead,  located in Ulster County on Denning Road in the Town of Denning, is open for use. The trailhead improves access to the Red Hill Fire Tower in the Sundown Wild Forest through a land use permit agreement with NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). You can find the location of the parking area on google maps.
• The trailhead is approximately 4 miles east of the intersection of W. Brand and Claryville Road. The Red Hill Fire Tower is a popular hiking destination in the Catskills. Visitors can hike the newly established Blue blazed trail built by Tahawus Trails professional trail crew, traversing both DEP and Forest Preserve Lands through rocky outcroppings and hemlock laden forests. The newly constructed 1.4 miles of trail intersects with the existing trail leading up to the summit where hikers can climb the tower to the top. 

Kaaterskill Wild Forest

• Expect the trails in the Kaaterskill Falls area to be very icy. Hikers should use extreme caution, especially on icy stone staircases and other rock surfaces. Be prepared with traction devices such as microspikes or crampons. For your safety, avoid hiking near cliff edges and avoid the midpool area if you do not have traction devices.

Delaware Wild Forest

• The gates allowing snowmobiles access to trails will be closed for the season due to conditions no longer being favorable for snowmobiling.

General Conditions: Be Prepared, Mountain Tops are Still Cold

Winter Conditions: Check the forecast for your destination, and pack and plan accordingly. Conditions will be more severe on summits with below freezing temperatures, snow, ice, and strong winds. Take wind chill into consideration when preparing for temperatures. Check the National Weather Service for Mountain Point Forecasts on selected summits.

Snow Accumulations: There is currently no new snow accumulation but there is still potential for a spring storm. Expect hard packed snow and ice on mountain summits. Snowshoes and/or micro-spikes can prove useful as the day gets warmer and the snow gets softer.

Persistent snow and ice: Weather conditions on mountain summits can be significantly different from conditions in the Hudson Valley or even the mountain valleys. Often, even as spring approaches, snow and ice persist at areas higher in elevation. Weather and trail conditions can change rapidly, especially during fall, winter and spring. Plan and prepare accordingly.

Mud season is coming (and here at some elevations): Please travel and camp on durable surfaces in order to prevent erosion. The goal of travel in the outdoors is to move through natural areas while avoiding damage to the land or waterways. Understanding how travel causes impacts is necessary to accomplish this goal. Travel damage occurs when surface vegetation or communities of organisms are trampled beyond recovery. The resulting barren area leads to soil erosion and the development of undesirable trails.

Mountain Biking: There are many great opportunities for mountain biking in the Catskills. Please keep in mind that as we begin to transition into spring, the trails are more susceptible to erosion and trail widening. Please do your best to avoid riding muddy, wet or icy trails. When encountering patches of mud or ice, ride through the center of the trail to avoid damaging trail side plants and contributing to potential impacts to the trail.  

Hike Smart & Be Prepared

Before you hit the trail, check out DEC’s Hike Smart NY page to learn about safety, best practices, and preparedness. While recreating in the Catskills, please follow the Hiker Responsibility Code, and avoid busy trailheads. Discover trails less traveled, and visit when trails may not be as busy.

Did You Remember your Headlamp? Just because the sun stays out longer, doesn’t mean you should leave the headlamp behind. Even if you do not plan to hike after sunset, it is important to bring a headlamp in case you encounter unexpected delays. Avoid relying on phones for flashlights, as the batteries quickly die. Bring extra batteries and a back-up source of light as well to be safe. Trust us, it’s worth it. It’s better to see where you’re going instead of accidently wandering off trail in the dark.

Check the Weather: Check the National Weather Service for current conditions and forecasts for the locations where you plan to recreate. Check both daytime and nighttime temperatures. Expect conditions to be much harsher on mountain summits. Exposed summits will most likely be windy. If conditions become unfavorable, turn around. You can always complete your hike another day.

Catskill Region Daytime Highs ~ Low to mid 50s
Catskill Region Nighttime Lows ~ Low to mid 30s

Manage your time wisely: Be mindful of sunrise and sunset times, and plan accordingly. Start long hikes early to maximize sunlight hours, and always bring a headlamp.

Approximate Time of Sunrise: 7:06 a.m.
Approximate Time of Sunset: 7:06 p.m.

Research your planned route ahead of time, and bring a map with you. Newly accumulated snow will cover the trails making them more difficult to follow. Keep your head up while hiking to remain aware of trail markers, and be sure to know where trail junctions are along your route.

Mountain Summits: Check the National Weather Service to prepare for the summit weather conditions. Be sure to prepare with extra layers as mountain summits tend to be cooler.

Prevent the Spread of COVID-19: New cases of COVID-19 are on the rise throughout New York State, including in the Catskills. Help prevent the spread and keep yourself safe by continuing to Play Smart, Play Safe, Play Local.

Leave No Trace- Be Ready to Get Muddy!

As the weather warms and the days get longer, the urge to hit the trail grows stronger every day. While springtime is a great time for hiking and trail running, it can also be a very sensitive time for the trails we enjoy.

Keep these three tips in mind for the muddy season and help to Leave No Trace while enjoying the trail.

1. Be prepared to hike or run down the middle of the trail even when wet or muddy – stepping off the designated trail to avoid mud or standing water can quickly lead to the creation of undesignated trails, which can lead to even more erosion.
2. Wear water-resistant or water proof footwear – even if you don’t have waterproof footwear, remember that shoes dry overnight while erosion can take years to recover.
3. Consider wearing gaitors to help keep your feet dry when sticking to wet or muddy trails.

Follow the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace to maintain minimal impact on the environment and the natural resources of the Catskills. Use proper trail etiquette to ensure an enjoyable experience for yourself and others.

Save the Date - I Love My Park Day 2021 

I Love My Park Day—the largest single-day volunteer event in NYS—will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2021! With the ongoing pandemic, this year will look a little different, but will be modified for a safe, in-person I Love My Park Day event. Parks & Trails NY, in partnership with State Parks and DEC, will be hosting a more contained, two-day event on Saturday May 1 and Sunday May 2.

Registration for volunteers will open at the end of March.

Photo taken in 2019.