Catskill Outdoor Recreation Bulletin

April 2021

This bulletin provides only the most recent notices. Check the Catskill Backcountry Information webpage 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 Dispatch, 833-NYS-Rangers.

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

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 onsite 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.

For local trail conditions, visit the Catskills Visitor Center Trail Conditions webpage. 

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.   

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 has been opened for the season. 

Sundown Wild Forest

• 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

• The Molly Smith parking area on Route 23a in the Town of Hunter has been closed to improve visitor safety. Kaaterskill Falls can still be accessed from Laurel House Road, Schutt Road, or North South Lake Campground. You can find directions to these parking areas on DEC's website. 
• Expect ice to still be present on trails leading up to Kaaterskill Falls. Hikers should use extreme caution, especially on icy stone staircases and other rock surfaces. Be prepared with traction devices such as microspikes. For your safety, avoid hiking near cliff edges.

General Conditions: Be Prepared, Trails Will be Muddy

In early spring, mud season presents unique challenges for outdoor recreation. Weather is often volatile: rain, sleet, freezing rain, snow, and even thunderstorms can occur, sometimes on the same day. Trails are muddy, and high, fast-moving waters make stream crossings on trails dangerous. Be prepared for the conditions and always remember, safety first.  For more information about spring hiking, visit DEC’s Spring Recreation Tips webpage.

Poison Ivy and Ticks: With the snow melting and the weather warming up, pesky plants and insects have once again emerged. Visitors should take precautions to minimize contact with dangerous plants and bugs. For more information on tick identification and safety, visit DEC's website. You can also read more about poison ivy identification on DEC's website. 

Snow and ice: Weather conditions on mountain summits can be much different from conditions in the mountain valleys. Ice and snow is still present on Catskill Mountain summits. Plan ahead and prepare accordingly. Microspikes can still prove useful. 

Mud season: 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. Please stick to the trail to help protect trailside plants and to prevent unnecessary erosion. 

Mountain Biking: There are many great opportunities for mountain biking in the Catskills. As mentioned above, 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. Be sure to check your local trail conditions before your ride. 

Hike Smart & Be Prepared

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

Did You Remember your Head lamp? The days are longer but that doesn’t mean you should leave your head lamp behind. Even if you are not planning to hike after sunset, it is important to bring a head lamp 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 accidentally 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 ~ High 50s to low 60s
Catskill Region Nighttime Lows ~ High 30s to low 40s

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

Approximate Time of Sunrise: 6:20 a.m.
Approximate Time of Sunset: 7:36 p.m.

Research your route ahead of time: It's important to know where you are going. Be sure to bring a map with you on your adventure. 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 summit weather conditions. Even though the weather is warming, be prepared with extra layers. Mountain summits tend to be a bit cooler and sometimes breezy.

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 waterproof footwear – even if you don’t have waterproof footwear, remember that shoes dry overnight while erosion can take years to recover.
3. Consider wearing gaiters 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