Catskill Outdoor Recreation Bulletin 

May 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.

Love Our NY Lands-Catskills, Adirondacks, and All Across the State

There are tens of thousands of acres of State lands to visit and thousands of miles of trails across the state for hikers of all abilities, whether you want to hike the Adirondacks or take the family and friends out for a short excursion to a scenic view in the Catskill Park.

All New Yorkers and visitors should be able to access, enjoy, and feel welcome on state lands. These lands belong to all of us, our families, and our neighbors. While enjoying these shared spaces, be respectful of other visitors. Share trails, treat people with kindness, and leave things as you found them for others to enjoy.

All of us have a responsibility to protect State lands for future generations. Follow the Hiker Responsibility Code, practice Leave No Trace principles, and consider visiting trails less traveled. Use the DECinfo Locator to find a DEC-managed resource near you.

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 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: Peekamoose Blue Hole & Riparian Corridor

DEC has issued special regulations for the Blue Hole and Peekamoose Valley because of the huge increase in visitors. The purpose of these regulations is to increase public safety and reduce impacts to environmental resources.

The updated regulations will expand the current permit system for this location and require a permit seven days a week, including holidays, from May 15 through September 15. The update regulations:

• Require visitors to obtain a permit for a $10 fee through Reserve America, consistent with fees for other recreation-oriented Day Use areas in the Forest Preserve;
• Each permit will be linked to a vehicle, and the permit must be displayed on/in the vehicle;
• Limit parking to designated parking areas only. Parking along the shoulder of the road is prohibited by the Town and is a Tow Away Zone;
• Users are required to use portable restroom facilities for human waste disposal and the dumpster for all other waste;

The following are prohibited at the Blue Hole (limited use will be allowed at the nearby designated camping area only):

• Except for the nearby designated camping area, the Blue Hole is only open to the public from one half hour before sunrise to one half hour after sunset.
• Camping
• All fires (including charcoal fires, wood fires, gas grills, propane stoves or other portable stoves)
• Use of portable generators
• Alcohol
• Glass containers
• Coolers larger than 12" in any dimension
• Radios and other audio devices
• Parking is limited to designated parking areas only. Parking along the shoulder of the road is prohibited by the Town and is a Tow Away Zone.

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 Dry Brook 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. 

General Conditions: Be Prepared for Spring Conditions

Spring, mud season presents unique challenges for outdoor recreation. Weather is often changing this time of year. The weather may call for a sunny day, and a thunderstorm can sometimes roll through unexpectedly. Trails may be muddy, and high, fast-moving waters can 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.

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 minimizing our impacts to the land or waterways. Understanding how we move through the outdoors and how we may impact our natural world is the first step in minimizing our impacts and protecting the places we play. It is best to stick to the trail whenever possible. Traveling off trail can easily damage trail side plants and organisms that may take years to rebound. In addition, traveling off trail can contribute to unnecessary erosion. Please do your best to stick to the trail whenever possible.

Mountain Biking: There are many great opportunities for mountain biking in the Catskills. As mentioned above, please keep in mind that as we 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. 

Poision Ivy: Be sure to keep a close eye out for poison ivy. Educate yourself on what this pesky plant looks like, and do your best to avoid coming in contact with it.

Be Tick Free: Protect Yourself

In tick-infested areas, your best protection is to avoid contact with soil, leaf litter and vegetation. However, if you hike, camp, hunt, work or otherwise spend time in the outdoors, you can still protect yourself:

• Wear light-colored clothing with a tight weave to spot ticks easily.
• Wear enclosed shoes, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Tuck pant legs into socks or boots, and shirt into pants.
• Check clothes and any exposed skin frequently for ticks while outdoors.
• Consider using insect repellent on your clothing.
• Stay on cleared, well-traveled trails. Walk in the center of trails. Avoid dense woods and bushy areas.
• Keep long hair tied back.
• Bathe or shower as soon as possible after going indoors (preferably within two hours) to wash off and more easily find ticks that may be on you.
• Do a final, full-body tick check at the end of the day (also check children and pets), and remove ticks promptly.
• Follow your vet's suggestion for regular flea and tick prevention treatment

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.

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.

Mountain Summits: Check the National Weather Service to prepare for summit weather conditions.

Did You Pack a Raincoat? Rain can occur unexpectedly this time of the year. It’s always a smart idea to bring a raincoat along on any adventure. Wouldn’t you rather be dry and comfortable while out in the mountains instead of soaking wet? We sure would!

Catskill Region Daytime Highs ~ High 70s to low 80s
Catskill Region Nighttime ~ Mid 50s

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: 5:33 a.m.
Approximate Time of Sunset: 8:16 p.m.

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.

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.

Love Our NY Lands: All of us have a responsibility to protect State lands for future generations. Follow the Hiker Responsibility Code, practice Leave No Trace and consider visiting trails less traveled.

Leave No Trace

The Leave No Trace principles provide a framework for safe and sustainable recreation. The principles provide guidelines that can be tailored to you. Before heading out to visit State lands, take the time to review and familiarize yourself with these principles ahead of time to help ensure you will be prepared, stay safe, and minimize damage to our shared lands and waterways.

It's easy to Leave No Trace.

1. Plan and prepare
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces
3. Dispose of waste properly
4. Leave what you find
5. Minimize campfire impacts
6. Respect wildlife
7. Be considerate of others

Learn more about how you can protect natural spaces when exploring outdoors by visiting the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics website.

Don’t Miss Out on DEC Outdoors Day

Outdoors Day is a free, open-house style event held in conjunction with National Get OutdoorsDay. Try a new outdoor activity or introduce your family to old favorites like hiking, archery, paddling, and fishing. Bring the whole family and spend the day having an outdoor adventure!

Saturday, June 12 Catskills Visitor Center (Mount Tremper, Ulster County) - register for all events on the Catskill Visitor Center website.

• Archery with DEC staff from 10 a.m. to 3 pm.
•  Map & Compass Navigation with an outdoor guide from Destination Backcountry Adventures from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Introduction to Outdoor Photography Walk with a Catskill Visitor Center Experience Coordinator from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Leave No Trace Discussion and Q&A with Stewardship and Advocacy Coordinator for the Catskill Center from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
• How to pack a backpack and how to set up a campsite with an outdoor guide from Destination Backcountry Adventures from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 12 Kenneth L. Wilson Campground (Mount Tremper, Ulster County) - between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

• Fishing demonstration and clinic