Catskill Outdoor Recreation Bulletin

March 2023

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 (1-833-697-7264).

Hike Smart by packing the proper gear. See our recommended recreation tips for your hiking adventures this Spring season.

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. 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

The Catskills Visitor Center is open every day with all new interactive exhibits. Stop by for a visit before your next adventure. Have your questions answered, get trip planning advice, or pick up maps and local 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.

General Notices

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 cooler and more exposed on mountain summits. 

Persistent snow and ice: Weather conditions on mountain summits can be significantly different from conditions in the Hudson Valley or even the mountain valleys. 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: Mud season is here at some elevation. As the weather begins to warm up 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 Summits: Check the National Weather Service to prepare for summit weather conditions. Expect conditions to be colder on mountain summits.

Catskill Region Daytime: High 50’s
Catskill Region Nighttime: Low 30’s

Water crossings: Never attempt to cross high, fast-moving water, especially following rain or significant snowmelt. If there is precipitation forecast during the day, be mindful of how water crossings might swell between your first crossing and your return trip. If you encounter ice, be sure to follow DEC's ice safety guidelines.

Manage your time wisely: Keep in mind, it gets dark early. Be mindful of sunrise and sunset times, and plan accordingly. Start long hikes early to maximize sunlight hours and always bring a headlamp in case you are out longer than expected.

Approximate Time of Sunrise: 6:45AM

Approximate Time of Sunset: 7:19PM

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.   

New York State Outdoor Burn Ban

The annual statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning is in effect beginning March 16 and runs through May 14. Since 2009, DEC has enforced the annual brush burning ban to prevent wildfires and protect communities during heightened conditions for wildfires.

New York first enacted strict restrictions on open burning in 2009 to help prevent wildfires and reduce air pollution.

For more information about fire safety and prevention, go to DEC's FIREWISE New York webpage.

Recent Notices

Sundown Wild Forest Unit Management Plan Amendment – DEC is seeking public comment on an amendment to the proposed Sundown Wild Forest Unit Management Plan (UMP). The proposed amendment aims to improve infrastructure, increase public safety, enhance natural resource protection, and improve visitor experiences in the Peekamoose Valley Riparian Corridor.

Sundown Wild Forest – The section of Dinch Road that leads to the Red Hill Fire Tower Trailhead in the Sundown Wild Forest is seasonally maintained and not plowed throughout the winter. Visitors should note that the Dinch Road Trailhead location is generally inaccessible throughout the winter.  Visitors who wish to visit the Red Hill Firetower should consider using the newly constructed trail and parking area on Denning Road. The parking lot was constructed by DEC Operations staff to accommodate up to 10 cars.

Peekamoose Blue Hole – As a reminder, permits are necessary to recreate or camp in the valley from May 15th – September 15th each year.  

For more information on the draft amendment, visit DEC's website. Public comments will be accepted through April 21, 2023 and can be submitted by email to r3.ump@dec.ny.gov.

Seasonal Roads – The following are seasonal roads and are not maintained during winter months:

• Platte Clove Road – Indian Head Wilderness (Town of Hunter)  - the eastern 2.5 miles of Platte Clove Road are closed November 1st to April 15th
• Roaring Kill Road – Indian Head Wilderness (Town of Hunter)
• Big Hollow Road – Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness (Town of Windham)
•  Russell Brook Road – Delaware Wild Forest (Town of Colchester)
• Mary Smith Road – Delaware Wild Forest (Town of Colchester)
• Ploutz Road – Dry Brook Wild Forest (Town of Middletown)

Kaaterskill Wild Forest – Expect the trails in the Kaaterskill Falls area to still be 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.

Bluestone Wild Forest at 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 sue to slippery road conditions. 

Delaware Wild Forest –The snowmobile bridge on the Campbell Mountain Trail between Route 206 and the Campbell Mountain lean-to has been closed pending replacement.

Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest - The eastern 2-mile terminus of Beaverkill Road / Turnwood Road that leads to the Balsam Lake Mountain Trailhead is only seasonally maintained and not plowed throughout the winter. Visitors should note that this trailhead location is generally inaccessible throughout the winter.    

Graham and Doubletop Mountains and surrounding private lands are no longer available for public use. Local landowners have graciously allowed public access to these mountains and private lands for many years, however; access is no longer being allowed. 

 2023 Catskill Fire Tower Challenge

For nearly a century, observers watched the forests of New York State—including the Catskill and Adirondack forest preserves—from more than 100 fire towers perched atop the highest peaks, searching for the dangerous, telltale signs of forest fires.

The Catskills Fire Tower Challenge encourages experienced hikers to visit the region’s remaining fire towers located on Balsam Lake Mountain (Hardenburgh), Hunter Mountain (Hunter), Overlook Mountain (Woodstock), Red Hill Mountain (Denning), and Tremper Mountain (Shandaken), along with the Upper Esopus Fire Tower at the Catskills Visitor Center. The Upper Esopus Fire Tower allows visitors who may not otherwise be able to undertake the challenging hike of several miles to experience a fire tower on the high peaks in the Catskills.

Visit all six Catskill Fire Towers between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023. Once completed, participants submit a log of their completed hikes along with a favorite photo or selfie via a web form or to the designated email inbox: CatskillsChallenge@dec.ny.gov. Entries must be postmarked by Jan. 7, 2024.

With DEC giving participants a full year to complete the challenge, hikers can take their time. Hikers are reminded to practice Leave No Trace™ principles and to Love Our NY Lands by recreating safely, sustainably, and hiking in suitable conditions based on weather and experience level.

For more information about the fire towers and challenge rules, visit DEC’s website.

Leave No Trace

The seasons are changing, check out these tips on how to Leave No Trace while enjoying your time outdoors. 

Stop the Spread of Invasive Species: As plants and wildlife become more active, so do invasive species. Do your best to prevent the spread of invasives to new areas by cleaning your gear, brush your pets off after your adventure, and avoid transporting firewood. As boating season picks up, remember to clean, drain, and dry your boat to leave aquatic invasive species behind.

To learn more about how to practice leave no trace principles, visit LNT.org. 

Summer Employment Opportunities

Would you like to work in New York State's beautiful Adirondack and Catskill Forest Preserves this summer? 
 
2023 Summer Camps Program

We are actively recruiting Directors, Assistant Directors, Waterfront Directors, Cooks, Nurses, EMTs, Counselors, and Camp Aides for the 2023 Summer Camps Program. All positions offer competitive salaries, plus room and board for the summer.
Locations of DEC Summer Camps:

• Camp Colby in Saranac Lake
• Camp Pack Forest in Warrensburg;
• Camp Rushford in Caneadea; and
• Camp DeBruce, near Livingston Manor.

This is a unique opportunity to work at a rustic and beautiful summer camp in the Catskills, Adirondacks, or Western NY. DEC Summer Camps combine environmental education, hunter education, and outdoor recreation to create an adventurous experience for youth. Camp staff engage campers in ecological principles such as field, forest, aquatic, wildlife, and human impact and outdoor skills including backpacking, camping, and canoeing. Learn more about the employment opportunities and how you can apply to work at DEC Environmental Education Camps.

DEC Campgrounds and Day Use Areas

Be a part of a team that helps vacationers enjoy the great outdoors in the Catskill Forest Preserve and Adirondack Park. Positions available include Lifeguard, Maintenance, Security, Supervisor, and more! Some positions start as early as May, but varying start dates can be accommodated based on school and work schedules.
For more information on available positions or to apply for a position call 518-457-2500, e-mail campinfo@dec.ny.gov, or visit the Campground Seasonal Employment webpage on DEC's website.

Lifeguard Positions 

Seasonal lifeguard positions are available at DEC campgrounds throughout the Adirondack and Catskill parks. The current hourly starting rate for New York State lifeguards is $20 an hour, and most DEC facilities offer free housing or site accommodations.
Candidates who qualify will be considered for employment. The qualifying procedure consists of two parts: a Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) skills component; and a water skills evaluation. Candidates may attend the qualifying location most convenient to them and the results will be forwarded to their preferred work location. 

At the time of employment, all DEC lifeguards must:

• Be at least 15 years old;
• Possess a valid certification in Waterfront Skills, Lifeguarding, First Aid, and CPR for the Professional Rescuer or equivalent;
• Have successfully completed the New York State lifeguard qualifying procedure;
• Submitted a current New York State DEC medical form stating the candidate's physical ability to perform lifeguard duties;
• Meet the vision requirement of 20/70 uncorrected in both eyes and be correctable to the 20/40 standard. Candidates tested at a vision level below 20/40 in either one or both eyes must correct to a minimum of 20/40 with 20/20 preferred;
• Have completed a personal interview with DEC; and
• Have attended a DEC lifeguard orientation.

For more information, updates, or to pre-register, call 518-457-2500 ext. #1, e-mail Info.Lifeguard@dec.ny.gov, or visit the Lifeguard Positions webpage on DEC's website.

Take Part in the DEC Kiosk Survey

Do you visit State Forests, wilderness areas, Wildlife Management Areas, campgrounds, or DEC boat launches? We want to hear what you think about the places you love to visit! When out at one of DEC's properties, take our survey and be entered to win a sporting goods store gift card and a free subscription to the Conservationist magazine! Winners will be announced each month from January 2023 through January 2024. A grand prize winner will be announced in January 2024 and will receive a $200 sporting goods store gift card and a free magazine subscription. By providing input, you can help us improve our signage at trailheads, boat launches, and more so you get the information you want to see!

For prize rules and regulations, please visit DEC's website.