Catskill Outdoor Recreation Bulletin

May 2022

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 packing list and safety tips for the 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. 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 this Spring season.

Catskills Visitor Center

The Catskills Visitor Center is open every day except Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. with all new interactive exhibits. Stop by for a visit before your next adventure. Have your questions answered, get trip planning advice, pick up maps and local information, have a picnic, climb the fire tower, 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.

2022 Catskill Fire Tower Challenge

Visitors are challenged to hike each of the six fire towers in the Catskill Park and submit information about their visit at any time during the year to earn recognition and prizes.

The 2022 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge encourages experienced hikers to visit the region's five historic fire towers located on Balsam Lake Mountain (Hardenburgh), Hunter Mountain (Hunter), Overlook Mountain (Woodstock), Red Hill Mountain (Denning), and Tremper Mountain (Shandaken), as well as a new sixth fire tower that was opened in the Catskills in the fall of 2019. The Upper Esopus Fire Tower is located at the Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center in Mt. Tremper and allows all 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.

To participate in the challenge, hikers must hike to all six DEC-owned fire towers in the Catskills between Jan. 1, and Dec. 31, 2022. Once completed, participants submit a log of their completed hikes along with a favorite photo to the Challenge email address: CatskillsChallenge@dec.ny.gov or via mail. Entries must be postmarked by Jan. 7, 2023. Participants that complete the challenge will receive a letter, a commemorative 2022 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge patch, and a one-year subscription to DEC's Conservationist magazine, currently celebrating its 75th year in circulation. Upon completion, finishers will also be able to download a customizable certificate and will be eligible to win hiking accessories after the challenge period is closed.

For more information visit the Catskill Fire Tower Challenge webpage.

Love Our NY Lands - DEC Alerts

Follow @NYSDECAlerts for real-time updates from state lands and sites across the state
New York is home to tens of thousands of acres of State lands to visit, dozens of campgrounds, and thousands of miles of trails across the state for hikers of all abilities. @NYSDECAlerts provides real-time updates from DEC-managed lands across New York State. Love Our NY Lands and follow @NYSDEC to recreate responsibly, plan ahead, and Leave No Trace™.

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. Learn more about how you can Love Our NY Lands.

General Notices

Before you hit the trail, check out DEC’s Hike Smart NY webpage 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 cooler and more exposed on mountain summits. 

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

Catskill Region Daytime: Mid 70’s
Catskill Region Nighttime: Mid 50’s

Manage your time wisely:  Be mindful of sunrise and sunset times, and plan accordingly.  Always bring a headlamp in case you are out longer than expected.

Approximate Time of Sunrise: 5:28 AM
Approximate Time of Sunset: 8:20 PM

Spring conditions– Temperatures and precipitation can be less predictable during this time of year. Plan Ahead and Prepare by checking the weather report and trail conditions before heading out. Dress for the weather and come prepared with warm layers and rain gear.  

Poison Ivy– Pesky plants and insects have once again emerged. Visitors should take precautions to minimize contact with dangerous plants. Read more about poison ivy identification on DEC’s website.

Ticks– 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. Stay on cleared, well-traveled trails and walk in the center of trails. Avoid dense woods and bushy areas Check out these additional tips for tick prevention.

Mountain Biking– There are many great opportunities for mountain biking in the Catskills. Spring has sprung but remember, the trails are in transition meaning they are more susceptible to erosion and trail widening. Please do your best to avoid riding wet and muddy trails. When encountering wet patches ride through the center of the trail to avoid damaging trailside plants and contributing to potential impacts to the trail like trail erosion. 

Stewards in the Catskills – DEC has partnered with several organizations to provide on-the-ground stewardship throughout the summer of 2022. Trail stewards have been hired through the Catskill Center for Conservation and development, Catskill Mountain Keeper, New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, and the Student Conservation Association.  Stewards will provide education and outreach to visitors of the Catskill Forest Preserve. If you see the stewards out on the trail, be sure to say hello!

Recent Notices

Bluestone Wild Forest – Onteora Lake– The gate allowing access to the lower parking is open for the season. 

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.

Slide Mountain Wilderness Area –The Terrace Mountain and Table Mountain Lean-tos have been replaced. Forest Rangers, DEC Forestry, and Operations staff partnered with State Police to fly in the lean-to kits with helicopters. Big thanks to the Bruderhof community for building the lean-to kits in their woodworking shop class and to the 3500 Club for the generous donations of roof and floorboards and shingles.  

Peekamoose Blue Hole – Please be aware of the permit requirements and special regulations for Peekamoose Valley Riparian Corridor and Blue Hole in the Sundown Wild Forest.

A $10 permit is required for use of the entire Peekamoose Valley Riparian Corridor, including the Peekamoose Blue Hole. Visit our website for details on how to obtain a permit.

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 special regulations are as follows,

• 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.

Leave No Trace^TM

The Leave No Trace^TM 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^TM website.