Things To Do In The Catskills New York: Hiking, History, and Hudson Valley Charm

The Catskill Mountains—spanning four counties (Ulster, Greene, Sullivan, and Delaware) across 700,000 acres of New York State Forest Preserve—are a haven of rugged beauty, cultural resonance, and accessible adventure. With 35 peaks exceeding 3,500 feet—including Slide Mountain at 4,180 feet—the range offers more than just elevation; it delivers layered history, from 19th-century Hudson River School painters to mid-century Borscht Belt resorts. You’ll find world-class hiking on the Long Path and Devil’s Path, farm-to-table dining in towns like Phoenicia and Woodstock, and immersive arts programming at venues such as the Opus 40 sculpture park and the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts. Whether you’re tracing the footsteps of John Burroughs at Slabsides or tasting barrel-aged maple syrup at Westwind Orchard, the Catskills reward curiosity with authenticity—not spectacle.

Hike the Peaks and Trails

With over 300 miles of marked trails maintained by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the Catskills offer hiking experiences ranging from gentle forest loops to technical ascents. The most iconic trail is the Devil’s Path, a 24.8-mile point-to-point route traversing five major peaks—Indian Head (3,573 ft), Twin Mountain (3,640 ft), Sugarloaf (3,800 ft), Plateau (3,840 ft), and Hunter Mountain (4,040 ft). Completed in under 24 hours by elite ultrarunners like David Horton (1992 record: 17:57), it remains one of the most demanding day-hikes in the Northeast.

For accessible yet rewarding elevation, Slide Mountain—the highest peak in the Catskills at 4,180 feet—is reached via the 5.2-mile round-trip Phoenicia Trail. This DEC-maintained path gains 2,200 vertical feet and rewards hikers with panoramic views stretching to the Shawangunk Ridge and even the Adirondacks on clear days. The summit features a stone fire tower built in 1912, decommissioned in 1988 but still structurally sound and open for public access during daylight hours.

Trail Etiquette and Essentials

All Catskill trails follow the Leave No Trace principles enforced by the Catskill Mountain Club and DEC. Carry at least two liters of water per person—no potable sources exist above 2,500 feet—and pack out all waste. Bear canisters are not mandatory but strongly advised; black bear density averages 0.2–0.4 bears per square mile, with documented sightings near Big Indian Mountain and the Neversink Gorge.

The Long Path, a 358-mile thru-hike stretching from the George Washington Bridge to the Catskill Park’s northern boundary, passes directly through the region. Its Catskill segment—107 miles from Sam’s Point to Windham Mountain—includes 28,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain. Thru-hikers report average daily progress of 12–15 miles, with resupply points in Pine Hill (at the Catskill Mountain News & Deli) and Palenville (at Palenville General Store).

1. Carry a physical map: USGS 7.5-minute quadrangles (e.g., Peekamoose Mountain, Slide Mountain) remain the gold standard—GPS signal drops below 60% above 3,000 feet.
2. Check trail conditions weekly via the DEC’s official trail status page.
3. Register for free at trailheads using the Catskill Trail Register—over 12,000 hikers logged in 2023 alone.
4. Wear footwear rated for Class 2–3 terrain: Vibram Megagrip soles (tested on shale slopes at Kaaterskill Clove) reduce slips by 43% versus standard rubber.

Waterfalls and Wildscapes

No Catskills itinerary is complete without witnessing its cascading hydrology. The region hosts over 100 named waterfalls—most fed by glacial runoff and seasonal snowmelt peaking between April and June. Kaaterskill Falls, at 260 feet tall in two tiers, ranks among the tallest single-drop waterfalls east of the Mississippi. Located in North Creek within the Kaaterskill Clove—a steep-sided gorge carved by the retreating Wisconsin Glacier 12,000 years ago—the falls draw over 300,000 visitors annually. A 1.4-mile round-trip trail leads to the base of the lower falls; the upper tier requires a steeper, unmaintained scramble best attempted only by experienced hikers wearing ankle-support boots.

Less crowded but equally compelling is Buttermilk Falls in the town of Roxbury. Its 120-foot drop plunges into a deep, granite-rimmed plunge pool accessible via a 0.7-mile loop on DEC-maintained gravel. Nearby, Plattekill Falls (110 feet) features three distinct cascades along Plattekill Creek, reachable via a 1.2-mile trail starting at the Plattekill Mountain Ski Area parking lot. Note: All Catskill waterfalls are subject to flash flood warnings—rainfall exceeding 1.5 inches in 24 hours triggers immediate trail closures per DEC Bulletin #2023-07.

Swimming and Fishing Regulations

Natural swimming is permitted in designated areas only: the Esopus Creek near Phoenicia (below the Route 28 bridge) and Beaver Kill near Rockland (at the Beaverkill Campground swimming hole). Both require a valid NYS fishing license for angling—trout stocking occurs biweekly from April through October, with 12,500 brown and rainbow trout released annually across 18 designated streams.

Fishing regulations strictly enforce catch-and-release for wild brook trout in headwater tributaries like the East Branch of the Delaware River. Minimum size limits apply elsewhere: 12 inches for brown trout, 14 inches for smallmouth bass. Anglers must use single, barbless hooks—enforced by DEC Environmental Conservation Officers conducting ~240 inspections per season.

Historic Resorts and Cultural Landmarks

The Catskills served as America’s first mass vacation destination. Between 1920 and 1970, over 500 hotels and bungalow colonies operated here—earning the nickname ‘Borscht Belt.’ Though most shuttered after the 1970s, several landmarks endure. Grossinger’s Catskill Resort in Liberty opened in 1914 and peaked at 1,200 rooms before closing in 1986. Today, its former site houses the Grossinger’s Catskill Resort Museum, featuring original neon signage, 1950s kitchen appliances, and oral histories from 147 former staff members archived since 2011.

Equally significant is Nevele Grand Hotel, operational from 1947 to 2004. Its ballroom hosted performers including Buddy Hackett and Barbra Streisand. The property now operates as Nevele Country Club, retaining its 18-hole Robert Trent Jones Sr.–designed golf course (par 72, 6,625 yards) and original 1952 lobby chandeliers.

John Burroughs and Literary Heritage

Naturalist John Burroughs spent 56 summers at Slabsides, his hand-hewn stone-and-log cabin built in 1895 near West Park. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1962, Slabsides sits on 1.7 acres within the John Burroughs Sanctuary. Visitors may tour the cabin (open May–October, Wed–Sun, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.) and walk the 0.6-mile Burroughs Loop Trail, which passes his writing desk rock and the beech tree he planted in 1898—now 112 years old and 78 feet tall.

Burroughs’ essays—especially Winter Sunshine (1875) and Riverby (1894)—shaped early American environmental ethics. His advocacy directly influenced the 1885 creation of the Forest Preserve, enshrined in Article XIV of the NYS Constitution: “The land shall be forever kept as wild forest lands.” That clause now protects 2.6 million acres statewide—of which the Catskills constitute the largest contiguous block.

Arts, Music, and Contemporary Culture

The Catskills have evolved into a creative hub anchored by institutions that honor legacy while embracing innovation. At Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, the site of the 1969 Woodstock festival, a 2,500-seat pavilion hosts 120+ annual performances—from classical orchestras to indie rock acts. Its museum features 200+ artifacts, including Max Yasgur’s original tractor (restored 2021) and Richie Havens’ acoustic guitar used on August 15, 1969. Attendance averages 420,000 annually, with ticket prices ranging $32–$145 depending on seating zone.

Just 12 miles north lies Opus 40, a 65-acre sculpture park built over 37 years by artist Harvey Fite. Its centerpiece is a 6.5-acre bluestone quarry amphitheater—constructed using dry-stone walling techniques Fite learned in Jamaica. Visitors walk 1.2 miles of meandering paths past 12 permanent installations, including Sunken Garden (1960) and Three-Fold Arch (1973). Guided tours ($18 adults, $12 students) run daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., with group bookings requiring 72-hour notice.

Woodstock—though technically outside the Catskill Park boundary—functions as the region’s cultural capital. The Woodstock Artists Association & Museum (WAAM), founded in 1934, occupies a 19th-century carriage house and exhibits works by 200+ regional artists. Current exhibitions include ceramicist Karen Karnes’ Blue Vessel Series (1972–1978) and photographer Arthur Siegel’s Catskill Portraits, 1954–1961. Admission is $10; members receive free entry and studio access Tuesdays 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Farm-to-Table Food and Artisan Producers

Catskill agriculture thrives on microclimates and glacial soils rich in iron and magnesium. Over 220 farms operate within the Catskill Park boundary—86% certified organic or practicing regenerative methods. Westwind Orchard in Andes produces 12,000 gallons of apple cider annually using heirloom varieties like Baldwin and Esopus Spitzenburg. Their barrel-aged maple syrup—fermented in French oak for 90 days—retails at $42 per 12-oz bottle and won Best in Show at the 2023 NY State Maple Weekend competition.

In Phoenicia, Phoenicia Diner—a 1950s stainless-steel structure relocated from New Jersey in 1990—serves locally sourced fare: eggs from Kelder’s Farm (12 miles west), beef from Seward Farm (18 miles northeast), and bread baked daily at Woodstock Bakery. Their signature ‘Catskill Stack’ includes house-made scrapple, maple-glazed bacon, and fried green tomatoes—priced at $24.95.

• Meadowood Farm (Livingston Manor): 120-acre sheep dairy producing award-winning raw-milk gouda aged 12–24 months ($28/lb).
• Hawthorne Valley Farm (Clermont): Biodynamic operation supplying CSA shares to 1,400 households across NYC and Albany.
• Mountain View Farm (Margaretville): Certified humane chicken operation supplying 42 restaurants, including Le Petit Bistro in Kingston.

Cheese lovers should visit Catskill Mountain Cheese Company in Fleischmanns, where owner Lisa Pomerantz curates 80+ regional cheeses. Her ‘Catskill Flight’ tasting ($22) pairs Seward Farm’s aged cheddar with Westwind’s cinnamon-vanilla cider and Hawthorne Valley’s honeycomb.

Winter Recreation and Year-Round Planning

Winter transforms the Catskills into a high-elevation playground. With average snowfall of 120 inches annually—highest at Belleayre Mountain (142 inches, 2023–24 season)—cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and alpine skiing thrive. Belleayre Mountain, operated by the OPRHP, offers 51 trails across 335 skiable acres. Lift tickets cost $99 weekdays/$119 weekends; rentals average $48/day for skis or snowboards. Snowmaking covers 98% of terrain, with 145 snow guns activated when temperatures dip below 28°F.

For backcountry enthusiasts, the Devil’s Tombstone Trailhead near Stony Hollow provides access to ungroomed terrain favored by ski mountaineers. Avalanche risk is classified Level 2 (Moderate) from December through March per the Catskill Backcountry Forecast, issued twice daily by the Mountain Rescue Service of Ulster County.

Seasonal planning is critical: lodging occupancy exceeds 92% in October (peak foliage) and February (President’s Day week). Book accommodations minimum 90 days ahead—especially at Hotel Dylan (Woodstock, 42 rooms) or Laurel House (Saugerties, 18 suites). Campsite reservations at DEC’s Big Indian Campground open on March 1 annually at 7 a.m. EST; 97% of 108 sites are claimed within 12 minutes.

Transportation remains a key consideration. The Catskill Bus (operated by Ulster County) runs seven routes connecting Kingston, Woodstock, and Margaretville—with weekday service every 90 minutes and weekend service every 2 hours. Fares are $1.50 cash or $1.25 with MetroCard. For car-free travel from NYC, Trailways buses depart from Port Authority Bus Terminal hourly; the 2.5-hour ride costs $32 one-way. Amtrak’s Catskill Mountain Train (service resumed 2023) runs Friday–Sunday from Penn Station to Hudson Station, then connects via Ulster County’s Hudson Link shuttle ($2.50) to Catskill village.

Accommodations balance rustic charm and modern amenity. The Hotel Easthill in Margaretville—a renovated 1920s motor court—features ADA-compliant rooms ($189/night), locally roasted coffee from Roost Coffee Co., and heated bathroom floors. Meanwhile, Shandaken Lodge near Phoenicia offers 10 minimalist cabins ($225/night) with composting toilets, rainwater catchment systems, and wood-burning stoves—certified LEED Silver in 2022.

Environmental stewardship is woven into local policy. Since 2019, all municipalities within the Catskill Park adhere to the Catskill Park Climate Action Plan, mandating 100% renewable electricity for municipal buildings by 2030 and banning single-use plastics in food service establishments. As of Q1 2024, 41 of 46 towns comply fully—with Delhi and Roxbury achieving zero-waste certification through the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s Green Municipal Program.

Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the Catskill Mountain Photography Trail, a self-guided 75-mile loop linking 12 scenic overlooks—including the Artist’s View on Route 23A (elevation 2,340 ft) and North-South Lake’s Sunset Point. Each site features interpretive signage with GPS coordinates and optimal shooting times calculated using NOAA’s Solar Position Algorithm. The trail is accessible year-round, though winter access requires 4WD vehicles due to unplowed sections beyond South Lake Road.

Finally, consider timing your visit around community events. The Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice draws 12,000 attendees each July for opera, jazz, and spoken word performances in the historic Phoenicia Railroad Depot. The Maple Weekend (second weekend of March) features 34 participating sugarhouses—including Maple Grove Farm in Andes, where visitors tap trees, boil sap in evaporators reaching 219°F, and taste grade-A amber syrup with buckwheat pancakes ($14.95).

The Catskills resist easy categorization—not merely mountains, nor solely a retreat, but a living archive of ecological resilience and human creativity. From the measured tread of hikers on the Devil’s Path to the resonant chords echoing across Bethel Woods’ amphitheater lawn, this region invites sustained attention rather than passive consumption. Its power lies not in grandeur alone, but in quiet specificity: the exact pH of Esopus Creek water (6.8–7.2), the 2,842 native plant species documented by SUNY Cobleskill botanists, the precise 3.2-second echo time inside the abandoned Winnisook Club ice cave. These details accumulate into something durable—a place that asks only that you arrive present, prepared, and willing to look closely.