Overview
The Catskills is a mountainous region in southeastern New York State, roughly 90 to 130 miles north of New York City. Spanning parts of Delaware, Greene, Sullivan, and Ulster counties, it encompasses about 700,000 acres of largely protected forest within the Catskill Park, of which a significant portion is designated as the Catskill Forest Preserve — land that is constitutionally protected as 'forever wild' under the New York State Constitution.
The region shaped American culture in notable ways. The Hudson River School of landscape painting drew inspiration from its peaks and valleys in the 19th century. In the mid-20th century, the 'Borscht Belt' resort corridor in Sullivan County became a formative hub for American comedy. Today the Catskills draws hikers, fly-fishers, skiers, artists, food lovers, and weekenders from the New York metropolitan area seeking relief from urban density.
Gateway towns each have distinct personalities. Woodstock is known for arts and counterculture history. Phoenicia is a hub for tubing and trout fishing on Esopus Creek. Livingston Manor and Roscoe anchor the trout-fishing corridor along the Beaverkill and Willowemoc rivers. Windham and Hunter attract skiers in winter and mountain bikers in summer. Delhi and Margaretville serve as quieter, more rural entry points to the western Catskills.
Before You Go
The Catskills is a region, not a single city or town, so planning ahead matters more here than in a compact urban destination. Accommodation ranges from small inns and B&Bs to vacation rentals and a handful of larger resorts. Options can fill quickly on fall-foliage weekends and holiday weeks; book as early as possible for those periods.
Cell service is inconsistent across much of the Catskill Park, particularly on trails and in narrow valleys. Download offline maps (AllTrails, Gaia GPS, or Google Maps offline areas) before leaving reliable coverage. Physical trail maps are available at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) regional offices and at many trailheads.
Seasons at a glance
- Spring (April–May): Mud season on trails; strong wildflower blooms; Esopus Creek runs high for paddling.
- Summer (June–August): Peak hiking, tubing, swimming, and farmers markets. Humidity can be significant in July.
- Fall (September–October): The most popular season. Foliage typically peaks at higher elevations in late September and at lower elevations through mid-October. Traffic on Route 28 and Route 23A can be heavy on peak weekends.
- Winter (November–March): Skiing at Hunter and Windham; snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on many trails. Mountain roads can be icy; snow tires or chains may be advisable.
Pack layers regardless of season; mountain temperatures drop significantly after sunset even in summer.
Getting There
By car
Driving is the most practical way to reach and move around the Catskills. From Midtown Manhattan, expect roughly 2 to 2.5 hours to Woodstock or Phoenicia via the New York State Thruway (I-87) and Route 28, depending on traffic. The Newburgh-Beacon Bridge (I-84) and Route 17 (future I-86) provide access to the southern Catskills and Sullivan County. Note that Friday afternoon and Sunday evening traffic leaving New York City can extend travel time substantially.
By bus
Trailways and Adirondack Trailways operate scheduled bus service from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan to several Catskills towns including Woodstock, Phoenicia, Mount Tremper, and Fleischmanns, among others. Verify current schedules and stops on the Trailways website before travel, as service is subject to seasonal and operational changes.
By train
Amtrak's Empire Service and the MTA Metro-North Hudson Line stop at Rhinecliff and Hudson stations, respectively, on the east side of the Hudson River. From those stations, reaching most Catskills destinations requires a rental car, rideshare, or arranged shuttle — there is no reliable local transit connecting the train stations to the interior of the Catskills. Verify rental car availability in those areas in advance.
Getting Around
A personal vehicle is essentially required for independent travel within the Catskills. Towns are spread across a large rural area, trails are accessed by forest roads, and there is no meaningful local bus or transit network within the park.
Rideshare availability (Uber, Lyft) is limited and unreliable outside the larger towns like Woodstock and Kingston. Do not count on summoning a ride from a remote trailhead. Taxis can sometimes be arranged through local dispatchers in larger towns — ask your accommodation for recommendations.
Routes through the mountains — particularly Route 23A through the Kaaterskill Clove — are scenic but winding, with steep grades and limited passing lanes. Drivers unfamiliar with mountain roads should take them slowly. Some unpaved forest roads require higher clearance; check NYSDEC conditions before driving to remote trailheads.
Where to Stay
Accommodation across the Catskills ranges from rustic cabins and vacation rentals to boutique inns and a small number of larger resort properties. The region has seen significant investment in boutique lodging over the past decade, particularly in Livingston Manor, Roscoe, and the Route 28 corridor.
Vacation rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo) have a large supply of private homes and cabins, which are often the most practical option for groups or families wanting kitchen facilities and space. Rates fluctuate significantly between peak foliage weekends and quieter midweek periods — verify current pricing on booking platforms.
Camping is available at several NYSDEC campgrounds within the Catskill Park, including North-South Lake, Mongaup Pond, and Woodland Valley, among others. Reservations are typically required in summer and are made through the New York State Reservations system (ReserveAmerica/recreation.gov — verify the current booking portal on the NYSDEC website). Backcountry camping is permitted in the Forest Preserve under NYSDEC guidelines; review regulations before heading out.
Things to See & Do
Hiking
The Catskill Park contains more than 300 miles of marked trails maintained by the NYSDEC and the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. The 35-peak Catskill 3500 Club challenge draws serious hikers to summits above 3,500 feet, including Slide Mountain (the highest peak), Hunter, Blackhead, and Panther. Kaaterskill Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in the northeastern United States, is accessible via a well-marked trail from Route 23A near Haines Falls. Check NYSDEC trail condition reports before heading out.
Fly-fishing
The Beaverkill River near Roscoe is one of the most historically significant trout streams in American fly-fishing. The Willowemoc Creek, Esopus Creek, and Schoharie Creek are also popular. Much of the best water flows through private land; the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum in Livingston Manor is a good resource for public access information and regional fishing history.
Skiing and winter sports
Hunter Mountain and Windham Mountain are the two main ski resorts. Both offer alpine skiing and snowboarding; verify current season dates, lift ticket prices, and snow conditions on their respective websites before visiting.
Arts and culture
- The Woodstock area has sustained a working arts community since the early 20th century. The Kleinert/James Arts Center in Woodstock village hosts rotating exhibitions.
- The Catskill Center and local land trusts organize guided programs on natural and cultural history.
- The Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum in Livingston Manor documents the region's angling heritage.
Tubing and swimming
Floating Esopus Creek from the area around Phoenicia is a popular summer activity. Several outfitters in town rent tubes and provide shuttles — verify current operators and conditions locally, as businesses and regulations can change.
Food & Drink
The Catskills has developed a notable farm-to-table food scene over the past two decades, supported by a dense network of small farms, dairies, cideries, and craft breweries in the Hudson Valley and Catskill region.
What to look for
- Farm stands and farmers markets: Active in most towns through the summer and into fall. The Rhinebeck, Woodstock, and Delhi markets are among the well-established ones, though hours and vendors vary by season — verify locally.
- Craft beer and cider: Several small breweries and hard cider producers operate in the region, including in the Livingston Manor and Roscoe areas. The Catskill Brewery in Livingston Manor is one frequently cited local producer.
- Dairy: The Catskills and surrounding Delaware County have a strong dairy farming tradition. Local cheeses, yogurts, and ice cream are worth seeking at farm stores.
- Dining: Restaurant quality and variety vary significantly by town. Woodstock, Livingston Manor, and Windham have the densest concentration of sit-down restaurants. In more rural areas, options can be limited, and many restaurants keep reduced hours midweek or in the off-season. Always confirm hours before making a special trip.
BYOB policies exist at some smaller restaurants; liquor stores are found in most larger towns.
Practical Information
Money
Credit cards are accepted at most lodging and restaurants. Cash is useful for farm stands, smaller markets, and some rural businesses. ATMs are available in towns like Woodstock, Margaretville, and Livingston Manor; they are sparse in more remote areas.
Cell service and internet
Expect spotty or no service on most trails and forest roads. Lodging properties vary — some cabins and rentals explicitly lack reliable Wi-Fi. Confirm connectivity with your accommodation if it matters for your trip.
Emergencies
Dial 911 for all emergencies. Search and rescue in the Forest Preserve is coordinated through the NYSDEC Forest Rangers. If planning a remote hike, consider filing a trip plan with a contact person and carrying a personal locator beacon (PLB) or satellite communicator. Bear activity is present in the Catskills; follow NYSDEC guidelines for food storage when camping.
Health
Lyme disease-carrying ticks are a genuine concern throughout the Catskills from spring through fall. Wear long pants and sleeves on trails, use insect repellent with DEET or permethrin-treated clothing, and do a full tick check after outdoor time. Tick removal guidance is available from the New York State Department of Health.
Visas
For general entry requirements into the United States, visit TravelerPulse's Visas section and consult the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection or Department of State websites for the most current information applicable to your nationality.
Safety
The Catskills is a generally safe rural destination, but outdoor safety deserves specific attention. Hypothermia is a real risk in the mountains even in summer, particularly if caught in rain or fog above treeline. Carry rain gear, extra layers, and sufficient water and food on any hike longer than a short walk.
Many trails are poorly marked or involve significant route-finding. Download a reliable offline mapping app and familiarize yourself with your route before departing the trailhead. Waterfalls and cliff edges — including around Kaaterskill Falls — have been the site of serious accidents; stay on designated trails and observe all posted warning signs.
Flash flooding can occur along creek corridors during heavy rain. If you are tubing or near waterways during storm conditions, exercise caution and follow guidance from local outfitters and emergency management.
Wildlife including black bears, rattlesnakes (timber rattler is native to the region), and coyotes are present. Bears in particular have become habituated to human food in some campground areas; store food properly and do not leave food unattended. Rattlesnakes are generally reclusive and bites are rare, but watch where you step on rocky, sunny ledges.