The Catskill Park: A “Forever Wild”
Paradise in the Great Northern Catskills
The Catskill Park spans 700,000 acres of pristine wilderness, designated “Forever Wild” by New York State. This ensures that the public lands within the Catskill Park are preserved in their natural state for:
• Conservation of ecosystems, wildlife habitats, and water resources.
• Recreational activities like hiking, camping, hunting, and fishing, as long as these activities do not harm the environment.
No commercial development is allowed in the park’s 287,500 acres of public Forest Preserve land. Private land use is also regulated by New York State.
With activities like hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and camping, the park is an adventurer’s dream. Miles of marked trails wind through lush forests, past waterfalls, and to breathtaking overlooks.
Charming villages like Tannersville, Hunter, and Windham dot the park, each offering unique restaurants, shops, and a touch of history.
Experience the park’s year-round beauty—from fall foliage and winter skiing to spring waterfalls and summer swims in mountain lakes. Whether seeking solitude, outdoor thrills, or family fun, the Catskill Park is a true gem of the Great Northern Catskills.
HIGH PEAKS
The Great Northern Catskills boasts five of the Catskill Mountains’ 10 highest peaks and some of the region’s finest hiking trails.
The five high peaks include:
West Kill Mountain (3,880 feet)
Blackhead Mountain (3,940 feet)
Thomas Cole Mountain (3,940 feet)
Black Dome (3,980 feet)
Hunter Mountain (4,040 feet)
You don’t have to be a high peak thrill seeker to find your hiking adventure here. The region’s thousands of miles of trails offer something for every ability and aspiration. The Catskills offer something for everyone.
DRIVING TOURS
Valley
Explore country roads that curve alongside hayfields, pastures, and sparkling streams, framed by sweeping mountain vistas, and you’ll see why the Valley Region is called “the Emerald Isle of the Catskills.”
River
Take a scenic 30+ mile drive through charming river towns, historic landmarks, and breathtaking views of the Hudson River to the east and majestic mountains to the west.
River to Mountain
This 92-mile road trip takes you through breathtaking scenery and cultural treasures like the Five State Lookout, Windham Mountain, and a wood-carved Ukrainian church constructed entirely without the use of nails.
LOCAL PARKS
Angelo Canna Town Park | Cairo
Athens Riverfront Park | Athens Ashland Town Park | Ashland
Black Bear Park Cairo
C.D. Lane Park | Maplecrest
Cecil C. Hallock Memorial Park | New Baltimore
Coxsackie Riverside Park | Coxsackie
Dolan’s Lake Hunter
Dutchman’s Landing Park Catskill
George V. Vanderbilt Town Park | Greenville
Historic Catskill Point | Catskill
Joseph Wyche, Sr. Memorial Park New Baltimore
McQuade Park Coxsackie
Prattsville Town Park Prattsville
Rip Van Winkle Lake Tannersville
DOG PARKS
Angelo Canna Town Park | Cairo
Ashland Town Park | Ashland
