nature lovers delight

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) operates and maintains thousands of acres of forest preserve, wild forest preserve and parks in our “big backyard.” Explore what we have to offer and get in touch with your inner nature lover. Just remember, if you bring it in, please bring it out.

Mongaup Pond New York State Park &

Campground offers a 120-acre lake, the largest body of water in Catskills Park, outside of the New York City reservoirs. Surrounded by Forest Preserve land, the park offers hiking trails, snowmobile trails, basketball and volleyball courts, a boat launch, canoeing, sail boating, shing and swimming. There is a picnic area with tables and charcoal grills located next to the sand beach, with nearby restrooms and shower facilities. Picnic pavilions and boats are available to rent. A special alert for those who boat, kayak or canoe: Beginning this year please leave your trailer boats at home! If you bring any type of oating apparatus to Mongaup Pond, be sure it has been completely dry for several days before you arrive and can be hand launched. Please note that they are also prohibiting bait sh use. Unwanted and invasive plants and organisms could infect the Pond, Mongaup Creek and the Catskill Hatchery located downstream. During the months of July and August, Environmental Educational Recreation programs are offered, featuring nature hikes, crafts, games, and activities. Day passes are available and campsites may be booked online. A camping permit can only be issued for a maximum of two weeks, and most park facilities are handicapped accessible.

How to get there:

Photo by Natalie Roszkowski

From Route 17 West: Take Exit 96 at Livingston Manor; turn left on County Road 81 & 82. Drive 6 miles to De Bruce, turn left onto Mongaup Road, and drive 3 miles to the campground. From Route 17 East: Take Exit 96 and turn right at the bottom of the ramp, then left at the stop sign. Turn left on DeBruce Road/ County Rte 81. Drive 6 miles to DeBruce, turn left onto Mongaup Road, and drive 3 miles to the campground.

Three driving miles away, or 1.9 miles downstream is the Catskill Fish Hatchery. The hatchery is one of twelve operated by the NYSDEC, and it specializes in rearing brown trout. It maintains a brood stock capable of producing two million eggs with about 115,000 pounds of brown trout produced annually. Open to the public from Spring through Fall, 402 Mongaup Rd, Livingston Manor, (845) 439-4328 Camp DeBruce is situated on over 300 acres adjacent to the Catskill Forest Preserve. Formerly a private estate and sh hatchery, the NYSDEC acquired Camp DeBruce in the 1940s and converted it into a conservation education camp. DeBruce was the second DEC Summer camp open and is the longest running of the four camps in operation today. Campers age 11-17 participate in lessons that cover a range of topics led by camp counselors with backgrounds in science, education, or recreation. They might include examining insects and owers in a nearby eld or meadow, using nets to study macroinvertebrates and aquatic systems, or venturing into the forest to learn about diversity and forestry. Throughout the week campers engage in activities that emphasize basic ecological concepts about habitats, species identi cation, and how organisms and habitats adapt to changes. They also consider environmental solutions through activities and scenarios that encourage campers to make decisions that mitigate their impacts on the environment around them. Registration for the 2023 DEC Summer Camp season opens in the early Spring and may be booked online at https://www.dec.ny.gov/education/29.html 307 Mongaup Road, Livingston Manor

The Beaverkill Campground &

Day Use Area is located on the Beaverkill trout shing stream, which ows through the entire developed length of the site. An historic covered bridge, constructed in 1865, spans the stream on the town road. There is a deep pool in the stream adjacent to and underneath this covered bridge, creating a unique and picturesque setting. The development area lies along the stream, with camping sites on the north side and a picnicking area on the south side. The campground becomes an outdoor classroom for young children (5-13) and their families.They may participate in the Junior Naturalist Program while enjoying games and activities to earn a beautiful embroidered patch. 792 Berrybrook Road Spur, Roscoe

How to get there:

From Route 17 West: Take Exit 94, turn left off ramp to NY 206 West, 3 miles on NY 206 West turn right onto Beaverkill Road, 4 miles on Beaverkill Road to Y intersection, turn right on to Berrybrook Road Spur, 1 mile to campground entrance on right. From Route 17 East: Take Exit 94, turn left off ramp, 1/10 mile take left turn at traf c light on to NY 206 West. Refer to directions above from this point. Davidson’s General Store, at the corner of Goff & De Bruce roads is a historic building formerly owned and operated by Mahlon Davidson, a Catskill y-tier and sherman. Bill Kocher purchased the building in 1980 (the origin dates back to the 1880s and was owned by blacksmith George Cooper). In 2018, when his sister Marilyn established The Rose Cottage right next door; she conceived the idea to reopen the store on its original site. On April 1, 2022 they hosted a grand opening. The store and kitchen serve breakfast & lunch sandwiches, coffee, snacks, beverages and a limited selection of general store country goods and camping essentials.