Thorn Preserve is comprised of 60 beautiful acres near the Town of Woodstock, Ulster County. View the map below for detailed location information. The Catskill Center’s Thorn Preserve boasts the most painted views of Overlook Mountain. Sweeping grassland habitat, riparian forest and ponds make this spot a profoundly relaxing and peaceful area. Mowed walking paths are […]

A Hudson River-front playground and boat launches

Stay at the campground or pay a day-use fee to enjoy the many amenties, including a pond, picnic areas, and a new, rustic-style playground.

A terrific hike all times of year, this trail has a gentle uphill slope for the first 2.72 miles as you follow a path alongside the Kanape Brook. When you reach a trail junction, travel to the left and for about a mile the trail will be steeply uphill (1000′) to the summit of Ashokan […]

A paved handicap accessible path along the southern edge of the Ashokan Reservoir offers beautiful views and multiple recreational opportunities. The path is 2.7 miles one way and 5.4 roundtrip. The two parking areas are on either side of the walking path: one in Olivebridge, and the other in Kingston. Visitors can walk, ride bikes, […]

A lollipop loop hike that begins right off of Route 28A (look for signage about 0.2 miles after you pass the western Ashokan Reservoir Promenade Parking Area). This two mile trail has interpretive signage about the Catskills and the Watershed. Hikers pass by a quarry that was used in the construction of the Ashokan Reservoir […]

Some steep climbs heading out of downtown Phoenicia lead to beautiful views. Good for hikers and families looking for a moderate challenge.

A steep and rocky trail that leads up to the Mount Tremper Fire Tower. The summit of Tremper Mountain is 2730′ and the steel fire tower on the top is 47 feet tall. The traditional way to summit Tremper Mountain is from the parking area on Old Route 28 on the west side of the […]

Mowed paths lead you through the Catskill Center’s Thorn Preserve. The preserve boasts the most painted views of Overlook Mountain. Sweeping grassland habitat, riparian forest and ponds make this spot a profoundly relaxing and peaceful area. Thorn Preserve is an undeveloped landscape, which will can offer nature-based education, sustainable agriculture, model stream management, and an ideal […]

Summit the tallest peak in the Catskills and enjoy a beautiful view from the summit of Slide in 5.6 miles. A moderately difficult uphill climb brings you to the top using red-blazed trail markers. The Slide Mountain Trail can be hiked as an out and back, or can be completed as a loop with the […]

The Esopus Creek Trail is approximately 1/2 mile out and back. It travels from the Visitor Center across Route 28 and to the bank of the Esopus Creek. This trail is constructed to ADA accessibility standards and provides a family-friendly route to the banks of the Esopus where you can enjoy the mountain and river […]

Beginning at the Catskills Visitor Center, the Catskill Conquest Rally is an annual ride through the Catskills featuring a wide array of antique and historic cars! Stop by from 9am to 10am to see the line-up of cars before they begin their ride! The ride commemorates the 1903 Auto Endurance Run and follows the Catskill […]

On the eve of Saturday September 3rd, find a place with a view of your favorite fire tower on the horizon for the 9th annual Lighting of the Fire Towers event! Meant to showcase the history of the five Catskill fire towers, find an area in your neighborhood where you have a view of one […]

Come join us for an evening hike up Overlook. We will meet at the Overlook parking lot at 5:30pm. This is a 4.8-mile hike with even, gravel footing, but a steep trail. Once up top, we will enjoy the sunset from the fire tower before heading down the trail for a starlit hike. Please bring […]

Spend the morning walking a 1-mile, accessible loop trail at the Catskills Visitor Center (CVC). Explore forest and field habitats. Try your hand using binoculars, identifying plants and animals, and climbing the fire tower in our backyard. We’ll talk about and practice Leave No Trace concepts throughout the walk. Meet at the CVC building. Please […]