Catskill Park

In Greene County, the Catskill park offers five of the 10 highest peaks, backcountry and family-friendly campgrounds, incredible winter hiking and ice-fishing, as well as Nordic ski and snowshoe trails, and wildlife viewing. Located just a short drive north of New York City, the Catskill Park is renowned as the nation's first wilderness, a special place preserved for outdoor recreation and discovery. And, unlike state and national parks, there's no fee to enter, no gate that closes at night, just deep lakes, towering mountains, and endless possibilities for adventure.

Paddling in the Catskill Park
Within the Blue Line – the boundary line drawn around the park on maps – of the Catskill Park, there are two options for watersports and paddling.

• North-South Lake
• Colgate Lake

Catskill Park Wildlife Viewing

North-South Lake Public Campground is the most popular campground in New York State for many reasons – one of them being the variety of wildlife found just off the hiking trails and around the lake. 

In the Hunter-Westkill Wilderness Area, visitors to this remote area of the Catskill Park will find steep mountain summits, wide meadows, and dense forests. Always remember to exercise caution near wild animals, especially bears, coyotes, and snakes.

Fish & Hunt in the Nation's First Wilderness

In-season hunting for big and small game is allowed within the Catskill Forest Preserve for New York State licensed sportsmen. In addition, the Catskill Park offers several public fishing spots with robust populations of trout, walleye, and bass including:

• Batavia Kill
• Schoharie Creek & East Kill Creek
• Ten Mile Creek
• West Kill Creek

Please note that statewide fishing and hunting regulations apply and all sportsmen fishing or hunting in New York must have a license on them at all times, except during the statewide Free Fishing Weekend in June. Other exclusions apply. For more information, visit www.DEC.NY.GOV to learn more.

Popular Campgrounds in the Catskill Park

One of the oldest campgrounds in the Catskill Forest Preserve, the region's first settlers gossiped that it was a favorite haunt of the Devil, and a large boulder – "the Devil's Tombstone," sits as a reminder of his rumored presence.

Or head to North-South Lake Campground, the biggest campground in Greene County, offering a whole host of warm-weather, family-friendly amenities without all the devil nonsense.

Hiking Trails in the Catskill Park

Greene County is home to five of the 10 highest peaks in the Catskill Mountains, and some of the best Catskill Park hiking trails in the entire 700,000-acre wilderness. Some top winter hikes in the Catskills to check out include:

• North-South Lake/Escarpment Trail Loop Hike
• Indian Head Mountain Loop
• Hunter Mountain Fire Tower
• Catskill Escarpment
• Windham High Peak via Burnt Knob
• Catskill Park Mountain Biking Trails
• The Elm Ridge Wild Forest
• The Escarpment Trail

Catskill Park Mountain Biking Trails

The mountain bike trails in the Catskill Park offer over 120 miles of mountain bike trails for discovery. Start your adventure at the following mountain bike trails and trail networks:

• Elm Ridge Trail System 
• Huckleberry Trail
• Round Top Trail Network
• Colonial  Trail System
• Tannersville-Hathaway Trail System
• Windham Path

Universally Accessible Recreation Areas in the Catskill Park

Within the Catskill Park, there are several locations offering universally accessible trails and amenities so everyone – including service animals – can enjoy the wilderness.

• Colgate Lake
• Kaaterskill Wild Forest
• North-South Lake's Day Use Area and Campground