12 Absolutely Breathtaking Places to Visit in the Catskills

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The Catskills grabbed my heart the second I rounded that bend on Route 23A and saw Kaaterskill Falls cascading down through the forest. I’d seen plenty of photos, but nothing prepared me for standing there watching North America’s tallest two-tier waterfall thunder down 260 feet. Yeah, the Catskills are that kind of place.

From swimming in the crystal-clear pools at the base of Kaaterskill to watching the sunset paint the sky from the Overlook Mountain fire tower, these are the most beautiful places in the Catskills that left me in awe. I spent a week exploring these mountains, and trust me, these 12 spots showcase exactly why this corner of New York keeps drawing people back since the 1800s.

The best places to visit in the Catskills at a glance

Before I share my favorite places to visit in the Catskills in full, here’s a quick table to help you compare them. I’ve included the type of experience and when to go for the best conditions. Pick the one that catches your eye and read on!

Place	What to expect	Best time to visit
Kaaterskill Falls	1.5-mile hike to New York’s tallest two-tier waterfall; steep stairs near the base	Early October for peak foliage; arrive before 9 AM on weekends or the lot fills
North-South Lake	Twin lakes with swimming beaches, escarpment viewpoints, and 219 campsites	Summer for swimming, October for foliage from Artists Rock and Sunset Rock
Catskill Scenic Trail	26-mile flat rail trail through farmland villages; bike, walk, or ride a horse	Late September through mid-October for fall color along the river valley
Minnewaska State Park	White quartz cliffs, sky lakes, 85 miles of carriage roads and trails	Mid-October for fall colors against the cliffs; arrive early, lots fill fast
Slide Mountain	Highest peak in the Catskills at 4,180 feet; 5.6 miles round trip, ~1,900 feet of gain	Late September when fall color layers across the elevation zones

If you want my quick rule, go to Kaaterskill Falls or North-South Lake if it’s your first time in the Catskills, Minnewaska or Mohonk Preserve if you want something that feels completely different from the rest of the region, and Slide Mountain if you’ve seen the others and want a challenge. Below, I’ve pinned all my favorite spots on a map, so you can see how they connect.

1. Kaaterskill Falls

• 📍 Location: Eastern Catskills, off Route 23A near Haines Falls, about 2.5 hours north of NYC
• 🥾 The Hike: ~1.5 miles round-trip from the Laurel House Road lot, moderate, with steep stairs near the base
• 🍂 Best Time to Go: Early October for peak foliage; arrive before 9 AM on weekends or the lot fills
• 🅿️ Parking: Free at Laurel House Road, Scutt Road, or South Lake. No roadside parking on 23A (ticketed and towed May-October)
• 🏨 Where to Stay: The Kaaterskill – Charming inn with mountain views near the trailhead

Kaaterskill Falls is the most magnificent cascade in New York State, and the one that got me hooked on visiting the Catskills. This 260-foot, two-tier waterfall drops through hemlock forest, and it’s stolen my breath every time I’ve visited. From the Laurel House Road lot, it’s about a ten-minute walk to the viewing platform, and you can carry on down the trail toward the base. Climb to the middle platform for the best up-close look.

Bastion Falls is a bonus cascade you’ll spot from the road on the way in. Fall is my favorite time to visit the Kaaterskill Falls, when the hemlocks and hardwoods turn the gorge red and gold. A new footbridge now links the Kaaterskill Rail Trail to the Escarpment Trail and North-South Lake if you want to extend the day.

Parking takes some planning. From May through October, the DEC bans parking in all the Route 23A pull-offs, and the Town of Hunter tows illegally parked cars. I recommend using the designated lots at Laurel House Road, Scutt Road, or South Lake instead. They fill fast on October foliage weekends, so arrive early.

2. Woodstock

• 📍 Location: Eastern Catskills, about 2 hours north of NYC
• 🎨 Don’t Miss: Tinker Street’s galleries and cafes, the Woodstock Artists Association & Museum
• 🍂 Fall Highlight: The Woodstock Film Festival, October 14-18 in 2026
• 🥾 Nearby: The Overlook Mountain trailhead rises right behind town
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Dylan – boutique rooms with a music theme

Woodstock still runs on the same mix of art, music, and mountains that made it famous. The village center hums with musicians playing outside colorful shops that sell everything from handmade jewelry to vintage vinyl. Even a short visit here recharges my creative batteries!

Start your visit to Woodstock on Tinker Street, the walkable heart of town. Here, galleries and organic cafes sit alongside the Woodstock Artists Association & Museum. If you’re visiting in mid-October, time your trip with the Woodstock Film Festival (October 14-18 in 2026), and enjoy five days of fiercely independent cinema across Woodstock, Kingston, and Saugerties, set right against the fall colors. More than 90% of the directors show up, so I recommend staying for the Q&As.

The mountains frame everything in Woodstock. Hike the Overlook Mountain trail behind town for sweeping views, or catch the all-welcome drum circle that fills the Village Green on Sunday afternoons through the warmer months. It winds down as fall sets in – aim for an early-October Sunday if you want to catch it.

3. Hunter Mountain

• 📍 Location: Northern Catskills, about 2.5 hours north of NYC
• 🍂 Fall Highlight: Oktoberfest across three weekends, September 26 to October 12 in 2026
• 🚡 Don’t Miss: The Scenic SkyRide gondola to the 4,040-foot summit
• 🎿 Off-Season: One of New York’s biggest ski resorts once the snow arrives
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Kaatskill Mountain Club – ski-in lodging at the base

Hunter Mountain is the second-highest peak in the Catskills at 4,040 feet, and its summit holds the highest fire tower in New York State. On a clear afternoon, you can climb the tower and see high peaks rolling off in every direction. The hike up is steep, gaining over 2,000 feet. Come prepared or take the easier route.

That easier route is the Scenic SkyRide, a gondola that carries you to Colonel’s Chair partway up the mountain. It runs between July and October and costs $21 for adults, or $17 for kids and seniors online, with foliage views the whole way up if you’re visiting in fall. I’d recommend taking it in the morning, since the lines build through the afternoon.

If you visit in fall, Oktoberfest takes over the base lodge on three weekends – September 26-27, October 3-5, and October 10-12 in 2026. It’s free to attend, and USA Today rates it one of the best in the country. There’s German food, Spaten beer, live music, and the Doxie Derby, a dachshund race that’s as fun as it sounds!

4. Overlook Mountain

• 📍 Location: Just north of Woodstock, trailhead at 353 Meads Mountain Road
• 🥾 The Hike: 5 miles round-trip on an old carriage road, moderate, about 1,370 feet of climb
• 🏚️ Don’t Miss: The Overlook Mountain House ruins and the summit fire tower
• 🛕 Right Across the Road: Karma Triyana Dharmachakra, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery open to visitors
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Woodstock Way – boutique creekside hotel in Woodstock

Overlook Mountain is one of the most rewarding hikes in the Catskills for the effort involved. The trail climbs 2.5 miles up an old carriage road to the 3,140-foot summit, gaining about 1,370 feet. October is the best time to go, when the foliage across the Hudson Valley turns and the views open up from the top.

About a mile up, you reach the Overlook Mountain House, the ruins of a hotel that burned down in the last century, and you can walk right through the empty stone shell. Keep going to the summit and climb the fire tower for views over the Ashokan Reservoir, the Devil’s Path, and the valley below. Bring a picnic, since there are tables at the top.

Right across from the trailhead is Karma Triyana Dharmachakra, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery you can visit before or after the hike. It offers public tours at 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays, and I’d definitely recommend taking a look inside the shrine room. Dress modestly and keep your voice down, since it’s an active place of worship.

5. Cooper Lake

• 📍 Location: Eastern Catskills near Woodstock, about 2 hours north of NYC
• 🚶 The Walk: 2-mile flat shoreline loop with unbroken lake and mountain views
• 🍂 Best Time to Go: October for fall foliage reflections; arrive at dawn for the best light
• ⚠️ Good to Know: Swimming, boating, and fishing are prohibited
• 🏨 Where to Stay: The Bend – Adults-only luxury retreat with outdoor pool and sauna

Cooper Lake is my favorite place to visit in the Catskills when I’m after a peaceful day by the water. It’s the largest natural lake in the Catskills at 173 acres, protected as a water supply for Kingston, and there isn’t a single building on the shoreline. You can’t swim, boat, or fish here, but that’s part of the charm.

The 2-mile shoreline path is flat and gives you unbroken views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Bald eagles nest in the area, and early mornings are the best window for spotting them before other visitors arrive. If you’re staying in Phoenicia or Woodstock, this works well as a half-day trip alongside a hike up Overlook Mountain.

I highly recommend visiting in October if you can. The water sits still enough to mirror the surrounding fall foliage, and on a clear morning the reflections here are some of the best in the Catskills. Arrive early and bring a camera!

6. Catskill Scenic Trail

• 📍 Location: Western Catskills, from Bloomville to Roxbury through Stamford and Grand Gorge, about 3 hours northwest of NYC
• 🚲 The Trail: 26-mile flat rail trail along the former Ulster & Delaware Railroad bed, gentle enough for any fitness level
• 🍂 Best Time to Go: Late September through mid-October for fall color
• 📚 Don’t Miss: The Hobart Book Village, seven independent bookshops on one block of Main Street in a town of 400 people
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Book Village Inn – 1830s coaching inn with five rooms in the heart of Hobart, right on the trail

The Catskill Scenic Trail is the easiest way to see a side of the Catskills that the eastern tourist towns don’t show you. This 26-mile rail trail follows the West Branch of the Delaware River through working farmland, small villages, and wide-open valley views without a single serious hill. You can bike it, walk a section, or bring a horse.

My favorite section along the trail is Hobart, a village of 400 people with seven independent bookshops. It’s the only book village east of the Mississippi. The Book Village Inn at the center of it features a bar, a seasonal bookshop in the barn, and five rooms if you want to stay the night. From Hobart, the trail continues east through Stamford (stop at the restored railroad depot) and on to Grand Gorge and Roxbury.

Fall is when this stretch earns its name. The river valley fills with color from late September, and without the weekend crowds you’d deal with at Kaaterskill Falls or North-South Lake, you’ll have long sections of the trail to yourself. Plan a full day for the whole route or pick a segment between any two trailheads.

7. North-South Lake

• 📍 Location: Northeastern Catskills near Haines Falls, about 2.5 hours north of NYC
• 🏊 The Lakes: Two swimming beaches open Memorial Day through Labor Day, plus kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals on site
• 🥾 Key Hikes: Artists Rock and Sunset Rock for Hudson Valley panoramas, Boulder Rock for the Catskill Mountain House ruins
• 🍂 Best Time to Go: October for peak foliage from the escarpment viewpoints
• 🏨 Where to Stay: North-South Lake Campground – 219 wooded campsites, $22/night ($27 out-of-state), open mid-May through late October

North-South Lake is the spot I’d recommend as a base camp if you’re spending more than a day in the Catskills. These twin lakes sit at the top of the escarpment where the Catskill Mountain House once drew America’s wealthiest guests, and the views from Artists Rock and Sunset Rock are the same ones that launched the Hudson River School of painting. I’d prioritize this over a hotel if you’re up for camping.

The day use alone is worth the $10 entry fee. Swim at either beach through the summer, rent a kayak right on site, and hike to Boulder Rock for a look at the old Mountain House ruins with the Hudson Valley spread out below. Kaaterskill Falls connects via trail from here too, which means you can combine listings 1 and 7 in one trip without moving your car.

If you come in October, the escarpment viewpoints turn into some of the best fall foliage lookouts in New York State. Campsite reservations open nine months in advance on ReserveAmerica, and the popular spots sell out fast for foliage weekends. I’d book as early as January if you want a lakeside site.

8. Plattekill Mountain

• 📍 Location: Western Catskills near Roxbury, about 2.5 hours from NYC
• 🎿 Winter: 41 trails with 1,100 feet of vertical, family-owned and uncrowded; open December through March
• 🚵 Summer: Lift-served bike park with over 60 miles of downhill trails, plus free mountaintop concerts on select weekends
• 🍂 Best Time to Go: March for St. Platty’s Day (torchlight parade, corned beef, live music)
• 🏨 Where to Stay: The Roxbury – Wildly creative themed rooms in Roxbury, 16 minutes from the mountain

I love Plattekill Mountain because it’s the opposite of every corporate ski resort in New York. It’s the last family-owned ski area in the northern Catskills, featuring 41 trails with 1,100 feet of vertical that never feel crowded. If you want challenging terrain without the lift lines, this is where I’d recommend.

Summer is when Plattekill surprises people. The bike park opens on select weekends with over 60 miles of lift-served downhill trails, from beginner flow runs to steep, rocky lines that will test anyone. The mountain also hosts free open-air concerts, a summer mountain race, and you can camp or glamp right on the property if you want to make a weekend of it.

The winter event calendar is where Plattekill really shows its personality. St. Platty’s Day brings a torchlight parade, a shamrock hunt for kids, and corned beef dinners, and the apres ski dance party with saxophone-playing DJ is the kind of thing you just don’t get at a corporate resort. If you’re visiting in fall instead, the bike park operates into October and the chairlifts give you foliage views without the hike.

9. Ashokan Reservoir

• 📍 Location: Central Catskills near Shokan, about 2 hours north of NYC
• 🚲 The Trail: Ashokan Rail Trail, 11.5 miles of flat crushed stone along the northern shore, wheelchair accessible, open sunrise to sunset year-round
• 🍂 Best Time to Go: October for fall foliage reflections on the water
• 🦅 Wildlife: Bald eagles and great blue herons are regular sightings
• 🏨 Where to Stay: The Foxfire Mountain House – Restored 1914 inn in nearby Mount Tremper

The Ashokan Reservoir is the view I recommend to anyone who thinks the Catskills are all about mountain hiking. This 8,300-acre lake was completed in 1915 as part of New York City’s water supply, and the scale of it is hard to believe until you’re standing on the shore. The Ashokan Rail Trail runs 11.5 miles along the northern edge, flat and smooth enough for wheelchairs, strollers, and road bikes.

I’d start from the Woodstock Dike trailhead on the eastern end if it’s your first visit, since you get reservoir views within ten minutes of walking. Bald eagles and great blue herons are common here, and early mornings before the trail gets busy are your best window. The “Frying Pan” section, where the shoreline curves, gives you the cleanest mirror reflections for photos.

October is easily my favorite time to visit the Ashokan Reservoir. The surrounding peaks light up with fall color and the reservoir reflects it all back. Because it’s a rail trail rather than a summit hike, you can cover distance without breaking a sweat. Bring a bike if you have one, and plan to be at the western end for sunset.

10. Minnewaska State Park Preserve

• 📍 Location: Southeastern Catskills near New Paltz, on the Shawangunk Ridge, about 1.5 hours north of NYC
• 🥾 The Trails: 35 miles of carriage roads plus 50 miles of footpaths; the 2-mile Lake Minnewaska loop is the place to start
• 🏊 Swimming: Two sky lake beaches open mid-June through Labor Day
• 🍂 Best Time to Go: Mid-October for fall colors along the white quartz cliffs
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Mohonk Mountain House – Historic Victorian resort on a neighboring ridge-top lake

Minnewaska State Park Preserve is the place I tell people about when they think they’ve seen everything the Catskills have to offer. The white quartz cliffs, the sky lakes fed only by rainwater, and the dwarf pine barrens along the ridge don’t look like anywhere else in New York. Start with the 2-mile loop around Lake Minnewaska and you’ll immediately understand why nearly half a million people visit this park every year.

For a bigger day, hike or bike the carriage roads to Awosting Falls (about 1.1 miles from the lower parking area) or continue to the remote swimming beach at Lake Awosting, 3.5 miles from the main entrance. The restored Smiley Carriage Road is wheelchair-accessible and gives you ridge-top views without a technical hike. Note that part of the Lake Awosting Carriage Road is closed for restoration work during 2026. Check the park website for current trail status before planning that route.

A fall visit here is hard to beat. The white cliffs framed by peak foliage in mid-October is one of the best visual combinations in the northeast. I’d arrive before 9 AM on a weekend or come midweek if you can, because the parking lots fill early during foliage season.

11. Mohonk Preserve

• 📍 Location: Near New Paltz on the Shawangunk Ridge, about 1.5 hours north of NYC
• 🥾 Best Hikes: Bonticou Crag (3.5-mile loop, rock scramble to 360-degree summit views), The Labyrinth (rock passage scramble connecting to Mohonk Mountain House grounds)
• 🧗 Climbing: Over 1,000 routes on the Trapps cliffs, one of the top climbing destinations on the East Coast
• 🍂 Best Time to Go: October for fall foliage along the cliff-top carriage roads
• 🏨 Where to Stay: The Inn at Kettleboro – Family-run inn a short drive from the trailheads

Mohonk Preserve covers over 8,000 acres of the Shawangunk Ridge and is the largest private nature preserve in New York. There are 110+ miles of carriage roads and trails here, over 1,000 climbing routes on the Trapps cliffs, and 50,000 climbers visiting each year. A day pass is $15 for hiking or $20 for climbing, biking, or riding, and children 12 and under get in free.

Start with Bonticou Crag, a 3.5-mile loop with a rock scramble to a summit that gives you unobstructed views in every direction. If you want more, The Labyrinth is a scramble through a network of massive rock passages that connects through to the Mohonk Mountain House grounds and Sky Top Tower (note that the tower is on Mountain House property, not the Preserve). The Trapps cliffs are where the climbing happens, with over 1,000 established routes.

October is when the ridge is at its best. The cliff-top carriage roads give you wide-open views of the fall color across the Hudson Valley without any technical hiking, and you can bike them if you’d rather cover more ground. I’d combine this with a visit to Minnewaska next door for a full day on the ridge.

12. Slide Mountain

• 📍 Location: Central Catskills in Ulster County, about 2.5 hours from NYC
• 🥾 The Hike: 5.6 miles round trip, ~1,900 feet of elevation gain; allow 4 to 6 hours
• ⚠️ Good to Know: The trail crosses the West Branch of the Neversink River near the start, which can run high after rain or snowmelt
• 🍂 Best Time to Go: Late September for fall foliage; summer weekends get busy, arrive early
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Phoenicia Black Bear Campground – Streamside campground along the Esopus Creek in nearby Phoenicia

Every list of the best places to visit in the Catskills leans toward waterfalls and lake views, and for good reason. Slide Mountain is the exception. At 4,180 feet, it’s the highest peak in the range. The 5.6-mile round trip gains about 1,900 feet, and by the time you’re hiking through balsam fir into the boreal summit zone it doesn’t feel like New York at all.

I recommend visiting in late September when the fall color stacks across the elevation bands. Check the DEC trail reports before you drive out, since the Neversink River crossing near the trailhead can be impassable after heavy rain. And don’t save this one for the afternoon – the Oliverea Road lot fills early on weekends and you’ll need the full 4 to 6 hours.

The summit at Slide Mountain is tree-covered. For the best views, head to the clearing just below the peak looking out at Panther Mountain and Giant Ledge. If Slide gets you hooked, the Burroughs Range loop adds Wittenberg and Cornell for a 14-mile three-summit day that’ll test anyone. That route is also the gateway into the Catskill 3500 Club, which is 35 peaks above 3,500 feet.

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