| About The Catskill Park: |
| The people of New York State and the Catskill region are very fortunate to have benefited from over a century of public land acquisition by the State government. Our open space resources and outdoor recreation opportunities are greatly enhanced by the thousands of acres which have been protected and are open to the public. |
| State public lands fall into several categories and are managed by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in a variety of ways. State land designations include State Parks, State Forest Preserve, Wildlife Management Areas, Reforestation Areas, Unique Areas, Special Use Areas, Public Fishing Access locations, and State Historic Areas. This diversity of management categories allows the State to provide for a variety of open space values, including public recreation, wilderness preservation, historic preservation, and long term maintenance of wildlife habitat and natural resources. |
Photo courtesy Dan Marazita |
| In 1885 a law was passed by the NY State Congress which established the Catskill and Adirondack Forest Preserve. From the beginning this land was protected by the State constitution as �Forever Wild� land, never to be subjected to development or extraction of natural resources. In 1904 the Catskill Park was designated, which established a boundary, or �blue line� around the Forest Preserve, and private land as well. Over the years the Forest Preserve and the Catskill Park grew, with the Catskill Park now comprising approximately 700,000 acres, about half of which is public Forest Preserve. |
Photo courtesy Dan Marazita |
The Catskill and Adirondack Parks are nationally unique because they are a checkerboard of public and private land; a grand experiment in how nature, even wilderness, and human society can coexist in a landscape. |
To view maps of the Park, click here
|
| Hiking opportunities abound in the Catskill Park. There are approximately 300 miles of marked, maintained hiking trails on public Forest Preserve land. Stewardship and development of these trails is shared by the New York State Forest Rangers and local chapters of hiking clubs such as the New York/New Jersey Trail Conference and the Adirondack Mountain Club. There are 35 Catskill peaks boasting heights greater than 3500ft elevation, and people who hike to the summits of each of these peaks earn membership in the Catskill 3500 Club. |
| Five Catskill peaks, Hunter, Overlook, Tremper, Balsam Lake, and Red Hill, have fire towers on their summits; remnants of an era gone by. The Catskill Fire Tower Restoration Project restored these towers, making them safe so that the excellent views and educational aspects of the towers can now be enjoyed by the public. |
Photo courtesy Dan Marazita |
| Both primitive and amenity camping opportunities abound in the Catskills. Primitive camping is allowed in the Wilderness and Wild Forest areas of the Catskill Forest Preserve, so long as you follow certain guidelines designed to protect sensitive summit forest communities and water quality of the streams. Wilderness camping rules include not camping within 150ft of a trail, stream, or pond, and not above 3500ft elevation except in winter. |
Camping near Samuel's Point
Photo courtesy Chris Olney |
Three-sided, roofed �lean-to� shelters have been constructed on several Catskill backwoods trails. The NYSDEC maintains seven public campgrounds in the Forest Preserve; North/South Lake, Devils Tombstone, Kenneth Wilson, Woodland Valley, Mongaup Pond, Little Pond, and Beaverkill. These campgrounds have tent and trailer sites, restroom facilities, and other amenities varying by location. Numerous private campgrounds are scattered throughout the Catskills. |
| For more information regarding Forest Preserve Camping opportunities, contact the DEC in Region 3 (Sullivan and Ulster counties) at (845) 256-3082 or -3083, and in Region 4 (Delaware and Greene counties) at (607) 652-7364. |
The Catskill Park: Inside the Blue Line
The Forest Preserve & Mountain Communities of America's First Wilderness |
 |
Written by Norman VanValkenburgh and Christopher Olney, this book, published on the 100th year anniversary of the Catskill Park, celebrates the Park's diverse natural and cultural features, and explores its interesting history as well as its potential for the future. To learn more about the book or to purchase a copy, visit the Catskill Center's web site at www.catskillcenter.org/store.html or Black Dome Press's at www.blackdomepress.com. |
Park Descriptions: The Catskill Park Centennial Celebrating 100 Years in 2004
by Christopher Olney
Many refer to the Catskill Mountains as "America's First Wilderness" because its location upstream of old New Amsterdam put it in the path of Europeans settling the Hudson Valley during the 1600s. As novelist Wallace Stegner stated so eloquently, "Wilderness was the challenge against which our character as a people was formed," and this was as true for the Catskills as it was for any place in North America. The wilderness areas that we enjoy in the Catskills today are indeed a reminder of the challenges and opportunities that faced those who ventured into these untamed blue mountains long before us. --> Read More
History of the Catskill Park and Forest Preserve
Written by Norm Van Valkenbergh; compiled and edited from various sources by Chris Olney; with some additions by Chris Olney
The history behind the creation, purpose, and evolution of the Catskill Park and Forest Preserve is not fully understood by many. To learn the context of how the Catskill Park and Forest Preserve came to be, one has to look at what was going on in the Adirondacks and in the State Capitol during the 1700's and 1800's. --> Read More
The Catskill Park History, from an Ulster County Perspective
(borrowing freely from Norm VanValkenburgh's History of the Catskill Forest Preserve), edited by Helen K. Chase Ulster County, and particularly one resident, had a significant role in the creation of the Forest Preserve within the Catskills. It was not intended by any design of the State of New York that a part of the Forest Preserve would come into being within Ulster County. This was an act precipitated by Cornelius A. J. Hardenbergh, who was an avowed opponent of taxes.--> Read More
The Governor's Proclamation: George E. Pataki, Governor of the State of New York, has proclaimed 2004 as the year of The Catskill Park Centennial in "recognition of its significance to this State and Nation, and with respect for its glorious past, as we hail a new century of celebration of the Park, its people, communities and setting of such unsurpassed beauty". --> Read the full proclamation or Download the pdf file (60Kb)
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
Sites listed below are found within or adjacent to the Catskill Park
| Ulster County Locations: |
Greene County Locations: |
Ashokan-Turnwood Covered Bridge
477 Beaverkill Road, Olivebridge
Historic Significance: Event,Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Nelson Tompkins Architectural Style: No Style Listed
Area of Significance: Engineering, Transportation Period of Significance: 1875-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Transportation, Road-related
Current Function: Transportation, Road-related
|
All Souls Church
Rt. 23-C North of Tannersville, Tannersville
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: George Agnew Reid
Architectural Style: Late Gothic Revival
Area of Significance: Architecture, Art, Entertainment, Recreation
Period of Significance: 1875-1924
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Recreation, Culture, Religion, Auditorium, Religious Structure
Current Function: Religion, Religious Structure
|
Balsam Lake Mtn Fire Observation Station
Balsam Lake Mountain, Hardenburgh
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Aermotor Corporation
Architectural Style: No Style Listed
Area of Significance: Conservation, Entertainment, Recreation, Engineering, Archite cture
Period of Significance: 1900-1974
Owner: State
Historic Function: Government, Fire Station
Current Function: Vacant/Not in Use |
Centre Presbyterian Church Main and Church Streets, Windham
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Unknown
Architectural Style: Federal, Greek Revival
Area of Significance: Architecture
Period of Significance: 1825-1849
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Religion, Religious Structure
Current Function: Vacant/Not in Use |
Beaverkill Valley Inn (The Bonnie View)
Beaverkill Road, Lew Beach
Historic Significance: Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Aermotor Corporation
Architectural Style: No Style Listed
Area of Significance: Entertainment/Recreation
Period of Significance: 1875-1899
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Domestic, Hotel, Secondary Structure
Current Function: Domestic, Hotel, Secondary Structure
|
Elka Park Historic District
Town Center, Hunter
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Unknown
Architectural Style: Queen Anne, Shingle Style, Stick/Eastlake
Area of Significance: Community Planning and Development, Architecture
Period of Significance: 1875-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Domestic, Health Care, Resort, Secondary Structure, Single Dwelling
Current Function: Domestic, Landscape, Forest, Secondary Structure, Single Dwelling |
Emile Brunel Studio and Sculpture Garden
(Totem Indian Trading Post)
NYS Rt. 28, Boiceville
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Emile Brunel
Architectural Style: Bungalow/Craftsman
Area of Significance: Architecture, Entertainment/ Recreation, Art
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Commerce/Trade, Recreation, Culture, Outdoor Recreation, Specialty Store, Work of Art (Sculpture, Carving, Rock Art)
Current Function: Domestic, Recreation, Culture, Outdoor Recreation, Single Dwelling, Work of Art (Sculpture, Carving, Rock Art) |
Harry Fischel House (Fairlawn)
6302 Main Street, Hunter
Historic Significance: Person, Architecture/ Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer:
>Architectural Style: Queen Anne, Greek Revival
Area of Significance: Architecture, Social History
Period of Significance: 1825-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Domestic, Single Dwelling
Current Function: Domestic, Hotel
|
Byrdcliffe Historic District
West of Woodstock at Glasco Turnpike and Larks Nest Road, Woodstock
Historic Significance: Person, Event, Architecture/ Engineering Architect, builder, or engineer: Ralph Radcliffe Whitehead, et al. Architectural Style: Other, Stick/Eastlake Area of Significance: Art, Conservation, Performing Arts, Community Planning and Development, Architecture, Education Period of Significance: 1900-1949 Owner: Private Historic Function: Commerce/Trade, Domestic, Education, Recreation, Culture, Business, Education-related Housing, School, Single Dwelling, Theater Current Function: Domestic, Education, School, Single Dwelling |
Hunter Mountain Fire TowerHunter Mountain, Town of Hunter
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event Architect, builder, or engineer: Architectural Style: No Style Listed Area of Significance: Architecture, Entertainment/Recreation, Conservation Period of Significance: 1900-1949 Owner: State Historic Function: Other, Recreation, Culture, Outdoor Recreation Current Function: Recreation, Culture, Vacant/Not in Use, Outdoor Recreation |
Zen Mountain Monastery (Camp Wapanachki)
Old St. Rt. 28 at junction with Miller Rd, Mt. Tremper
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering Architect, builder, or engineer: V. L. S. Haffner Architectural Style: No Style Listed Area of Significance: Architecture Period of Significance: 1925-1949 Owner: Private Historic Function: Domestic, Landscape, Religion, Camp, Forest, Religious Structure Current Function: Landscape, Religion, Forest, Religious Structure |
Hunter SynagogueMain Street, Hunter
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering Architect, builder, or engineer: Architectural Style: Queen Anne Area of Significance: Architecture Period of Significance: 1900-1949 Owner: Private Historic Function: Religion, Religious Structure Current Function: Religion, Religious Structure
|
Common School No. 10Northside of Upper Cherrytown Rd, Accord
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event Architect, builder, or engineer: Horace Dymond Architectural Style: No Style Listed Area of Significance: Architecture, Education Period of Significance: 1850-1874 Owner: Local Government Historic Function: Domestic, Education, School, Secondary Structure Current Function: Government |
IOOF Hall (Lockwood Lodge No. 653)
6325 Main Street, Hunter
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event Architect, builder, or engineer: Architectural Style: Queen Anne Area of Significance: Architecture Period of Significance: 1900-1924 Owner: Private Historic Function: Social, Meeting Hall Current Function: Commerce,Trade, Specialty Store |
Coykendall LodgeOff Alder Lake Road, HardenberghHistoric Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event Architect, builder, or engineer: (blank) Architectural Style: Bungalow/Craftsman, Shingle Style Area of Significance: Architecture Period of Significance: 1875-1899 Owner: State Historic Function: Domestic, Single Dwelling Current Function: Vacant/Not in Use |
Jewett Presbyterian Church ComplexChurch Street, Jewett
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering Architect, builder, or engineer: (blank) Architectural Style: Greek Revival Area of Significance: Architecture Period of Significance: 1825-1849 Owner: Private Historic Function: Religion, Religious Structure Current Function: Religion, Religious Structure |
District School No. 14Academy Street, South of junction with Birch Creek Rd, Pine Hill
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering Architect, builder, or engineer: Architectural Style: Colonial Revival Area of Significance: Education, Architecture Period of Significance: 1825-1849 Owner: Local Government Historic Function: Education, School Current Function: Education, School |
Frank D. Layman MemorialNear Kaateskill Falls, Hunter
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering Architect, builder, or engineer: Architectural Style: Area of Significance: Architecture Period of Significance: 1900-1924 Owner: State/Local Government Historic Function: Recreation, Culture, Monument/ Marker Current Function: Recreation, Culture, Monument/ Marker |
Elm Street Stone Arch BridgeElm Street, over Alton Creek, Pine HillHistoric Significance: Architecture/Engineering Architect, builder, or engineer: Matthew Thompson Architectural Style: No Style Listed Area of Significance: Engineering Period of Significance: 1900-1924 Owner: Local Government Historic Function: Transportation, Road-related Current Function: Transportation, Road-related |
Lexington House
NYS Rt. 42, Lexington
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event Architect, builder, or engineer: Jerome Campbell Architectural Style: Italianate, Stick/Eastlake Area of Significance: Architecture Period of Significance: 1875-1924 Owner: Private Historic Function: Domestic, Hotel, Secondary Structure Current Function: Vacant/Not in Use, Work in Progress |
Grant Mills Covered BridgeMill Brook Road, over the Mill Brook Hardenburgh
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering Architect, builder, or engineer: Orrin B. Marks, Edgar Marks Architectural Style: No Style Listed Area of Significance: Transportation, Engineering Period of Significance: 1900-1924 Owner: Local Government Historic Function: Transportation, Road-related Current Function: Vacant/Not in Use |
Onteora Park Historic DistrictOnteora Club Property, Hunter
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event Architect, builder, or engineer: Architectural Style: Area of Significance: Community Planning and Development, Social History, Architecture Period of Significance: 1875-1974 Owner: Private Historic Function: Meeting Hall, Multiple Dwelling, Outdoor Recreation, Religious Structure, Single Dwelling Current Function: Domestic, Recreation, Culture, Religion, Social, Ceremonial Site, Meeting Hall, Outdoor Recreation, Religious Structure, Single Dwelling |
Sullivan County Locations: |
Delaware County Locations: |
Aqudas Achim SynagogueRock Avenue, Livingston ManorHistoric Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event Architect, builder, or engineer: Izzy Brooks Architectural Style: Late 19th & 20th Century Revivals Area of Significance: Architecture, Social History Period of Significance: 1900-1924 Owner: Private Historic Function: Religion, Religious Structure Current Function: Religion, Religious Structure
|
Congregation B�nai Israel SynagogueWagner Avenue, Fleischmanns
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering Architect, builder, or engineer: Crosby and Kelly Architectural Style: Area of Significance: Architecture, Social History Period of Significance: 1900-1924 Owner: Private Historic Function: Religion, Religious Structure Current Function: Religion, Religious Structure |
Dundas Castle (Craig-E-Clair)
Berry Brook Road, Roscoe
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering Architect, builder, or engineer: (blank) Architectural Style: Late 19th & 20th Century Revivals Area of Significance: Social History, Architecture Period of Significance: 1900-1924 Owner: Private Historic Function: Domestic, Camp, Secondary Structure, Single Dwelling Current Function: Vacant/Not in Use |
District 10 SchoolNYS Rt. 28, South of Margaretville
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering Architect, builder, or engineer: Architectural Style: No Style Listed Area of Significance: Education, Arthitecture Period of Significance: 1850-1874 Owner: Local Government Historic Function: Education, School Current Function: Recreation, Culture, Museum |
Grahamsville Historic DistrictNYS Rt. 55, Grahamsville
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event Architect, builder, or engineer: Unknown Architectural Style: Gothic Revival, Italianate, Greek Revival Area of Significance: Landscape Architecture, Industry Period of Significance: 1800-1949 Owner: Private Historic Function: Domestic, Religion, Religious Structure, Secondary Structure, Single Dwelling Current Function: Domestic, Religion, Religious Structure, Secondary Structure, Single Dwelling
|
Downsville Covered BridgeBridge Street, Downsville
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering Architect, builder, or engineer: Robert Murray Architectural Style: No Style Listed Area of Significance: Engineering, Transportation Period of Significance: 1850-1874 Owner: Local Government Historic Function: Transportation, Road-related Current Function: Transportation, Road-related |
Levitz Family Farm395 Beaver Dam Road, Grahamsville
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering Architect, builder, or engineer: Architectural Style: No Style Listed Area of Significance: Agriculture, Architecture, Social History Period of Significance: 1900-1974 Owner: Private Historic Function: Agriculture/Subsistence, Domestic, Agricultural Fields, Agricultural Outbuildings, Animal Facility, Processing, Single Dwelling Current Function: Agriculture/Subsistence, Domestic, Agricultural Fields, Agricultural Outbuildings, Animal Facility, Single Dwelling |
Pakatakan Artists Colony Historic DistrictNYS Rt. 28 at junction with Dry Brook Rd,ArkvilleHistoric Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event Architect, builder, or engineer: Unknown Architectural Style: Shingle Style Area of Significance: Art, Architecture Period of Significance: 1875-1949 Owner: Private Historic Function: Domestic, Hotel, Single Dwelling Current Function: Domestic, Vacant/Not in Use, Single Dwelling |
Rockland Mill ComplexPalen Place, Rockland
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering Architect, builder, or engineer: Unknown Architectural Style: No Style Listed Area of Significance: Commerce, Industry, Architecture Period of Significance: 1850-1924 Owner: Private Historic Function: Agriculture/Subsistence, Industry/Processing/Extraction, Domestic, Manufacturing Facility, Single Dwelling Current Function: Domestic, Vacant/Not in Use |
Skene Memorial LibraryMain Street, Old NYS Rt. 28, Fleischmanns
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event Architect, builder, or engineer: H. G. Emory, M. L. Crosby, Kelly Architectural Style: Shingle Style Area of Significance: Social History, Architecture Period of Significance: 1900-1924 Owner: Local Government Historic Function: Education, Library Current Function: Education, Library |
Roscoe Presbyterian Church and Westfield Flats CemeteryOld NYS Rt. 17, Roscoe
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event Architect, builder, or engineer: Architectural Style: Late Victorian Area of Significance: Exploration/Settlement, Architecture, Social History Period of Significance: 1800-1949 Owner: Private Historic Function: Funerary, Religion, Cemetery, Religious Structure Current Function: Funerary, Religion, Cemetery, Religious Structure |
Van Benschoten House and Guest HouseMargaretville Mountain Road, MargaretvilleHistoric Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event Architect, builder, or engineer: Architectural Style: Queen Anne Area of Significance: Architecture, Entertainment/ Recreation Period of Significance: 1850-1949 Owner: Private Historic Function: Domestic, Hotel, Single Dwelling Current Function: Domestic, Hotel, Single Dwelling |
|
