THE GREAT OUTDOORS IN THE CATSKILLS

By Jeff Senterman

Summer in the Catskills is one of the most magical times of the year, and August is about as summer as it gets! Whether you are enjoying a hike, tackling some single track on your mountain bike, exploring our towns and villages, or taking a swim in one of our legal swimming holes, the Catskills are an awesome summer destination. In August though, a lush green carpet of trees, ferns and other plants are laid out across the mountains and ready for you to enjoy. Plus the warmer temperatures make just about any outdoor activities in the mountains perfect! Hot summer days with cool evenings make this the perfect time to be in the Catskills.

When on the trails and visiting popular locations, Catskill Stewards managed by the Catskill Center will greet you, while volunteers from the Catskill Center’s Fire Tower Project will welcome you to the Catskill Park’s six fire towers and their amazing vistas. Maybe you want to strike out on your own adventure, then consider signing up for the Catskills Adventure Challenge! There’s no limit to the adventures and fun you can find across the mountains this time of the year.

August is also the time of fresh farm produce. So be sure to stop at a farm stand, enjoy the Catskills, be sure to take advantage of all that the region has to offer, and shop local!

Don’t Forget: Permits are Needed to Visit Peekamoose Blue Hole!

The Blue Hole is a day-use area and a permit is required for all visitors to the Peekamoose Blue Hole and the entire nearby Peekamoose Valley Riparian Corridor along the Rondout Creek, including campers, picknickers, hikers, and anglers everyday between May 15 and September 15 of each year.

Permits are $10, and must be acquired at least 24 hours in advance, but no more than a week in advance. Only advance registrations will be accepted. No walk-in registrations are available. Permits must list the names of all members of the visiting party when making the registration. Names can be changed up to one day in advance. Each permit will be linked to a vehicle, and the permit must be displayed on/in the vehicle. Permits can be acquired from Reserve America at newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com.

For more information on the Peekamoose Blue Hole and Riparian Corridor permits, please call the Catskills Visitor Center at 845 688 3369.

Updated Catskill Park Trail Conditions

Local recreational opportunities are always changing in the Catskill Park, and by visiting the Catskills Visitor Center’s Trail Conditions blog, you can stay on top of those changes. Staff at the Visitor Center are regularly posting updates related to the Catskill Park, Catskill trails, Catskill campgrounds and camping, Catskill boating, and more at catskillsvisitorcenter.org/trail.

New Guide to Solar Facility Development Released

The Catskill Center for Conservation and Development is pleased to announce the release of its Guide to Solar Facility Development for Local Governments in the Catskills. This comprehensive document aims to support local governments in navigating the complexities of solar facility development while preserving the region’s unique environmental, cultural, and economic resources.

Guided by the Catskill Center’s Advocacy & Policy Committee, and prepared by Community Planning & Environmental Associates, the guide addresses the dual imperative of advancing renewable energy goals while maintaining the integrity of the Catskills. It provides in-depth information, strategies, and best practices to help local governments balance these priorities.

“Moving toward solar and other forms of alternative energy is essential and inevitable. Preserving the character of our local towns and scenic vistas is equally important. Navigating these imperatives is no easy task for local officials. We hope that this guide will help them with this difficult assignment,” said Claude Shostal, Chair of the Catskill Center Board of Director’s Advocacy & Policy Committee.

The guide includes an overview of the current solar development landscape, driven by New York State’s clean energy goals and the Catskills’ potential for solar energy generation. It examines the economic and environmental benefits of solar development alongside potential challenges such as land use and habitat disruption. Guidance is offered on navigating solar energy regulations and zoning considerations, with practical recommendations for sustainable siting and environmental protection. The guide also provides strategies for involving communities in the planning process, ensuring transparency, and aligning projects with local values and conservation goals.

The guide provides local governments with practical steps to conduct comprehensive solar capacity assessments, develop or refine zoning laws and permitting processes tailored to solar development, implement best management practices to mitigate potential adverse environmental impacts, and leverage state initiatives and resources to support solar energy adoption.

“We’re grateful to be able to provide this guide to local governments across the Catskills to help them navigate what is often a challenging landscape of competing priorities,” said Jeff Senterman, Executive Director of the Catskill Center. “Solar energy adoption is key to a carbon free future, but just as important is the thoughtful siting and review of these projects within the unique mix of natural, cultural, and economic resources here in the Catskills.”

Catskill Center’s Hike for the Catskills Kicks Off August 1

Get ready for a summer hiking challenge and help preserve the Catskills as the Catskill Center celebrates its annual Hike for the Catskills. The four-week challenge involves setting a campaign goal and then hitting the trails.

“From practically unlimited vistas from our highest mountain peaks, to the immersive forest solitude in our remote creek valleys, the Catskills have a plethora of beautiful areas to explore and enjoy. With Hike for the Catskills, it is our sincere hope that folks take the time to enjoy our mountains and trails in a respectful way,” said Jeff Senterman, Executive Director of the Catskill Center. “Hike for the Catskills is the perfect way to blend outdoor recreation, exploration of our amazing forever wild Catskill Park, and raising funds for the Catskill Center to do the important work of protecting our beautiful Catskills.”

Hike for the Catskills is an opportunity to explore natural beauty and help us protect critical Catskills habitats, keep our land and waters wild, and advocate for our communities and the Catskill Park. We aim to raise $20,000 with this event. Register at hikeforthecatskills.com.

Catskill Center’s New Hiking Challenge Showcases The Catskills’ Hidden Treasures

The Catskill Center and the Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center, are thrilled to announce the Catskills Adventure Challenge. This unique challenge offers outdoor enthusiasts a fresh and exciting opportunity to explore the Catskill Mountains while fulfilling their passion for adventure.

Inspired by the success of the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge, the Catskills Adventure Challenge provides new goals for those who have already reached the Catskills’ six iconic fire towers. It is designed to offer both new and seasoned hikers a unique set of objectives that highlight the beauty and diversity of the Catskill Mountains.

“With more than 300,000 acres of public Forest Preserve lands in the Catskill Park alone, the variety of hiking opportunities and experiences are practically endless for visitors and residents alike, and many folks never get to the majority of those areas,” said Jeff Senterman, Executive Director of the Catskill Center. “I’m hopeful that the Catskills Adventure Challenge will help everyone explore our beautiful mountains, learn about Leave No Trace Principles and Responsible Recreation, and stop to enjoy our many communities on their way to these hikes.”

The Catskills Adventure Challenge invites participants to embark on eight carefully selected hikes that showcase the region’s breathtaking landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and rich history. To complete the challenge, participants must finish six of these eight hikes, providing flexibility and variety to suit all levels of experience and interest. Participation in the challenge is straightforward and rewarding.

Guides with detailed information about each hike are available at the Catskills Visitor Center or via the official challenge website at catskillsadventurechallenge.com.

Upon completing the hikes, participants are asked to compile a log of their adventures, including details of the six trails completed. Adding a personal touch to the submission, participants are encouraged to include a favorite photo from the challenge. Submissions should be made via the convenient online form available on the official challenge website.

All who complete the challenge will receive a special Catskills Adventure Challenge patch, symbolizing their adventurous spirit and lasting connection to the stunning Catskills wilderness.

“The Catskills Adventure Challenge is envisioned as a series of guides created to introduce participants to the recreational and cultural opportunities in the Catskills,” said Katie Palm, Director of the Catskills Visitor Center. “This region abounds with hikes, breathtaking views, diverse flora and fauna, art spaces, history museums, and many other opportunities. The inaugural challenge focuses on hikes, but eventually, there will be many different themes and more challenges to choose from. Pick the Catskills Adventure that matches your interest or try something new!”

Whether a seasoned hiker seeking a new challenge or a newcomer eager to explore the natural beauty of the Catskills, the Catskills Adventure Challenge offers the perfect opportunity to connect with nature, test limits, and create unforgettable memories.

Visit the Catskill Park’s Visitor Center

Located at 5096 Route 28 in Mount Tremper, the Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center (CVC), is the official visitor center for the Catskill Park. The CVC is open every day from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. Visitors can get their Catskill questions answered in person, receive tourism literature, and make purchases at the CVC’s shop that includes hiking maps, regional books, and much more. CVC staff are also available to answer questions about the Catskills and the Catskill Park via email at info@catskillcenter.org or phone at 845 688 3369.

In addition, there are 1.5 miles of trails on the CVC’s grounds, including the 0.5 mile ADA accessible Interpretive Loop Trail, which are open to the public daily. The 80-foot tall Upper Esopus Fire Tower is also open daily to visitors, offering unrivaled views of the surrounding mountains and Esopus Creek valley. Picnic tables and a covered pavilion are available on site for those who wish to enjoy a picnic lunch.

Visitors can visit the CVC on the web at catskillsvisitorcenter.org, the CVC’s Facebook page at facebook.com/catskillsvisitorcenter, and the CVC on Instagram at @catskills.visitor.center.

Catskills Hiking Guides with the Hiker Trash Husbands on YouTube and the Web

Looking to explore the trails of the Catskills (and beyond) before you hit the trail? My husband and I have a YouTube channel showcasing our hiking adventures in the Catskills and beyond! You can find The Hiker Trash Husbands on YouTube at www. youtube.com/thehikertrashhusbands. If you’re in the Catskills and have cable provided by MTC, you can catch our videos on CatskillsAir, MTC Channel 1.

For the two of us, The Hiker Trash Husbands is not only a way to show friends and family our hiking adventures, but an effort to provide positive LGBTQ+ representation in the hiking world. We love to showcase our own hiking adventures, along with other queer outdoors folks. You can learn more about our efforts, along with detailed hike descriptions and guides, by visiting our website at hikertrashhusbands.com.

Catskill Park Advisory Committee

The Catskill Park Advisory Committee (CPAC) was established to facilitate communication within the Park and consists of representatives from local governments and organizations chaired by the Catskill Center. Meetings are held quarterly and are open to the public. If you’d like to learn more, join the mailing list or attend the next meeting, please email the Catskill Center at at cccd@catskillcenter. org with CPAC in the subject asking to be added to the mailing list.

Give Back to the Catskills

The natural beauty, the majesty of the mountains, the protection of the Catskill Forest Preserve, the region’s natural and cultural resources, all need your help! By supporting the work of the Catskill Center, you support: stewardship of our Catskill Park and its vast natural resources; the Center’s collaborative spirit as we convene, create partnerships and facilitate discussions that benefit the region; and the Center’s work to support education, arts and culture throughout the Catskills.

To support the work of the Catskill Center, become a member online through their website at catskillcenter.org/donate or donate by mail: Checks made out to the “Catskill Center” can be mailed to Catskill Center, PO Box 504, Arkville, NY 12406.

Jeff Senterman is the Executive Director of the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development in Arkville, NY, a member of the Board of Directors for the American Hiking Society, the Catskill Watershed Corporation and the Central Catskills Chamber of Commerce. Jeff graduated with a degree in Environmental Science from Lyndon State College and worked for many years as an Environmental Planner in New England before coming back to New York and the Catskills in the nonprofit sector. To learn more about the work of the Catskill Center in the Catskills, visit catskillcenter.org.