The Catskills is one of the most adventurous regions in the United States. Everything needed to enjoy an exciting outdoor vacation is located in this region, from exciting hiking trails to gorgeous waterfalls and scenic lakes. Its proximity to the city also means one can easily visit on the weekend and spend some time in nature. For starters, here are some adventurous things in the Catskills that are enough to make one visit.
10 Kaaterskill Falls
There are dozens of waterfalls in the Catskills, but the Kaaterskill Falls surpasses many of them in height and scenery. Located in Hunter, this is the tallest waterfall in New York at the height of 79 m (260 feet). It features two cascades and a surrounding lush forest which makes the waterfall more scenic, especially during fall. Kaaterskill Falls is also one of the oldest attractions in the country, which means there is also some interesting American history surrounding the waterfall. A long hike is required to see all the scenery this waterfall has to offer, and hikers must be wary of the loose rocks while engaging on this hike.
9 Slide Mountain
Slide Mountain is the tallest mountain in the Catskills region, with a height of 2,957 m. Due to its towering peak, the Mountain has been a popular place for hiking for a long time. From the peak of the mountain, the view of the Catskills region is amazing and worth the challenge posed by the five-mile hike that leads to the elevated height. Besides, the trail is also scenic and full of tall trees with beautiful leaves that turn rustic and colorful during Fall.
8 Minisink Battlefield County Park
It’s hard to think that the location for one of the fiercest battles in American history is now such a beautiful park surrounded by hundreds of trees filled with blooming leaves. A tangible proof that there can be great peace after a great conflict. Just to shed more light on the history of this place, this park was the venue for the only revolutionary war that took place in the Upper Delaware area, which saw the death of up to 50 American soldiers. Although the park is only 57 acres, it has several interesting and historic things one can see while hiking around.
7 North-South Lake Campground
Camping is one of the must-do activities in the Catskills, and there’s no better place to enjoy this experience than the North-South Lake Campground. It is the largest campground in the region, and visitors here will have lots of amazing places to spend time in nature and enjoy activities such as - fishing, kayaking, hiking, canoeing, and other exciting activities the area has to offer.
6 Windham Mountain
The Catskills is not just a place to enjoy scenic hiking trails. It’s also a place to enjoy skiing and snowmobiling, and Windham Mountain offers one of the best ski resorts in this region. The ski resort is located in the town of Windham, and it features 54 trails and up to 285 skiable acres. In addition, the ski resort offers 12 lifts and an onsite restaurant and rises to an elevation of 3,100 feet.
5 Catskills Scenic Trail
The Catskills is a place of natural beauty and scenery, but one has to be in the right places to witness this mesmerizing view. One such place is the Catskills Scenic Trail, and just like its name, this well-maintained trail is full of scenery and a long adventure as it stretches for up to 20 miles through the most scenic parts of upstate New York.
4 Laid-Back Towns
The hustle and bustle of city life can be overwhelming, but the Catskills always offer an escape. Besides the numerous camping spots and the exciting hiking trails, the small towns in this region are the perfect places to enjoy some isolation. Many of these laid-back towns feature the perfect atmosphere one needs to unwind and relieve some stress from city life. Besides offering a relaxing atmosphere, these towns also feature interesting attractions and exciting history to keep visitors entertained.
3 Delaware River
Floating on the water, either kayaking or canoeing is one of the exciting activities one can do in the Catskills, and the Delaware River offers the perfect stage for these adventures. This activity can be done on the east and west branch of the river, although the east branch offers a more relaxing experience.
2 Alder Lake Park
Alder Lake is one of the parks offering exciting outdoor activities in the Catskills. Its calm and scenic lake offers lots of adventures from kayaking to fishing, and there are also several miles of hiking trails as well as campgrounds with scenery and some amenities.
1 Balsam Lake Mountain
Balsam Lake Mountain is one of the mountains in the Catskills where one can enjoy a scenic and exciting outdoor adventure. The mountain is located in Hardenburgh, and those visiting will enjoy the scenic trails as well as 360-degree views of the Catskills region from the fire tower, as well as sights of animals.