This interactive map shows the elevation of the Catskill Park, broken up into 500 foot intervals. The Catskill Park ranges from a portion near Kingston that is less then 500 feet above sea level to the high peaks region where a few weeks exceed 4,000 feet.
Data Source: Digital Elevation Models created by NYSDOT, converted to ranges using Reclassify by Table, then Polygonize Tool, then simplified using v.generalize.
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There are 66 back-country campsites currently digitized by the NYS DEC in the Catskill Forest Preserve. For use with your GPS, the latitude and longitude have been listed below, sorted by Forest Preserve unit. Additional campsites exist, and some have been heads-up digitized by myself on other maps found on this site, however due to in-exact location they have not been included on this list but are shown on the above map. Additionally, see this state-wide listing of lean-tos and interactive map of dispersed, primitive and roadside campsites across the state.
| Forest Preserve Unit | Campsite | Office | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Indian Wilderness | Rider Hollow Campsite | New Paltz, Region 3 | 42.10163,-74.51719 |
| Colgate Lake Wild Forest | Campsite | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.23919,-74.12405 |
| Colgate Lake Wild Forest | Campsite | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.23917,-74.12235 |
| Colgate Lake Wild Forest | Campsite | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.23964,-74.12338 |
| Colgate Lake Wild Forest | Campsite | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.23958,-74.12268 |
| Colgate Lake Wild Forest | Campsite | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.24121,-74.11467 |
| Colgate Lake Wild Forest | Campsite | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.24112,-74.11676 |
| Colgate Lake Wild Forest | Colgate Lake ADA Primitive Campsite | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.23938,-74.12045 |
| Crystal Lake Wild Forest | Crystal Lake Campsite 1 | New Paltz, Region 3 | 41.86922,-75.02342 |
| Crystal Lake Wild Forest | Crystal Lake Campsite 10 | New Paltz, Region 3 | 41.87308,-75.02943 |
| Crystal Lake Wild Forest | Crystal Lake Campsite 11 | New Paltz, Region 3 | 41.8759,-75.02821 |
| Crystal Lake Wild Forest | Crystal Lake Campsite 3 | New Paltz, Region 3 | 41.86903,-75.02405 |
| Crystal Lake Wild Forest | Crystal Lake Campsite 4 | New Paltz, Region 3 | 41.86889,-75.02458 |
| Crystal Lake Wild Forest | Crystal Lake Campsite 5 | New Paltz, Region 3 | 41.86931,-75.02463 |
| Crystal Lake Wild Forest | Crystal Lake Campsite 6 | New Paltz, Region 3 | 41.86955,-75.02504 |
| Crystal Lake Wild Forest | Crystal Lake Campsite 7 | New Paltz, Region 3 | 41.87026,-75.0262 |
| Crystal Lake Wild Forest | Crystal Lake Campsite 8 | New Paltz, Region 3 | 41.87044,-75.02649 |
| Crystal Lake Wild Forest | Crystal Lake Campsite 9 | New Paltz, Region 3 | 41.87097,-75.02645 |
| Delaware Wild Forest | ADA Primitive Campsite | Stamford, Region 4 | 41.99649,-74.93796 |
| Delaware Wild Forest | Campsite | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.01243,-74.82313 |
| Delaware Wild Forest | Campsite | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.04316,-74.80916 |
| Delaware Wild Forest | Campsite | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.04023,-74.80933 |
| Delaware Wild Forest | Campsite 1 | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.04385,-74.72643 |
| Delaware Wild Forest | Campsite 10 | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.04515,-74.72231 |
| Delaware Wild Forest | Campsite 11 | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.04597,-74.722 |
| Delaware Wild Forest | Campsite 12 | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.04995,-74.72074 |
| Delaware Wild Forest | Campsite 13 | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.04971,-74.72366 |
| Delaware Wild Forest | Campsite 2 | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.04377,-74.72538 |
| Delaware Wild Forest | Campsite 3 | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.04328,-74.72424 |
| Delaware Wild Forest | Campsite 4 | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.04206,-74.72564 |
| Delaware Wild Forest | Campsite 5 | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.0423,-74.72527 |
| Delaware Wild Forest | Campsite 6 | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.04145,-74.72518 |
| Delaware Wild Forest | Campsite 8 | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.04297,-74.72591 |
| Delaware Wild Forest | Campsite 9 ADA | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.04334,-74.72598 |
| Delaware Wild Forest | Primitive Campsite | Stamford, Region 4 | 41.99624,-74.94371 |
| Delaware Wild Forest | Primitive Campsite | Stamford, Region 4 | 41.99585,-74.94107 |
| Delaware Wild Forest | Primitive Campsite | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.00052,-74.94268 |
| Delaware Wild Forest | Primitive Campsite | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.00623,-74.94263 |
| Delaware Wild Forest | Primitive Campsite | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.01187,-74.94557 |
| Delaware Wild Forest | Primitive Campsite | Stamford, Region 4 | 41.99636,-74.96218 |
| Delaware Wild Forest | Primitive Campsite | Stamford, Region 4 | 41.99457,-74.95989 |
| Delaware Wild Forest | Primitve Campsite | Stamford, Region 4 | 41.99916,-74.95874 |
| Diamond Notch Primitive Bicycle Corridor | Primitive Campsite | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.16844,-74.25743 |
| Hunter-West Kill Wilderness | Primitive Campsite 1 | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.18875,-74.24009 |
| Hunter-West Kill Wilderness | Primitive Campsite 2 | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.18883,-74.23982 |
| Hunter-West Kill Wilderness | Primitive Campsite 3 | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.18856,-74.23974 |
| Indian Head Wilderness | Campsite 1 | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.09804,-74.08922 |
| Indian Head Wilderness | Campsite 2 | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.09688,-74.08913 |
| Indian Head Wilderness | Campsite 3 | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.096,-74.09069 |
| Indian Head Wilderness | Campsite 4 | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.09664,-74.0921 |
| Indian Head Wilderness | Campsite 5 | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.09727,-74.09231 |
| Indian Head Wilderness | Campsite 6 | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.09828,-74.09165 |
| Indian Head Wilderness | Campsite 7 | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.0985,-74.09123 |
| Indian Head Wilderness | Primitive Campsite | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.13464,-74.16232 |
| Indian Head Wilderness | Primitive Campsite 1 | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.13514,-74.16196 |
| Sundown Wild Forest | ADA Trailer Field Campsite | New Paltz, Region 3 | 41.91688,-74.43558 |
| Sundown Wild Forest | ADA Trailer Field Campsite | New Paltz, Region 3 | 41.91683,-74.43548 |
| Sundown Wild Forest | Kanape Brrok By Fer Field Campsite | New Paltz, Region 3 | 41.93334,-74.32539 |
| Sundown Wild Forest | Trails End Campsite | New Paltz, Region 3 | 41.884,-74.35998 |
| Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness | Campsite | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.27589,-74.10103 |
| Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness | Campsite | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.27605,-74.1011 |
| Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness | Campsite | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.27632,-74.09992 |
| Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness | Campsite | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.27064,-74.11374 |
| Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness | Campsite | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.27042,-74.11397 |
| Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness | Elm Ridge 1 | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.306,-74.17393 |
| Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness | Elm Ridge 2 | Stamford, Region 4 | 42.306,-74.17369 |
I had no idea there was a Nazi summer camp in Windham, NY for young German-Americans during the 1930s.
This was last night, but pretty cool I think ...
On Sunday, February 21, 2010 I got up at 5 AM and started out on the Spruceton Horse Trail to Hunter Mountain around 8 AM. Previously I went up Hunter Mountain using the much steeper Mink Hollow Trail, which in a couple of parts would be challenging to snowshoe for a novice like myself. The Spruceton Trail is 3.5 miles and an accent of 1,900 feet versus Mink Hollow Trail at 2.1 miles and 2,200 feet accent.
Here I am starting up the mountain, with trail-less high peak Rusk Mountain in the distance.
The Old Hunter Road (abandoned 1937) is straight, wide, and modest ascent. With the sun rising, I had issues with snow blindness, but it offered some interesting broken views of West Kill Mountain in the background.
About half-way up the Mountain, you reach the “saddle” between Rusk and Hunter Mountain. After snowshoeing for a little over an hour, with this sign telling you there is 1.7 miles to go, an accent of 1,100 feet is a bit discouraging, but so be it.
After about 2 hours of snowshoeing I reached the spring. The past half hour of hiking, from the saddle up to the spring, may not be a long distance at 1/2 mile, it is a vigrous but not not steep 500 foot ascent by an old but wide abandoned truck trail.
The AMC’s Best Day Hikes in the Catskills and Hudson Valley suggests that one has to be careful with drinking out of this spring, because thirsty horseback riders sometimes bring their horses back to give them a drink too, ignoring the sign.
Going a little bit farther past the spring, you come across the trail down to the John Robb Lean To. About 1/4 mile and 100 feet below the Spruceton Trail, after going a narrow little rock crevice, there is the Spruceton Leanto.
From the Lean To, it’s approximately 1 mile to the Hunter Fire Tower. The next mile is either flat or a slight ascent, until you reach the last 1/4 mile of the trail where is ascent quickly with switchbacks, but again, not steeply.
Finally after about 4 1/2 hours of snowshoeing (including breaks and taking photos), I reached the Hunter Mountain Fire Tower. By now it had clouded up, and it reminds one of a picture out of a movie.
It felt good to get the snowshoes off, stop, and have some lunch for an extended break.
Looking North off the Fire Tower towards the Catskills famous TriMount-range aka Thomas Cole, Black Dome, and Black Head Mountains.
To the due east one can see Catskill’s Sunset Point, the upper Hudson Valley near Catskill, and in the distance, the Taconics, including the other Sunset Point in the Taconic State Park.
It was frigid on the fire tower with the winds blowing. Off the tower it wasn’t quite so bad. After spending a little time relaxing at the picnic table, and putting another layer of clothes on, I headed south along the blue trail to the Hunter Mountain Overlook which overlooks the South-Western Catskills.
Reaching the Hunter Mountain Overlook, the views where quite amazing, showing mountains from Mount Tremper to the east to West Kill Mountain in the West.
The saddle between Hunter and West Kill Mountain. It was amazingly beautiful.
After taking half a dozen photos at the Overlook, I headed back to the Fire Tower, and went up it once again. Here I am looking to the North West towards Blenheim Mountain and Schoharie County. The former Hunter Mountain Ranger’s cabin is in the foreground, with a snowboarder who snowshoed with board on back from Hunter Mountain Ski Resort on the balcony.
Here is South Hunter Mountain, looking due South.
Heading back down the trail, looking at Rusk Mountain.
I arrived back to my truck around 4 PM. I was tired, as snowshoeing is a lot more work then hiking. Snowshoes kind of drag on the snow, and the cold just makes everything a bit more tiresome. Yet, the beauty was amazing even at a balmy 22 degrees.
Make sure to browse all of the amazing photos from the hike up there. Also, see my April 12, 2009 trip up to Hunter Mountain via Mink Hollow.
Here is the map of the Spruceton Horse Trail up Hunter Mountain.