Great visit to Kaaterskill Falls on Wednesday, October 7, 2026…read more Decided to visit mid-week to avoid the crowds as it approached peak fall colors...I think October 7th was a bit too early...another week or so would have been better for colors. I have read that the Main Trailhead Lot (Laurel House Road), closest to the waterfall trails, fills up quickly during the fall. I arrived there at 8:30am and was the 9th car in the 40-50-capacity parking lot. When I left at 11:30am, the lot was full and staff was routing visiting from the main road (North Lake Road) to the Scutt Road parking lot...which is a bit further away from the falls. Once parked, the fall viewing platform was a short 0.1 mile walk. It offers some lovely views of the falls from higher up. From there, the walk to the lower falls was about 0.5 miles, but be advised that there are lots of steps (over 300) to get from the top of the falls to the bottom of the falls. You can walk even further from the base of the falls, along Spruce Creek, toward Route 23A and you will get to Bastion Falls. Since I arrived earlier, there were too many people on the trails...which made picture-taking a lot easier. I suspect the crowds increase as the area approached peak fall colors and on the weekends...so plan accordingly. The falls were great...I actually preferred the lower falls viewing area, for its consistent lighting and heavier waterfall flow. The upper was very high but the flow wasn't as heavy. The park is well-maintained with efficient trail marking and directional signage throughout. Free to park and enter the park/waterfall area. Port a potties in parking lot...are as clean as you can expect from a popular public parking port a potty.

Be prepared, the trail down to the falls is very long and while its quite easy going down ,getting…read moreback up is a definitely a treck. It's so worth it though. If however you decide not to go down to the bottom, there is a viewing platform . The waterfall pressure/flow can vary depending on when you visit. Heavy after rain or less during the summer months. Swimming is allowed in the basin , the water is cold . The fall and parking are free in designated parking lots. There was a porta potty in tje lot we parked in. Not sure if there's one in each parking lot though. Don't park anywhere along the roads as you will get ticketed and/or towed. Arrive early aa the parking lots fill up quickly, especially on weekends. Personally I wouldn't do this trail on a rainy day especially if you're a beginner. Lots of stepping stones that can be slippery when wet. Other than that it's one of the most beautiful trails I've been on.

This place is absolutely amazing! I've hiked all the Catskills mountains three times over through…read morethe years and I had never been to overlook because there was no reason to but I had heard so much about this location I just had to visit and satisfy my curiosity on why this place is so popular. First off the parking lot is medium sized and parking on the road (even off the road) is risky because certain spots you are not allowed to park so arrive early, get a legit parking spot and save yourself the wasted trip or the hassle of returning to your vehicle to a ticket or it completely gone (towed). The hike up and back for Overlook is approximately 5 miles so everyone is spot on mentioning the distance. It's fairly steep all the way up and while you don't have any views on the way up, you do encounter some old ruins which is a neat break along the way. Once you do make it to the top you are met with a small shed that has some very minor historical information inside and on peak weekends you'll find stewards that can assist with information about the area and hiking tips. The fire tower can't be missed to the left after the small shed and the view is to the right of the shed. I have to say, I've been atop many mountains and it's been a long while since I've had my breath taken away but when I saw the view at Overlook it was breath taking. What made the view so beautiful and different than other mountains I've hiked is that the view is expansive with no mountains obstructing so you can see as far as the eyes can see. It's truly a remarkable view being so high up and seeing so far out. This mountain is known for its rattlesnake population. Sadly I never got to see one because I always hike in the early morning hours and they normally come out at around high noon when the sun is the hottest.

Hiking is definitely a love-hate relationship! This mountain goes UP--and I mean all the way up…read more There are barely any flat or straight sections, so you're constantly climbing, weaving around corners, and then going back down just to do it all over again. I had to take frequent breaks to catch my breath because the climb was no joke. And honestly, the tower was probably the scariest part for me. The views from the top were absolutely beautiful, but I had to go up quickly and come back down just as fast because my fear was kicking in! Before tackling the mountain, we also walked a different trail, which was already exhausting. So by the time we started the climb, my legs were definitely feeling it. But once you finally reach the ruins and the tower, it all feels worth it. The scenery and views are honestly incredible, and it's such a beautiful place to see. Just be prepared: before you reach the top, you may question every life decision that brought you there!

This is a well under rated waterfall hike in the Catskill…read more We mistaken took the Overlook trail thinking that there is a "overlook" for the waterfall. I was wrong. We did found some stone made into chairs on one of the walk out. That was really cool. Took a little break there and enjoyed the cool wind. Was nice. After finding out that there was no Overlook to yhe waterfall, we head back to the start and took a left this time, the Waterfall trail. It was a ln easy hike down. A good 5-10 minutes down. If it rained before, it could be a messy down as the trail is not paved. It is a little slope down as well but not that bad. We stayed there for a long time enjoying the waterfall cause there was really not alot if people and after at last we actually had the waterfall to ourselves. Though the parking lot was small. You just basically pull your car over to the side. Just try to avoid the "No Parking" signs and you good to go. I pick this waterfall to go then the Kaaterskill as it's very crowed and there was a wait to park to car.

A group of sister friends and I decided to do a hike to Huckleberry point. There are many trails…read moreas you can see in my first photo ( more in other parts of the park). It took us an an hour from the Latham area it was a great drive down the Thruway on to 87 and we exitEd on to exit 21 from there you have to pay attention to the go's because there is a number of twist and turns. Parking is a bear. The parking lot is small and not enough room for all of the hikers. A number of drivers had to park on the side of the road. You have to be careful because drivers on that stretch of Platte Clove Road are driving quite fast. The climb is up most of the way and narrows and the elevation from the parking lot to the top is 644 ft. It gets quite muddy in spots and you have to cross a creek so waterproof hiking boots are recommended. There are many spots where there are steady inclines so you have to be prepared for that. The beauty of the park and nature was beautifully overwhelming for me yesterday. The many cascading waterfalls and the sounds of nature were refreshing and peaceful. You need to bring water and fuel for the ascending and descending. I'm looking forward to my next hike. You need to be carefully looking for the trail markers. There were spots you really had to search for them when the path wasn't as obvious. The park need to put a bit more in.

This is a nice place to walk, with a few loops- one very short which goes past the bigger waterfall…read moreTo the Hudson. It's good if you don't have much time. It's also usually well traveled enough even in winter. The other trail is about a 45 min walk-up and down- part is a gentle dirt road by some fields, the rest is a fairly narrow trail along the river that climbs a bit. Dogs must be on a leash, buts a nice place to walk with your dog.

Falling waters is a good, easy going trail for novices and walkers. Located off 9W, it's pretty…read moreeasy to get to. As the name would suggest, there's a few small waterfalls along both ends of the trail which are pretty and good for kids. Rainfall has been be decent for them to really be going, and even at their heaviest they're not too crazy (this is not Kaaterskill). It's also right on the Hudson River, so you get good views too. If you want just a quick walk or you have a stroller, the way down to the water is the way to go (yes, you still get the obligatory waterfall). If you take the longer path, you get the bigger waterfall, sweeping views of the Hudson, and also steep up/down hills along the water. Either way this should take terribly long and isn't far from civilization, so it's a good option for families.

What a gem. Lovely views, so many birds, charming gazebo, beautiful pond. Mowed paths are well…read more-maintained (though currently drenched after this crazy spring). The maps at each intersection are fabulous! Would love to have more places be that easy to navigate. Thank you!

The property was beautiful and the walking paths were well carved out. The gazebo was a nice touch.read more

I generally don't find myself deep into the Catskills, until yesterday, but boy was I psyched when…read moreI stopped in for a moment to take a picture or two. Going in, all I could think about was the Catskill Mountains seen in the background and just how high I was. Sitting on top of that mountain (inside my car, that is; I wouldn't be dumb enough to do it any other way), is this mountain range with State land and great photo-op spot. When I saw the deep gorge followed by huge mountain in back of that, all my mind could think about (and I don't advise anyone trying this) is "has anyone ever thrown something intentionally off the ledge into the gorge, just to see how deep it is?" I had noticed a few pieces leading up to the placard explaining the park, but otherwise, no problems exist. Although I never really had a problem with parking, it's only a small park and ride spot over on the side of the road. However, when I got there, I got the best view in the house; I had a nice clear view of the Catskills in front of me, though trying to take a pic, I had to exit my car (due to the nature of my type of picture being iPhone-Panoramic. It's still a great view. I just wouldn't have the guts to head to the placue except for on my iPhone's camera and can read about it online instead. Thanks.

This was my first hike in NY State. The day was perfect. It was mostly flat with a bit of steep…read moreareas. We stopped to see the falls but there want much "falls". We got to an area that has the natural pool, but the water was freezing. There were loads of families, enjoying their food and of course quality time. I'd definitely do this hike again.

Really perfect spot for a November walk; gravely trails so no worries about ticks or twisting an…read moreankle in a rabbit hole. Stunning views. Well maintained and map available. No bathrooms so go somewhere before you arrive or take the risk behind a tree. Seem to be some lax dog owners around today though; could you at least kick the piles off the trail???

We had never been here despite living in this area forever. We took a picnic lunch and the kids(4…read moreand 8.) The blue trail is a nice easy walk, flat with a well maintained gravel walkway. It looks like the green trail is a bit more challenging but we didn't check that out. Beautiful fields of wildflowers teem with monarch butterflies and giant dragonflies. The mountains lurk blue in the distance. Lovely wooden benches dot the trail and one sits near a nice overlook. There's a beautiful gazebo and a picnic shelter perfect for lunching.

Excellent place to hike…read more 1) We did a two car -- end to end hike. 2) We did the Windham High Peak, then went to the Burnt Knob and Acra Point. 3) The views were unbelievable.

The Burnt Knob Loop leads to the summit of Windham High Peak with a gorgeous view, roughly ~7 miles…read moreof hike with beautiful scenery all around. The loop is a bit of a misnomer since the hiking trail itself connects two separate trail heads via two parking lots. One side of the trail shares a parking lot with the trail to Blackhead mountain summit and the two trails goes in separate directions at about 1 mile into the hike. The connection between the two hikes allows one to extend either trail further. We didn't go to the blackhead trail, since it was marked to be difficult to very difficult. The burnt knob loop was a moderate hike, we parked our car at the parking lot shared with blackhead trail and the roundtrip to and from the summit (~3.5 mile) took about 4.5 hours with breaks for lunch on top of the Peak. The trail itself was well designed and very enjoyable, offering numerous view points with spectacular views of mountains and the grassland below. The trail markers are very clearly defined from one to the other, and instead of having continuous steep elevation, it interchanges between longer periods of flat trails and short intervals of arduous elevated trails. It was almost like interval training! This really modulates the pace of the hike, after heart pounding climbs, there are enough time to recover with a period of easy going trails. There are many view points along this trail leading up to the summit, which offers very different and beautiful views. At the summit, the shadows of the clouds on the fields and the beautiful flat grasslands with side views of mountains are absolutely stunning, we spent a lot time lazying around here before heading back down. Highly recommended to all nature lovers looking for some great hike with beautiful views!