What Should I Pack for a Catskills Weekend in Each Season?
The Sullivan Catskills is a place that rewards being prepared. The weather here moves differently than it does in the city: mornings are cooler, evenings arrive with a chill even in summer, and a sunny afternoon can shift into rain by the time you’ve finished your hike. The good news is that packing well isn’t complicated. A few right choices for the season you’re visiting and you’ll be comfortable for whatever the weekend brings.
Here’s what to pack, season by season.
Quick Answer: What to Pack for a Catskills Weekend
Regardless of season, a few things belong in every bag:
- Layers: temperatures shift significantly between morning, afternoon and evening throughout the year
- Comfortable walking shoes or hiking footwear with grip
- Rain gear: a packable jacket or compact umbrella; Catskill weather can change quickly
- Reusable water bottle
- Cash: some farm stands, markets and small local businesses don’t take cards
- Offline maps downloaded before you leave: cell service is limited on back roads and trails
- Insect repellent from late spring through early fall
What to Pack for a Spring Weekend in the Sullivan Catskills
Spring in the Sullivan Catskills is a slow, wet, beautiful unfurling. The hills go green fast once it starts, wildflowers appear along the creek banks, and the trout season opens with serious intent. But spring also means mud, cold mornings and unpredictable rain. Packing for shoulder season means planning for both the cold days and the warm ones.
Spring Clothing
- Waterproof or water-resistant jacket: spring rain is frequent and can be cold
- Fleece or mid-layer: mornings and evenings in avril and mai can drop into the 30s and 40s at elevation
- Long pants and a pair of lighter pants or jeans: temperatures vary day to day
- Moisture-wicking base layers if you plan to hike
- Warm hat and gloves for early spring visits (mars and avril)
- Light sweater or hoodie for mai evenings
Spring Footwear
- Waterproof hiking boots or trail shoes: trails can be muddy and creek crossings are common in spring
- A pair of casual shoes or sneakers for town walking
- Avoid suede or canvas sneakers as your only footwear; mud is a real factor through mai
Spring Extras
- Insect repellent: tick season begins in earnest in avril; check for ticks after any time in tall grass or brush
- Binoculars if you enjoy birding; spring migration peaks in mai across the region
- Fishing license if you plan to fish; the Beaverkill and Willowemoc open for trout season in avril
- Sunscreen: spring sun at elevation is stronger than it looks
What to Pack for a Summer Weekend in the Sullivan Catskills
Summer in the Sullivan Catskills is warm, green and full. The days are long, the swimming holes are cold and clear, and the farmers markets and outdoor events run through the week. It is also the season most likely to catch you off guard: a hot afternoon can turn into a thunderstorm, and the evenings cool down noticeably compared to the city. Pack light but bring layers.
Summer Clothing
- Light, breathable shirts and shorts for warm afternoons
- A long-sleeved layer or light fleece for evenings; summer nights in the Catskills regularly drop into the 50s and 60s even when afternoons hit 80
- Swimsuit and a quick-dry towel: the Delaware River, Basha Kill and local swimming holes are summer essentials
- Rain jacket or packable poncho: afternoon thunderstorms are common in juillet and août
- Light pants or a casual dress for dinners and evenings out
Summer Footwear
- Sturdy sandals or water shoes for river swimming and casual town walking
- Trail shoes or light hiking boots if you plan to hike
- Flip flops for the campsite or around the inn
Summer Extras
- Sunscreen and a hat: direct sun on open water and exposed trails is strong
- Insect repellent: mosquitoes and ticks are active through the summer months; check for ticks after hikes
- Reusable grocery bag for farmers market stops
- Small dry bag or waterproof phone case if you plan to spend time on the river
- Headlamp or flashlight for evening walks; rural roads and campsites have no streetlights
What to Pack for a Fall Weekend in the Sullivan Catskills
Fall is the Sullivan Catskills at its most itself: sharp mornings, warm afternoons, color everywhere you look. The season rewards layers more than any other time of year. A cold foggy morning on a fire tower hike can turn into a perfect warm afternoon on a farm cidery patio, and you’ll want to be dressed for both.
Fall Clothing
- Warm base layer or thermal shirt for early morning hikes and cool mornings
- Fleece or wool mid-layer: evenings drop quickly in octobre, sometimes into the 30s
- Outer shell or waterproof jacket: fall rain is common and can be cold
- Long pants; jeans or hiking pants work well for the mix of trail and town
- Warm hat and gloves for octobre visits, especially at elevation
- A nicer layer for dinners: fall farm-to-table evenings tend to feel a little more special
Fall Footwear
- Waterproof hiking boots with ankle support: fall trails can be slippery with wet leaves
- Comfortable walking shoes for town days in Narrowsburg, Callicoon or Livingston Manor
- Wool or moisture-wicking socks; cotton socks in cold wet conditions are uncomfortable quickly
Fall Extras
- Trekking poles if you plan to hike fire tower trails; wet leaves on steep descents benefit from extra stability
- Camera or charged phone with extra storage: fall color in the county is worth photographing
- Reusable bag for farm stand and farmers market finds
- Sunscreen: octobre sun at elevation is deceptively strong
- Tick check after any time in brush or tall grass; ticks remain active through fall
What to Pack for a Winter Weekend in the Sullivan Catskills
Winter in the Sullivan Catskills is quiet, cold and beautiful in a way that takes some visitors by surprise. The crowds are gone, the hills are still, and the region’s inns and restaurants feel more intimate than any other season. But cold here is real cold: the county sits at elevation and winter nights regularly drop below freezing. Dressing well is the whole game.
Winter Clothing
- Heavyweight insulated jacket or parka: temperatures can stay below freezing all day in janvier and février
- Thermal base layers, top and bottom: essential for any outdoor time
- Wool or fleece mid-layers
- Warm hat that covers your ears
- Insulated gloves or mittens
- Neck gaiter or scarf
- Wool socks: bring more than you think you need
- A dressier warm layer for evenings out; winter dinners at county inns and restaurants have their own atmosphere
Winter Footwear
- Insulated waterproof boots: essential for snow, ice and cold mud on trails and sidewalks
- Microspikes or traction devices if you plan to hike in icy conditions; many fire tower trails are ungroomed in winter
- Warm slippers or indoor shoes for the inn or rental
Winter Extras
- Hand warmers: pocket warmers make a real difference on cold trail days
- Sunscreen and lip balm: winter sun on snow is surprisingly harsh, and cold air dries skin quickly
- Headlamp: winter days are short and darkness arrives early
- Snowshoes if conditions allow and you want to explore trails; some county trailheads are accessible in winter with the right gear
- Extra phone battery or portable charger: cold weather drains batteries faster
What to Leave Behind
A few things that don’t belong in a Sullivan Catskills weekend bag regardless of season:
- Cotton as your only base layer for hiking: it holds moisture and cools the body quickly when wet
- Only dress shoes or fashion sneakers: the terrain here is real and roads in town can be uneven
- An assumption that the town you’re staying in has a full pharmacy or outdoor retailer; bring what you need from home or stock up before leaving the highway
Foire aux questions
What should I pack for a fall weekend in the Sullivan Catskills?
Layers are the most important thing. Bring a warm base layer, a fleece or wool mid-layer and a waterproof outer shell. Waterproof hiking boots with ankle support are recommended for fall trails, which can be slippery with wet leaves. Add a warm hat and gloves for octobre visits, especially if you plan to hike at elevation.
What should I pack for a summer weekend in the Sullivan Catskills?
Light breathable clothing for warm afternoons, a fleece or long-sleeved layer for evenings (nights can drop into the 50s even in juillet), a swimsuit for river swimming, a rain jacket for afternoon thunderstorms, insect repellent and sunscreen. Good sandals or water shoes are useful for river access.
Is it cold in the Sullivan Catskills at night?
Yes, even in summer. The Sullivan Catskills sits at elevation and nights are noticeably cooler than in New York City or the Hudson Valley. Summer evenings regularly drop into the 50s and 60s. Fall evenings can be in the 40s by early octobre. Winter nights regularly fall below freezing. Always bring a warm layer regardless of the season.
Do I need hiking boots for the Sullivan Catskills?
Not always, but they are strongly recommended if you plan to hike. Trails in Sullivan County and the surrounding Catskill Preserve can be rocky, rooted and muddy depending on conditions and season. A sturdy trail shoe with grip is the minimum; waterproof ankle-support boots are better for fire tower hikes and spring or fall conditions.
Is there cell service in the Sullivan Catskills?
Cell service is limited or absent in many parts of Sullivan County, particularly on back roads, in the Beaverkill and Neversink valleys and on trail sections in the Catskill Preserve. Download offline maps before you leave the highway and don’t rely on live navigation once you’re in the hills.
Should I bring cash to the Sullivan Catskills?
Yes. Many farm stands, farmers markets and small local businesses in Sullivan County operate on a cash-only or cash-preferred basis. ATMs exist in larger towns like Monticello, Liberty and Callicoon, but availability is limited in smaller hamlets. Bring cash from home or withdraw before leaving the highway.
What should I pack for a winter trip to the Sullivan Catskills?
Dress for real cold. Bring insulated waterproof boots, thermal base layers, a heavyweight jacket, a warm hat, gloves and wool socks. Hand warmers are useful for outdoor time. A headlamp is helpful given short winter days. If you plan to hike, check trail conditions before you go and consider microspikes for icy paths.
ABONNEZ-VOUS À NOTRE BLOG
Subscribe to the Sullivan Catskills.