What Can Families Do in the Sullivan Catskills in Summer?

The Delaware River sets the rhythm for a Sullivan Catskills summer. Multiple outfitters operate daily from April through October, offering trips of one hour to several days at all skill and experience levels. Life jackets are provided. No experience needed.

• Lander’s River Trips: rafting, canoeing, kayaking, and tubing from three riverside campgrounds
• Kittatinny Canoes: operating on the Delaware for 80 years, with multiple launch locations
• Indian Head Canoes: day trips from one to six hours with on-site campground
• Reber River Trips, Jerry’s Three River, and Soaring Eagle Campground: additional options across the county
• Upper Delaware River Hotline at 845-252-7100 for daily conditions during boating season

Sullivan County trails start as short as a half mile and range up to full-day ridge hikes. The easiest options reward young hikers with waterfalls and mountain lakes without asking too much of small legs.

• • Russell Brook Falls: 0.3 miles near Livingston Manor to a plunge pool waterfall
  • Alder Lake Loop: a gentle 1.7-mile trail around a mountain lake with historic mansion ruins, also near Livingston Manor
  • Basha Kill Tower Trail: flat 2.3-mile walk through the largest freshwater wetland in the Hudson Valley, outstanding for birding
  • Red Hill Fire Tower: a 2.6-mile climb for older kids, with 360-degree Catskill views and volunteer stewards on summer weekends
  • Full trail details at sullivancatskills.com

Sullivan County’s summer calendar runs June through August with free, family-welcoming events in towns across the county. Mark the calendar and show up. No tickets needed for most of these.

• Livingston Manor Trout Parade (June 13): street fair and parade, theme Cirque du Trout, free
• Callicoon Tractor Parade (June 14): 200-plus tractors down Lower Main Street at noon, free
• July 4th countywide (July 4-6): parades and fireworks across more than a dozen towns
• Narrowsburg RiverFest (July 26): 35th annual, 40-plus artist booths, live music, and River Dogs on Parade, free
• Monticello Bagel Festival (August 9): 100-plus vendors, two music stages, and a car show, free
• Grahamsville Little World’s Fair (August 14-16): the longest-running independent fair in New York State

Summer at Bethel Woods means major touring acts at an outdoor amphitheater on the historic site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival. The Museum at Bethel Woods brings that era to life through artifacts, films, and immersive exhibits. The Bindy Bazaar Trails lead to the original stage marker on the concert grounds.

200 Hurd Road, Bethel. Museum open daily Mon-Sat 10am-5pm during concert season. Full 2026 concert schedule and tickets at bethelwoodscenter.org.

When the weather turns, Sullivan County has good indoor options that keep the day moving.

• The Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark (555 Resorts World Drive, Monticello): 80,000 square feet at a constant 82 degrees, 11 water attractions, lazy river, surf simulator, toddler splash zones, laser tag, ropes course, and arcade. Day passes available at thekartrite.com.
• Museum at Bethel Woods (200 Hurd Road, Bethel): immersive exhibits on the 1969 Woodstock era. bethelwoodscenter.org.
• Cinema at HPAC (219 Main Street, Hurleyville): first-run and independent films. hpacny.org.

A few things worth knowing before you pack the car.

• Book ahead for the Forestburgh Playhouse and Bethel Woods concerts; both sell out regularly
• River outfitters fill up on summer weekends; reserve in advance
• Most street festivals and outdoor events are free with no advance tickets needed
• Several event dates are tentative; check sullivancatskills.com/events before heading out
• Cell service runs thin in parts of the county; download maps and confirmations before you leave
• The Sullivan Catskills Visitor Center is at 15 Sullivan Avenue, Liberty, NY 12754; call 845-747-4449