What Should I Do in the Sullivan Catskills for a Long Weekend in Fall?
Fall is when the Sullivan Catskills earns its most devoted visitors. The air sharpens, the hillsides catch fire with color, and the region’s farms, cideries, rivers and small-town main streets all seem to lean in together. If you have a long weekend to give, this is the season that earns it.
Whether you’re chasing foliage, slowing down for a harvest dinner, or finally taking that fly fishing trip you’ve been putting off, four days here in September or October is enough time to feel the full shape of this place.
Quick Answer: What to Do in the Sullivan Catskills for a Fall Long Weekend
A fall long weekend in the Sullivan Catskills gives you room for all of it. Here are the essentials:
- Drive Route 97 along the Delaware River for peak foliage color and open sky
- Hike Red Hill Fire Tower in Claryville for a 360-degree canopy view
- Visit Seminary Hill Orchard in Callicoon for cider, apple picking and mountain views
- Eat a farm-to-table dinner at a Sullivan County restaurant sourcing from local farms
- Browse the Callicoon Farmers Market on Saturday morning
- Catch a live music set or arts event in Livingston Manor, Callicoon or Narrowsburg
- Fly fish the upper Delaware River or Willowemoc Creek
- Walk the main streets of Livingston Manor, Narrowsburg and Callicoon
When to Come for Fall
Fall color in the Sullivan Catskills typically peaks from late September through mid-October, with Columbus Day weekend marking the height of the season for much of the region. Higher elevations color up first. The valleys follow.
- Late September: early color at higher elevations, crisp mornings, quiet trails
- First two weeks of October: peak foliage across most of Sullivan County
- Columbus Day weekend: the busiest weekend of the fall season; book accommodations early
- Mid to late October: foliage fades but the region stays quieter, rates drop and light is golden
Shoulder weeks just before and after peak offer a quieter experience with many of the same visual rewards. If crowds matter to you, the week after Columbus Day can be its own kind of perfect.
Where to Stay
Sullivan County has lodging that fits the season, from design-forward inns to farmhouse rentals tucked into the hills.
- The Arnold House, Livingston Manor: a restored country inn with a strong local food program and easy walking distance to the Manor’s shops and restaurants
- Kenoza Hall, Kenoza Lake: a historic estate property with a lake, refined rooms and a sense of quiet that deepens in fall
- Callicoon Hills, Callicoon: a hilltop retreat with sweeping valley views and a communal atmosphere well suited to a group long weekend
- North Branch Inn, North Branch: a classic Catskill roadhouse with a devoted following; a good base for the Beaverkill and Willowemoc valleys
- Vacation rentals: farmhouses, cabins and converted barns throughout the county via Airbnb and Vrbo; book early for peak foliage weeks
Fall Foliage in the Sullivan Catskills
Scenic Drives for Foliage
- Route 97 (Hawk’s Nest to Narrowsburg): follows the Delaware River through some of the most photographed fall scenery in the region
- Beaverkill Road from Livingston Manor toward Roscoe: winding river valley road with deep canopy overhead
- Claryville Road into the Catskill Preserve: leads toward Red Hill and into the highest elevations of the county
- Callicoon to Jeffersonville: a short country drive through farm country with long hill views
Fall Foliage Hikes
- Red Hill Fire Tower, Claryville: 3.2 miles round trip, restored tower with 360-degree canopy views at the top
- Mongaup Pond Trail: a quieter walk through state forest with a pond view at the end
- Basha Kill Wildlife Area: flat walking paths through a freshwater wetland with fall reflections and active bird migration
- Willowemoc Preserve: easy hiking trails with creek access near Livingston Manor
Fall Activities Beyond Foliage
Cider, Apples & Harvest
- Seminary Hill Orchard & Cidery, Callicoon: taste craft hard cider and take in fall foliage views over the Delaware Valley hills
- Catskill farmers markets: Callicoon Farmers Market runs Sunday mornings through the season; local vendors bring cider, squash, root vegetables and seasonal preserves
- Farm stands throughout the county carry late-season produce, honey, maple syrup and cider through October
Fly Fishing
- The upper Delaware River is one of the most respected wild trout fisheries in the Northeast; fall is a prime season
- Willowemoc Creek and the Beaverkill run through Livingston Manor and Roscoe; the area is known as ‘Trout Town USA’
- Local outfitters offer guided half-day and full-day trips for all skill levels
- A New York State fishing license is required; available online before you arrive
Arts & Culture
- Narrowsburg: galleries, the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance and a Main Street that rewards slow walking
- Livingston Manor: creative businesses, the Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum and a growing arts presence
- Callicoon: antiques, the historic Callicoon Theatre and a lively Saturday farmers market
- Big Eddy Film Festival: independent film festival held annually in Narrowsburg in late October
- Live music: check local venues including The Arnold House, Callicoon Hills and area bars for fall programming
Suggested Fall Long Weekend Itinerary
Friday
- Arrive in the afternoon; check in and settle into your inn or rental
- Drive into Livingston Manor or Narrowsburg for a walk before dinner
- Dinner at a local restaurant; decompress and plan the weekend ahead
Saturday
- Morning: Callicoon Farmers Market for local cider, produce and breakfast bites
- Late morning: Seminary Hill Orchard for apple picking and cidery tasting with valley views
- Afternoon: drive the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway (Route 97) south from Callicoon through Cochecton toward Narrowsburg, with river pull-offs along the way, then stop at Ten Mile River Access in Tusten for a riverside stroll or the Tusten Mountain Trail’s overlook of the Delaware
- Late afternoon: walk Narrowsburg’s Main Street and browse the galleries
- Evening: dinner in Narrowsburg or back in Livingston Manor; live music if programming aligns
Sunday
- Morning: hike Red Hill Fire Tower in Claryville (start early for the best light)
- Afternoon: drive the Beaverkill Road back through Livingston Manor; stop for lunch
- Late afternoon: fly fishing on the Willowemoc or Beaverkill if you’ve arranged a guide
- Evening: farm-to-table dinner at your inn or a local reservation
Monday
- Morning: slow start, walk your town, pick up provisions from a farm stand or market
- Late morning: one last scenic drive or easy trail before heading home
- Depart through the Delaware Valley or north through the county for a final look at the color
Planning Tips for a Fall Long Weekend
- Book accommodations 4 to 6 weeks ahead for Columbus Day weekend and peak foliage weeks
- Layers are essential: fall mornings in the hills can be cold even when afternoons are warm
- Make dinner reservations before you arrive, especially on Friday and Saturday nights of peak weekends
- Gas up in town: rural roads between villages can be long between stations
- Cell service is limited in parts of the county; download offline maps before leaving the highway
- The Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum in Livingston Manor is worth a stop even for non-anglers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time to visit the Sullivan Catskills in fall?
Late September through mid-October is the peak window for fall color, with Columbus Day weekend typically marking the height of the season. Higher elevations color earlier; valley towns follow. The week after Columbus Day offers similar beauty with fewer crowds.
What are the best fall hikes in the Sullivan Catskills?
Red Hill Fire Tower in Claryville is the most celebrated fall hike in the county, with a 360-degree view from the restored tower. Basha Kill Wildlife Area offers easy flat walking through wetlands during bird migration. The Beaverkill and Willowemoc corridors have quiet trail options as well.
Is Route 97 worth driving in fall?
Yes. The stretch of Route 97 from Hawk’s Nest south through Narrowsburg follows the Delaware River and delivers some of the most iconic fall scenery in the region. Plan for the drive to take longer than the map suggests because you will want to stop.
Where should I stay for a fall long weekend in the Sullivan Catskills?
The Arnold House in Livingston Manor and Kenoza Hall in Kenoza Lake are two standout options. Callicoon Hills suits groups looking for a communal retreat setting. Vacation rentals through Airbnb and Vrbo offer farmhouses and cabins throughout the county; book early for peak foliage weeks.
Are there fall festivals or events in the Sullivan Catskills?
The Big Eddy Film Festival in Narrowsburg runs in late October and draws independent film from the region and beyond. Harvest events, farm dinners and seasonal programming appear across the county in September and October. Check the Sullivan Catskills events calendar for current listings.
Can I fly fish in the Sullivan Catskills in fall?
Fall is a prime season on the upper Delaware River and the Catskill trout streams. The Willowemoc Creek and Beaverkill run through Livingston Manor and Roscoe. Local outfitters offer guided trips for all skill levels. A New York State fishing license is required.
What should I pack for a fall long weekend in the Sullivan Catskills?
Layers are essential. Mornings can be cold, especially at elevation, while afternoons often warm considerably. Bring waterproof hiking footwear, a warm layer for evenings and rain gear. If you plan to fly fish, your outfitter can advise on gear.
How far is the Sullivan Catskills from New York City?
Most of Sullivan County is 90 minutes to two hours from the city by car, depending on your destination and departure time. Livingston Manor is roughly 100 miles from Midtown Manhattan. Early Friday departures avoid the worst traffic. There is limited bus service from the Port Authority terminal.
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