When Is the Best Time to Visit the Sullivan Catskills?

Fall is arguably the most visually spectacular time to visit the Sullivan Catskills. The hardwood forests across the county turn in late September and peak in early to mid-October. Sugar maples, oaks and birches create a rolling patchwork of red, orange and gold across the ridgelines and valleys. Route 97 along the Delaware River and the scenic roads around Livingston Manor and Roscoe are among the best foliage drives in New York State.

• Peak foliage: late September through mid-October, with early October typically the most vibrant
• Scenic drives: Route 97 through the Hawk’s Nest above the Delaware River gorge, the back roads between Livingston Manor and Callicoon
• Fire tower hikes: Red Hill Fire Tower near Grahamsville and Balsam Lake Mountain offer panoramic foliage views at elevation
• Harvest festivals and cider: Seminary Hill Orchard in Callicoon and farm stands across the county
• Big Eddy Film Festival (September) and In The Works in the Woods festival at the Forestburgh Playhouse (September)
• Foliage weekends book up fast: lodging fills weeks ahead during peak October
• Post-peak fall (late October and November): fewer crowds, lower rates, quieter roads

Spring is the Sullivan Catskills’ best-kept seasonal secret. The crowds have not arrived yet. Prices are lower. The rivers are running high and fast from snowmelt, making it the best season for serious fly fishing on the Beaverkill and Willowemoc. Wildflowers bloom along the hiking trails. The county’s creative community comes back to life as seasonal businesses reopen for the year.

• Fly fishing: spring is prime season on the Beaverkill and Willowemoc rivers, the most celebrated trout streams in the country
• Waterfall hikes: Russell Brook Falls and the Neversink waterfalls run at their most powerful in spring
• Wildflowers: trillium, trout lilies and wild violets bloom along the hiking trails from late April through May
• Birding: the Basha Kill Wetlands and surrounding forests are exceptional for spring migration, with warblers, tanagers and other species passing through
• Lower prices and lighter crowds: most summer and fall visitors have not yet arrived, making spring ideal for last-minute trips
• Black flies: late May brings black flies on wooded trails; bring insect repellent for forest hiking
• Some trails run muddy: snowmelt keeps lower-elevation trails soft through mid-April

Summer: Delaware River trips, hiking, Bethel Woods concerts, free festivals, farm stands, farmers markets, outdoor dining, the Kartrite water park, Forestburgh Playhouse theatre season.

Fall: Foliage drives, fire tower hikes, harvest festivals, apple picking, cider tasting, the Big Eddy Film Festival, scenic Route 97 drives, farm stands at peak harvest.

Winter: Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing at Holiday Mountain, fireside dining, the Kartrite water park, cozy inn stays, HPAC cinema and events.

Spring: Fly fishing on the Beaverkill and Willowemoc, waterfall hikes, wildflower walks, birding at the Basha Kill Wetlands, farmers markets reopening, lighter crowds.