Catskills, NY is a quaint country town located in southern New York, just a short drive from the city. The region is home to lakes and mountains which leads to some of the most gorgeous landscapes. Catskills is home to 300 lakes and ponds, where one can enjoy recreational activities, swimming and fishing.
When it comes to lakes, Catskills offers some of the most scenic lakes, with gorgeous sunset views and crystal clear waters! Come on down and explore the best lakes Catskills has to offer!
Overview of Catskills
Catskills is a great destination for a weekend getaway, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, yet only 90-minutes away from the big city. The Catskill mountain range is spread across Southeastern New York, Greene and Ulster counties. The town of Catskill has a lot to offer, there are gorgeous waterfalls, bewitching greenery and more! The lakes of Catskill make it a great destination for a lakeside getaway. You can enjoy water activities like kayaking, fishing and swimming.
Plan Your Lakeside Adventure
Not sure how to plan your perfect lakeside adventure? From transport to accommodation, I have got you covered!
- Transport and navigation: There are three ways to get from NYC to Catskill; bus, car and train. If you choose to drive down, there are two main routes available from Manhattan to Catskill, the Interstate 87 road or the NY 17 West road. It takes 2 hours to reach Catskill by car.
- Camping: There are more than 1,000 campsites available in the Catskills. Whether you prefer a tent or a comfortable bed, you can opt for a traditional campground or park your RV in a family-friendly campground.
- Accommodation: No clue where to stay in the Catskills? That is where HolidayKeepers comes in, we offer various luxury properties ranging from cabins, mansions and villas. All the properties are stocked with top tier amenities, and most if not all properties are close in proximity to the top attractions.
Must Visit Lakes in Catskill
Cooper Lake, NY
Cooper Lake is a magnificent picturesque reservoir, located near Woodstock. It is one of the most scenic and best lakes in the Catskills. The Lake’s scenic beauty and peaceful surroundings have attracted many tourists to the area. Cooper Lake is also a great place for outdoor enthusiasts, the area around the lake offers many recreational activities like hiking, picnicking and birdwatching. Swimming and fishing in the lake is prohibited, however don’t let that stop you from visiting as a walk along the shores of the lake itself is so beautiful and tranquil, it is certainly worth a visit.
Blue Mountain Lake
The Blue Mountain Lake represents a cultural hub, located in the heart of Adirondack Park. Blue Mountain Lake is known for its outdoor recreation, unlike Cooper Lake you can enjoy outdoor activities at Blue Mountain Lake all year round. You can enjoy activities like paddling, swimming, and fishing. Blue Mountain Lake is one of the best fishing spots in New York for lake trout. Blue Mountain lake is one of the deepest lake in NY and features easily accessible hiking trails, camping facilities, nearby museums and Adirondack experience.
Lake Tiorati
Lake Tiorati is beautiful, surrounded by meadows and rolling, wooded hills. You will find excellent swimming, fishing, boating and picnicking at Lake Tiorati. It is one of the popular Catskill swimming lakes. During winters the lake is also used for ice fishing, it is also known for ice skating when the lake freezes over in winter. Located in the Harriman State Park, Lake Tiorati is one of seven lakes in the park.
Fulton Chain of Lakes
The Fulton Chain of Lakes is a string of 8 lakes located in the Adirondack Park. It is an extremely scenic, and historic place. The eight lakes are great for recreational activities. Fourth Lake is the largest of all in the Fulton Chain, apart from the gorgeous scenery you will also find some diverse wildlife in the area. All eight lakes are known for their excellent fishing, and campgrounds around the lakes.
Cranberry Lake
The lake is known as cranberry lake because of the large number of cranberry bogs that once existed here. Cranberry lake is a scenic lake surrounded by majestic mountainous terrain and offers exciting opportunities for outdoor adventure. The lake is huge, nearly 7,000 acres. Cranberry Lake is a haven for watersports. The lake is stocked with trout and is excellent for fishing! The Cranberry Lake region also offers various trails which make it an ideal spot for hiking. There’s also plenty of picnic areas.
Water and Recreational Activities
Catskill is a great place for water and recreational activities, most if not all lakes in Catskill offer a range of watersports and activities.
Boating and Kayaking
The Catskills are home to some of the best spots for boating and kayaking in New York. You are welcome to try stand-up paddleboarding, or tubing. The best areas for canoeing and kayaking in the Catskills are the Colgate Lake Wild Forest, North-South Lake Campground, Whip-O-Will Campsite, Earlton Hill Campground & RV Park.
Fishing
You can enjoy fishing at Catskills all year long, they are home to a variety of fish species. Many of the county’s waterways are stocked with Brown Trout. However, there are special fishing regulations you must follow while fishing in the Catskills.
- The daily limit for trout fishing is three fish per person.
- Black bass season is open from June through November and the fish must be at least 15 inches long. The daily limit is five black bass per person.
- Catch and release on the Hudson river; The upper section of the Hudson River follows a catch-and-release policy for all sport fishing. All fish, no matter the size must be released back into the water with no injury to the fish.
Swimming and Diving into the Beach Areas
The Catskills offer many beautiful spots to cool off on a summer day, there are plenty of streams and swimming holes and beaches in the region, you will also find many swimming lakes in Catskills.
- Belleayre Beach
- Kingston Point Beach
- Onteora Lake
Hiking Trails
Most of the Catskill Mountains Lakes also have gorgeous hiking trails! Hiking is a great way to explore the scenic and beautiful surroundings of Catskill. You can enjoy walking along wooded paths, crossing bubbly streams, and catch some stunning cascading waterfalls! Here are my recommendations for some of the best hiking trails in Catskill.
- Old Mills Falls View: Plattekill Creek is the source of many popular Catskills waterfalls, this trail will take you across these falls, which stand 16 feet high and they are most stunning when the water is high. Spring season is the best time to visit for the best views!
- Diamond Notch Falls Trail: This trail entails a more intense adventure, so if you are up for the challenge, you will love the four mile loop trail at the Diamond Notch Falls! Walk along the trails through the lush greenery of the Catskills, to reach this 10 foot waterfall, you can also hike down to the shallow pool below and enjoy a dip in the water!
Wildlife Viewing and Birdwatching
The Catskills are home to a diverse population of wildlife. The lush mountains and forests of the catskills are inhabited by some of our fellow furry friends! There are designated nature and wildlife areas in Catskill. As for birdwatching, Catskill is a hotspot for native and migrating species of birds and is home to several rare species of birds like Osprey, Bald eagles, Cooper’s Hawk, Northern Goshawk and more.
Top Birdwatching Spots
- Hunter Mountain- Home to high elevation birds like Blackpoll Warblers, Bikinell’s Thrush
- Coxsackie Creek Grasslands Preserve- Scarlet Tanagers, Baltimore Orioles
- RamsHorn-Livingston Sanctuary- Flycatchers, Common Yellowthroats, Swamp Sparrows
The best time for birdwatching in Catskills is during Spring, which is the nesting season for birds.
Top Wildlife Viewing Spots
- Nyquist-Harcourt Wildlife Sanctuary
- Catskill Animal Sanctuary
- Mohonk Preserve
Picnicking and Relaxation
The Catskills is a beautiful place, with many spots to relax with family and friends. Take advantage of Catskills’ natural beauty by enjoying the outdoors. Here are some of the top picnic spots in the region!
- Bash Bish Falls
- Robert Post Park
- Angelo Canna Town Park
Tips for Lakeside Picnics
Enjoy a lovely lakeside picnic at one of the many lakes in Catskills, the scenic beauty of the lake, combined with some quality time alongside your family or friends will make for a great memory! The Catskills Lakefront can prove to be the perfect place to hangout this summer!
Not sure what you need to carry before you go on a lakeside picnic? I’ve got you covered.
- A blanket or picnic mat is one of the most essential and basic things you need for a picnic, although some of these parks have picnic tables.
- Food and snacks: Pack some basic picnic foods like sandwiches, fruits, beverages, etc.
- Make sure you carry sunscreen!
Best Seasonal Highlights
The Catskill Mountains are great for visiting throughout the year! It is a great place to cool off in the summer, fall invites a kaleidoscopic change in scenery and winter is simply fantastic. Each of the seasons bring out a different side of the Catskills.
Spring
Catskills is a great place to visit in the spring. Activities like hiking, visiting waterfalls, exploring small towns of America, golfing, are all great activities you can enjoy during spring in the Catskills. Spring is the best time for hiking, mountain biking,
Summer
The Catskills is a great place to beat the heat during summer. Summer is the best time to visit the great lakes of the Catskills. Camping is also a popular activity in the Catskills in summer, you can also spend your time in summer visiting the historic site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
Fall
Fall is very lively in the Catskills, the region lights up with fall festivals and Oktoberfest celebrations! Shuffle through the foliage on a fall hike of the gorgeous trails of Catskills. Enjoy classic fall activities like apple picking, view the radiant colors of the foliage from the top viewing spots.
Winter
Winter is when the snow capped peaks of the Catskill Mountains invite the most number of tourists, the ski slopes finally open and it is the best place for winter fun! The Catskills is a great place for a New York ski vacation! You can enjoy a range of activities like skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and winter hiking.
Tips and Practical Advice
- Winters are really cold in Catskills so make sure you pack warm, plenty of scarves, boots, coats and sweaters.
- While you are exploring the lakes of Catskills or enjoying water activities, make sure to always follow safety guidelines. Always wear a lifejacket. As for fishing, make sure you follow the guidelines and rules.
- You might even encounter wildlife while you are hiking, so make sure you are with a group or trained professional.
Wrap Up
The Catskills are a beautiful and extremely scenic place to visit, the gorgeous lakes offer great opportunities for recreational activities like fishing, paddling and more!
The Catskills is a perfect destination for a weekend getaway from NYC any time of the year! The serene beauty of the region makes it a must visit!
So, what are you waiting for? Plan your trip to the Catskills now!
HolidayKeepers offers some truly brilliant luxurious properties in the Catskills. All the properties are equipped with top tier amenities, and are located in prime locations closest to the top attractions. Contact HolidayKeepers and book your stay now.
FAQs
Q: Which lake is the biggest lake in the Catskills?
A: Cooper Lake is the biggest lake in the Catskills
Q: When is the best time to visit the Catskills for birdwatching?
A: Spring is the best time as it is the nesting season for birds, you will get to spot a variety of birds during spring time.
Q: Can you swim in Cooper Lake?
A: Swimming and Fishing is prohibited in Cooper Lake.
