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The Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center is a program of the Catskill Center, a nonprofit organization working to protect the Catskills since 1969. Our work wouldn’t be possible without the support of our partner organizations, members, and individual donors.
From exhibits to nature trails, an 80-foot fire tower to community events – there’s something for everyone at the Catskills Visitor Center, and visitors and residents alike will find new ways to connect with the nature, history and culture that makes this region so unique.
Hours
SUMMER (April 1 – November 30th): Daily, 9:30am-4pm
WINTER (December 1 – March 31): Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon, 9:30am-4pm
The seasonal hours are for the Catskills Visitor Center building, where knowledgeable staff can assist you with area information. There is a restroom and ample parking. The grounds are open to the public every day during daylight hours. Please follow all posted signs in regards to parking, trail access and dogs on the trails.
Visitor Center Shop
The Catskills Visitor Center’s Gift Shop has a wide variety of books and guides about the Catskill Park, the Catskill Mountains and the surround areas. We also carry a large selection of quality trail maps and trail guides to help you have a safe and enjoyable adventure on the trails, whether you are hiking or mountain biking.
In addition to books, maps and guidebooks, the Catskills Visitor Center Gift Shop offers local products, fire tower merchandise include Catskill Fire Tower patches and a number of items to help you enjoy your stay in the Catskills!
If you need something right now, the Gift Shop is also online!
Apparel & Accessories | Maps, Guides, & Books | Outdoor Essentials | Home & Gift | Kids & Youth | Catskills Souvenirs
The Upper Esopus Fire Tower
The newest addition to the Catskills Visitor Center property is our newly restored 80’ fire tower. The cab (very top of the tower) will open in April when the weather allows and will close in November in preparation for Winter. If you are interested in visiting during April or November, we recommend calling the Catskills Visitor Center at 845-688-3369 to confirm if the tower is open. Views from the fire tower include the Esopus Valley, nearby Mt. Tremper, Ashokan High Point, and the Phoenicia East Branch Trail. Please note there is a limit of six people allowed in the cab of the tower at one time.
Access to the Fire Tower is available via the Interpretive Loop Trail.
Picnic Areas, Wildlife Viewing and Esopus Creek Access
The large field surrounding the Catskills Visitor Center makes the perfect place for a picnic! The Visitor Center site includes picnic tables with umbrellas throughout the open area. A second, more rustic picnic area is available after a short climb on the Nature Trail. This picnic area features a view of Romer Mountain and Mount Pleasant to the south.
The Catskills Visitor Center offers a covered pavilion open to the public for picnicking, for workshops and presentations and for special events. The pavilion has capacity for approximately 100 visitors and is available to individuals and groups for special event rentals.
Wildlife viewing opportunities abound and include birds, mammals and amphibians in several different habitats on site. Access to Esopus Creek is available via the Esopus Creek Trail. This trail provides direct access to the bank of the creek for wildlife viewing, fishing and recreation.