Catskills Fire Tower Challenge
Take the 2023 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge
On this page:
2023 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge
For nearly a century, observers watched the forests of New York State--including the Catskill and Adirondack forest preserves-- from more than 100 fire towers perched atop the highest peaks, searching for the dangerous, telltale signs of forest fires. The Catskills Fire Tower Challenge encourages experienced hikers to visit the region's remaining five historic fire towers, as well as a sixth fire tower that was opened at the Catskills Visitor Center.
Participants are encouraged to practice Leave No TraceTM Principles and Love Our New York Lands by recreating safely and sustainably, hiking in suitable conditions based on weather and experience level.
New for 2023, finishers who have completed the challenge in multiple years will receive an additional commemorative Catskills Fire Tower Challenge prize.
- Visit all six Catskill Fire Towers between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023. (You do not need to climb up to the cab. Cabs are only open when staffed by volunteers between Memorial Day and Columbus Day on weekends.).
- Overlook Mountain - Woodstock, NY
- Hunter Mountain - Hunter, NY
- Red Hill Mountain - Denning, NY
- Balsam Lake Mountain - Hardenburgh, NY
- Tremper Mountain - Shandaken, NY
- Upper Esopus - Mt. Tremper, NY
- Fill out the log of completed hikes along with one favorite photo. This log can be completed via SurveyMonkey (leaves DEC Website) or can be downloaded and emailed (PDF) to catskillschallenge@dec.ny.gov. This can also be submitted via mail to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Outdoor Recreation, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233-1020. Entries must be postmarked by January 7, 2024.
- The first 1,000 finishers will also receive a one-year subscription to DEC's Conservationist magazine.
- To receive a bonus prize entry submit a photo showing yourself practicing Leave No Trace™ while participating in the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge (e.g., picking up litter, carrying out, planning and preparing for their hikes, staying on trail).
Limit one entry per person. You'll receive a commemorative patch and be entered to win great prizes. For complete rules, read here.
Completed? Congratulations! Download and print the certificate of completion (PDF).
Support Catskills Fire Towers. Members of the public can support DEC lands, facilities, and programs through our charitable partner, the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT).
Online giving is simple and secure and fully tax-deductible. Donations to NHT directly support projects and programs that enhance facilities, expand access to outdoor recreation and environmental education, provide public land access, and protect natural resources. Donate here (leaves DEC website).
Learn more about the Catskills Fire Tower Project and other volunteer opportunities.
Fire Tower Locations
Overlook Mountain
Woodstock-Elevation 3,140 feet
This is the newest of the five towers remaining in the Catskill Park, having been at its present location since 1950. However, the tower itself is much older as it was originally constructed in 1927 on Gallis Hill, just west of Kingston. The Overlook Tower reaches 60 feet in height, and offers incredible views of the Hudson River Valley, Ashokan Reservoir, and Devil's Path and is located within Overlook Mountain Wild Forest.
Hike Directions (5 - 6 miles, moderate to difficult hike): The Overlook Spur Trail climbs steadily to the top of Overlook Mountain following an old carriage road that once transported guests in the late 19th century to the Overlook Mountain House. There are nice views through the trees on the way up, except in summer. At 1.6 miles you see the massive castle-like ruins of the latest and never-completed Overlook Mountain House (elevation 2,900 feet), begun in the 1920s, and now being reclaimed by nature. Please observe the ruins from the outside for your safety.
Nearby is a privately-owned radio tower for which the dirt road is maintained. Please respect private property. You then move on to the fire tower at an elevation of 3,140 ft. The spur trail to the right of the ground cabin takes you to a ledge with a magnificent view of the Hudson River, Ashokan Reservoir, the Central Catskills, and up to five states. Ledges and drop-offs require care. Stay on the paths, venomous rattlesnakes are common in the area. The ascent is a gradual but nonstop incline, climbing 1370 feet.
Parking:
- Overlook Mountain Fire Tower Trailhead (42.071094°N, -74.122661°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website).
- Meads Meadow Trailhead (42.076422,-74.129087) Google Maps (leaves DEC website). The Meads Meadow trailhead is located ½ mile from the Overlook Mountain Fire Tower Trailhead on Macdaniel Road. Hiking to the Fire Tower from this trailhead adds approximately ½ mile to the fire tower hike.
Dining and lodging opportunities, as well as gas, food and other supplies can be found in the nearby communities of Woodstock and Bearsville.
Hunter Mountain
Town of Hunter-Elevation 4,040 feet
This tower has the unique distinction of being located at the highest elevation of any fire tower in New York State. The original tower on Hunter Mountain - constructed of logs - was built in 1909, and was the first of three fire towers constructed in the Catskills that year. The original tower was 40 feet tall, and was replaced with a steel tower 60 feet high in 1917. That tower was originally placed at an elevation of 4,000 feet - a third of a mile from the true summit - but was removed and reset at its present site on the true summit in 1953. Hunter Mountain Fire Tower is located within Rusk Mountain Wild Forest.
Hike Directions: Spruceton Trail (7-mile round trip moderately difficult, blue markers): The Spruceton Trail extends from the Spruceton Road Parking Lot to the summit of Hunter Mountain. At 2.1 miles the trail passes the John Robb lean-to. At 2.4 miles the trail passes the Colonel's Chair Trail that leads to the Hunter Mountain Ski Area.
Colonel's Chair Trail (4 miles round trip, yellow markers): The Colonel's Chair Trail extends from the Spruceton trail to the top of the Hunter Mountain Ski Area.
Parking: Spruceton Trail Parking Lot is located off of Spruceton Road, 6.7 miles from its intersection with NYS Route 42. (42.184566°N, 74.272038°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website).
Dining opportunities, as well as gas, food and other supplies can be found in the nearby community of Hunter. Lodging may be found in the nearby communities of Hunter, Shandaken and Spruceton.
Red Hill
Denning-Elevation 2,990 feet
The Red Hill Fire Tower stands 60 feet tall, has nine flights of stairs, and was constructed in 1921. Hikers can climb nine flights of stairs to the top for unsurpassed views of the Catskill peaks and Rondout Reservoir. Red Hill Fire Tower is located within Sundown Wild Forest.
Hike Directions: The 60-foot Red Hill fire tower sits atop 2,980-foot Red Hill. It affords a panoramic view of the Catskill peaks to the west and north, and the Rondout Reservoir from behind Denman Mountain. Follow the yellow-marked Red Hill Tower Trail from Coons Road (formerly Dinch Road) just outside of Claryville-a moderate, four-mile round-trip hike. The Red Hill Fire Tower is open most weekends when staffed by volunteers from Memorial Day through Columbus Day. On all other days, the tower is open to just below the cab.
Parking:
- Red Hill Fire Tower Denning Road Parking Area (4 miles round trip): The new Red Hill trailhead is located approximately four miles east of the intersection of West Brand and Claryville roads. The newly established blue-blazed trail traverses both city and State Forest Preserve lands through rocky outcroppings and hemlock-laden forests. The 1.4 miles of new trail intersects with the existing trail, leading up to the 60-foot tall Red Hill Fire Tower that was constructed in 1920. Hikers can climb nine flights of stairs to the top for unsurpassed views of the Catskill peaks and Rondout Reservoir. The parking lot (leaves DEC's website) was constructed by DEC Operations staff to accommodate up to 10 cars.
- Dinch Road Parking Area (2.8 miles round trip): Take State Route 209 to State Route 55 to a right on County Route 153 (bordering the west side of the Rondout Reservoir, just before Grahamsville). Continue on Route 153 for no more than 3 miles, make a left on Sugarloaf Road and proceed about 4 miles to Red Hill Road. Make a sharp left on Red Hill Road and an immediate right onto unpaved Dinch Road for 1 mile to the trailhead parking on the left side. (Route 55 can also be taken east from State Route 17 in Liberty) (41.930293°N, 74.507349°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website) The section of Dinch Road that leads to the Red Hill Fire Tower Trailhead in the Sundown Wild Forest is only seasonally maintained and not plowed throughout the winter. Visitors should note that the Dinch Road Trailhead location is generally inaccessible throughout the winter. Visitors who wish to visit the Red Hill Firetower should consider using the newly constructed trail and parking area on Denning Road.
Food, gas, and other supplies as well as dining and lodging can be found in the nearby communities of Wawarsing, Ellenville, Boiceville, Shokan and Claryville.
Balsam Lake Mountain
Hardenburgh-Elevation 3,723 feet
The first forest fire tower in New York State was erected on Balsam Lake Mountain in 1887.
Built of wood by the Balsam Lake Club, it survived until 1901 and was replaced with another wooden tower in 1905. Telephone lines, a small observer's cabin, and a road to the summit were added in 1909, when the state took it over. The first steel tower was erected in 1919, and the present steel tower (47 feet tall) was built in 1930. Balsam Lake Mountain is located in Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest.
Hike Directions: Follow the blue-marked Dry Brook Ridge Trail located on Mill Brook Road outside the hamlet of Arkville - a moderate, six-mile, round-trip hike.
Parking:
-
Dry Brook Ridge Trail (6 miles round trip) parking area is on Mill Brook Road in the Town of Hardenburgh, Ulster County, 8 miles south of Arkville. 42.071502°N, 74.573876°W Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Balsam Lake Mountain Trail parking area is at the eastern end of the Beaverkill Road in the Town of Hardenburgh, 8 miles east of Turnwood. (42.023329°N, 74.599531°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website). The eastern 2 mile terminus of Beaverkill Road / Turnwood Road that leads to the Balsam Lake Mountain Trailhead is only seasonally maintained and not plowed throughout the winter. Visitors should note that this trailhead location is generally inaccessible throughout the winter, but visitors can instead access Balsam Lake Mountain and Fire Tower from the Drybrook parking area on Millbrook Road.
Food, gas and other supplies as well as dining and lodging can be found in the nearby communities of Arkville and Margaretville.
Tremper Mountain
Shandaken-Elevation 2,740 feet
This fire tower is believed to be the original structure built circa 1917, and was used for fire observation until 1971. The 47-foot tower was placed in its present location because of the vast sections of forest preserve not visible from either the Hunter or Belleayre fire towers. Tremper Mountain Fire Tower is located within Phoenicia - Mt. Tobias Wild Forest.
Hike Directions: A red-blazed trail connects the parking area (10-car capacity) at County Route 40 (go east from Main Street in Phoenicia) to the Mount Tremper Fire Tower (2.75 miles, elevation: 2,740 feet), gaining 2,000 feet in elevation. The trail is a continuous climb on a rocky old road, going past the Baldwin Memorial Lean-to at 1.95 miles and a pipe spring at 2.05 miles (may be dry during periods of drought) before reaching the tower. This is a moderate to difficult, six-mile, round-trip hike.
Parking:
- Mount Tremper Trailhead: From Thruway Exit 19 at Kingston - take first right turn off traffic circle to Route 28, proceed approximately 23 miles west on Rte. 28 to sign for Phoenicia, make a right onto Main Street (County Route 40). Go east about 3 miles on County Route 40 to the Tremper Mountain Trailhead. Or take Route 28 to about 19 miles west of Kingston, make a right onto 212 (just before you cross the Esopus Creek) and go 0.5 mile to CR 40. Make a left onto County Route 40 and go west for about 3 miles to the Tremper Mountain Trailhead. (42.066268°N, -74.303111°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Willow Trailhead: The Willow Trailhead is located in the Town of Woodstock on Jessop Road. The trailhead improves access to Mount Tremper and the Mount Tremper Fire Tower through a land use permit agreement with NYC DEP. (42.077798°N, -74.243107°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website). Please note, this trailhead provides seasonal, 3-season access to the Mount Tremper Fire Tower and is not plowed during the winter season.
Gas, food and other supplies as well as dining and lodging can be found in the nearby communities of Shandaken, Woodstock, Hunter and Olive.
Upper Esopus
Mt. Tremper
Located at the Catskills Visitor Center (leaves DEC website), the newest addition to the Catskills Visitor Center is a newly restored '80 fire tower. Views from the fire tower include the Esopus Valley, nearby Mt. Tremper, Ashokan High Point, and the Phoenicia East Branch Trail. Access to the Fire Tower is available via the Interpretive Loop Trail. The Catskills Visitor Center building is open every day EXCEPT Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The grounds are open to the public every day during daylight hours. Stop by on your way to the fire tower for latest park news, local maps and info, and more!
Directions: The Catskills Visitor Center is at 5096 Route 28 in Mt. Tremper. To access the Fire Tower, take the Interpretive Loop Trail around the back of the building.
Gas, food and other supplies as well as dining and lodging can be found in the nearby communities of Shandaken, Woodstock, Hunter and Olive.
Partner Agencies and Volunteer Opportunities
Founded in 1969 as a member-supported, nonprofit organization, The Catskill Center for Conservation & Development (link leaves DEC website) is a regionally based advocate for the environmental and economic health of the Catskill Mountains. Their website has more detailed information about the fire towers of the Catskills, including directions, trail maps, profiles, photographs, history, and fire tower merchandise and volunteer forms to sign up to support restoration efforts.
The Forest Fire Lookout Association's website (link leaves DEC website) has more information on historic fire towers and lookouts across the country.
Catskills Fire Tower Project
The Catskill Fire Tower Project maintains the six fire towers in the Catskill Park: Balsam Lake Mountain, Hunter Mountain, Overlook Mountain, Red Hill, Mount Tremper, and Upper Esopus.
Volunteer interpreters hike to the fire towers and open the top cabs for visitors to enjoy the view on Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays from Memorial Day weekend through Indigenous Peoples Day (formerly Columbus Day) weekend. This year the project looking to expand our volunteer efforts, to have the to have the top cabs open throughout the week during this time (or during the summer). Volunteer interpreter duties include opening the towers for the day, greeting and educating visitors, ensuring the towers and observer cabins are kept in good shape, and locking up at the end of the day. They also help with organized maintenance projects throughout the year.
New volunteers attend a one-day training at one of the six towers and then volunteer at that fire tower for two or more scheduled days throughout the season. Training days take place in May and June.
Volunteer interpreters must always maintain acceptable visitor numbers on the tower and answer questions about the Catskill Region, fire towers, and the views. Volunteers must be able to climb multiple flights of stairs and interact with visitors in a professional manner.
To learn more or to sign up for volunteer, visit the Catskills Fire Tower Project website (leaves DEC website).
General Conditions:
- ELIGIBILITY: Winners will be required to execute and return a Certificate of Eligibility, Consent and General Release form within 14 days of notification. Non-compliance within this time period may result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner. Any income tax liability is the sole responsibility of the winner.
- USE OF CONTEST INFORMATION: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Empire State Development Corporation reserve the right to use any and all information related to the contest, for editorial, marketing and any other purpose, unless prohibited by law.
- CONDUCT: All contest participants agree to be bound by these Official Rules. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in its sole discretion, reserves the right to disqualify any person it finds to be tampering with the entry process, the operation of its web site or is otherwise in violation of these rules.
- LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is not responsible for late, lost or misdirected email or for any computer, online, telephone or technical malfunctions that may occur. If for any reason, the contest is not capable of running as planned for any reason, including but not limited to pandemics, epidemics or viral outbreaks, infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention or technical failures of any sort, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation may cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the contest. Entrants further agree to release the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation from any liability resulting from or related to participation in the contest.
- WINNERS LIST: The names of the winner may be obtained by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Outdoor Recreation, 625 Broadway, Albany, New York 12233-1020.
