New York State Travel Tips - Visit The Catskill Mountains

Catskill Mountains

The people of New York State are extremely fortunate in having a forest preserve on their doorstep. The Catskill Mountains is a wonderful area of lakes, rivers and waterfalls. It's a haven for wildlife such as coyotes, fishers, bobcats and minks. There are even hundreds of black bears. This doesn't put off the visitors who go there every year to the resorts and camp sites. Some of the resorts stay open over the winter period too and provide skiing facilities for downhill, cross country and snowboarding. Many people own second homes in the region and love to get out of the city on hot weekends to commune with nature.

This area is a favorite destination for geologists. A lot can be learned about the evolution of the Catskill Mountains from the rock formations. Officially, they are not actually classed as mountains. By strict definition, it is a raised plateau. Nevertheless, there are plenty peaks above 3,500 feet, the highest being Slide Mountain in Ulster County which is an impressive 4,180 feet. There are also four reservoirs and the Kaaterskill Falls are the highest falls in the state. There is some dispute about where the boundaries lie within the Catskills. As people travel around the area, it's sometimes unclear as to when they have crossed over to neighboring regions.

Beautiful scenery is enough reason to explore the area. It offers great opportunities for artists and photographers at any time of year. The sense of an unspoilt wilderness is apparent. In addition to hiking on the peaks or through the Hudson River Valley, there are numerous activities to enjoy in the Catskill Mountains. There are ponds and lakes where trout or bass can be fished and areas for scuba diving and snorkeling. Much of the region allows hunting, including for deer, through the hunting season. Some people like to go horseback riding, canoeing, rock and ice climbing or mountain bike riding. There are gentler pursuits too such as playing golf or simply enjoying the outdoors at one of the picnic areas.

Shopping and culture is also well covered. The region is famous for its number of antique shops and galleries, and there are delightful stores selling crafts, jewelry, glassware and furniture. The Catskill Mountains claim to have the largest kaleidoscope in the world and it attracts a lot of tourists. Railway enthusiasts can visit the rail museum and take a ride on the mountain railroad line. There is a monastery that offers tours and a maritime museum that traces the history of commerce on the Hudson River. A lighthouse dating from the 1800s is open to the public. Free Shakespeare productions are mounted every summer and there are also classical music concerts.

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