When to Go

Spring in the Catskills begins a little later than most places: late April and early May can still be chilly at night, but you'll be rewarded with the yellowish green of new growth covering the hillsides. In summer, the mountains fill with travelers roaming dense forests, splashing in cool rivers and watering holes, and attending countless festivals. It's seldom hot; even during the dog days of August you probably won't turn on your air conditioning. Peaking around Columbus Day, autumn foliage burns golden amber, rich red, brilliant orange, and occasionally pink. In winter, bare, silvery branches stretch to the sky, laden with mounds of snow and icicles. Avoid visiting in late winter and early spring, when thawing snow can make things muddy.