Catskills Fire Towers
The Catskill Park is home to six Fire Towers: five are located on mountain summits, and one is a frontcountry Fire Tower located on the grounds of the Catskills Visitor Center.
2024 Update
The Catskill Fire Tower Challenge has returned for 2024! Starting Jan. 1, 2024 and ending on Dec. 31, 2024, hikers who complete all six of the Catskills Fire Towers are eligible to receive a prize! More details can be found here. Finishers who completed the challenge multiple times will receive an additional commemorative Catskills Fire Tower Challenge prize. For more information about the towers, and when the top cabs will be open, please scroll down.
The 2024 Catskill Fire Tower CHallenge
Includes Six Fire Towers:
Overlook Mountain Fire Tower, elevation 3140’ - Woodstock, NY
Hunter Mountain Fire Tower, elevation 4040’ - Hunter, NY
Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower, elevation 3723’ - Hardenburgh, NY
Red Hill Fire Tower, elevation 2990’ - Denning, NY
Upper Esopus Fire Tower, elevation 670’ - Mt. Tremper, NY
Mount Tremper Fire Tower, elevation 2740’ - Shandaken, NY
The Catskill Fire Tower Challenge hiking log can be found here.
The Fire Towers of the Catskill Park (Overlook, Hunter, Balsam Lake, Red Hill, Mount Tremper, and the Upper Esopus) are open to the public up to the tops of the staircases which offer a great view to visitors. The top cabs of the towers are currently closed until Memorial Day weekend.
The top cabs of the fire towers are opened seasonally from May through October, when volunteers and fire tower stewards are present. The staircases are always open on the fire towers.
If you’re interested in volunteering on one of the towers in 2024, please complete an online volunteer application!
information on the Catskills Fire Towers and Catskill Fire Tower Project
The Catskill Center, through the Catskill Fire Tower Project and in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) manages the six fire towers in the Catskill Park for public access and interpretation. Historically more than a hundred towers, some built nearly a century ago, were used for early detection of forest fires throughout New York state because of their extensive views of the surrounding countryside.
Today, six towers reside in the Catskill Park and are maintained with assistance from a dedicated group of volunteers and the DEC.
During the summer months our Catskill Fire Tower Project volunteers open up the tower cabs on weekends for visitors to enjoy the stunning panoramic views of the region. Volunteers are generally present on weekends between Memorial Day and Columbus Day with the cabs open between 10am and 4pm. You should also check the signage at the trailhead to ensure that a cab will be open and staffed before you start your hike.
The five towers located on mountain summits make for some of the best hiking destinations in the Catskills, offering unparalleled 360-degree views of the surrounding Catskill Park and mountains. They are well worth the time and effort it takes to hike to each tower. The sixth tower, located on the grounds of the Catskills Visitor Center offers visitors who don’t have the time or the ability to climb a mountain peak, the opportunity to experience a Catskills Fire Tower!
If you're interested in volunteering on the Catskill Fire Tower Project, please complete our volunteer form. Looking for hiking maps, guides and info on the Fire Towers? Pick up a map or a guidebook from the Catskills Visitor Center! Then be sure to read on for our guides to each tower!
Please email, call or visit our staff at the Catskills Visitor Center if you have any questions about the Fire Towers of the Catskill Park:
info@catskillcenter.org
845-688-3369
5096 Route 28, Mt. Tremper, NY
Thank you, and enjoy the Fire Towers of the Catskill Park!
CATSKILLS FIRE TOWER HIKER AND VISITOR INFORMATION
Click each of the fire tower names for detailed trail map and hiking guide, courtesy of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference.
BALSAM LAKE MOUNTAIN – TOWN OF HARDENBURGH – ELEVATION 3,723′
History: The first fire tower on the top of a mountain in New York State was placed at the summit of Balsam Lake Mountain in 1887. The existing 47-foot tower was erected in 1919, closed in 1988 and reopened by the Catskill Fire Tower Project and the NYSDEC in 2000.
Summer/Fall 2022: The staircase is open at Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower. Volunteer interpreters are present on the mountain on weekends and Holiday Mondays from Memorial Day through Columbus Day. The top cab will be closed for the time-being will maintainance is being completed.
Hiking Directions: Follow the blue-marked Dry Brook Ridge Trail located on Mill Brook Road outside the hamlet of Arkville 2.2 miles to the intersection with the Balsam Lake Mountain Trail. Follow the red-marked Balsam Lake Mountain Trail 0.75 miles to the Fire Tower and the summit of the mountain. Return via the same route for a moderate, six-mile, round trip hike.
RED HILL – TOWN OF DENNING – ELEVATION 2,990′
History: This 60-foot fire tower was constructed in 1921 and is listed on the National Historic Lookout Register and has been nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. The Red Hill Tower offers an unsurpassed view of the Catskill High Peaks to the west and north, along with the Roundout Reservoir to the southeast. The tower was reopened to the public in 2000.
Summer/Fall 2022: The staircase is open at Red Hill Fire Tower. The top cab is open on weekends and holiday Mondays from Memorial Day through Columbus Day, and volunteer interpreters will be present on the mountain.
Hiking Directions: Follow the blue-marked Red Hill Fire Tower Trail from the trailhead on Denning Road in Claryville, NY. When you reach a trail junction with a yellow-marked trail, turn right to continue following the blue trail to the top. Return via the same route for a moderate, four-mile roundtrip hike.
TREMPER MOUNTAIN – TOWN OF SHANDAKEN – ELEVATION 2,740′
History: The Tremper Mountain Fire Tower is believed to be the original structure that was built in 1917 and used for fire observation until 1971. It was reopened to the public in 2001. The 47-foot tower offers a spectacular 360-degree view that includes the Burroughs Range, Stony Clove, Deep Notch and the Devil's Path Range.
Summer/Fall 2022: The staircase is open at Mount Tremper Fire Tower. There will be a delay in 2022 reopening the top cab, however the staircase will remain open.
Hiking Directions: Take the red-marked Phoenicia Trail from the trailhead parking lot on Ulster County Route 40 to the Tremper Mountain Fire Tower. Return via the same route from a 3.4 mile, moderate to difficult hike. Note that the parking area at the trailhead fills quickly. Additional limited parking is available on pull offs along County Route 40, but please observe all posted traffic and parking signs as illegally parked vehicles can be ticketed.
Caution! Timber Rattlesnakes have made the rocky areas of Tremper Mountain their home. Be on the lookout and be sure to keep your pets under close supervision and on a leash to avoid any problems.
OVERLOOK MOUNTAIN – TOWN OF WOODSTOCK – ELEVATION 3,140′
History: The Overlook Mountain Fire Tower is the newest of the five remaining fire towers in the Catskill Park, having been built in its present location in 1950. The tower closed in 1988 and was reopened in 1999, making it the first tower to re-open to the public in the Catskills. The 60-foot tower offers incredible views of the Hudson River Valley across to the Berkshires, Taconics and Litchfield Hills, the Ashokan Reservoir and the Devil's Path Range.
Summer/Fall 2022: The staircase is open every day at Overlook Mountain Fire Tower. The top cab is open on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through Columbus Day and volunteer interpreters will be present on the mountain. Overlook Fire Tower’s top cab is also open on Thursdays this year through mid-October.
Hiking Directions: Take the red-marked Overlook Spur Trail from the trailhead on Meads Mountain Road to the Overlook Mountain Fire Tower and return via the same trail for a 4/6 mile, moderate to difficult hike. Note that the parking area at the trailhead fills quickly. Parking is only available in the parking area, please observe all posted traffic and parking signs, otherwise your vehicle may be ticketed.
Caution! Timber Rattlesnakes have made much of the rocky higher elevations of Overlook Mountain their home. Be on the lookout and be sure to keep your pets under close supervision and on a leash to avoid any problems.
HUNTER MOUNTAIN – TOWN OF HUNTER – ELEVATION 4,040′
History: The Hunter Mountain Fire Tower has the unique distinction of being located at the highest elevation of any fire tower in New York State - on the summit of Hunter Mountain at 4040 feet. The original tower was constructed from logs and the current, 60-foot steel tower was constructed in 1917 about a third of a mile from the present location. In 1953 the tower was relocated to its current location on the summit of Hunter Mountain.
Summer/Fall 2022: The staircase is open at Hunter Mountain Fire Tower. The top cab is open on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through Columbus Day and volunteer interpreters will be present on the mountain. Hunter Fire Tower’s top cab is also open on Tuesdays this year through mid-October.
Hiking Directions: Take the blue-marked Spruceton Trail from Greene County Route 6 (Spruceton Road) in the hamlet of Spruceton for a seven-mile moderately difficult roundtrip hike. Or take the yellow-marked Colonel's Chair trail from the top of the Hunter Mountain Sky Ride, open select summer weekends--a moderate four-mile roundtrip hike (note due to COVID, the Sky Ride is not open for the 2020 season).
TIP: Be sure to have a good trail map for your Hunter Mountain Fire Tower climb. There are a number of trails that crisscross Hunter Mountain and it can be easy to get turned around and end up at the wrong trail head a long way from your vehicle if you aren't paying attention.
Upper Esopus Fire tower – TOWN OF Shandaken - elevation 670’
History: The Upper Esopus Fire Tower was a fire tower used for fire surveillance in Venice, Florida that was completely restored for its new home in the Catskills. It was rebuilt on the grounds at the Catskills Visitor Center in the fall of 2019. This 80-foot steel tower is a great way for hikers, casual and advanced, to enjoy a reward and view of the area for only about a quarter of a mile of walking from the parking area.
Summer/Fall 2022: The staircase is open at the Catskills Visitor Center’s Fire Tower. The tower top cab will be open on Saturdays, Sundays, and holiday Mondays from Memorial Day through Columbus Day by a Fire Tower Steward.
Hiking Directions: From the parking lot of the Catskills Visitor Center, walk about a quarter of a mile on the red-blazed Interpretive Loop Trail (trail map here).
Need More Information?
Contact the Catskill Center at 845-688-3369 or email us at info@catskillcenter.org and we'd be happy to help you with your Catskills Fire Tower adventures. You can also stop in at the Catskills Visitor Center and our staff and volunteers will be happy to help you plan your Fire Tower hike!
Let us know you visited a Fire Tower!
Tag your photos with #CatskillsFireTower and #CatskillCenter!
Be sure to like the Catskill Fire Tower Project on Facebook and follow the Catskill Center on Twitter (@CatskillCenter) to get the latest news, information and events from the fire towers of the Catskill Park and on all the work that the Catskill Center does on behalf of the Catskills!
Get the Gear!
After you finish your Fire Tower hikes and climbs, get the official Catskills Fire Tower Patches! Our online shop at the Catskills Visitor Center offers Fire Tower Patches, T-shirts and Caps and all proceeds benefit the Fire Tower Project and the Fire Towers of the Catskills!
Support the Catskill Fire Tower Project and the Catskill Center
Generous support from donors and members like you make our work on the Catskill Fire Tower Project possible. Please become a member today so we can continue this work!
Since 1969, the Catskill Center has led the effort to protect the Catskills. Our mission is to protect and foster the environmental, cultural, and economic well-being of the Catskill region.
The Catskill Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (EIN: 23-7058142). Your contribution and membership dues are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
A copy of our most recently filed financial report is available from the Charities Registry on the New York State Attorney General’s website (www.charitiesnys.com) or, upon request, by contacting the New York State Attorney General, Charities Bureau, 28 Liberty Street, New York, NY 10005, or us at Catskill Center, PO Box 504, Arkville, NY 12406. You also may obtain information on charitable organizations from the New York State Office of the Attorney General at www.charitiesnys.com or (212) 416-8401.