The Catskill Center's Thorn Preserve

04/07/2026

A Visitor Use Management report has been released for Kaaterskill Clove.

The public comment period is now open for NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s Kaaterskill Clove Project Area Recommendations Report and Monitoring Plan.

This plan will help shape the future of one of the Catskills’ most iconic and heavily used landscapes. Comments will be accepted through June 1, and a virtual public meeting will be held on April 29 at 6:00pm.

Read the Catskill Center’s full statement and learn how to participate at catskillcenter.org/news.

12/04/2025

Catskill Trail Conditions | December 5 - December 7

Prepare for a chilly start to December! A colder weekend is ahead in the Catskills, with a mix of clouds and sun throughout the next few days. We’ll see daytime highs in the mid-20s to mid-30s, while overnight lows are expected to dip into the teens to mid-20s. With earlier sunsets and winter conditions, be sure to plan your hike so that you can return before dark and pack a light source in case you’re out after sunset. Keep track of the time and remember it will take you just as long, and possibly longer depending on snowy or icy conditions, to return to your starting point as it did to hike out.

This week’s trail conditions are sponsored by Stewart's Shops

Trail Conditions & Tips:
• Bring traction devices; pack crampons and/or snowshoes, and use trekking poles to help you keep your footing.
• Wear layers; base layers of moisture-wicking fabric to keep your skin dry, insulating layers such as wool or fleece, and waterproof or water-resistant outer layers.
• Prepare for your outing, and know your route. Snow-covered landscapes can look very different than in summer.
• Let someone know about your hiking itinerary, and when you plan to return.
• Pack a headlamp or light source, along with extra batteries.

🌤️ Friday: Generally sunny despite a few afternoon clouds. High near 24°F, low 19°F.

☁️ Saturday: Overcast. High around 36°F, low 25°F.

☁️ Sunday: Considerable cloudiness. High 35°F, low 16°F.

🔗 To learn more about this week’s trail conditions, visit catskillstrailconditions.com.

Looking for outdoor gear to rent? Stop by our Visitor Center or check out rentals online at catskillsvisitorcenter.org/rentals!

Thanks for hiking responsibly and helping protect the Catskills!

📸 Tag us in your Catskills hikes!

12/03/2025

A healthy Catskills means a healthy New York.

This Giving Tuesday, your gift to the Catskill Center helps care for the mountains that sustain us all. The Catskills provide clean drinking water for millions of New Yorkers, support critical biodiversity, and offer the outdoor spaces that keep our communities connected to nature.

By giving today, you help strengthen ongoing stewardship, safeguard essential habitats, and advance the advocacy needed to keep these lands both thriving and resilient.

Join us this Giving Tuesday and protect what protects you.

Visit givebutter.com/ccgivingtuesday to give today!

11/28/2025

11/28/2025

Double your impact on Tuesday, December 2nd!

This Giving Tuesday, your support goes twice as far. Thanks to a generous matching gift up to $12,500, every dollar you give will be doubled, helping us reach our $25,000 goal to protect and care for the Catskills.

From preserving trails and forests to supporting education, stewardship, and community programs, your gift strengthens the Catskill Center’s work across the region.

Join us for a powerful day of impact at givebutter.com/ccgivingtuesday

09/18/2025

As autumn approaches, the Catskills come alive with vibrant colors, drawing visitors from across the state and beyond. Jeff Senterman, Executive Director of the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, shares his insights on why the Catskills should be at the top of every fall traveler’s ...

09/18/2025

Catskill Trail Conditions | September 19 - September 21

There’s still warm weather ahead, but the Catskills are beginning to show signs of Autumn’s arrival with cooler overnight temps and slightly muted reds and oranges of tree-leaves visible. This weekend, we’ll see mostly sunny skies with occasional clouds. Daytime highs will be in the mid- 70s on Friday, followed by temps in the low 70s for the rest of the weekend. Expect overnight lows to drop into the mid-40s. With hunting season right around the corner, it is important to be aware of the hunting regulations in the area you are in. When recreating outdoors during this time, make yourself visible by wearing blaze orange or pink to reduce the risk of any incidents. Dogs that accompany you should also wear blaze orange or pink, and should always remain leashed and under your control.

This week’s trail conditions are sponsored by PKBrown Woodworking

Trail Conditions & Tips:
• Some trails can become slick with wet leaves and mud, especially near water. Wear proper footwear and watch your step.
• Wear bright, visible colors like orange, and make noise to alert hunters to your presence, especially if you’re hiking in shared-use areas.
• Layer up: dress in layers to adjust to changing temperatures.
• Check for ticks, and keep a tick-removing tool handy.

🌤️Friday: Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High near 74°F, low 44°F.

🌤️Saturday: A few morning clouds will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High around 68°F, low 46°F.

🌤️Sunday: Partly cloudy. High 70°F, low 49°F.

🔗 To learn more about this week’s trail conditions, visit catskillstrailconditions.com.

Looking for outdoor gear to rent? Stop by our Visitor Center or check out rentals online at catskillsvisitorcenter.org/rentals!

Thanks for hiking responsibly and helping protect the Catskills!

📸 Tag us in your Catskills hikes!

04/25/2025

Be the help that bees and other pollinators need!

Join us this Saturday, April 26 to become a Pollinator Garden volunteer. Gardening experience is not required—just a willingness to help our pollinator garden bloom.

For more details and to register, visit https://catskillcenter.org/events/2025/4/26/pollinator-garden-volunteer

Saturday, April 26, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Catskills Visitor Center

03/28/2025

As of March 14, 2025, Thorn Preserve is a dog-free space, with the exception of trained service animals. This decision wasn’t made lightly—we know many visitors enjoy sharing this space with their pets. However, ongoing challenges with off-leash dogs have made it increasingly difficult to balance recreation with the protection of sensitive habitats, wildlife, and the experience of all visitors.

Despite efforts like increased signage, public programming, and on-site stewardship, off-leash dogs continue to disrupt ground-nesting birds, pollinators, and fragile ecosystems. A safer, more predictable environment also ensures that all visitors can fully enjoy the preserve.

We understand this change may be disappointing and truly appreciate your support. For those seeking dog-friendly alternatives, Woodstock offers a designated dog park with wooded trails located on Dixon Avenue behind Rick Volz Field. Thorn will remain a place for low-impact exploration, conservation, and connection with nature—thank you for helping us protect it.

For more information about this updated policy, please visit catskillcenter.org/news

02/27/2025

Discover the rich history and fascinating stories of the Catskill Fire Towers, then climb the tallest tower in the region to take in breathtaking views.

Join naturalist and licensed guide Dave Holden, in collaboration with Catskill Mountain Roots, this Saturday for this special event at the Upper Esopus Fire Tower at the Catskills Visitor Center.

Register for this event by visiting https://givebutter.com/byi6dh

02/16/2025

Catskill Park Trail Conditions for the weekend on February 14, 15, and 16.

This week’s trail conditions are sponsored by Adams Fairacre Farms, Inc. Expect snowy trail conditions with roughly 6-10 inches or more of snow and ice, especially at higher elevations.

The Catskills are bracing for another winter storm predicted to arrive this weekend with some areas seeing up to a foot of accumulating snow. Daytime temperatures are expected to be in the mid-20s to low-30s, and overnight temps will be in teens to mid-20s. We kick off the weekend on Friday with a mix of sun and clouds for most of the day with snow flurries possible. We’ll see gusty 20-30 mph winds and a high reaching near 27°F. Overcast skies are expected to move in on Friday evening with cold overnight temps dropping to around 15°F and calm winds. Saturday will be generally cloudy with snow likely as we’re watching for a potential winter storm. We’ll see a high near 25°F with continued calm winds and 1-3 inches of snow accumulation possible. Snow showers continue into Saturday night becoming a wintry mix late with an additional 3-5 inches of accumulation possible. Overnight temps are expected to settle around 23°F with light and variable winds. Mixed precipitation will continue on Sunday. We’ll see calm winds again and daytime temps around 32°F with an additional 1-3 inches of snow expected. Sunday evening will be mostly cloudy again with snow showers tapering off before midnight. Overnight temps are expected to drop to around 16°F with 10-20 mph winds and about an inch of snow accumulation. Higher elevations will be cooler.

To learn more about this week’s trail conditions visit catskillstrailconditions.com

Looking for winter hiking gear? The Catskills Visitor Center has outdoor gear for rent, such as crampons, snowshoes, and trekking poles. Visit https://catskillsvisitorcenter.org/rentals/ or stop by our Visitor Center for details.