About the CVC

Your Gateway to the Catskills and the Visitor Center for the Catskill Park

The Catskills Visitor Center is a partnership between the Catskill Center and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Whether you’re just passing through or here to stay for the season, make us your first stop when you arrive in the Catskills – our friendly staff is here every day with all the info, maps & advice you need to plan your best Catskill adventure! 

From exhibits to nature trails, an 80-foot fire tower to community events – there’s something for everyone at the Catskills Visitor Center, and visitors and residents alike will find new ways to connect with the nature, history and culture that makes this region so unique.

“For too long the Catskill State Park was one of the only major state or national parks in the country without an Interpretive Center. I was determined to change that. It’s critically important to have a place where residents and visitors can learn about our unique natural, historical, and cultural resources. It will help preserve our rich heritage, keep our local economies strong, and our quality of life intact.”

— Hon. Rep. Maurice D. Hinchey, US Rep. 1993 – 2013

HOURS

April 1 – November 30
The CVC is open 7 days a week, 9:30am-4pm.

December 1 – March 31
The CVC is open Fri – Mon from 9:30am-4pm.

The grounds are open to the public every day during daylight hours. Masks and social distancing are recommended on the property, regardless of vaccination status. Please follow all posted signs in regards to parking, trail access and dogs on the trails.

CONTACT US

Stop by on your way to the trails for latest park news, local maps & info and more!

5096 Route 28, Mount Tremper, NY 12457

845.688.3369 | info@catskillcenter.org

Our Namesake

The Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center is proud to be named in honor of leading environmental advocate, the Honorable Representative Maurice D. Hinchey and honored to be his final resting place.

Learn More About Maurice Hinchey

Visitor and Interpretive Services

The Catskills Visitor Center is your gateway to the Catskill Region and the Catskill Park. Our staff and volunteers are on hand to help you plan your Catskill adventure and vacations, from information about our communities, to the best trails for a variety of users. In the Catskills Visitor Center we offer:

  • Brochures and guides to the many different recreational, cultural and historical attractions and resources of the Catskills
  • Maps for hiking, fishing, mountain biking, scenic byways and more
  • Information on events across the region
  • Trained staff and volunteers to help answer any questions you may have
  • Public restrooms, free wifi and cell service

Gift Shop

The Catskills Visitor Center’s Gift Shop has a wide variety of books and guides about the Catskill Park, the Catskill Mountains and the surround areas. We also carry a large selection of quality trail maps and trail guides to help you have a safe and enjoyable adventure on the trails, whether you are hiking or mountain biking.

In addition to books, maps and guidebooks, the Catskills Visitor Center Gift Shop offers local products, fire tower merchandise include Catskill Fire Tower patches and a number of items to help you enjoy your stay in the Catskills!

If you need something right now, the Gift Shop is also online!

Did you know? Catskill Center members receive a 10% discount at the Gift Shop when they show their membership cards!

Gear Rentals

The Catskills Visitor Center offers outdoor gear basics for rent to try out on your next adventure:

  • Bear canisters – keep your food, trash, and other scented items secure from bears and other wildlife
  • Crampons – fit over your hiking or winter boots to offer traction in icy, snowy, or muddy conditions
  • Snowshoes – allow you to walk on deep snow without sinking, available in both adult and kid sizes
  • Poles – offer additional stability for snowshoeing and winter hikes on snowy or icy terrain

For more information, visit the Gear Rentals page

Nearby Trails

The Esopus Creek Trail is approximately 1/2 mile out and back. It travels from the Visitor Center across Route 28 and to the bank of the Esopus Creek. This trail is constructed to ADA accessibility standards and provides a family-friendly route to the banks of the Esopus where you can enjoy the mountain and river […]
The Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center (CVC) is a partnership between the Catskill Center and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Opened in 2015, the CVC connects residents and visitors with the ecology, history, and culture that make the Catskills unique Interpretive Loop Trail (red trail markers, easy): approximately ½ mile, […]
The Upper Ridge Trail is approximately 1/2 mile out and back. It ascends the slope behind the Catskills Visitor Center main building and ends at a rustic picnic area. The trail, originally built by the NYNJ Trail Conference showcases trail building techniques used throughout the Catskills on new, sustainable trails and trail reconstruction projects.

The Upper Esopus Fire Tower

The newest addition to the Catskills Visitor Center property is our newly restored 80’ fire tower. The cab (very top of the tower) will be open and staffed on weekends Memorial Day through Columbus Day. If you are interested in visiting at another time, we recommend calling the Catskills Visitor Center at 845-688-3369 before you head out to confirm that the tower is open. Views from the fire tower include the Esopus Valley, nearby Mt. Tremper, Ashokan High Point, and the Phoenicia East Branch Trail. Please note there is a limit of six people in the cab of the tower at one time.

Access to the Fire Tower is available via the Interpretive Loop Trail.

Picnic Areas, Wildlife Viewing and Esopus Creek Access

The large field surrounding the Catskills Visitor Center makes the perfect place for a picnic! The Visitor Center site includes picnic tables with umbrellas throughout the open area. A second, more rustic picnic area is available after a short climb on the Nature Trail. This picnic area features a view of Romer Mountain and Mount Pleasant to the south.

The Catskills Visitor Center offers a covered pavilion open to the public for picnicking, for workshops and presentations and for special events. The pavilion has capacity for approximately 100 visitors and is available to individuals and groups for special event rentals (please email info@catskillcenter.org for more information).

Wildlife viewing opportunities abound on site and include birds, mammals and amphibians in several different habitats on site.

Access to Esopus Creek is available via the Esopus Creek Trail. This trail provides direct access to the bank of the creek for wildlife viewing, fishing and recreation.

Trail Updates

Sign up for our weekly trail updates.

The Catskills Visitor Center is a program of the Catskill Center and receives generous support from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, Catskill Watershed Corporation, and members and donors of the Catskill Center.  Learn more about supporting the Catskills Visitor Center.