The Catskill Forest Preserve is 280,000 acres of state-owned land in upstate New York. As part of the larger Catskill Park, the Catskill Forest Preserve is protected by New York state's constitution and is open to the public year-round. Recreational activities at the park include: camping, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, hunting, fishing and, in the winter, skiing. It is important to observe safety guidelines when enjoying this public land.
The Catskill Forest Preserve requires campers to make reservations before setting up. Groups of more than 10 people require a permit from the forest ranger. Be sure to carry out everything you bring in. The park does not have garbage bins because it is a forest preserve, and visitors are expected to dispose of their own waste. Let someone in the forestry office know where you will be and for how long, in case there is any problem or the park staff needs to get in touch with you.
Hunting seasons are strictly enforced in the Catskill Forest Preserve, and it is important to investigate the specific dates for the beginning and end of particular hunting seasons before setting out. The Catskills have a large population of deer ticks that carry lyme disease. If you're tromping through deer territory, you likely will be tromping through deer-tick territory, too. Wear light-colored clothing and tuck your cuffs into your socks. Wear tick-killing bug spray, especially around your ankles. Check yourself thoroughly for ticks after each outing.
The emerald ash borer, an invasive species of insect that devastates ash trees, caused a lot of damage in New York in 2010. The emerald ash borer lives underneath the bark of ash trees and is difficult to detect with the naked eye. The forest service recommends campers refrain from removing firewood, kindling or other natural materials from the Catskill Forest Preserve to prevent the spread of this insect.
