For Immediate Release

The Catskill Center is pleased to announce that the Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center (CVC) is reopening to provide tourism related services to the public. The CVC, located in Mount Tremper, NY at 5096 Route 28 is the official visitor center for the Catskill Park and prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, welcomed thousands of visitors annually to the region. 

“It was important, in light of the increasing number of visitors to the Catskill Park, that the Catskill Center find a way to reopen the CVC in a way that provides the public with the information that they need to recreate responsibly and that protects our staff,” said Jeff Senterman, Executive Director of the Catskill Center. “We pride ourselves on protecting the Catskill Park and reopening the CVC was another piece in the challenging puzzle of responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Starting immediately, Catskill Center staff will be available at the CVC with information, maps and all the advice needed to plan a Catskill adventure. A walk-up service window at the building is now open Monday through Saturday, from 10am to 3pm. Visitors who wear a mask and follow social distancing protocols are now able to get their Catskill questions answered in person, receive tourism literature, and make purchases at the CVC’s gift shop. The CVC building, including restrooms inside, are not yet open to the public. 

CVC staff is also available to answer questions about the Catskills and the Catskill Park via email at info@catskillcenter.org or phone (845) 688-3369.

“We are excited to once again welcome visitors to the CVC, even if the way that we have to do that has changed due to COVID-19,” said Katie Palm, the Director of the CVC. “There’s something special about being able to have a conversation with a visitor and truly make a difference in their visit to the Catskills. We look forward to learning how best to leverage the resources of the CVC through our new walk-up service window.”

In addition to the walk-up service window, 1.5 miles of trails on the CVC's grounds, including the (roughly) 0.5 mile ADA accessible Interpretive Loop Trail, are open to the public daily. The 80-foot tall Upper Esopus Fire Tower, which was constructed and opened last fall, will also be open daily to visitors. Due to COVID-19, the cab on top of the Fire Tower will remain closed. Visitors are welcome to climb to the last platform below the cab and enjoy the view from there. Picnic tables are available on site for those who wish to enjoy a picnic lunch.

In addition to the services and amenities on site, visitors can explore the ever expanding resources available online for the CVC on the web at  www.catskillsvisitorcenter.org and on the CVC’s Facebook page (facebook.com/catskillsvisitorcenter).

“We look forward to continuing to reopen in a responsible and measured way that protects the health and safety of our staff, while ensuring that we provide the necessary service of providing information and interpretation to the public who come to visit and enjoy the Catskill Park,” said Senterman. “For 51 years, the Catskill Center has worked hard to protect the Catskill Park and we see an active Catskills Visitor Center as one of the best ways to ensure the visiting public understands how to responsibly enjoy the natural treasure that is the Catskills.”

When visiting the CVC grounds and the Catskills, please remember to follow NYS and CDC guidelines for recreating safely and social distancing. Bring a mask to wear in case there are other visitors on the trails, and please carry out what you carry in.

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