August 2, 2024 – Arkville, NY: The Catskill Center’s Catskill Stewards Program commenced its 2024 season with mixed visitation trends within the Catskill Park, indicating overall growth compared to the previous year. Some locations have experienced notable increases in foot traffic, while others have seen slight declines. The overall upward trend in visitation underscores the continued importance of monitoring the Catskills' most popular outdoor destinations and highlights the value of the stewards' efforts in preserving the park's natural heritage while promoting a positive visitor experience.

The program includes seven full-time Catskill Stewards and one part-time Ridgerunner, all certified in Wilderness First Aid, trained as Leave No Trace educators, and instructed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) on forest rules, regulations, and invasive species identification. Stewards are stationed at high-use locations throughout the region, including Peekamoose Blue Hole, Kaaterskill Falls, Platte Clove and Thorn Preserves, Devil’s Path, and six Fire Tower locations. They collaborate closely with Forest Rangers in their efforts to protect and preserve the Catskill Park. Their duties include providing information on permit requirements, removing litter, rehabilitating illegal campsites, protecting water quality, and promoting responsible recreation practices. Additionally, they assist the United States Forest Service in data collection to better understand visitor demographics and usage trends.

From May 1 to mid-July 2024, the Catskill Stewards engaged with 23,335 visitors and 1,772 dogs, bringing total visitation to 28,223 across all locations. Peekamoose Blue Hole saw 7,822 visitors, an increase of nearly 1,100 from 2023. Kaaterskill Falls had 14,421 visitors, a decrease of roughly 3,800 from last year. Devil’s Path attracted 1,163 visitors, an increase of 400 from 2023, while the Fire Towers recorded 705 visitors, up by approximately 185 from 2023. At Peekamoose Blue Hole, stewards turned away 5,000 visitors due to capacity limits. Throughout the start of the season, the stewards have built connections with a diverse range of park users, including hikers, anglers, birders, families, swimmers, and cyclists, as both residents and visitors of the Catskills.

Joining these efforts are the Catskill Mountainkeeper Stewards, focusing on high-use areas in the Western Catskills. From May through June 2024, the Mountainkeeper Stewards welcomed 2,158 visitors and 123 dogs, surpassing last year’s numbers. They cover five primary locations at Big Pond, Alder Lake, the Beaverkill Covered Bridge, the Peekamoose Blue Hole Lower Field, and the Neversink Fishing Access Point. Like the Catskill Center stewards, they are trained in DEC rules and regulations, Leave No Trace principles, and Wilderness First Aid, and collaborate with the United States Forest Service on visitor surveys.

Visitors have expressed appreciation for the stewards’ presence at trailheads and the noticeable improvements in site conditions. Popular activities reported this season include fly fishing, swimming, boating, kayaking, and enjoying the natural beauty of the park. Stewards have welcomed visitors speaking English, Korean, Czech, Spanish, Hindi, Burmese, Indonesian, and Lithuanian thus far, and counted up to 45 bird species in one day at a single location. These experiences highlight the Catskill Park as a vibrant destination for both people and wildlife, and underscores the continued importance of stewardship efforts in the Catskills.

Read the full 2024 Catskill Stewards Mid-Season report here.

A portion of the Catskill Stewards Program utilizes funding from the Environmental Protection Fund, administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.