• Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar

New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Adirondacks & NNY
  • Capital-Saratoga
  • Mohawk Valley
  • Hudson Valley & Catskills
  • NYC & Long Island
  • Western NY
  • History
  • Nature & Environment
  • Arts & Culture
  • Outdoor Recreation
  • Food & Farms
  • Subscribe
  • Support
  • Submit
  • About
  • New Books
  • Events
  • Podcasts

State Closes Kaaterskill Falls Access

April 6, 2020 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

Kaaterskill Falls courtesy DECThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the temporary closure of Kaaterskill Falls, the viewing platform, and connecting trails. The Kaaterskill Wild Forest will remain open to the public.

The closure of the Kaaterskill Falls site is part of DEC’s statewide efforts to reduce the community spread of COVID-19 by encouraging New Yorkers to safely and responsibly recreate locally. DEC is temporarily closing public access to the falls due to its unique features that do not provide for appropriate social distancing during the ongoing COVID-19 response.

Kaaterskill Falls is a popular destination that consists of several short-access trails leading from large parking areas to the falls and the viewing platform. The falls, viewing platform, and access trails are relatively small areas that are currently concentrating recreationists together, preventing safe social distancing at this site, as well as placing an unnecessary burden on and danger to State and local resources and emergency responders during the ongoing public health response. DEC officials say they will continue to evaluate the situation and will announce when these areas reopen to the recreating public.

DEC is closing parking areas at Molly Smith, Laurel House Road, and Scutt Road to public use. All access trails leading to the falls will be closed. Roadside parking in these areas is prohibited.

In addition, DEC is blocking roads leading to the North-South Lake Campground to encourage social distancing and reduce visitor density while providing access for hikers to visit trails that connect with the campground.

While enjoying time outdoors, New Yorkers should follow CDC/NYS Department of Health (DOH) guidelines for preventing the spread of disease:

  • Try to keep at least six feet of distance between you and others;
  • Avoid close contact such as shaking hands, hugging, or sharing binoculars;
  • Wash hands often or use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available; and
  • Avoid surfaces that are touched often such as handrails, doorknobs, and playground equipment.

DEC and the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) are encouraging New Yorkers to engage in responsible recreation during the ongoing COVID-19 response. DEC and State Parks recommendations incorporate guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the New York State Department of Health for reducing the spread of infectious diseases and encourage New Yorkers to recreate locally, practice physical distancing, and use common sense to protect themselves and others. In addition, DEC and State Parks launched the #RecreateLocal hashtag and encouraged New Yorkers to get outside and discover open spaces and parks close to home.

Photo of Kaaterskill Falls courtesy DEC.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Filed Under: Hudson Valley - Catskills, Recreation Tagged With: Catskills, DEC, Greene County, hiking, Kaaterskill Falls, Kaaterskill Wild Forest, Public Health

About Editorial Staff

Stories written under the Editorial Staff byline are drawn from press releases and other notices. Submit your news to New York Almanack here.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Help Finish Our 2022 Fundraising

Subscribe to New York Almanack

Subscribe! Follow the New York Almanack each day via E-mail, RSS, Twitter or Facebook updates.

Recent Comments

  • GARY SCHOEN on Moose Are Back in New York State: A Population Update
  • Deb Heller on Catskills Resort History: The Beginning of the End
  • John Warren on Civil War in the Mohawk Valley: The Battle of Oriskany
  • Richard Daly on Poetry: Mention It, Don’t Insist
  • Norma Coney on Civil War in the Mohawk Valley: The Battle of Oriskany
  • David Forest on Knapp’s Folly: Sullivan County’s Columbia Hotel
  • John Jarosz on State Rebuilding of High Peaks Wilderness Roads Challenged in Court
  • Marlene V Thompson on Supporting the Poor in Saratoga County
  • Sue L on Hair Ice and Frost Flowers
  • dave on Catskills Resort History: The Beginning of the End

Recent New York Books

The Great New York Fire of 1776
The Sugar Act and the American Revolution
battle of harlem hights
Ladies Day at the Capitol
voices of wayne county
CNY Snowstorm book front cover
The Struggles of Boston's Black Workers in the Civil War Era
Expanded Second Edition of Echoes in These Mountains
historic kingston book

Secondary Sidebar

preservation league
Protect the Adirondacks Hiking Guide