Catskill Mountains

View from atop the giant ledge in the Catskill mountains of New York !!

Just up the road from the Catskills' Blue Hole is a calming waterfall that feeds into the stream that becomes the Blue Hole.

The Blue Hole and the surrounding area was once a place of peace and reflection. It was a secretive location, one loved by locals, but during the course of this past summer it has been taken over by tourists. Now, you may wonder why this has a negative connotation and let me explain.

This is state park, the glorious Catskill Mountains with all its splendor, but it's a little less wonderful when tourists visit the location in droves, double parking on the already tight roadway, leave their trash in the water and shoreline, and are disrespectful to the land and those who live nearby.

I hope this location will return to the quiet sanctuary it always was for me when I was a teen. I hope others can return to this place and see the beauty of it for what it really is, rather than a collection of trash and rude people.

#catskills #mountains #waterfalls #nature #conservation #stateparks #hiking #outdoors #weekendgetaway

Visit Catskill Mountains

Activities

Popular places to visit

Slide Mountain

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Slide Mountain during your travels in Phoenicia. Wander the forest or discover the mountain views in this relaxing area.

Giant Ledge Trailhead

Explore the great outdoors at Giant Ledge Trailhead, a lovely green space in Oliverea. Discover the mountain views in this relaxing area, or seek out the hiking trails.

Emerson Place Kaleidoscope

Learn about the local history of Mount Tremper when you take a trip to Emerson Place Kaleidoscope. Amble around this relaxing area's forest, or seek out the hiking trails.

Straus Center - Frost Valley YMCA

Enjoy an outing to Straus Center - Frost Valley YMCA during your stay in Claryville. Discover the mountain views in this relaxing area, or seek out the hiking trails.

Mount Tremper Arts

You can enjoy a show at Mount Tremper Arts during your trip to Mount Tremper. Discover the mountain views in this relaxing area, or seek out the hiking trails.

Empire State Railway Museum

You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at Empire State Railway Museum in Phoenicia. Wander the forest or discover the mountain views in this relaxing area.

Top Hotel Deals

Urban Cowboy Lodge

37 Alpine Rd Big Indian NY

Phoenicia Lodge

5987 New York 28 Phoenicia NY

The Leeway

5191 New York 28 Mount Tremper NY

Eastwind Oliverea Valley

212 McKenley Hollow Rd Big Indian NY

Coldbrook Bed and Breakfast

429 Cold Brook Road Bearsville NY

Catskill Seasons Inn

178 Route 42 Shandaken NY

See all 1,289 properties in Catskill Mountains

Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.