CATSKILL FIRE TOWER PROJECT
CONNECTING VISITORS TO THE HISTORY AND LEGACY OF THE CATSKILLS’ FIRE TOWERS
A VIEW OF THE PAST
During the hiking season, Catskill Fire Tower Project volunteers open tower cabs on select days, welcoming visitors, sharing the history of the towers, and offering context about the surrounding landscape. These interactions transform a hike or view into a deeper connection with the Catskills, reinforcing the relationship between cultural history, land protection, and responsible recreation.
Fire tower cabs are open for visitors to enjoy on Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays from Memorial Day weekend through Indigenous Peoples Day (formerly Columbus Day) weekend.
LOOKING OUT FOR THE CATSKILLS
The Catskill Fire Tower Project is a program of the Catskill Center that offers public access and interpretation at six historic fire towers across the Catskill Park, connecting visitors to the region’s cultural heritage while promoting thoughtful, well-prepared recreation. Five towers are located on mountain summits throughout the Catskill Park, with a sixth, frontcountry fire tower situated at the Catskills Visitor Center to provide broader public access.
Once part of a statewide network of more than 100 fire towers built for early forest fire detection, these structures represent over a century of conservation history in New York State. Today, through a partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the dedication of trained volunteers, the Catskill Center helps carry forward the legacy of the fire towers by preserving their stories, maintaining their relevance, and connecting people to the landscapes they were built to protect.
The Catskill Fire Tower Project supports the Catskill Center’s mission to protect, preserve, and celebrate the natural and cultural heritage of the Catskills, ensuring these landmarks continue to inspire appreciation and care for the region for generations to come.
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A VOLUNTEER?
The Catskill Fire Tower Project is looking to expand its volunteer efforts.
Volunteer duties include opening the towers for the day, greeting and educating visitors, ensuring the towers and observer cabins are kept in good shape, and locking up at the end of the day. They also help with organized maintenance projects throughout the year.
New volunteers attend a one-day training at one of the six towers and then volunteer at that fire tower for two or more scheduled days throughout the season.
Volunteers must always maintain acceptable visitor numbers on the tower and answer questions about the region, fire towers, and the views. Volunteers must be able to climb multiple flights of stairs and interact with visitors in a friendly and professional manner.
If interested in volunteering with the Catskill Fire Tower Project, please fill out our volunteer form.
The Catskill Fire Tower Project manages and supports the six historic fire towers located inside the Catskill Park. Other nearby towers—such as Bramley Mountain and Mount Utsayantha in Delaware County—are outside the Catskill Park and are managed by unaffiliated local groups.
For questions or volunteer inquiries related to Bramley Mountain, please reach out directly to Friends of Bramley Mountain Fire Tower.
CATSKILL FIRE TOWER PROJECT VISITOR GUIDE
BALSAM LAKE MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER
RED HILL FIRE TOWER
TREMPER MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER
OVERLOOK MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER
HUNTER MOUNTAIN FIRE TOWER
UPPER ESOPUS FIRE TOWER
Town of Hardenburgh | Elevation: 3,723′
A moderate six-mile round trip via the Dry Brook Ridge and Balsam Lake Mountain Trails. View map.
Balsam Lake Mountain is home to the first fire tower ever placed on a mountaintop in New York State, established in 1887. The current 47-foot tower dates to 1919 and stands as a cornerstone of Catskills fire detection history. Surrounded by remote forest and expansive ridgelines, the summit offers a classic Catskills experience shaped by both natural beauty and conservation legacy.
ⓘ The staircase to the top platform is always open, and the cab is opened seasonally when Catskill Fire Tower Project volunteers or Catskill Center Stewards are present.
Town of Denning | Elevation 2,990′
A moderate four-mile round trip via the Red Hill Fire Tower Trail. View map.
Built in 1921, the Red Hill Fire Tower is listed on the National Historic Lookout Register and offers sweeping views of the Catskill High Peaks and the Roundout Reservoir. Its location provides a striking contrast between rugged mountain terrain and the managed landscape of the watershed below.
ⓘ The staircase to the top platform is always open, and the cab is opened seasonally when Catskill Fire Tower Project volunteers or Catskill Center Stewards are present.
Town of Shandaken | Elevation 2,740′
A 3.4-mile moderate to difficult round trip via the Phoenicia Trail. Rocky terrain is home to timber rattlesnakes; visitors should remain alert and keep pets leashed. View map.
The Tremper Mountain Fire Tower is believed to be the original structure erected in 1917, making it one of the oldest remaining towers in the Catskills. From the summit, visitors are rewarded with expansive views of the Burroughs Range, Devil’s Path, and surrounding notches, offering a dramatic window into Catskills geography.
ⓘ The staircase to the top platform is always open, and the cab is opened seasonally when Catskill Fire Tower Project volunteers or Catskill Center Stewards are present.
Town of Woodstock | Elevation 3,140′
A moderate to difficult 4.6-mile round trip via the Overlook Spur Trail. Parking is limited at the trailhead. View map.
Built in 1950, Overlook Mountain is the newest of the Catskills fire towers and was the first to reopen to the public. Its summit offers some of the most expansive views in the region, including the Hudson River Valley, Ashokan Reservoir, and surrounding mountain ranges.
ⓘ The staircase to the top platform is always open, and the cab is opened seasonally when Catskill Fire Tower Project volunteers or Catskill Center Stewards are present.
Town of Hunter | Elevation 4,040′
A moderately difficult seven-mile round trip via the Spruceton Trail, or a shorter route from the Hunter Mountain Sky Ride when in operation. A detailed trail map is strongly recommended. View map.
Standing at the highest elevation of any fire tower in New York State, the Hunter Mountain Fire Tower offers unmatched views and a powerful sense of scale. Originally built in 1917 and relocated to its current summit in 1953, the tower reflects the importance of fire observation across the Catskills’ highest terrain.
ⓘ The staircase to the top platform is always open, and the cab is opened seasonally when Catskill Fire Tower Project volunteers or Catskill Center Stewards are present.
Town of Shandaken | Elevation 670′
A short quarter-mile walk from the Visitor Center parking area along the Interpretive Loop Trail. View map.
Rebuilt at the Catskills Visitor Center in 2019, the Upper Esopus Fire Tower was originally used for fire surveillance in Florida before being fully restored for its new role in the Catskills. This 80-foot frontcountry tower offers an accessible way to experience a fire tower and enjoy views of the surrounding landscape without a strenuous hike.
ⓘ The staircase to the top platform is always open, and the cab is opened seasonally when Catskill Fire Tower Project volunteers or Catskill Center Stewards are present.
LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION?
For physical maps, trail guidance, accessibility information, and current tower conditions, visit the Catskills Visitor Center or contact the Catskill Center at 845-688-3369 or info@catskillcenter.org. Staff and volunteers are happy to help you plan a meaningful and well-prepared fire tower experience.
CATSKILLS FIRE TOWER CHALLENGE
The Catskills Fire Tower Challenge encourages experienced hikers to visit all eight Catskill Fire Towers between January 1 and December 31.
All finishers will receive a commemorative patch and be entered into the grand prize drawing. Finishers who have completed the challenge in multiple years will receive an additional commemorative Catskills Fire Tower Challenge prize!
To qualify, visit the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Catskills Fire Tower Challenge page to complete the survey and attach one of your favorite photos from the challenge.