New York's Catskill Mountains include one of the largest and most complex natural areas in the East - on par with the West's Yellowstone National Park. Round, forested mountains; narrow, winding valleys; rushing streams and rivers are features that attract many to the 600,000 acres of the Catskill Park.

One of the best kept New York State secrets is Bear Spring Mountain Campground, well-known for its excellent hunting and fishing, as well as its facilities for campers with horses. A good multi-use trail system for hiking, horseback riding, and snowmobiling also is available.

The Catskill Fish Hatchery near Livingston Manor is open to the public. Catskill streams offer some of the finest trout fishing in the East.

Among the best known waters are Esopus, Beaverkill and Willowemoc creeks. Each year, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation stocks fingerling and yearling trout throughout the Catskills.

Rolling hills, forested mountains, ponds, streams and historic sites can all be found within the Catskill Park.

Some of the Catskill campgrounds are open in the spring for early fishing and camping, and in the fall for hunting and autumn foliage viewing.

In the high peaks of the Central Catskills, a different kind of ski experience welcomes you: Belleayre Mountain and Forest Preserve skiing.

It's a world of difference. Belleayre Mountain lies in the heart of the Catskill Forest Preserve on "forever wild" land, unblemished by the blare and glare of commercialization. The mountain and its 33 trails are expertly maintained by the New York State Department of Environmental

Courtesy NYS Office of Parks and Recreation