Since the pandemic began, outdoor recreation in the Catskills has surged. Trailheads that once saw moderate weekend foot traffic are now regularly packed, and popular destinations like the Peekamoose Blue Hole have faced mounting challenges from overuse. This week, New York State took two significant steps to protect the Catskill Forest Preserve while improving the visitor experience.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the state’s largest addition to the Catskill Forest Preserve in more than a decade: the permanent protection of 900 acres in the Town of Olive. The newly acquired land includes notable peaks such as Low Point and Little High Point and preserves the viewshed from the Ashokan Reservoir and Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge. The property also safeguards critical drinking water resources in the Ashokan watershed, which serves millions of New Yorkers.
The $4.2 million acquisition—funded through the 2022 Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act—is part of New York’s “30×30” initiative, a goal to protect 30 percent of the state’s lands and waters by 2030. The Open Space Institute facilitated the purchase, having secured the land in 2019 from the Golden family. The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will manage the property as part of the Sundown Wild Forest.
“With the acquisition of 900 acres of forested beauty and water quality protection, and enhancements at one of the State’s most frequented natural wonders, New York State is continuing to invest in the Catskills to ensure their continued natural legacy,” Hochul said in a statement.
At Peekamoose Blue Hole, one of the Catskills’ most popular swimming holes, the state has completed a series of safety and infrastructure improvements to manage the crush of summer visitors. Upgrades include a newly constructed parking area and the first phase of a 3,270-foot accessible connector trail. A second phase, including a footbridge and retaining wall, is underway. Seasonal permits remain in effect for Blue Hole visitors, a measure the DEC introduced several years ago to help limit overcrowding.
These steps come as part of a broader effort to balance the ecological integrity of the Catskills with the increasing demand for outdoor recreation. Since 2020, trail use across the region has spiked, bringing both economic benefits to nearby towns and environmental strains on fragile habitats. DEC also recently released a draft Visitor Use Management Plan for the region’s formerly trailless High Peaks, proposing sustainable management practices to protect these sensitive alpine environments.
Local leaders welcomed the developments. Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger called the 900-acre acquisition “one of the largest additions to the Catskill Forest Preserve in recent memory.” Olive Town Supervisor Jim Sofranko praised the move for helping maintain the town’s rural character.
As New Yorkers continue to seek solace in the mountains, the state faces the challenge of protecting these wild places while making them safely accessible to all. These latest milestones mark meaningful progress toward that delicate balance.
This article appears in July 2025.
The River is an independent news outlet that produces in-depth, quality journalism and analysis about the Hudson Valley and Catskills regions. Learn more about our mission and ethics.
