DEC expands Catskills Fire Tower Challenge with two new hikes
Published on:
January 2, 2026
Article by:
GREENE COUNTY―The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the 2026 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge to highlight the world-class tourism destinations and recreational opportunities in the Catskill Park.
For nearly a century, observers watched the forests of New York State, including the Catskill and Adirondack Forest Preserve, from more than 100 fire towers perched atop the highest peaks to search for signs of forest fires. This Catskills Fire Tower Challenge highlights the park’s remaining public fire towers.
The challenge encourages experienced hikers to visit the region’s remaining fire towers located on Balsam Lake Mountain (Hardenburgh),Hunter Mountain (Hunter), Overlook Mountain (Woodstock), Red Hill Mountain(Denning), Tremper Mountain (Shandaken), Upper Esopus Fire Tower (Catskills Visitor Center – Mt. Tremper), Mt. Utsayantha Fire Tower (Stamford), and Bramley Mountain Fire Tower (Delhi).
This year, the addition of Bramley Mountain and Mount Utsayantha fire towers in Delaware County celebrates community partnerships and provides an even greater challenge to take with friends and family.
Mount Utsayantha Fire Tower, built in 1934 and restored in 2005, is located just outside of the Catskill Forest Preserve. Bought in 2015 for $1, the fire tower is owned and maintained by the Village of Stamford. In 1900, the tower boasted views as far away as the Berkshires.
Bramley Mountain Fire Tower was recently reconstructed atop Bramley Mountain, an effort that spanned many years and completed thanks to the diligence of committed volunteers and community members. Open since May 2025,this tower offers sweeping views of the Catskills.
The Hunter Mountain Fire Tower―the only one in Greene County―is the highest fire tower in New York State, located at an elevation of4,040 feet on the summit of Hunter Mountain. The original tower was constructed from logs in 1902, and the current 60-foot steel tower was built in 1917. The tower was used for fire observation until 1971, and it was reopened to the public in 2001.
The Hunter Mountain Fire Tower offers stunning 360-degree views of the Catskill Mountains, including the Hudson River Valley, the Berkshires, and the Taconics. On a clear day, you can even see the Manhattan skyline.
“The Catskills Fire Tower Challenge introduces New Yorkers and visitors to the exceptional hiking opportunities available on New York State public lands,” said DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton. “The challenge is helping more people appreciate and enjoy all that this region has to offer, inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards.”
To complete the challenge, participants must visit all eight fire towers in the Catskills region between January 1, 2026, and December 31,2026. Once completed, participants submit a log of their completed hikes along with a favorite photo.
All participants who complete the challenge will receive a letter and a commemorative Catskills Fire Tower Challenge patch designed with the 2026 completion year. The first 1,000 finishers will also receive a one-year subscription to DEC’s Conservationist magazine and a gift subscription for a second person of their choice. Again, this year, finishers who completed the challenge multiple times will receive an additional commemorative Catskills Fire Tower Challenge prize.
Launched in 2019, the challenge has drawn participants from every region of New York, as well as 11 other states and Canadian Provinces.
The 2025 challenge has more than 500 finishers to date.
For more information, visit https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hiking/catskills-fire-tower-challenge.
Note: Martin Podskoch has written a fascinating book, Chronicles of the Catskills Fire Towers: Their History and Lore. It is a softcover book with 136 pages. The Cairo Historical Society has this book for sale for $20, plus sales tax. Shipping is available for an additional $2.25. Mail your order to Cairo Historical Society, P.O. Box 803, Cairo, NY 12413, or call Sylvia at 518-821-3852 for credit card orders.
