Trail Maintenance Closes Observation Deck at Popular Catskill Waterfall

Temporarily Closure at Popular Catskill Waterfall

If you we're planning on hiking Kaaterskill Falls in the next few days, you may want to reschedule.

Especially if you were planning on taking in the views of the incredible falls.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, there's a temporary closure on the popular hiking trail. In a statement shared to social media, the DEC explains that the Observation Deck Trail at Kaaterskill Falls will be closed for maintenance.

The trail will be closed from April 23rd through April 30th from 6 am until 4:30 pm. They add:

The observation deck will not be accessible during this time.

Follow the NYS DEC on social media for any upcoming updates.

DEC Shares Kaaterskill VUM Report

Kaaterskill Falls is one of the most visited trails across New York State. Thousands of visitors visit during the peak spring, summer and fall seasons.

With that comes traffic, parking issues and hazards for those visiting.

Back in early April 2026, the DEC shared their finding from the Visitor Use Management report. In the report they focus on "strategies to address impacts from increasing visitation and public safety impacts."

READ MORE: Kaaterskill Falls Plan Sparks Pushback as DEC Seeks Public Input

The DEC went on to release a statement regarding their finding in a report they released to the public. They write:

"The release of the reports does not signify DEC adoption of the recommendations. The reports represent one set of tools and recommendations that DEC will utilize in future land management decision making."

With the release of the report, the DEC is hoping to garner feedback from the public. And the community is not staying silent.

Town of Hunter Pushes Back on DEC Kaaterskill Report

Sean Mahoney, the Town of Hunter Supervisor, quickly responded to the public report.

In a letter shared on social media to the Hunter community, Mahoney writes "The Town of Hunter has reviewed this document carefully, and we stand FIRMLY OPPOSED to these recommendations proposed by a 3rd party consultant hired by DEC."

Mahoney went used the statement to voice his and the towns concerns including the following:

A reservation or gated system will not reduce demand, it will shift it elsewhere chaotically, creating new congestion and safety issues in other places.

The Town of Hunter Supervisor adds that he "supports responsible management" of their natural resources, but suggests that the report is moving in the wrong direction.

Mahoney argues "this document suggests moving in the absolute wrong direction by focusing on restricting access rather than implementing practical, on the ground solutions that we have consistently suggested for years."

The DEC is hosting a public meeting for the Kaaterskill Clove project on April 29th, 2026. Public comments will be accepted until June 1st, 2026 at forestpreserve@dec.ny.gov.

Learn more about the meetings on the DEC website.