DEC Announces 2023 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Put on your hiking boots and start climbing fire towers in the Catskills.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation announced the 2023 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge which encourages experienced hikers to visit the region’s six fire towers.

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said the annual challenge is a great way to keep the history and traditions of the fire towers in the Catskills alive for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.

“The Fire Tower Challenge provides opportunities for New Yorkers and visitors to reach the unique viewing experience of the spectacular Catskill Mountains while making everlasting memories with family and friends,” he said.

The challenge is also a way to highlight the world-class tourism destinations and recreational opportunities in the Mid-Hudson region, DEC officials said.

The Catskills Fire Tower Challenge has experienced hikers visit the region’s remaining fire towers located on Balsam Lake Mountain (Hardenburgh), Hunter Mountain (Hunter), Overlook Mountain (Woodstock), Red Hill Mountain (Denning) and Tremper Mountain (Shandaken), along with the Upper Esopus Fire Tower at the Catskills Visitor Center.

Officials said the Upper Esopus Fire Tower allows visitors who may not otherwise be able to undertake the challenging hike of several miles to experience a fire tower on the high peaks in the Catskills.

To participate in the challenge, hikers must hike to all six DEC-owned fire towers in the Catskills between Jan. 1, 2023, and Dec. 31, 2023.

Once completed, participants should submit a log of their completed hikes along with a favorite photo or selfie via a web form or to the designated email inbox. Entries must be postmarked by Jan. 7, 2024.

All participants who complete the challenge will receive a letter and a commemorative Catskills Fire Tower Challenge patch deigned with the 2023 completion year.

The first 1,000 finishers will also receive a one-year subscription to DEC’s Conservationist magazine.

Upon completion, finishers will also be able to download a customizable certificate and will be eligible to win prizes after the challenge period is closed.

To promote responsible recreation, the DEC will offer a bonus prize entry to finishers who also submit a photo of themselves practicing “Leave No Trace” while participating in the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge, meaning picking up litter, carrying out, planning and preparing for their hikes, staying on trail.

New for 2023, finishers who completed the challenge multiple times will receive an additional commemorative Catskills Fire Tower Challenge prize.

The 2022 challenge, which ends Saturday, has drawn more than 800 finishers to date. Officials said entries have been received from every region of New York, 12 other states, Canada and the United Kingdom.

For nearly a century, observers watched the forests of New York — including the Catskill and Adirondack forest preserve — from more than 100 fire towers perched atop the highest peaks, searching for the dangerous, telltale signs of forest fires.