Women's Health     Healthy Kids     Teen Health     Family Fun     Health Guide     PlacesTo Go Guide    

2025 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge



NYS challenges you to hike each of the six fire towers in Catskill Park

2025 Catskill Fire Tower Challenge

DEC announces the 2025 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge, designed to highlight the world-class tourism destinations and recreational opportunities in New York's Hudson Valley. Starting Jan. 1, 2025, visitors are challenged to hike each of the six fire towers in Catskill Park and submit information about their visit at any time during the year to earn recognition and prizes.

The 2025 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge encourages experienced hikers to visit the region's five historic fire towers located on Balsam Lake Mountain (Hardenburgh), Hunter Mountain (Hunter), Overlook Mountain (Woodstock), Red Hill Mountain (Denning), and Tremper Mountain (Shandaken), as well as a new sixth fire tower that was opened in the Catskills in the fall of 2019. The Upper Esopus Fire Tower is located at the Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center in Mt. Tremper and allows all 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.

Participants are encouraged to practice Leave No Trace™ Principles and Love Our New York Lands by recreating safely and sustainably, hiking in suitable conditions based on weather and experience level.

Visit all six Catskill Fire Towers between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025. (You do not need to climb up to the cab. Cabs are only open when staffed by volunteers between Memorial Day and Columbus Day on weekends.).
  1. Overlook Mountain - Woodstock, NY
  2. Hunter Mountain - Hunter, NY
  3. Red Hill Mountain - Denning, NY
  4. Balsam Lake Mountain - Hardenburgh, NY
  5. Tremper Mountain - Shandaken, NY
  6. Upper Esopus - Mt. Tremper, NY
Fill out the log of completed hikes along with one favorite photo via SurveyMonkey or by downloading and emailing the 2025 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge Survey (PDF) to catskillschallenge@dec.ny.gov. This can also be submitted via mail to New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Outdoor Recreation, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-1020. Entries must be postmarked by January 5, 2026.

All finishers will receive a commemorative patch and be entered into the grand prize drawing*. The first 1,000 finishers will also receive a one-year subscription to DEC’s Conservationist magazine. Finishers who have completed the challenge in multiple years will receive an additional commemorative Catskills Fire Tower Challenge prize!

To receive a bonus prize entry, submit a photo showing yourself practicing Leave No Trace™ while participating in the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge (e.g., picking up litter, carrying out, planning and preparing for their hikes, staying on trail). 

Limit one entry per person. You'll receive a commemorative patch and be entered to win great prizes. For complete rules, read here.




Other articles by HVP News Reporters


  • Resume tips for job seekers with disabilities

    Some of the most important things to keep in mind

    For the most part, writing a resume as a disabled worker involves the same best practices as writing any type of resume. Some of the most important things to keep in mind include: read more »
  • A gripping graphic novel looks at four infamous days in our history

    The story of prisoners' stand at Attica in 1971

    This graphic novel is a raw and powerful look at the four days of uprising at the Attica State Prison in upstate NY. The illustrations are graphic and at times, horrific. See what we can learn from history read more »
  • Delicious family meals for American Heart Healthy Month

    5 great recipes to keep your family feeling good

    We have 5 great recipes for you to try to celebrate American Heart Healthy Month. read more »
  • Centsible ways to teach kids healthy money habits

    It is imperative to secure your child's financial future

    In school, most kids only learn algebra, calculus, and trigonometry but not how to budget, save or invest. The older we get, the more responsibilities we have that make it challenging to focus on learning financial principles, which is why it is key to start teaching kids healthy money habits at a young age. read more »
  • 5 easy ways to save energy in the kitchen

    Make a few of these simple adjustments

    The kitchen is the heart of the home, it’s also a space where you can waste a lot of energy if you’re not careful. By making a few simple adjustments to your habits in the kitchen, you can easily cut your energy bills and do your part to help the environment. read more »
  • Participate in The Annual Great Backyard Bird Count

    Kids learn about birds and conservation

    The Annual Great Backyard Bird Count (Feb. 16-19) is a great way for people – especially families and kids – to engage with the outdoors right in their own backyard, and the TurfMutt Foundation encourages everyone to participate. read more »
  • How to turn your finances around in the months ahead

    One in three Americans say they are struggling to get by

    Many consumers are feeling financial strain after a challenging economic year in 2022. One in three Americans say they are struggling to get by or are in trouble financially. read more »
  • 4 home improvement ideas

    Tips from the experts

    Whether you’re thinking about a bathroom update, kitchen overhaul or any other type of home improvement project, these tips from the experts at the National Association of the Remodeling Industry and eLivingtoday.com can help you get started. read more »
  • Looking out for your lungs

    5 ways to keep yours healthy

    The lungs are the centerpiece of your respiratory system. When you inhale, air enters your lungs and oxygen from that air moves to your blood. At the same time, carbon dioxide, a waste gas, moves from your blood to the lungs and gets exhaled. This process is essential to life. read more »
  • Highly rated diets to support heart health

    Experts take the guess work out of choosing

    Eating healthy is an important goal for people looking to maintain or improve their physical health, particularly as it relates to the heart. With often conflicting information available online and via social media, it may be difficult or downright confusing to find the eating plan for you. read more »