Kaaterskill Falls Plan Sparks Pushback as DEC Seeks Public Input

DEC Releases Visitor Use Management Report For Kaaterskill Falls

As the weather gets warmer and the snow begins to melt, hikers are heading to the Hudson Valley and Catskills to hike some of the most gorgeous trails.

One of the more popular trails, that leads to the tallest waterfall in New York State, is Kaaterskill Falls. The trail brings in thousands of visitors a year and can cause some commotion for visitors.

The Department of Environmental Conservation has recently released 2 reports regarding Visitor Use Management for the Adirondack High Peaks Wilderness and Kaaterskill Clove.

According to the DEC website explains:

"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."

These reports focus on "strategies to address impacts from increasing visitation and public safety impacts."

Now that the reports have been released, which you can read in full at DEC.NY.GOV, the DEC is "soliciting feedback from the public to help inform additional actions" that New York should take to "enhance safety and the visitor experience."

Town of Hunter Opposes Kaaterskill VUM Report From DEC

In a letter shared to social media Town of Hunter Supervisor, Sean Mahoney, let his feelings known.

Mahoney states in the letter:

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.

The letter goes on to add Mahoney and the Town of Hunter's concerns:

• Restricting access to public lands will have significant negative economic impacts on our community, which depends on responsible visitation
• A reservation or gated system will not reduce demand, it will shift it elsewhere chaotically, creating new congestion and safety issues in other places
• Common sense solutions such as expanded parking, improved traffic flow, and better on site management have not yet been attempted or implemented.

In the letter Mahoney explains that they have worked for the DEC for years addressing the challenges of "congestion, safety, and increased visitation in the Clove and at the Falls."

Mahoney adds:

We support responsible management of our natural resources. However, 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.

Read Supervisors Mahoney's full statement below:

The DEC and Town Of Hunter Want To Hear From You

The Department of Environmental Conservation is accepting public input on the proposal.

The Town of Hunter says "it is critical that our community is heard. If you care about access to Kaaterskill Falls, and the future of our town, now is the time to speak up."

On the DEC website they share that they will hold a public meeting for the High Peaks project on April 22nd, 2026 and the Kaaterskill Clove project on April 29th, 2026.

You can also submit your comments until June 1st, 2026 to forestpreserve@dec.ny.gov. Learn more about the meetings on the DEC website.