Trails & Hikes

DELAWARE RIVER REGION TRAIL 

Click on the links below for detailed TRAIL info

Hickok Brook Multiple Use Area is primarily accessed from an easy to find ample parking area located off Barker Road in the Town of Highland.  Camping is available at Hickok Brook MUA as well as a variety of trails, though the markers are difficult to see. There are a variety of roads that lead to campsites — the pull-offs to the right are for camping, while straight ahead is a dead end and left is another dead end with more campsites, marked with yellow DEC markers.

This area is also used by hunters, so if you are hiking during hunting season, be sure to wear bright colors so you are highly visible.

DIRECTIONS: From the Bethel/White Lake Area: Head South on NY-55 for approximately 12 miles (pass through the hamlet of Eldred), then turn left onto Proctor Road. Stay on Proctor Road for app. 1.4 miles, then make a RIGHT onto Barker Rd.  After app. 1/2 mile the entrance will be on your right. The entrance parking area is on the left, but you may drive into the Multiple Use Area (MUA) to get to the different camping locations. There are gates within the MUA, so beware of any designated off-season times, etc.

DIRECTIONS: From the Barryville Area: When on Scenic ByWay 97, take Hillside Road. After app. 1 mile, bear left at the “Y” and continue on Haring Rd for app. 1.5 miles. At app. 1 mile Haring Rd turns into Barker Rd. Follow Barker Rd. for app. 1/2 miles. The entrance will be on your left.

1,409-acre Lake Superior State Park features Lake Superior and Chestnut Ridge Pond. The park is part of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission and is operated by Sullivan County through a long-term license agreement. There is a beach with a swimming area as well as areas for picnics. Fishing is allowed for those with a fishing license from the DEC, and boat rentals are available.

The County operates two areas of the park:

Lake Superior’s beach area (fee) features a swimming area, sand beach, picnic areas with grills, group picnic pavilion (fee) rowboat and paddle boat rentals, boat launch (electric motors only), vending machines, restrooms, shower/changing area, fishing (DEC fishing license required), volleyball court and playground (ages 5-12).

There are no marked hiking trails within this State Park but hiking is permitted.

Lake Superior’s dam picnic area features picnic tables and grills, a group picnic pavilion (fee), portable toilet facilities and fishing access to Lake Superior.

The beach area operates for swimming on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through June. Daily beach operation commences the last week of June through Labor Day. The park is open year round. Big game hunting (DEC hunting permit required), ice fishing, hiking and sleigh riding are permitted at the park.

There is a per person fee at the beach area from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day as follows:

• Day Pass : $5.00 per person
• County Resident Season Pass : $15.00 (Available at the Government Center, DPW Office)
• Children Under 3 Years Old : Free

Phone: (845) 807-0287 (Sept.-May)
Phone: (845) 583-7908 (June-August)

DIRECTIONS: Located off Dr. Duggan Road, Bethel, New York. Off Route 55 or Route 17B, 10 miles west of Route 17 Exit 104.

There are no hiking trails at this park.

The Livingston Manor Covered Bridge, previously known as the Mott Flats Bridge and the Vantran Bridge, was built by John Davidson in 1860 and was restored in 1984. The park is owned and operated by Sullivan County and is located in the Town of Rockland, within a few short miles from downtown Livingston Manor.

The bridge is 103 feet long and spans Willowemoc Creek, where fishing is permitted. Picnic areas, group picnic pavilion (fee), and portable toilet facilities are available.

There is no admission fee, and the park is open from 8:00 A.M. to dark. Phone (845)-807-0287.

DIRECTIONS: Located on Covered Bridge Rd, located off County Road 179. Livingston Manor is located off State Route 17. If heading WEST on NYS Rt. 17, get off Exit 96, turn right onto County Road 81/Debruce Road. After app. 1/2 mile make a right onto Co Rd. 179/Old Rt 17. Follow for about 1 mile and then make a sharp left onto Covered Bridge Road. You will then see signs for the LM Covered Bridge Park.

SHAWANGUNK RIDGE REGION TRAIL

Click on the TRAIL Links below for detailed TRAIL info

The Long Path, a 347-mile trail that runs from New York City (starting at the George Washington Bridge) to Altamont, NY (Albany area), passes through the Hudson River Valley, Harriman State Park, the Shawangunk Ridge and the Catskill Mountains. The Sullivan County portion of the Long Path runs through the Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest, Roosa Gap State Forest and the Shawangunk Ridge State Forest. The hiking level ranges from Moderately Difficult to Strenuous.

The Shawangunk Ridge Trail (SRT), which begins in High Point, NJ,  connects to the Long Path trail system and is an approximate 35 mile connector (or alternative) trail, which allows hikers to pass through the Huckleberry Ridge State Forest in Orange County, NY and the Basha Kill Wildlife Management Area, in Sullivan County, NY. The SRT connects with the Long Path shortly after crossing through the village of Wurtsboro. The NY/NJ Trail Conference currently maintains the Long Path and the Shawangunk Ridge Trail (SRT). For a free map from the NY-NJ Trail Conference of this portion of the SRT click here.

DELAWARE RIVER REGION TRAIL

The 57-acre Minisink Battleground Park is located on the site of a Revolutionary War battle, the only one fought in the Upper Delaware Region. Look for the Woodland Trail, Battleground Trail, and the Old Quarry Trail. Picnic areas and an Interpretive Center with informative displays are available to visitors and also has trail maps available. The Woodland Trail features wetlands and a wide variety of wildlife. Pick up the brochure from the Interpretive Center before the start of the trail and follow the guide to identify different types of trees as you walk along. This is a great easy hike for the family. Make a day of it and bring your lunch to eat under the pavilion.

Upper Delaware Take a Hike! Trail

The Old Quarry/Rockshelter Trail is actually two trails. The Old Quarry Trail comes first, with five interpretive stops identified by blue posts. The Rockshelter Trail continues from it, with eight interpretive stops, also identified by blue posts. Be sure to pick up the brochure at the Interpretive Center and follow along to learn about the trees, natural rock formations, an old quarry, and historic roads and stone walls found along the way. Eventually you will come to the Minisink Spring Rockshelter, which was used as much as 4,000 years ago by prehistoric Indians.

The Minisink Battleground Trail features wooded pathways through the historic battleground. Pick up the brochure in the Interpretive center to learn the story of the Battle of Minisink on July 20, 1779 and follow along through the major points of the battle as you hike through this historic park.

The Woodland Trail is a short trail that loops around to the monument.

There is no admission fee. Park hours are between 8AM until dark. All County parks are open from mid-May until mid-October. Phone: (845)-807-0287

To learn more visit these websites: http://minisink.org or http://co.sullivan.ny.us or www.upperdelawarescenicbyway.org

DIRECTIONS: Located off Scenic ByWay Rt 97 on Co Rd 168 in Barryville, NY. When coming from Barryville, follow Rt 97 towards the Roebling Bridge for about 4 miles then turn right onto Co Rd 168. Follow Co Rd 168 for about 1/2 mile. The entrance for the park will be on your left-follow to get to the parking lot.