Catskill Scenic Drives NY - 8 Drives - Catskill Area Center
Route 23A Kaaterskill Clove FLAGSHIP Most Scenic NY - Route 214, Route 28 Byway, Hawks Nest Overlook - Catskill Area Center
8 Catskill Scenic Drives - Catskill Area Center
Explore 8 scenic drives Catskills NY - Haines Falls Palenville center. Route 23A Kaaterskill Clove FLAGSHIP most scenic road NY past Kaaterskill Falls, plus Route 214 Stony Clove, Route 28 50-mile byway, Route 97 Hawks Nest overlook, Route 23, Platte Clove steepest, Route 42, Sundown Road remote. Fall foliage early Oct best.
| Name | Address | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Route 23A Kaaterskill Clove - FLAGSHIP Most Scenic NY | Route 23A, Palenville NY 12463 to Haines Falls NY 12436 - Kaaterskill Clove - 8 miles | Most scenic road NY - Kaaterskill Falls 260ft, Bastion Falls, Haines Falls - fall foliage early Oct - 2-lane - Catskill Area Center - FLAGSHIP - most famous |
| Route 214 Stony Clove - Hunter to Phoenicia | Route 214, Hunter NY 12442 to Phoenicia NY 12464 - Stony Clove - 10 miles | Narrow clove - Devil's Tombstone campground - Notch Lake - Hunter Mountain to Phoenicia - scenic - Catskill Park |
| Route 28 Catskill Scenic Byway - 50 Miles | Route 28, Boiceville NY 12412 to Andes NY 13731 - 50 mile byway | 50 mile byway - Ashokan Reservoir - Pepacton Reservoir - Boiceville to Andes - main Catskills east-west - Boiceville, Mt Tremper, Big Indian, Andes |
| Route 97 Hawks Nest - Delaware River Overlook | Route 97, Sparrowbush NY 12780 - Hawks Nest - Delaware River - 1 mile cliff | Famous overlook - 1 mile cliff edge above Delaware River - just south of Catskills but classic - Hawks Nest - Sparrowbush - Port Jervis area - photo famous |
| Route 23 Catskill Mountain Scenic Byway | Route 23, Windham NY 12496 to Cairo NY 12413 - 35 miles - Catskill Mountain Scenic Byway | 35 miles - Windham, Ashland, Cairo - Windham Mountain views - Windham to Cairo - Catskill Mountain Scenic Byway - Greene County |
| Platte Clove Road - Steepest Paved NY 12% | Platte Clove Rd, Elka Park NY 12427 to West Saugerties NY - Steepest - 3 miles | Steepest paved road NY 12% grade - views Kaaterskill High Peak - Elka Park to West Saugerties - closed winter - narrow - Platte Clove Preserve |
| Route 42 Peas Eddy to Grahamsville | Route 42, Peas Eddy NY 12758 to Grahamsville NY 12740 - Southern Catskills | Southern Catskills - forest - remote - Peas Eddy to Grahamsville - Sullivan County - near Frost Valley - forest - secluded |
| Sundown Road - Peekamoose Remote | Sundown Rd, Sundown NY 12414 - Peekamoose Rd - Town of Denning - Remote | Remote - Peekamoose Mountain trailhead - Frost Valley - secluded forest - Denning - Big Indian area - Sundown - Table Mountain - remote - gravel parts |
Catskill Scenic Drives FAQ
What is the most scenic drive in the Catskills?
Route 23A through Kaaterskill Clove is widely considered the most scenic drive in the Catskills and all of New York State. This dramatic mountain pass offers stunning, close-up views of steep waterfalls, deep gorges, and jagged cliffside terrain.
How many scenic drives does the Catskill Area Center recommend?
The Catskill Area Center highlights eight distinct scenic drives throughout the region. Each route showcases different aspects of the area's natural beauty, ranging from historic covered bridges and expansive reservoirs to dramatic mountain passes.
When is the best time of year to experience Catskill scenic drives?
While the routes offer beautiful mountain vistas year-round, the peak seasons are autumn for vibrant fall foliage (usually early to mid-October) and spring for rushing waterfalls fueled by seasonal snowmelt. Summer provides lush green canopy views and excellent hiking access along the routes.
Are the Catskill scenic routes suitable for all types of vehicles?
Yes, the designated scenic drives utilize well-maintained New York State highways that are suitable for standard passenger vehicles. However, drivers on routes like Route 23A through Kaaterskill Clove should expect steep grades, sharp switchbacks, and heavy pedestrian traffic near popular trailheads, requiring extra caution.