Catskill Fire Tower Challenge returning for 2025
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- The Catskills Fire Tower Challenge is returning for 2025. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the challenge brings in visitors from all over New York and 10 states and countries to the Catskill Mountains.
"DEC is excited to renew the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge for 2025 to highlight the spectacular vistas found in this majestic park and introduce more New Yorkers and visitors to this awe-inspiring experience," said Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar. "The Catskills Fire Tower Challenge has drawn thousands of outdoor enthusiasts from all over New York and beyond to the unparalleled experience of viewing the natural wonders of the Catskill Mountains from one of the park's historic fire towers. The Fire Tower Challenge is introducing the next generation of environmental stewards to the Catskills and helping more people appreciate and enjoy all that the mountains and their surrounding communities have to offer."
The challenge was launched in 2019 to complement the New York State "Get Offline, Get Outside" initiative to promote physical and mental health. The Catskills Fire Tower Challenge encourages hikers to visit the fire towers on Balsam Lake Mountain in Hardenburgh, Hunter Mountain in Hunter, Overlook Mountain in Woodstock, Red Hill Mountain in Denning, Tremper Mountain in Shandaken, and the Upper Esopus Fire Tower at the Catskills Visitor Center in Mt. Tremper.
To participate, hikers must visit all six fire towers between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. Even though participants have all year to complete the challenge, to get a head start, the Catskill Mountain Club is hosting a guided fire tower hike at the Mount Tremper Fire Tower as part of the First Day Hikes in 2025.
Hikers can then submit their hike log and send their favorite photo to CatskillsChallenge@dec.ny.gov. Entries must be sent by January 5, 2026.
Those who finish the challenge will receive a letter and a commemorative patch. Additionally, the first 1,000 finishers will also receive a one-year subscription to DEC's Conservationist Magazine.
Finishers who do the challenge multiple times will receive an additional prize. DEC will also offer a bonus prize entry to finishers who submit a photo of themselves practicing Leave No Trace while participating in the challenge.
"New York State's Catskills region is a natural treasure, and the Fire Tower Challenge offers visitors and residents alike another great way to experience it," Empire State Development Vice President and Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said. "I LOVE NY encourages participants to complement their hikes and fire tower climbs with other local outdoor activities like fishing, rafting, skiing and camping, plus other world-class regional amenities like cozy lodging, farm-to-table dining, historic sites and unique small businesses. Whether for a weekend getaway or an extended vacation, the Catskills provide so many reasons why it's easy to love New York."