Catskills waterfalls and artists’ towns
Woodstock, mountain hamlets, the Hudson River School’s favorite falls and Frederic Church’s Olana.
- Distance
- approx. 98 km (61 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 05 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 8
- States
- NY
- Best time to go
- May–June and September
- Tolls and vignettes
- ≈ $1
- Updated
- April 30, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 98 km (61 mi) with 8 stops, from Kingston to Olana State Historic Site. About 1 h 05 min of driving in total. Best time to go: May–June and September. Tolls and vignettes for a car: about $1 (NY).
More road trips in New York
Photos along the route
Route description
Start in Kingston, the first capital of New York, with a stockade district and a waterfront on the Rondout. Take State Road 28 and 375 to Woodstock, an arts colony long before the 1969 festival, which actually took place 60 miles away.
Continue on State Road 28 along the Esopus Creek to Phoenicia, a base for tubing and hikes, then north on State Road 214 through Stony Clove Notch to Hunter, a ski town with a fire tower trail on Hunter Mountain.
State Road 23A plunges through Kaaterskill Clove, a steep, curvy road with hairpins. Park at the Laurel House Road lot to reach the viewing platform above Kaaterskill Falls; do not hike up from Route 23A. Nearby North-South Lake has a campground, a beach and the famous view from the site of the old Catskill Mountain House.
Descend to the town of Catskill, home of painter Thomas Cole, and cross the Rip Van Winkle Bridge to Olana, Church’s hilltop house above the Hudson. Early October is peak foliage; book weekends in advance.
Which stops are on Catskills waterfalls and artists’ towns?
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Kingston
NY - 219 km
Woodstock
NY - 320 km
Phoenicia
NY - 419 km
Hunter
NY - 516 km
Kaaterskill Falls
NatureHaines Falls, NYA two-tiered 260-foot waterfall painted by the Hudson River School. Use the upper trail and viewing platform; the old creekside path on Route 23A is dangerous.
- 62 km
North-South Lake
NatureHaines Falls, NYTwin lakes with a campground and beach below the escarpment; a short walk leads to the site of the Catskill Mountain House and its famous view over the Hudson.
- 717 km
Catskill
NY - 84 km
Olana State Historic Site
HistoryHudson, NYPainter Frederic Church’s Persian-style hilltop house, set in a landscape he designed around views of the Hudson and the Catskills.
How do you drive Catskills waterfalls and artists’ towns in 3 days?
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Kingston → Phoenicia · 24 mi · 0 h 26 minOn the way: Woodstock.Overnight nearby, for example: Phoenicia Black Bear Campground (< 1 km); Cold Spring Lodge (8 mi).
- Day 2: Phoenicia → Hunter · 12 mi · 0 h 13 minOvernight nearby, for example: Devil's Tombstone Campground (4 mi); North-South Lake Campground (9 mi).
- Day 3: Hunter → Olana State Historic Site · 24 mi · 0 h 26 minOn the way: Kaaterskill Falls, North-South Lake, Catskill.Overnight nearby, for example: North-South Lake Campground (11 mi); Taconic State Park Campground (17 mi).
When is the best time for Catskills waterfalls and artists’ towns?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in July–August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
More routes for the best months
Practical guides for this route
Photo by Malivez on UnsplashDriving in the US: The Rules European Visitors Most Often Get Wrong at the Wheel
Photo by Aleksandr Dalakian on UnsplashFuel, Tolls and Distances: Practical US Driving Math for Motorhome and Camper Travelers
Photo by Tracy Zhang on UnsplashUS national parks: entry fees, passes and reservations in plain terms
Themes
Plan this route for your vehicle
Scout adapts this route to your vehicle, your days and your budget.
FAQs
How long is Catskills waterfalls and artists’ towns?
3-day road trip of about 98 km (61 mi) with 8 stops, from Kingston to Olana State Historic Site. About 1 h 05 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Catskills waterfalls and artists’ towns?
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 05 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Catskills waterfalls and artists’ towns start and end?
It starts in Kingston and ends in Olana State Historic Site.
Which states does Catskills waterfalls and artists’ towns pass through?
New York.
Where can you camp along Catskills waterfalls and artists’ towns?
OpenStreetMap lists 27 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Cold Spring Lodge, Kenneth L. Wilson Campground and Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground.
How much are the tolls on Catskills waterfalls and artists’ towns?
Tolls and vignettes for a car: about $1 (NY). Estimate with typical rates; motorhomes pay more, and vehicles over 3.5 t often pay by distance.
