There’s still plenty of time to fit in one of the best scenic drives in New York before our winter snow storms start brutally brewing. If you’re ever in need of a trip that isn’t too timely but will still completely take you away from all of life’s chaos, then this beautiful Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway is the perfect activity for you. We’ve given you the option of making this a wonderful out-and-back style drive or an extended loop that provides even further elegance; you’ll definitely want to take this winding road to nowhere.

If you've never had the pleasure of taking a drive down one of our winding country roads in New York, then now is the time to pack a picnic and head on out along Route 23A in New York.
Google Maps
Covering just over 34 miles, the beautifully remote drive has plenty to see along the way, making it one of the most scenic drives in New York.
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Make your way through the narrow, winding road and you'll find plenty of scenic overlooks and areas where you can pull off on the side of the road.
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The most popular overlook is where you'll find visitors of Kaaterskill Falls parking their cars.
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Giving you a view into the beautiful valley, the small but spacious parking area is one that is often quite full. The scenic overlook serves as the parking lot for those who go and explore the short Kaaterskill Falls Trail that leads to an unbelievable natural wonder.
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If you decide to pull off of this road to nowhere so you can go and see one of New York's tallest waterfalls, then you'll walk down our tight and narrow byway.
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Difficult for anyone to miss, there are tons of signs pointing you in the direction of Kaaterskill Falls.
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Depending on which end of Route 23A in New York you began this adventure, you'll most likely already know where you're going because you'll have passed Bastion Falls and the trailhead right before you hit the parking lot!
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That's right! The best kind of two-for-one deal any adventurer could ask for, this half-mile trail features two waterfalls. Visible from Route 23A, Bastion Falls is right off of the road and is the first sight you'll see at the start of the trailhead for Kaaterskill Falls!
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Take the adventure even further and enjoy a rocky half-mile hike to Kaaterskill Falls!
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The two-tier waterfall is one of New York's tallest, standing at roughly 260-feet in height. Once you're standing before this enormous natural wonder, you'll be so surprised to realize how easy it was to find! A relatively new feature, the waterfall now has incredible stone stairs that lead visitors right up to the second tier as well as the very top of the waterfall.

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Hit the country roads in New York again and in a matter of minutes you'll find yourself in New York's Painted Village in The Sky!
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The village of Tannersville is known for having a town and Main Street filled with vibrantly painted buildings that feature quirky details you'll get a kick out of.
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It's impossible to drive through this village without having a smile on your face, with electrifying buildings that all have their own characteristics relating to their businesses.
A work of art that was added to the village is an eye-catching mural of a famous character on the side of the Antique & Artisan Center, visible while driving on the byway.
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This painting, by artist Justin Badenhorst, depicting a story written by Washington Irving, was set in the Catskill Mountains. It features the character by the name of Rip Van Winkle.
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It has long been a part of the local area's history.
Travel through your new favorite village and soon you'll see the beautiful sight of Hunter Mountain in the near distance!
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Just over 4,000 feet in elevation, Hunter Mountain is one of the most popular ski destinations in the area.
Tina W./Yelp
It offers a variety of fun throughout any season, but especially in the winter.
Bulat T./Yelp
With this scenic road that brings you right near and through all of your favorite towns, you're a stone's throw away from plenty of hidden gems!
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A resort in the Catskills that's been open since the late 1950's, Hunter Mountain, has everything our winter adventurers are looking for. Fun fact? Hunter Mountain was New York's first ski destination to install snow-making!
If you're feeling like you want to get more of a taste of the Catskills, then you can continue on to Route 23 in New York to make this trip a scenic loop!
Google Maps
Turn onto Route 23 and it won't be long before you start seeing an endless view of one of the most scenic drives in New York.
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High up in the mountains, Route 23 also has several overlooks and areas to pull off of the road where you can soak in the sights from up above.
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From this area of the road (specifically near and at Captain's Inn Point Lookout) you'll find a Five Point Lookout where visitors can see five Northeast states: New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut!

Have you ever taken a drive along Route 23A or taken this loop through the Catskills to one of the best scenic drives in New York? Do you have some amazing stories to share about your trip. If so, please share in the comments below. And if you’re looking for more reasons to hit the road, you’ll love this Christmas Lights Road Trip Through New York That’s Nothing Short Of Magical!

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Where is one of the best bed and breakfasts along the Catskill Mountains Scenic Byway in New York?

The vintage Foxfire Mountain House, in Mt. Tremper, New York, sits on 10 acres surrounded by mountains and forested woods, showcasing a natural lily pool and pond. In addition to the natural beauty, the grounds feature horseshoes, a glass pavilion, bonfire area, bocce ball, and a long, Moroccan-tiled veranda — a perfect place for your first sip of coffee in the morning, or to enjoy the sunset with your favorite cocktail.  Each room is furnished with such rich details as handmade, sun-bleached wood queen-size beds topped with linen bedding.

Where is another point of interest near the Catskill Mountains in New York?

For the first 64 years, The Mountain House, built in the fall and winter of 1823 and opened in the summer of 1824, was accessible only by a long, rough five-hour stagecoach ride from Catskill Landing on the Hudson. At certain points along the way, guests had to get out and walk, as it was too steep for the horses. Then something extraordinary happened. The Otis Elevating Railway was hired in 1892 to make The Mountain House more competitive than the newer 1,000-room Kaaterskill Hotel, by eliminating the arduous stagecoach ride and building a cable funicular railroad straight up the Wall Of The Manitou. The 7,000-foot long narrow-gauge rail had a rise of 1,630 feet, a maximum grade of 34%, and an average grade of 12%. Unfortunately, both grand hotels are gone and so is the railroad. But remnants of both are visible.

Where is another one of the best scenic drives in New York?

The gorgeous stretch along High Peaks Scenic Byway is decorated with the highest peaks of the Adirondacks, some boasting 4,000 feet high, providing access for biking, hiking, boating, fishing, cross-country skiing, and rock climbing.  And the pristine waters along the way include Johns Brook, Chapel Pond, Cascade Lakes, and Roaring Brook Falls. The stunning mountain passes and ample forests bring more than four million annual travelers to this breathtaking byway in New York. Enjoy this 30-mile drive along Route 73 and the country roads in New York.

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Scenic Drive, Scenic Dr, Catskill, NY 12414, USA