The Tipping Point: Balancing the Wild and the Welcomed at Kaaterskill Falls

The recent New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Visitor Use Management plan, prepared by consultants DJ&A, marks a pivotal moment in the state’s effort to manage the record-breaking visitation that has transformed the Kaaterskill Falls region into one of the most pressured landscapes in the Forest Preserve. Photo PD.

HUNTER—On April 3, 2026, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) released the Final Kaaterskill Clove Visitor Use Management (VUM) Recommendations Report and Monitoring Plan. This landmark report, prepared by consultants DJ&A, marks a pivotal moment in the state’s effort to manage the record-breaking visitation that has transformed the Kaaterskill Falls region into one of the most pressured landscapes in the Forest Preserve.

Balancing Preservation and Access

The report identifies a critical tipping point: it suggests a maximum of 1,000 visitors per day at Kaaterskill Falls to prevent "unacceptable impacts to visitors’ experiences, public safety, park operations, and traffic conditions." To achieve this, the report proposes several adaptive management strategies, including a timed-entry reservation system for the Laurel House Road parking lot, improved shuttle services, and permanent parking bans along the hazardous Route 23A corridor.

Local Leadership Voices Opposition

The recommendations have sparked intense debate among local officials. In a formal response on April 6, 2026, Hunter Town Supervisor Sean Mahoney expressed "firm opposition to the current direction" of the VUM strategies. Mahoney emphasized that the Town of Hunter supports safety and stewardship but strongly rejects restrictive measures like visitor caps.   

"These limitations are not an appropriate solution for Kaaterskill Clove... they run counter to the long-standing principle of public access and fail to address the underlying causes of congestion," Mahoney stated. He further warned of "significant and immediate economic consequences," noting that "limiting access to one of the Catskill Mountain region’s primary destinations directly affects local businesses, jobs, and municipal stability."  

In a later interview, Supervisor Mahoney asked that all local residents, businesses and visitors send their feedback to Forestpreserve@dec.ny.gov

Advocacy and Stewardship Perspectives

While municipal leaders worry about economic contraction, environmental advocates see the plan as a necessary evolution for the region's survival. Jeff Senterman, Executive Director of the Catskill Center, has long advocated for the VUM framework as the "gold standard" for professional land management. During legislative testimony, Senterman highlighted that the Forest Preserve offers National Park-level significance just two hours from a major population center, requiring "infrastructure support for quality of residential life and for safe and enjoyable visitor experiences."

Greene County legislators and tourism officials have echoed a mix of caution and cooperation. Warren Hart, representing Greene County Tourism, noted during stakeholder meetings the importance of maintaining the region's "natural scenic beauty" as the primary driver for the local economy, while Greene County Sheriff Lt. Andrew Overbaugh focused on the logistical challenges of enforcing a gated or reservation-based system in a geography as dispersed as the Clove.

Business and Community Concerns

Local business owners have expressed fears that a reservation system will "displace" rather than diminish demand. As Mahoney noted in his letter, "Visitors who are turned away will continue to arrive in the region, contributing to congestion, unsafe parking, and use of less appropriate areas." Property owners along North Lake Road, some of whom offer private paid parking, remain wary of how a state-run reservation system would impact their operations and the general flow of visitors to their storefronts and lodging.   

Next Steps

The DEC has clarified that the release of the report "does not signify DEC adoption of the recommendations." The agency is accepting written public feedback until June 1, 2026, and will host a virtual public meeting on April 29, 2026, to further discuss the path forward for this iconic landscape.