State Land

Neversink River Unique Area

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The 6,580-acre Neversink Unique Area features a spectacular gorge and several waterfalls, Denton Falls, Mullet Brook Falls and High Falls. The Nature Conservancy designated the Neversink River as one of the 75 "Last Great Places" in the United States, Latin America and the Pacific. This unique area is a great destination for hiking and fishing.

This Unique Area has special rules, including no swimming or camping. Please read all the specific rules before you visit.

Be aware that cell phone service here is poor and visitors of the property should not rely on their cell phones to navigate or contact anyone during their visit. If able, we recommend utilizing this property's GeoPDF while visiting.

Featured Activities

General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

There are over 14 miles of designated trails on Neversink River Unique Area. Here are a few recommended hikes. * All mileages are approximate. 

Hatchery Road  Trail to the Neversink River (4.84 miles round trip)-Begin in the Hatchery Road Trailhead and follow the red marked trail that runs behind the Kiosk.  This  trail descends over 600 feet in elevation and follows Hatchery Road through the former Eden Brook Fish Hatchery. Hikers have views  of abandoned raceways and ponds that once supported the Eden Brook  trout hatchery. After descending the Hatchery Road walk straight through the old carriage road through the overgrown field downhill following the blue marked trails to the Neversink river to the site of a former suspension bridge.

Cold Spring Road trail to Neversink River (5.22 miles round trip)-begin in the Cold Spring Road Trail briefly ascending uphill before beginning the descent towards the Neversink river, follow red trail markers for 2.16 miles turn left and follow the blue marked trail for 4/10th of a mile crossing a tributary to the Neversink river than turn right in an overgrown field at the intersection of the blue trail west with Hatchery Road. Continue following blue trail markers for 2/10ths of a mile. The end Destination is the location where a suspension bridge use to cross the Neversink River. 

Blue Trail East to Mullet Brook Falls Shortest route (2.86 miles round trip)-Begin in the Katrina Falls Parking area. Follow the blue trail markers for approximately 1.2 miles. Make a left up the hill following red trail markers along the Mullet Brook Falls Loop for 1/10th of a mile and turn left onto the Mullet Brook Falls Trail and follow the yellow trail markers through a tunnel of rhododendron to the falls.  Mullet Brook Falls is the premier destination hike on the Neversink River Unique Area.

Blue Trail East to High Falls. (6.4 Miles round trip)-Beginning in the Katrina Falls Trailhead follow the blue trail markers for just over 3.0 miles and turn right at the Highfalls trail. Follow the yellow trail markers to the falls for a little over 1/10th of mile. Highfalls is the most popular and challenging hikes due to the rocky terrain. Hikers are rewarded traveling  through dense understories of mountain laurel and rhododendron with unparalleled views of Highfalls on Neversink River.

  • Wolf Brook Trailhead can also be used to access the Mullet Brook Loop and High Falls Trail.

General information on paddling includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

The Neversink River offers whitewater paddling through the gorge. There are two major drops at the waterfalls.

Trout, All Year, Catch and Release only, Artificial Lures only.

General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and links to seasons, rules and regulations.

Considered the birthplace of American dry fly fishing, the Neversink River Unique Area offers world class trout fishing opportunities. Brown trout, brook trout, and smallmouth bass are all common in the Neversink River.

Inland Trout Stream Special Fishing Regulations are in effect on the Neversink River.

For Public Fishing Rights (PFR) on the Neversink River, visit DECinfo Locator- Interactive Trout Stream Fishing Map (DECinfo Locator is best viewed on a desktop computer. Users are encouraged to visit the Trout Stream Fishing Map User Guide first for "how to" instructions on using the fishing map.)

Southeastern NY Fishing provides information on fishing in the area and links to top fishing waters, stocking lists, public fishing access and waters open to ice fishing listed by county.

Wildlife Management Unit: 3K

General Information on hunting includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules & regulations.

Hunting is allowed in the Neversink River Unique Area during appropriate seasons. Hunting is a traditional use which is encouraged on State Forest land. The eastern wild turkey is hunted in spring and fall. Furbearers, including beaver, fisher and coyote are harvested annually.

Wildlife Management Unit: 3K

General information on trapping includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.

Trapping is allowed in the Neversink River Unique Area during appropriate seasons. Trapping is a traditional use which is encouraged on State Forest land. The eastern wild turkey is hunted in spring and fall. Furbearers, including beaver, fisher and coyote are harvested annually.

General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.

Directions

  • Hatchery Road Trailhead (41.56873°N, 74.67340°W) Google Maps
    • Please respect adjoining private landowners. Hatchery Road trail provides motor vehicle access to adjoining private property owners.
  • Eden Road Parking Lot (41.519317°N, 74.649589°W) Google Maps
    • Eden Road is a limited maintenance road, a high clearance vehicle is recommended to access this location.
  • Katrina Falls Road Parking Lot (41.583177°N, 74.621980°W) Google Maps 
    • Katrina Falls parking area is the most popular location to access Neversink River Unique Area. During holidays and weekends, this area fills quickly. Please park in designated areas only when visiting Neversink River Unique Area. We encourage visitors to access the Unique Area from one of the other parking areas instead when Katrina Falls area is full
  • Hiram Jones Road Parking Lot (41.593642°N, 74.632639°W) Google Maps 
  • Cold Spring Road Parking Lot (41.554307°N, 74.681649°W) Google Maps 

All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.

Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety

Practice Leave No Trace Principles when recreating on state land to enjoy the outdoors responsibly, minimize impact on the natural resources and avoid conflicts with other users.

All users of Neversink River Unique Area must follow all State Land Use Regulations and should follow all Outdoor Safety Practices for the safety of the user and protection of the resource.

Specific Rules

  • Parking of motor vehicles permitted in designated sites only
  • The Neversink River Unique Area lands are managed for the protection and enhancement of the geological and ecological features that make this area unique. To protect this resource, the unique lands are only open to the public from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.
  • Hiking, cross-country skiing, canoeing, hunting, fishing (artificial lures only), trapping and mountain bicycle riding are allowed.
  • Camping and fires are prohibited.
  • Swimming is prohibited on this property.
  • Rock climbing, motorized boats, motorized vehicles, snowmobiling, the use of horses, swimming, and hang gliding are also prohibited.
  • Trout fishing is catch and release only, and may be done April 1 through October 15. Only artificial lures may be used for trout.

Planning and Management

DEC has released a new 2022 draft Neversink River Unique area Mangement Plan (UMP) (PDF). DEC manages these lands in accordance with the management activities described in the Neversink River Unique Area Unit Management Plan (UMP) (PDF) and the September 2013 Amendment: Neversink River Unique UMP (PDF). In addition to management objectives, the UMP contains detailed information on natural features, recreational infrastructure, geology, natural and human history, habitats, wildlife, fisheries and much more.

If you have questions and/or comments about this UMP, please email us at [email protected].

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

State Lands and Facilities

Where to Find Nearby Amenities

  • Lodging and dining opportunities as well as gas, food and other supplies may be found in the nearby communities of Monticello, Rock Hill and Wurtsboro.

Sullivan County Tourism Office can provide information about other recreation, attractions and amenities in this area.

Numerous guidebooks and maps are available with information on the lands, waters, trails and other recreational facilities in this area. These can be purchased at most outdoor equipment retailers, bookstores and on-line booksellers.

Additional information, outdoor equipment, trip suggestions and guided or self-guided tours may be obtained from outdoor guide and outfitting businesses. Check area chambers of commerce, telephone directories or search the internet for listings.

Consider hiring an outdoor guide if you have little experience or woodland skills. See the NYS Outdoor Guides Association for information on outdoor guides.

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Region 3 - Lower Hudson Valley
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