State Land

Phoenicia - Mt. Tobias Wild Forest

Top Phoenicia - Mt. Tobias Wild Forest

Open for recreation: Year-round
Fee: Free
Contact Information:
- DEC Region 3 New Paltz Office (M-F, 8:30 AM - 4:45 PM), (845) 256-3076; [email protected]
- Enforcement Matters: 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264) or 911
Location: Towns of Shandaken, Woodstock and Olive, Ulster County; town of Hunter, Greene County
Wildlife Management Unit: 3A
Map: Phoenicia-Mt. Tobias Wild Forest Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

The Phoenicia-Mt. Tobias Wild Forest serves as a bridge between three wilderness areas: Slide Mountain, Hunter-West Kill and Indian Head Mountain, and includes more than 7,300 acres. The Tremper Mountain parcel (5,800 acres) contains the Tremper Mountain Fire Tower, a popular hiking destination. From the fire tower at Mt. Tremper, visitors look out over the tops of the Catskills' highest peaks. From there, a trail connects Mt. Tremper through the Warner Creek Valley, one of the most isolated valleys in the Catskills containing a rare example (for the Catskills) of riparian wetlands and stream valleys. The second largest parcel of land in the Wild Forest is 1,300-acre Mt. Tobias, linked by a right-of-way (no developed trail) connecting to a 16-panel interpretive kiosk on Route 28 (about 5 miles east of Phoenicia).

Featured Activities

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

Mt. Tremper Fire Tower Trail

A red-blazed trail connects the parking area (10-car capacity) at County Route 40 (go east from Main Street in Phoenicia) to the Mount Tremper Fire Tower (2.75 miles, elevation: 2,740 feet), gaining 2,000 feet in elevation. The trail is a continuous climb on a rocky old road, going past the Baldwin Memorial Lean-to at 1.95 miles and a pipe spring at 2.05 miles (may be dry during periods of drought) before reaching the tower. The blue-blazed Warner Creek Trail to the yellow-blazed Willow Trail lead 3.65 miles from the fire tower to an undeveloped trailhead on Jessup Road (1,300-foot change in elevation).

Warner Creek Trail

From the fire tower, you can continue on the blue-blazed Warner Creek Trail toward Willow for 1.5 miles to where the yellow-blazed Willow Trail continues to Willow. Stay on the Warner Creek Trail, descending into the Warner Creek valley, climbing up to Silver Hollow Mountain (elevation: 3,013 feet) and continuing 9.7 miles on the ridge past Silver Hollow Notch woods road to an intersection with Indian Head Wilderness Trails. From there it is 2.75 miles to the Devils Tombstone State Campground.

Mt. Tobias: Abby Road Trails

There is an old woods road through private land from Wittenberg Road to Mt. Tobias. An undeveloped parking area at Abbey Road provides access to this old road and the unmarked trails near the summit of Mount Tobias.

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

There are two lean-tos on the Mt. Tremper Fire Tower Trail before you reach the summit. There are pit privies at both. A spring 2.05 miles from the Baldwin Memorial Lean-to may be dry during drought periods.

Additionally, primitive camping is allowed. Campsites must be at least 150 feet away from the nearest road, trail, or body of water. Camping for more than three nights or in groups of ten or more requires a permit from a Forest Ranger.

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

Phoenicia Mt. Tobias Wild Forest features Warner Creek, which is open to fishing. This creek can only be accessed by a substantial hike, via the Phoenician Trail.

There are also public fishing sites along the nearby Esopus Creek. For Public Fishing Rights (PFR) on the Esopus Creek, 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 Catskills and links to top fishing waters, stocking lists, public fishing access and waters open to ice fishing listed by county.

Wildlife Management Unit: 3A

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

Hunting is allowed during appropriate seasons. Big game hunting and turkey hunting are popular in this wild forest.

Wildlife Management Unit: 3A

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

Trapping is allowed during appropriate seasons. Big game hunting and turkey hunting are popular in this wild forest.

General information on cross-country skiing includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Cross-country skiing is best on the gentler slopes of the old woods road leading up to Mt. Tobias (elevation 2,544 feet).

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

Snowshoeing is allowed on all trails. Cross-country skiing is best on the gentler slopes of the old woods road leading up to Mt. Tobias (elevation 2,544 feet).

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

The Catskills are home to an abundance of wildlife. With both larger mammals (including deer, bear, and bobcat) as well as smaller mammals (including porcupine and fisher) the Catskills have several unique habitats. In addition to the many mammals found in the Catskills, hundreds of species of birds can also be found in the Catskills.

Catskill informational kiosk in Phoenicia

Accessible Features

From the Esopus Creek Parking Area, across from Catskill Visitor Center, wheelchair accessible features include the:

Hiking trail to viewing area

The trail to Esopus Creek is 0.25 mile one way and has a gentle grade (max. slope 5%), wide tread (min. width 3 feet), and firm crushed stone surface.

See Maps, Directions, and Featured Activities sections on this page for more details on these features. Visit the DEC Accessible Recreation Destinations web page for additional accessible recreation opportunities.

Directions

Mount Tobias:

Abbey Road access: From Thruway Exit 19 at Kingston - take first right turn off traffic circle to Route 28 west, proceed approximately 21 miles west on Rte. 28 to Mt. Tremper, turn right on to Rte. 212, 1/2 mile to 4-way intersection. Turn right again on Wittenberg Road (County Rte. 40). The trailhead off County Route 40 holds about 10 cars. Abbey Road is about 2 miles on the left side, and the Kenneth Wilson Campground is approximately 4 miles on the right side. (42.051417°N, -74.225895°W) Google Maps

Mount Tremper:

Mount Tremper Trailhead: From Thruway Exit 19 at Kingston - take first right turn off traffic circle to Route 28, proceed approximately 23 miles west on Rte. 28 to sign for Phoenicia, make a right onto Main Street (County Route 40). Go east about 3 miles on County Route 40 to the Tremper Mountain Trailhead. Or take Route 28 to about 19 miles west of Kingston, make a right onto 212 (just before you cross the Esopus Creek) and go 0.5 mile to CR 40. Make a left onto County Route 40 and go west for about 3 miles to the Tremper Mountain Trailhead. (42.066268°N, -74.303111°W) Google Maps
Willow Trailhead: The Willow Trailhead is located in the Town of Woodstock on Jessop Road. The trailhead improves access to Mount Tremper and the Mount Tremper Fire Tower through a land use permit agreement with NYC DEP. The trailhead also provides access to the Warner Creek Trail and the Devil's Path. (42.077798°N, -74.243107°W) Google Maps

Limited access parking is available at the Route 28 Day Use Area and on a small unmaintained Forest Preserve access pulloff at Abbey Road, off County Route 40 within two miles of Kenneth Wilson State Campground.

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

Rules and Regulations and Outdoor Safety

Practice Leave No Trace Principles when in the Catskills to minimize impact on the natural resources and avoid conflicts with other back-country users.

All users of the Phoenicia-Mt. Tobias Wild Forest must follow all State Land Use Regulations and should follow recommended Outdoor Safety Practices for their safety and the protection of the environment.

Planning and Management

DEC manages these lands in accordance with the 1994 Phoenicia-Mt. Tobias Wild Forest Unit Management Plan (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 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

Gas, food and other supplies as well as dining and lodging can be found in the nearby communities of Shandaken, Woodstock, Hunter and Olive.

Catskill Regional Tourism Office, Greene County Tourism Office, Woodstock Chamber of Commerce and Ulster 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.