What's around.

Belleayre Mountain — 18 minutes

Family-friendly mountain with 175 skiable acres, 50+ trails, and a terrain park. Great for mixed-ability groups. Rentals and lessons available on-site.

Plattekill Mountain — 20 minutes

Smaller, less crowded, more old-school. No snowmaking on most trails, so conditions depend on natural snow. Locals love it for the untouched feel.

Both resorts offer season passes and day tickets. Weekend mornings get busy — arrive by 8:30 AM for the best parking.

Easy

• Andes Rail Trail (15 min drive) — A flat, 2-mile round-trip path on the old Delaware & Northern railroad bed. Smooth enough for an all-terrain stroller. Great for a morning run.
• Pakatakan Trail (10 min drive) — An easy, shaded creekside walk near Dry Brook. Kids love throwing rocks in the creek.

Moderate

• Palmer Hill — Moderate trail with lovely views of the Catskills. A local favorite.
• Balsam Lake Mountain (15 min drive) — 3-mile round trip to a fire tower at the summit. Steady climb, not steep. The 360-degree views are the best payoff in the area.
• Shavertown Trail — A little steep, but the lake views are worth it.
• Dry Brook Ridge — Lower Section (12 min drive) — The first mile climbs gradually through mixed forest. Turn around whenever the kids get tired.
• Millbrook Ridge Trail (18 min drive) — A loop through forests and meadows. Less trafficked than Balsam Lake.

Challenging

• Dry Brook Ridge — Full Traverse (12 min drive) — 6-8 miles with significant elevation gain. For experienced hikers.
• Slide Mountain via Phoenicia Trail (40 min drive) — The highest peak in the Catskills (4,180 ft). A bucket list summit.

Check for ticks May through September. Popular trailheads fill up by 10 AM on summer weekends. Cell service is non-existent on most trails — download maps at the cabin.

• Belleayre Beach at Pine Hill Lake (20 min) — The gold standard for families. Sandy beach, lifeguard-supervised swimming, and kayak rentals. Season typically kicks off in late June. Parking fee applies.
• Local creek spots (10-15 min) — The East Branch Delaware River has numerous shallow spots perfect for rock-skipping and splashing. Ask us when you check in and we’ll point you to our favorites. Bring water shoes.

Water is cold even in August. The kids won’t care.

Pakatakan Farmers’ Market (10 min)

Saturdays, 9 AM - 1 PM. Located at the historic Round Barn in Halcottsville. The regional hub for local produce, pasture-raised meats, and artisan goods. Season begins mid-May.

Andes Farmers Market (10 min)

Saturdays. A smaller village market, but the fresh bread and cheese vendors are essential.

Margaretville (5 min)

• The Inn Between — A beloved local staple. Great for a classic, reliable dinner.
• Café Marguerite (746 Main St) — Morning coffee and incredible scratch-made pastries. The almond financiers are to die for.
• Oda Wine Garden — Balkan-inspired dishes and wine. Try the Balkan platter.
• Margaretville Deli & Market — Good quality quick bites. The fajita wraps are great for a trail lunch.
• Oakley’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Grill — Wood-fired pizza, wings, and comfort food. A family crowd-pleaser.
• Folsom Point Provisions — Great food and coffee.

Andes (10 min)

• The Andes Hotel (110 Main St) — Upscale tavern food and a great beer garden. Perfect for a family dinner or a date night.
• Cafe Mutsi (22 Lee Ln) — A Nordic-inspired all-day cafe and wine bar. Don’t skip their sourdough.
• Dragonfly 55 (55 Main St) — An epicurean coffee bar perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up.

Worth the Drive

• Phoenicia Diner (30 min) — An iconic Catskills diner. Always packed for a reason.

Most places close early on weekdays. Check hours before driving.

On the property

• Cornhole on the deck
• Marshmallow roasting at the fire pit
• Apple picking from the property’s two trees (fall)
• Sledding on the hills (winter)
• Sauna (supervised for older kids)
• 3 acres to run around with no roads or neighbors
• Board games, books, and two reading nooks for rainy days

Nearby

• Belleayre Beach at Pine Hill Lake (20 min) — Sandy beach with swimming, kayak rentals, and picnic areas. Summer only.
• Hanford Mills Museum (20 min) — Working 19th-century mill. Kids love the waterwheel.
• Rail Explorers: Catskills Division — Pedal-powered rail bikes along scenic railroad tracks. A unique Catskills experience.
• Catskill Mountain Railroad (seasonal) — Short scenic train ride.
• Tubing on the Esopus Creek (30 min) — Older kids, summer only.

Rainy day? The cabin has a large TV with Bose surround sound, two reading nooks stocked with books, and board games.