Hiking shelters in Catskill Park

Hiking Shelters & Lean-Tos

This collection features traditional Adirondack-style lean-tos and rustic shelters situated throughout New York’s Catskill Park. These three-sided structures offer essential overnight refuge for backpackers on major routes like the Devil’s Path, the Escarpment Trail, and the Finger Lakes Trail. Many are located near high-altitude summits, fire towers, or remote water sources like Trout Pond and Echo Lake. Each site typically includes a stone fire ring and space for primitive camping, providing strategic stopping points for multi-day treks across the park's rugged terrain.

Hiking Shelters & Lean-Tos — Map

A

Trout Pond South Lean-To

Situated at the southern end of Trout Pond, this shelter is accessible via the Trout Pond Trail from Russell Brook Road.

B

Campbell Mountain Lean-To

Located on the Campbell Mountain Trail, this site forms part of the Finger Lakes Trail system in the western Catskills.

C

Trout Pond North Lean-To

Positioned near the northern shore of Trout Pond along the Mud Pond-Trout Pond hiking loop.

D

Pelnor Hollow Lean-To

A remote three-sided shelter located on the Pelnor Hollow Trail, accessible from the Berry Brook Road trailhead.

E

Quick Lake Lean-To

Located deep within the Willowemoc Wild Forest along the Quick Lake Trail near the site of a former ranger cabin.

F

Balsam Lake Mountain Lean-To

Located at 3,315 feet, this shelter serves hikers climbing toward the Balsam Lake Mountain fire tower.

G

Tremper Mountain Lean-To

Situated near the summit of Mount Tremper, providing access to the historic fire tower and views of the Esopus Valley.

H

Devil's Acre Lean-To

Located on the Devil's Path between Hunter and Southwest Hunter mountains, near the site of an old logging camp.

I

Diamond Notch Lean-To

Positioned at the junction of the Diamond Notch and Devil's Path trails, adjacent to Diamond Notch Falls.

J

Echo Lake Lean-To

Set on the shores of Echo Lake in the Overlook Mountain Wild Forest, accessible via the Overlook Trail.

K

Rider Hollow Shelter

Located at the Rider Hollow trailhead, providing a base for climbing Balsam and Haynes mountains.

L

Mink Hollow Lean-to

A strategic stop on the Devil's Path, situated in the notch between Sugarloaf and Plateau mountains.

M

John Robb Lean-To

Located at 3,460 feet on the western ridge of Hunter Mountain, offering proximity to the fire tower and Spruceton Trail.

N

Batavia Kill Lean-To

Situated on the Escarpment Trail near the Blackhead Range, serving as a key junction for the Big Hollow trailhead.

O

Terrace Mountain Lean-To

Located on a spur trail off the Phoenicia-East Branch Trail, providing a ridge-top camping spot near Wittenberg Mountain.

Other Lists

Catskill Park Essentials Catskill Mountain Peaks Best Viewpoints in the Catskills Best Campgrounds Scenic Waterfalls