NYC to The Catskills
Mountains, hikes, breweries and small-town charm upstate.
~2.5 hours · ~120 miles from New York City
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The Catskills are NYC's go-to mountain escape — about 2.5 hours north for hiking, swimming holes, breweries and towns like Woodstock and Phoenicia. A rental is the only practical way to reach the trailheads and back roads.
Trip highlights
- Hikes like Kaaterskill Falls and the high peaks
- Woodstock, Phoenicia and Hudson Valley towns
- Swimming holes, breweries and farm stands
- AWD SUV is ideal in winter for ski country
Driving tips
AWD for winter
If you're heading up for skiing or in winter, an all-wheel-drive SUV handles the mountain roads far better than a sedan.
NYC to The Catskills FAQs
Yes — the Catskills' trailheads, towns and swimming holes are spread across back roads with no real transit. A rental car (AWD in winter) is essential.
Renting a car for the trip
Compare deals for your dates in the search below. For longer hauls, consider an SUV or full-size car, and if you're flying back rather than returning to the city, check out a one-way rental.