Autumn in Upstate New York is iconic—the colorful changing leaves and pumpkins patches popping up adds a magical air to the city. It’s our favorite time of year to explore the Catskills Mountains and take advantage of the cooler temperatures, extensive local trails, and stunning views.
Learn more about our special fall leaf peeping weekend at AutoCamp Catskills, alongside our friends at Hikerkind, and a curated list of hikes you can bookmark for your next Upstate adventure.
Fall Leaf Peeping from AutoCamp Catskills
This October, we gathered while the fall foliage is peaking for a special fall weekend in partnership with Brooklyn dwelling, outdoor escape artists, Hikerkind, and our favorite Upstate cocktail curators, Current Cassis.
On Saturday morning, we hit the Ashokan Rail Trail (see our list of hikes below!) for a Hikerkind led hike hosted by co-founders, Chelsea and Allison, on one of the prettiest trails in the Catskills.
We met back at the AutoCamp Clubhouse lawn for Drink & Dye, a natural dyeing workshop and tasting featuring C. Cassis. While sipping on C. Cassis cocktails, we transformed garments into natural blackcurrant dye masterpieces. Past-their-prime white clothes were reborn as fall pieces to wear all season long.
More About Hikerkind—and Their Favorite Catskills Hikes to Bookmark
Co-founders, Chelsea and Allison, met while working high fashion in New York, and quickly bonded over a shared love of hiking. During their trips into the great outdoors, they realized they didn’t only share an appreciation for nature—they also shared a frustration with trying to find high-performance gear that fit their streamlined aesthetic, and the lack of access to a larger hiking community.
The two put their considerable skill sets together, and launched Hikerkind in 2021. In the duo’s words, “We build design-driven exploration essentials for city to trail. We believe hiking is the gateway to connecting with nature and each other. Hikerkind exists to inspire, educate and enable women to explore the outdoors.” Their Hike Club also brings together adventurers of all backgrounds and experience levels to explore near—places like Shirley Chisholm Park—and far, to towns like Cold Spring and Beacon.
Check out a list of Catskills hikes, located just a short drive from AutoCamp, to explore during your stay!
This lengthy trail lets you choose your own adventure, going as far as you’d like and leaving plenty to explore next time. Opened in its current form in 2019, this well-maintained recreational trail follows the path of the defunct Ulster & Delaware Railway Corridor, offering a flat crushed stone path that’s welcoming to hikers of all ages and abilities. No matter what time of year you visit, the route features gorgeous views of Ashokan Reservoir!
- 15 min drive from AutoCamp
- Difficulty: Easy
- Length: 11.2 mi (Do as much as you’d like!)
- Elevation gain: 380 ft
- Route type: Point to point
- Other details: Stroller friendly, great for all ages, dogs allowed on leash
Passing through a quarry that used to provide bluestone for NYC sidewalks, this picturesque trail features rock chairs where you can sit and take in the amazing views. Great for new hikers and families looking for a moderate challenge.
- 20 min drive from AutoCamp
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Length: 3.6 miles
- Elevation gain: 935 ft
- Route type: Out + Back
- Other details: Dogs allowed on leash
This local favorite is steep, but worth the climb. The route features ruins of Overlook Mountain House and 360 degree views from the Fire Tower (it’s also one of the 5 summits needed to complete the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge). Great for leaf peeping in the fall and snow-shoeing in the colder months!
- 20 min drive from AutoCamp
- Difficulty: Hard
- Length: 4.6 miles
- Elevation gain: 1,397 ft
- Route type: Out + Back
- Other details: Dogs allowed on leash
Inspired to hit the trail? Make AutoCamp Catskills homebase for the next adventure. But first, save Hikerkind’s comprehensive packing list to take the guesswork out of what to bring on your hike.
