Launched in 2019, the Challenge has drawn participants from every region of New York, as well as 11 other states and Canadian provinces.

This year, the addition of Bramley Mountain and Mount Utsayantha fire towers celebrates community partnerships and provides an even greater challenge to take with friends and family. Participation by the two towers in Delaware County is made possible by a strong partnership between DEC, local communities, and not-for-profit organizations dedicated to enhancing public recreation, tourism, and conservation.

Mount Utsayantha fire tower, built in 1934 and restored in 2005, is located just outside of the Catskill Forest Preserve. Bought in 2015 for $1, the fire tower is owned and maintained by the village of Stamford. In 1900, the tower boasted views as far away as the Berkshires. Visitors to this tower have the option of hiking or driving a one-mile seasonal gravel road to the summit.

Bramley Mountain fire tower was recently reconstructed atop Bramley Mountain, an effort that spanned many years and completed thanks to the diligence of committed volunteers and community members. Open since May 2025, this tower offers sweeping views of the Catskills. The four-mile trail leading to the tower was built by the Catskill Mountain Club in partnership with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection. Friends of Bramley Mountain Fire Tower provides educational and historical information at the tower on weekends and holidays during the summer months.

For nearly a century, observers watched the forests of New York state, including the Catskill and Adirondack Forest Preserve, from more than 100 fire towers perched atop the highest peaks to search for signs of forest fires. This Catskills Fire Tower Challenge highlights the park’s remaining public fire towers.

The Catskills Fire Tower Challenge encourages experienced hikers to visit the region’s remaining fire towers located on Balsam Lake Mountain (Hardenburgh), Hunter Mountain (Hunter), Overlook Mountain (Woodstock), Red Hill Mountain (Denning), Tremper Mountain (Shandaken), Upper Esopus fire tower (Catskills Visitor Center — Mount Tremper), Mount Utsayantha fire tower (Stamford), and Bramley Mountain fire tower (Delhi).

For more information about the Catskills and to experience the easiest-to-reach fire tower in the region, visit the Catskills Visitor Center on Route 28 in the heart of the Catskill Park. Situated on 60 acres of forest, fields, and wetlands, the Catskills Visitor Center offers the tower, a visitor information center, gift shop, 1.5 miles of peaceful nature trails (including ADA-accessible trails), picnic areas, a covered pavilion, wildlife viewing and Esopus Creek access. The Catskills Visitor Center is open for the winter season Friday to Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To complete the challenge, participants must visit all eight fire towers in the Catskills region between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2026. Once completed, participants submit a log of their completed hikes along with a favorite photo to CatskillsChallenge@dec.ny.gov, or via mail. Entries must be postmarked by Jan. 5, 2027. Full details can be found at the 2026 Catskills Fire Tower Challenge page.

All participants who complete the challenge will receive a letter and a commemorative Catskills Fire Tower Challenge patch designed with the 2026 completion year. The first 1,000 finishers will also receive a one-year subscription to DEC’s Conservationist magazine and a gift subscription for a second person of their choice. Again, this year, finishers who completed the challenge multiple times will receive an additional commemorative Catskills Fire Tower Challenge prize. Upon completion, finishers will be able to download a customizable certificate and will be eligible to win prizes after the challenge period is closed. Finishers will be entered into a grand prize drawing.

To promote responsible recreation, DEC will offer a bonus prize entry to finishers who also submit a photo of themselves being safe, respectful, and responsible when enjoying the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace while participating in the Catskills Fire Tower Challenge.

The 2025 challenge has more than 500 finishers to date. With DEC giving participants a full year to complete the challenge, hikers can complete it at their own pace.