Catskill Park Devil’s Path Fire Tower Access Road

The Devil’s Path Fire Tower Access Road lives up to its menacing name, climbing through some of the steepest and most technical terrain in the Catskills. This old fire service road winds up the flanks of Indian Head Mountain and Twin Mountain, passing two abandoned fire towers that once watched over the Hudson Valley for forest fires. The route includes the infamous “Devil’s Kitchen” rock garden at mile 6, where huge boulders create a natural obstacle course that demands precise wheel placement and spotting.

This is expert-level terrain requiring modified 4WD with skid plates, aggressive tires, and recovery gear. The rock sections can tear up undercarriages, and several loose shale slopes require momentum and commitment. Best attempted June through October when dry conditions prevail. No permits needed, but inform someone of your plans — cell service is nonexistent and recovery is expensive. The payoff is spectacular: 360-degree views from both fire towers and absolute solitude in one of New York’s wildest landscapes.