Catskill Park Devil’s Path Fire Tower Access Road
Expert rock crawling to abandoned fire towers
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.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 12 mi / 19.3 km |
| Duration | Full day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3900 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with armor |
| Nearest town | Tannersville, NY |
| Land manager | New York State Department of Environmental Conservation |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler or 4Runner run this trail, or does it need to be built?
A stock Jeep Wrangler will get hurt on this one. The rock sections demand real clearance, skid plates, and ideally a lift of at least 2-3 inches with all-terrain tires. A stock 4Runner should stay home — the minimum here is a modified rig with underbody armor.
When does the trail typically open and close each year?
June through October is the reliable window. Spring mud season and freeze-thaw cycles make the rock sections unpredictable before June, and early snowfall can shut things down fast after October at 3,900 feet.
Do I need a permit to run this trail, and are there any fees?
The trail falls under New York State DEC jurisdiction — no off-highway vehicle permit is required, but access rules on state land in the Catskills can change without much notice. Check with the DEC Region 4 office before you go, especially since motorized access to fire tower roads is a politically sensitive topic in this area.
What's the hardest section, and what actually makes it technical?
The upper rock shelves approaching fire tower elevation are the crux — exposed ledge climbs with no line corrections available and drop-offs on the downhill side. The challenge isn't speed, it's committing to a line on wet or mossy rock with zero recovery room. A wrong placement here means body damage at minimum.
There's no cell service — how far is the nearest gas and what should I know about getting help if something goes wrong?
Tannersville is your last stop for fuel, and it's thin on services — fill up before you leave the valley. With zero cell coverage for the full 12 miles and no realistic recovery corridor, you need a satellite communicator (Garmin inReach or equivalent) and a self-recovery kit. Don't count on another rig coming along — this trail doesn't see heavy traffic.
Trail track
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