Sullivan: Water Landscapes and History

Water landscapes, wetlands, and historic structures give Sullivan its different sides. At Lake Superior State Park, the lake and pond are as much a focus as the beach area; elsewhere, trails pass traces of a canal or lead to waterfalls. You can shape your trip around the topics that interest you most: nature, regional history, or seasonal experiences.

Natural Areas and Activities on the Water

Lake Superior State Park covers 1,409 acres, including Lake Superior and Chestnut Ridge Pond. The beach area has a swimming area and rentals of kayaks, canoes, rowboats, and pedal boats. Hiking, fishing, and sledding are also permitted in the park. These options range from activities on the water to outings on foot or during the winter season.

The Bashakill Wildlife Management Area covers 3,107 acres, includes the largest freshwater wetland in the southeastern part of New York State, and is designated as a Bird Conservation Area. The Neversink River Unique Area offers a different landscape: a gorge and the waterfalls Denton Falls, Mullet Brook Falls, and High Falls define this 6,580-acre area. It has more than 14 miles of designated trails. The Neversink River offers whitewater paddling through its gorge; trout fishing is available in the Neversink River Unique Area.

Canal Trails and Historic Structures

The Delaware & Hudson Canal Linear Park offers about 3½ miles of towpath trail. Original locks, a dry dock, and spillways can be seen along the route. The park is suitable for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and nature observation. It lies along the Route 209 corridor in the Town of Mamakating; there are towpath access points at several locations between the Village of Wurtsboro and the Hamlet of Phillipsport.

At the Delaware & Hudson Canal Interpretive Center, the tour covers the canal’s construction phases and 70 years of operation. Photographs document its social impact on many workers and the project’s contribution to the region’s industrial development. The canal’s history thus complements the view of the outdoor trails with the story of the structure and its importance to work in the region.

The Livingston Manor Covered Bridge was built in 1860 and spans Willowemoc Creek. Visitors can fish in the creek at Livingston Manor Covered Bridge Park. Stone Arch Bridge Park is defined by a three-arch stone bridge dating to 1882; it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park also offers walks along the Worthington Trail and fishing opportunities on the East Branch of the Callicoon Creek.

History, Culture, and Seasonal Experiences

Fort Delaware Museum depicts the lives of the pioneers of the Delaware Company, who settled in the Upper Delaware Valley in 1754. Guided tours include demonstrations of early settlers’ ways of life and how crafts were made. Minisink Battleground Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and commemorates the Battle of Minisink, the only major engagement of the Revolutionary War in the Upper Delaware.

On the historic grounds of the 1969 Woodstock Music & Art Fair, Bethel Woods has a nine-hole disc golf course that opened in May 2025. It is available on non-event days when the grounds are open. Bethel Woods also hosts an annual Harvest Festival each fall, featuring local farm produce, handmade goods, specialty foods, live music, and hands-on activities.

Local produce can also be part of your plans. The Callicoon Farmers’ Market is producer-only; all goods come from within a 75-mile radius. Participation by individual vendors may change. During the growing season, farmers’ markets in Sullivan County offer locally grown seasonal fruits, vegetables, herbs, bedding plants, perennials, and cut flowers; seasonal availability may vary.

Seminary Hill in Callicoon has a 12-acre orchard with 60 varieties of apples and pears. The ciders made from the fruit are offered in the tasting room, which overlooks the Delaware River Valley. If you plan to visit the tasting room, check that it is open before your visit. Cunningham Family Farms offers a corn maze, a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, and hayrides. These seasonal offerings may vary; check their availability if they are an essential part of your plans.

Plan Your Visit and Accommodation

Sullivan County is about a two-hour drive from each of Newark Liberty International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and JFK International Airport. Sullivan County Transportation operates a round trip from the Highland Township area to Monticello; route details may change, so it’s worth checking for current information. The route through the Town of Delaware is open to the public. Check current access conditions before setting out.

If you’re looking for a hotel in Sullivan, first decide whether natural areas, canal and regional history, or seasonal experiences will be the focus of your trip.

Explore more destinations: Livingston Manor, Roscoe, Monticello, Wurtsboro, Callicoon, Liberty, Barryville, Kenoza Lake, Cochecton, Claryville.

For the broader travel overview: New York.