Echo Lake

Echo Lake

Catskills

Beavers live here. Beavers live here.
42.097072, -74.091857

Echo Lake and the beavers that call it home offer serene overnight camping spots and a lean-to for small groups as a reward for several miles of moderate hiking from Platte Clove Road. Views atop Overlook Mountain, Codfish Point, and of a 70-foot waterfall are all photo-worthy.

To begin your hike from the parking lot on Platte Cove Road, turn right onto the road and follow the aqua blazes of the Long Path. You’ll spot a red cabin on the left about 250 yards up the road. It was once used by the Platte Clove Preserve’s Artists-in-Residence program.

To visit the 70-foot Plattekill Falls before you begin the hike to Echo Lake, turn left on the gravel drive and...

  • Overnight backpacking requires careful preparation. Make sure you have reviewed the list of 10 Hiking Essentials.
  • Practice Leave No Trace principles when camping at Echo Lake and anytime you step into the backcountry. If you pack it in, pack it out

Prepare For Your Destination

Let's Go

Trip Reports

rate experience
January 21, 2018
5

Last August I went on an overnight trip to Echo Lake. The route we planned was from Platte's Clove to Echo Lake then up Overlook and back to Echo Lake for the night. Normally I would go from Overlook to the lake (Which is WAY shorter), but we figured we would try something different this time (I know, I'm wild).

The first part of the hike was nice, going through the woods along some old bluestone quarries and with some awesome views of the Hudson Valley. Someone made a bunch of benches out of the stone, and they're surprisingly comfortable after a couple of miles with a loaded pack.

Eventually you come across a lean-to alongside a creek. It would make a great campsite, but it was already taken and it was no where near out destination.

There is a long while before getting to anything of note, and that would probably be the turn off for Echo Lake. The walk is down a rocky hill, and it's kind of difficult to walk down the hill with out bouncing from rock to rock. Unless you're a kangaroo or ballerina, it'd probably be difficult to make it down without all the side stepping.

Finally at the bottom, is Echo Lake. There is a lean-to right at the end of the trail, but the best places to camp are on the trail circling the lake. We stayed in a pine forest with a great fire-pit. There were not many people there, except a man at the campsite next to us, and a guy named Tim (who may or may not be a paper lantern salesman), but there are a lot of beavers. The forest around the lake and the trees on the shore have been massacred by the beavers, but they did leave us some good kindling and fire wood.

We set up camp here, and then headed back up the trail towards Overlook. It is a pretty steep hike, but definitely worth it. The old Mountain House is amazing, but you have to be there at the right time. When we got there, a million people were already swarming the building and shouting. My favorite was the guy talking about the Monks that lived in the old building and burned it down when the redcoats were coming. I wish I was making that up.

We continued on to the fire tower and avoided rattlesnake territory, then turned back around and headed back to Echo Lake. When we finally got back we were exhausted and ready to start our fire. We had to make utensils out of sticks, and then we could enjoy our chipotle chicken (So good).

No bears bothered us during the night, though I have heard this is the bear capital of the Catskills.

We woke up early and hiked out the way we came. This is probably my new favorite overnight in the area, and I recommend this to everyone who's looking for a one night camping trip.

adventure_andrew's picture
adventure_andrew
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