SULLIVAN COUNTY, NEW YORK - CATSKILL MOUNTAINS

Less than 2 hours from New York City lies one of the most unspoiled, beautiful and untapped recreational meccas in the United States. The area framed by the Delaware River to the south, the Beaverkill River (fly-fishing's American birthplace) in the west, the rock climbing mecca of the Shawangunk Ridge in the east and the spectacular Catskill Mountains to the north. New York's Sullivan County offers tremendously varied terrain for virtually any pursuit.

The bald eagle is one of nature's most majestic and powerful birds. These magnificent birds call Sullivan County home and they are masters of all they survey. Soaring the skies of Sullivan County they see crystal clear lakes that teem with fish and lush green open countryside.

The Town of Bethel was brought to the world's attention in 1969 when nearly 500,000 people gathered at Max Yasgur's Farm for "Three Days of Peace and Music". The documentary made about Woodstock released in 1970 showed interviews with numerous Bethel residents, including Art Vassmer, co-owner of Vassmers General Store in Kauneonga Lake. A movie called Taking Woodstock was released in August 2009 based on the book of the same title by Elliot Tiber, whose parents owned the nearby El Monaco Motel in White Lake and played a pivotal role in bringing the Woodstock nation to Bethel. In 2006, Bethel Woods opened on the original Woodstock site as a state-of-the-art performing arts venue. In early 2008, a multi-media Woodstock "interpretive" museum opened near the old Yasgur's Farm to complement the concert space. Click here for Catskill Mountains vacation ideas.