News: Recently Re-Released - The Catskill Forest: A History by Michael Kudish

What many consider the guide to the history of the Catskill Forests has been recently re-released in paperback -- The Catskill Forest, A History by Michael Kudish.  Not only has this important work been published once again, it now includes a fully updated full-color map!

Used copies of the original hardcover edition sell for hundreds of dollars on Amazon, but you can get the re-released paperback version with an updated map for only $55 through the Catskill Center.

The Catskill Center has worked with the publisher to re-release the book and is currently the only distributor of the re-released paperback version.  By purchasing The Catskill Forest: A History from the Catskill Center you are not only supporting a local author and publisher, but one of the oldest and most important conservation organizations in the Catskills.

Purchase The Catskil Forest: A History by Michael Kudish from the Catskill Center

From the publisher:

"Rarely, a guide to understanding a classic American landscape comes along. The Catskill Forest: A History is Michael Kudish's account of his life-long pursuit of how climate, soils, plant biology, and people have affected the Catskill forest since the last glacier retreated 10,000 years ago. It's all here: Native Americans, European settlement and agriculture, early forest industries. Dr. Kudish guides us into the mountain ranges one by one. Pick your favorites--Slide, Bearpen, Peekamoose, Kaaterskill High Peak, Shokan High Point. Go out on the trails. Explore the long history of connection between the Catskills and the people fortunate enough to inhabit or visit these enchanted mountains." --Morton S. Adams, MD, Olive Natural Heritage Society and Catskill Institute for the Environment

Need more information on hiking and planning your 

trips to the Catskills and the Catskill Park?

Read up on the Catskill Park at our Catskill Mountains Information Page for hikes, advice, travel and planning information. We have a Guide to Hiking in the Catskills available and on our sister site, ReviewThis is a Guide to visiting the Catskill Park.

Need a hiking map for your hikes in the Catskills? We recommend the Trail Conference's Catskills Trails 6-Map Set. These maps are the best available for hiking and outdoor adventures in the Catskills and the Catskill Park. The Catskill Center offers a regional map of the Catskills that provides an excellent overview of the region, it's roadways, attractions and trails. National Geographic Trails Illustrated also produces a map for the region. 

How about a guidebook? Both AMC and ADK publish trail guides to the Catskill Region and the Adventures in the Outdoors Bookstore carries many more books and maps that will help you as you hike and explore the Catskill Mountains region. 

If you are looking for more information about the extensive history of the Catskill Mountains and the Catskill Park, we would suggest reading The Catskills, From Wilderness to Woodstock and The Catskill Park, Inside the Blue Line. For the most comprehensive natural history of the Catskill Park and the Forests of the Catskill region, we recommend reading The Catskill Forest, a History by Michael Kudish.