Summer arrives slowly in the Catskills and then, all at once, it is everywhere. The mountains turn impossibly green, the creeks run cold and clear, and the days stretch long enough to hold everything you want to fit into them. At The Cedar Stock Cabin, summer means evenings on the deck that last until the stars come out, mornings with the windows thrown open to the forest sounds, and a landscape so alive with possibility that the hardest part of any day is choosing what to do first. This is the season when the cabin and the mountains around it reveal their fullest selves.
Life on the Deck
The deck at The Cedar Stock Cabin is where summer really happens. The Adirondack chairs face west toward Overlook Mountain, and from late afternoon until dark, the light show is extraordinary — the mountain turns gold, then amber, then deep purple as the sun drops below the ridgeline. Bring a book, a glass of something cold, and absolutely nothing on your schedule. The forest wraps around the cabin on three sides, and the only sounds are the birds, the breeze in the trees, and the occasional distant rumble of thunder building over the peaks. On warm evenings, dinner on the deck — cooked in the full kitchen with produce from a local farm stand — is one of the finest dining experiences in the Catskills, and no reservation is required.
Hiking
Summer is prime hiking season in the Catskills, and the trails near the cabin are at their best. Overlook Mountain is the classic — a steady climb to the fire tower with panoramic views that, on a clear summer day, seem to stretch forever. Start early to beat the heat and the crowds, and you will have the trail largely to yourself. Kaaterskill Falls is spectacular in summer, when the mist from the 260-foot cascade creates a natural air conditioner at the base. For a gentler outing, the Ashokan Rail Trail offers miles of flat, shaded walking along the reservoir, perfect for a late afternoon stroll when the light on the water is at its most beautiful.
Swimming Holes and Creek Life
When the July heat settles in, the Catskills answer with some of the best swimming holes in the Northeast. Big Deep, a beloved local spot on the Esopus Creek, offers deep, cold pools surrounded by smooth rocks and overhanging trees — the kind of place where you can spend an entire afternoon doing nothing more than swimming, sunning, and swimming again. The Esopus Creek itself winds through the valley with countless informal swimming spots and wading areas where the water runs clear over a rocky bottom.
For a more adventurous aquatic experience, head to Phoenicia for a day of tubing on the Esopus. The Town Tinker tube rental operation has been sending happy tubers downstream for decades, and the combination of cold mountain water, gentle rapids, and stunning mountain scenery makes it one of the most purely fun things you can do in the Catskills. Plan for a two- to three-hour float and bring water shoes.
Live Music and Festivals
Summer is when Woodstock's legendary music scene comes fully alive. The Midnight Rambles at Levon Helm Studios continue through the warm months, and there is nothing quite like walking out of the barn after a show into a soft Catskills summer night. Maverick Concerts, the oldest chamber music festival in America, holds its summer season in a magical open-air concert hall in the woods — classical music surrounded by forest is an experience that will recalibrate your relationship with both.
Beyond the established venues, summer brings outdoor festivals, pop-up concerts on the village green, and live music at The Colony and other local spots several nights a week. The Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase in the fall shoulder season is also worth planning around — master guitar builders from around the world gather to display their craft. Keep an eye on local event listings; some of the best summer nights in Woodstock happen spontaneously.
Farmers Markets and Local Food
Summer is harvest season in the Catskills, and the local food ecosystem is extraordinary. The Woodstock Farm Festival runs through the warmer months, bringing together local farmers, bakers, cheese makers, and producers for a weekly market that is as much a social event as a shopping trip. Stock up on fresh vegetables, pasture-raised eggs, artisan bread from Bread Alone, and whatever fruit is in season — strawberries in June, blueberries in July, peaches in August — and bring it all back to the cabin kitchen.
Farm stands dot the roads around the cabin, and many operate on the honor system — leave your money in the box and take home the best tomatoes you have ever tasted. For a special meal, combine your farm stand haul with a stop at one of the excellent local restaurants for inspiration, then cook dinner at the cabin with the windows open and the mountain light fading through the trees.
Arts and Exploration
Summer is gallery season in Woodstock, with openings, exhibitions, and outdoor art events happening throughout the town. The Center for Photography at Woodstock and the Woodstock Artists Association and Museum both run ambitious summer programs, and Tinker Street is at its most vibrant — shops open late, sidewalks full, and creativity in the air. For a day trip, explore the towns of the Hudson Valley — Kingston's waterfront, Hudson's antique shops, Saugerties' lighthouse trail — all within easy reach and each offering its own version of a perfect summer day.