Overlook Fire Tower — Attraction in Town of Woodstock

What a beautiful place. It's about a 2.5 mile trek uphill the entire time, along an old abandoned gravel road. The walk itself is not very scenic, though it is extremely peaceful. About 90% of the way up, there is a huge old ruin. It's a huge building that used to be there. You can walk up and all around in it. It's a good little break before your final trek to the tower. When you get to the tower, there's a small path you can go to beyond it that allows you to see a lovely panorama of Woodstock and the surrounding towns. You're so high up it feels like you're looking out of an airplane. Be cautious with any kids you have because there are no safely railings or anything. It's a straight drop off. The tower itself was awesome too. You can climb up to the top of it but the door to the office in the tower is closed of course. The top of the tower gives you an incredible 360 degree view of everything. It feels like you're on top of the world. Side note: there is also an outhouse at the very top for those...

Hike up to the tower from Meade Mountain Rd is uneventful and boring unless you run across a rattlesnake or bear. Not much to see until you reach the hotel ruins. The hotel runs are really interesting. The tower and overlook are are absolutely awe inspiring!! Oreos and water await you on the summit If volunteers are on working. They are friendly and informative about the tower, hotel and other Catskill trails.

A nicer, less steep hike but much longer hike (4 miles versus 2.5) to the tower is from the Devils Path. You'll find a leanto, stream, bluestone quarries and other interesting things along a well worn path the brings you past the Echo Lake trail and out to the old hotel ruins. Enjoy, have fun and...

The hike up isn't the most fun. It's an unrelenting uphill hike with not much to look at.... Until you get to the Overlook Mountain House ruins.... Which are very cool. From there, it's a pretty short and easy hike up to the fire tower. It was socked in with fog and clouds when I was there, so I can't say much about the view.... Because there wasn't one.... But the summit is a cool place. The fire tower is accessible all the way up to the last landing. The top itself was locked. There are several picnic tables at the summit as well. Watch out for rattlesnakes. We saw a great big one sunning itself on a rock. Definitely worth the hike up between the ruins, the fire tower, and...