This Sprawling 200-Acre Mountain Lodge Hidden In The Big Indian Wilderness Lets You Soak In A Clawfoot Tub Overlooking Forest Peaks

When most people think of a Catskills getaway, they imagine a dusty cabin or a quiet bed and breakfast. But just 2.5 hours from NYC, a massive 200-acre resort is rewriting the rules of the upstate escape. Urban Cowboy Lodge is the ultimate, full-scale wilderness playground. With its signature maximalist design–think: patterns on patterns, Pendleton robes, and hand-picked antiques–it feels less like a hotel and more like a high-end adult summer camp tucked into the Big Indian Wilderness. 🛀 The Ultimate Forest Bath: Copper Tubs with a View --------------------------------------------------- The hallmark of the Urban Cowboy experience is their ritualistic bathing. While most NYC apartments barely have room for a shower, the signature suites here are built entirely around the art of the soak. * Indoor Tubs: signature suites feature deep, hammered copper or classic clawfoot tubs placed right by the window so you can watch the sunrise over the peaks while you soak * Outdoor Soaking: for a true Alpine experience, the Walden suites offer Japanese cedar soaking tubs on private outdoor decks–perfect for stargazing in the crisp mountain air * In-Room Coziness: after your bath, you can dry off by a private pot-belly stove or gas fireplace found in almost every signature room 🌲 A 200-Acre Playground: Saunas, Treenets, & Trails --------------------------------------------------- You don’t have to leave the property to find adventure. The lodge sits on a massive vacation valley where the Esopus Creek meets its mountain tributaries. * Estonian Saunas: sweat out the city stress in hand-built steam saunas located right in the woods * The Treenet: for the adventurous, there’s a massive custom treenet installation where you can lounge or climb high above the forest floor * Private Hiking: the property features miles of dedicated trails that wind through the Big Indian Wilderness, plus a natural swimming hole for the warmer months * The Pool: a 40-foot-long pool offers a spot to cool off with a backdrop of 360-degree mountain views 🎳 Ralph’s Bar & Bowling: The Heart of the After-Hours ----------------------------------------------------- The newest addition to the property is Ralph’s Bar & Bowling, a nostalgic tribute to the old-school Catskills resorts of the 1950s. Located just down the hill, this isn’t your average bowling alley. It’s a boutique, two-lane vintage den featuring: * Free Bowling: two lanes of classic, first-come-first-served bowling * The Vibe: mounted moose heads, original woodwork, a dance hall, and a retro arcade * Cowboy Cocktails: sip on a wood-fired Old Fashioned or local craft brew while you play * Tiny Pizza Kitchen: on weekends, Auggie’s Tiny Pizza Kitchen (a fan-favorite from NYC) pops up to serve wood-fired pies 🍽️ Wood-Fired Dining & Late-Night Beats --------------------------------------- You won’t go hungry in the woods. The lodge’s culinary program is centered around The Dining Room, where the menu is thoughtful, seasonal, and hyper-local. * The Food: expect elevated lodge fare like cabbage with pecans, house-made pasta, and wood-fired meats * The Music: every Friday, local DJs spin vinyl from a massive wall of deep cuts (mostly funk and soul) while guests mingle on the sprawling outdoor deck * The Motto: staying true to their “Arrive as Strangers, Leave as Friends” ethos, the nightly communal fire pits are the place to be for s’mores and stories 🗽 What New Yorkers Need to Know Before They Go ---------------------------------------------- If you’re planning a getaway to the Big Indian Wilderness, here are the essentials: * The Accommodations: there are 44 rooms total, ranging from cozy Lodge Kings to massive standalone 6-bedroom houses for big groups of friends * The Gear: bring your hiking boots and a swimsuit–between the creek, the pool, and the sauna, you’ll be in and out of the water all weekend * Pro-Tip: book a room in the Walden or Alpine buildings if you want the bath-centric experience the lodge is famous for ❤️ Why It’s Worth the Trip for New Yorkers ------------------------------------------ While New York City has its own brand of magic, Urban Cowboy offers a level of decadent mountain luxury that you simply can’t find in the five boroughs. It’s a 200-acre chance to trade the concrete jungle for a cedar-scented sanctuary. 🗺️ How to Get There From NYC ---------------------------- Reaching the Urban Cowboy Lodge Click to open side panel for more information in Big Indian is a straightforward journey that takes you through some of the most scenic landscapes in the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains. * 🚙 By Car (Most Convenient Option): the drive from NYC typically takes between 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic. Take the I-87 North to Exit 19 toward Kingston. From there, you’ll follow NY-28 West, a designated scenic byway that winds past the Ashokan Reservoir and into the heart of the mountain * 🚆 By Train (The Scenic Route): if you prefer to skip the driving, you can let the Amtrak or Metro-North Railroad do the work while you enjoy views of the Hudson River. Take the Amtrak from Moynihan Train Hall or the Metro-North Hudson Line from Grand Central to the Poughkeepsie or Rhinecliff stations. Once at the train station, you can rent a car for the final leg of the trip * 🚌 By Bus (The Budget-Friendly Choice): for a direct shot into the mountains, the Trailways NY bus service runs regularly from Port Authority Bus Terminal. Book a ticket to Big Indian, NY. The bus stop is located just a few miles from the property Source: https://secretnyc.co/urban-cowboy-lodge-catskills-ny/