Ashokan Reservoir

I agree with another’s comment that there is no public spot to view the reservoir. I didn’t realize I was supposed to take photos while driving across that bridge. We parked in a parking lot, and there was a lovely fountain nearby with a paved track/​path for biking or walking. Sitting/​dozing near the fountain/​this would make a great picnic spot. There were picnic tables there.

When I visited they had one lane closed on the bridge so traffic was only going one way with a light at each end. I parked on the side of the road and quickly walked to the bridge while no cars were in sight to snap a few photo’s. The reservoir is gorgeous but is protected by the DEP so no swimming, fishing or anything else is allowed. There are path’s surrounding the reservoir that you can walk through but there are many sign’s saying recreation by permit only. I was with my son so I didn’t want to risk walking through and getting caught and possibly being in trouble so I just accepted the quick view I got from the bridge.
If you read up about the history of this reservoir you will find that it’s New York’s deepest. If you aren’t a good swimmer I wouldn’t get too close to the edge. It’s over 190 feet deep!
I just wish there was a better area accessible to the public with a view of the reservoir to just chill out and may be have a nice picnic or something. On a clear day I hear that you can see it from Overlook Mountain.

Excellent place to take a quick picture. The views are amazing. It is a must see if you are around the area.

Nice 2.5 mile walk from the parking area past the bridge/​water treatment are and back. The reservoir overlooks the Catskill mountains with Slide Mountain prominently being noticeable from it’s tall/​sharp parabola shape. The water is on the right while the hill on the left drops off to an open field area that is often used as feeding ground by many deer and geese. You can get some pretty good nature shots or wildlife pics from here.
Check out my blog if you’re thinking about exploring the Catskill area some more :)

Peace‘

Great place to go for a 5 mile run or walk on path with no cars! Beautiful! The bonus is that you are also in a bald eagle refuge and they are everywhere. AmaZing!

Came here on a drizzly autumn day. Fog drifted in tufts through the autumn foliage, fawns nibbled on grass, crows cawed, wild turkeys bobbled about, and all around us was the reservoir, a massive man-​made lake with forty miles of shore and a half-​billion cubic meters of water that makes up part of NYC’s water supply. Glorious stuff. On a clear day you can see the Catskills all around, and I’m told it’s beautiful, but I was happy coming here on a grey day – it’s just a different, grey sort of beautiful. You could’ve convinced me I was in the Pacific Northwest.

Hudson Valley’s man-​made creation of a reservoir as one of many suppliers servicing water to New York City located in Ulster County, New York.
Man-​made reservoir creation came with a hefty price as the former Ashokan Reservoir Communities of nine (9) villages were either removed or obliterated forever which are: West Hurley, Ashton, Glenford, Brown’s Station, Olive Bridge, Brodhead, Shokan, West Shokan and Boiceville. On days where the water level is below normal close to drought warning, remnants of street pavements and cobble-​stone streets are visible which are errie reminders of a past life for the former residents of these nine villages of Ulster County, ghost towns.
Ashokan Reservoir is worth a one day drive with a significant other or group of friends for a «sweet escape.» The scenic is BEAUTIFUL on a sunny day!