The best fall views are often found on the scenic route, and in the Catskills, that can mean more than 3,000 feet in the air. As the leaves begin to turn, New Yorkers’ cravings for crisp mountain air, colorful foliage, and an excuse to escape the city only grow stronger. Luckily, you don’t have to travel to Germany to raise a stein in celebration of the season.
One destination is bringing a little Bavaria to the Catskills with Hunter Mountain’s annual Oktoberfest, a free three-weekend celebration filled with Bavarian food, live music, traditional festivities, and panoramic views of peak fall foliage. And unlike your average beer garden, this one comes with a scenic chairlift ride to the top.
Set against the changing leaves of the Catskill Mountains, the festival makes for an easy fall day trip or weekend escape from NYC — especially for anyone who thinks their ideal autumn itinerary should include equal parts alpine scenery, hearty food, and a festive stein.
🍻 What to Know: Colors in the Catskills at Hunter Mountain
Hunter Mountain’s legendary autumn gathering (formerly Oktoberfest) is back with three themed weekends packed with lively Bavarian beats, sizzlin’ bratwurst, lawn games, and sweeping autumn vistas!
- Festival Dates & Themes:
- Oct 10–11: Authentic Oktoberfest (Full Bavarian spirit, traditional tunes, and hearty steins)
- Oct 17–18: Costume Takeover (Spooky festive fun to close out the fall season)
- Festival Hours: Saturdays 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Sundays 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Skyride opens early at 9:00 AM!)
- Free Admission & Parking: Walk right into the party without spending a dime on entry.
- Live Music & Games Schedule: Jam to tunes from DJ Frankie and Joe Adee & The Lugnuts while testing your strength in classic arena competitions like Kids Steinholding, Adult Steinholding, and Keg Rolling!
🚡 The Chairlift: Then and Now
Back in 1960, Hunter Mountain revolutionized East Coast skiing by launching its very first chairlift. Decades later, that pioneering spirit lives on in the Kaatskill Flyer Scenic SkyRide—a modern six-passenger high-speed chairlift that whisks you up 3,200 feet in just 11 brisk, scenic minutes.
On a clear autumn day, the summit offering is nothing short of magical: you’ll soak in sweeping, panoramic views stretching far beyond New York’s borders to the Berkshires in Massachusetts and Vermont’s Green Mountains.
At the summit, adventure-seekers can hike a marked 4-mile round-trip trail to the Hunter Mountain Fire Tower—the highest fire tower in New York State standing tall at 4,040 feet. Just be sure to wear sturdy hiking shoes and head back down to the chairlift before the 3:45 PM final ride!
🍂 Know Before You Go
- 📍 Location: Hunter Mountain Resort, Catskill Mountains, New York (Main Lodge area)
- ⏰ Skyride Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM on operational days (Final mountain offload at the summit is 3:30 PM)
- 🎟️ Tickets & Pricing: Festival entry is completely free! Skyride tickets can be purchased at the ticket window or booked online in advance for the best savings.
- 👶 Rider Rules: Little mountain explorers must be at least 3 years old and 36 inches tall. Children in carriers are not allowed, and kids 12 and under require an adult companion.
- 👟 Gear & Attire: Dress in warm layers for mountain breezes and wear comfortable, closed-toe footwear if you plan on trekking to the summit fire tower.
🚌 How to Get There from NYC
Getting to this foliage paradise from New York City is an absolute breeze:
- By Car (approx. 2.5 hours): Head north on the NYS Thruway (I-87) to Exit 20 (Saugerties), then follow NY-212 West to NY-214 North straight into Hunter. It’s a gorgeous, picturesque drive as the city skyline fades into rolling orange and gold hills.
- By Bus with OvRride: Want to skip driving entirely? Hop on the OvRride bus line! They run direct NYC charter buses with local pickups (like Union Square, Brooklyn, and the Upper West Side) featuring onboard hosts, good vibes, and free cold drinks on the return trip.
- Passholder Perk: If you have an Epic Pass, lift access for the Scenic Skyride and guided festival hike passes are completely free! Simply select the “Bus Only” option with OvRride, scan your Epic Pass at the mountain, and enjoy the ride.