2022 Bus Tours

Half Day Tours (August 7 & 21): 3 hours total, with two stops at the Ashokan Reservoir, a flood mitigation area in Boiceville, and a stream restoration project on Warner Creek in Chichester. Special guests include historian Kelli Huggins; Tim Koch, Stream Educator and Hydrologist, Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program (Aug 21); Heidi Emrich, Environmental Planner, Ulster County (Aug 7), and others.

Full Day Tour (August 20): 6 hours total, with stops at the Ashokan Reservoir, Boiceville, Catskill Watershed Corporation, lunch stop in Margaretville, Shavertown Boat Launch at the Pepacton Reservoir, Pepacton Cemetery, and a stream restoration project in Phoenicia. Special guests include historian Kelli Huggins; grave restorer and historian Marianne Greenfield; Tim Koch, Stream Educator and Hydrologist, Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program; Dany Davis, Geologist/Research Coordinator, DEP; and others. Box lunch available for pre-purchase or BYO.

Tour FAQs:

Who should go on these bus tours? Anyone who drinks NYC water, or who spends time in the Catskills.

Is this tour good for kids? Probably not, unless your child or teen is really into history and infrastructure. There are little or no opportunities for running tap water, so we also don’t recommend this for parents with babies.  

Where and when does the tour start from? We leave at 10am sharp from the Catskills Visitor Center in Mount Tremper, NY.

Are we going to be on the bus the entire time? Definitely not! We will be off of the bus more than on it. We’ll make several stops during the tour and walk around a little. The bus is air-conditioned and has a restroom.

What happens if it rains? The tour will go on! We’ll ask you to bring rain gear, and will have the option of staying on the bus at stops. Extreme weather will cancel the tour.

What about lunch? August 7 & 21: The tour will end around 1pm at the Catskill Visitor Center. You’re welcome to bring your lunch and eat in the CVC’s shaded pavilion after the tour.

August 20th: We’ll make a lunch stop around noon. You’ll have the option to pre-purchase a box lunch, or you can bring your own. We’ll send details after you purchase your ticket.

Can I bring my dog (or other pet) on the tour? Sorry, no animals allowed on the bus. If you work with a service animal please contact us.

What’s the refund policy? Refunds, minus a $5 administration fee, are available until 7 days before the tour date. After that, refunds (minus the $5 fee) are possible with proof of positive COVID test. Otherwise tickets are non-refundable unless we can fill your spot from the waiting list.

Is my ticket transferable? Yes. If you can’t make it to the tour, you can transfer your ticket to someone else. However, we may have a waitlist so please get in touch if you’d like to transfer your ticket. That person will also need to provide proof of vaccination.

What about Omicron? We take COVID safety very seriously! Here’s how we’re keeping you safe while on the bus:

• Proof of vaccination + booster are REQUIRED to join the tours. If you don’t meet this requirement please email the organizer with details before purchasing. You’ll receive instructions on how to submit proof once you’ve purchased a ticket.

• Masking: Well-fitting (snugly over your nose and mouth) surgical, N-95, or KN-95 masks will be required AT ALL TIMES on the bus. Masking is optional when outside at our frequent stops.

• Testing: We also STRONGLY RECOMMEND that you take a rapid test on the morning of the tour, before you arrive at the starting point. Limited tests will be available at check-in.