A Local’s Guide to Roxbury & the Western Catskills
We’ve called this corner of the Catskills home for more than a decade. These are the places we send our guests, the trails we walk, farm stands we shop, restaurants we return to, and small towns worth wandering. Whether you’re looking for a good meal, a mountain hike, or simply somewhere beautiful to spend an afternoon, consider this our little guide to making the most of your time in the Great Western Catskills.
Looking for a unique place to stay?
Bellfire is a seasonal, off-grid forest retreat just outside Roxbury, with handcrafted cabins and glamping camps tucked between wildflower meadow and forest. Stay close to the trails, towns and tables in this guide—then come home to a campfire and a sky full of stars.
Eat & Drink
Coffee, cocktails, wood-fired pizza and a few of our favorite tables around Roxbury and the Western Catskills. Hours vary and some places require reservations, so we recommend checking ahead before you go. Click restaurant names to open in Google Maps.
BREAKFAST + COFFEE
Roxbury · 7 min from Bellfire
Our go-to for coffee, breakfast and provisions in town. Grab a seat outside when the weather is good.
Roxbury · 10 min from Bellfire
A cozy neighborhood spot in Roxbury for coffee, breakfast and lunch, with thoughtfully made sandwiches, baked goods and seasonal fare.
Arkville · 14 min from Bellfire
A cozy Korean café and market serving breakfast, lunch and excellent coffee, with Korean flavors woven throughout the menu.
LUNCH + CASUAL
Margaretville · 15 min from Bellfire
House-baked breads and pastries, sandwiches, Italian specialties and wood-fired pizza. A good stop for an easy meal or something to bring back to camp.
OAKLEY’S WOOD-FIRED PIZZA & GRILL
Arkville · 15 min from Bellfire
A casual local favorite for wood-fired pizza, grilled fare and drinks. In warmer weather, grab a table on the outdoor deck.
Margaretville · 15 min from Bellfire
Hardwood-smoked brisket, ribs and pulled pork in a casual, no-frills setting with mountain views.
Margaretville · 15 min from Bellfire
Bakery selling croissants and other pastries, plus breakfast and lunch dishes.
DINNER + DRINKS
Margaretville · 20 min from Bellfire
Bellfire favorite
One of our favorite places for dinner in the Catskills. Playful, beautifully done comfort food, great cocktails and natural wine, with a relaxed neighborhood feel.
Big Indian · 35 min from Bellfire
Bellfire Favorite and worth the drive
Our longtime favorite and absolutely worth the drive. Seasonal, beautifully prepared food in a warm, quintessentially Catskills setting surrounded by mountains and forever-wild forest.
Margaretville · 20 min from Bellfire
Rustic Balkan-inspired cooking paired with an interesting selection of natural and low-intervention wines. A great choice for a leisurely dinner.
Fleischmanns · 20 min from Bellfire
Food, cocktails and an impressive vinyl collection in a lively Main Street setting, with occasional live music.
Roxbury · 10 min from Bellfire
A laid-back neighborhood bistro right here in Roxbury. Easy, unfussy and a good bet when you want to stay close to Bellfire.
Get Outside
From easy valley walks to mountain hikes, swimming holes and quiet places to paddle, some of the best ways to experience the Western Catskills are outside. Here are a few of our favorite places to explore.
Shavertown Trail
Photo by Colin Young
WALKS + HIKES
Roxbury · 10 min from Bellfire
A gentle 26-mile rail trail winding through farmland, along the Delaware River and past small Catskills towns. Perfect for an easy walk or bike ride, with trail access just north of Roxbury.
Andes · 30 min from Bellfire
A rewarding hike overlooking the Pepacton Reservoir. The first stretch gets your heart pumping, but you're rewarded with beautiful water and mountain views in less than a mile, with the option to continue toward Tremperskill Overlook.
Andes · 30 min from Bellfire
One of our favorite nearby hikes, with open meadows, old stone walls and beautiful views of the surrounding Catskill peaks. Choose a short walk to the old farmstead or combine the loops for about 3.7 miles.
Margaretville · 35 min from Bellfire
A peaceful loop through classic Catskills forest, following a mountain stream and passing a beaver pond and lean-to. Choose the shorter 2-mile loop or continue for the full 3.8-mile hike.
Prattsville · 24 min from Bellfire
A short but steep climb to a remarkable series of 19th-century carvings cut into the mountainside above Prattsville. Sometimes called New York's Mount Rushmore, it's one of the more unusual hikes in the Catskills.
WATER + SWIMMING
North Blenheim · 25 min from Bellfire
Worth the trip for the 80-foot Mine Kill Falls alone. Stop at the overlook for an easy view from above or hike down toward the falls; the park also has trails, picnic areas and a free outdoor pool complex in the summer.
Susan’s Pleasant Pheasant Farm
Halcottsville · 15 min from Bellfire
Bellfire Favorite
A local hidden gem on peaceful Lake Wawaka. Rent a kayak, canoe or paddleboard, then make a day of it with walking trails, picnic areas and a private swimming hole.
Margaretville / Andes · 30 min from Bellfire
More than 5,000 acres of mountain-ringed water make the Pepacton beautiful for paddling, fishing or simply taking the scenic drive along Route 30.
Pine Hill · 35 min from Bellfire
Summer Only
A small mountain lake with a sandy beach for swimming, picnicking and paddling. Kayaks, pedal boats and stand-up paddleboards are available to rent during the summer season.
SOMETHING DIFFERENT
Rail Explorers: Catskills Division
Pine Hill · 40 min from Bellfire
Reservations Needed
Pedal an electric-assist rail bike along the historic tracks beside the Esopus Creek, through forest and mountain scenery. A fun Catskills adventure when you want something a little different from hiking
Explore Small Towns
Part of the charm of the Western Catskills is wandering its tiny mountain towns. Each has its own personality, with Main Streets, cafés, galleries, farm stores and unexpected little places worth discovering along the way.
ROXBURY, NY
7 min from Bellfire
Our little hometown and the closest village to Bellfire. Wander historic Main Street, grab coffee, browse the CMW vintage shop or stop by the Roxbury Arts Group for an exhibition or performance. You’ll also find our closest gas station and grocery store, Good Grocer, plus the Roxbury Bottle Shop for a great selection of wine and spirits.
MARGARETVILLE + ARKVILLE, NY
15 min from Bellfire
Our closest hub for a little bit of everything—coffee, restaurants, groceries, antiques and local shops. Wander Margaretville’s Main Street, stop for lunch or provisions, then explore neighboring Arkville along the way.
ANDES, NY
30 min from Bellfire
One of our favorite towns for an afternoon wander. Andes packs an impressive mix of galleries, vintage finds, independent shops, good food and cider into one very walkable little Main Street. Go without much of a plan and see what you find.
BOVINA, NY
35 min from Bellfire
Less a shopping destination and more a reason to take the long way around. Bovina is rolling farmland, winding back roads, old farmhouses and a tiny village center—a beautiful drive when you want to see the quieter, pastoral side of the Catskills.
FLEISCHMANNS, NY
25 min from Bellfire
A tiny mountain village with an old-school Catskills feel and a creative streak. Stop for coffee or lunch, poke around the shops, and pair it with nearby Belleayre or a drive through the surrounding mountain hollows.
Farms & Markets
Farm stands and farmers markets are part of the rhythm of life here. Stop for local produce, eggs, meat, flowers and whatever happens to be in season—and bring a little taste of the Catskills back to camp.
Halcottsville · 12 min from Bellfire
Saturdays only
Our favorite Saturday morning ritual. Held at the historic Round Barn, Pakatakan brings together local produce, meats, cheeses, bread, flowers, maple syrup, handmade goods.
Margaretville · 15 min from Bellfire
A longtime family farm just outside Margaretville and another easy stop close to Bellfire. A good place to look for locally raised and produced food while you’re exploring the area.
Roxbury · 7 min from Bellfire
Our closest grocery store and a great little shop for fresh produce, meat, pantry staples, prepared foods and local goods.
Roxbury · 10 min from Bellfire
A classic roadside farm stand just outside Roxbury and an easy stop on your way to or from Bellfire. Come for fresh local produce and whatever happens to be in season.
Bovina · 35 min from Bellfire
A sweet little Friday evening market at Creamery Park, with local farmers and makers, food, flowers, baked goods and live music. Pair it with a slow drive through Bovina’s beautiful farm country.
Margaretville · 15 min from Bellfire
The closest full-size supermarket, with a larger selection of groceries, produce, meat, beer and everyday essentials. Your best bet for stocking up for a longer stay.
Arts & Culture
The Western Catskills have a thriving creative community, with galleries and arts spaces tucked into some of our smallest towns. Spend an afternoon gallery hopping, catch a performance, or dig into the history of the mountains and the people who shaped them.
GALLERIES + ARTS
Roxbury · 7 min from Bellfire
Our hometown arts center and a cornerstone of the local creative community, with rotating exhibitions, live music, performances, workshops and special events. Check their calendar to see what’s happening while you’re here.
Andes · 30 min from Bellfire
A contemporary gallery on Andes’ charming Main Street showcasing an eclectic mix of artists and exhibitions. An easy addition to an afternoon of wandering the shops and galleries around town.
Margaretville · 15 min from Bellfire
An artist-run cooperative gallery on Margaretville’s Main Street showcasing work by artists from the Catskills and beyond. A great stop to pair with ArtUp just down the street.
25 min from Bellfire
Contemporary gallery bringing an impressive roster of artists to tiny Fleischmanns. Another good reason to wander Main Street while exploring this side of the mountains.
Margaretville · 15 min from Bellfire
A small contemporary gallery with a big creative spirit, featuring rotating exhibitions by artists from the Catskills and beyond, along with artist talks, film nights and other events.
HISTORY + HERITAGE
Gilboa · roughly 30 min from Bellfire
A small local museum with a fascinating claim to fame: Gilboa is home to one of the world’s oldest known fossil forests. See fossilized tree remains and exhibits exploring the geology and history of this little Catskills community.
Andes · 30 min from Bellfire
Step inside an 1820s tavern and into one of the more colorful chapters of Catskills history. Exhibits tell the story of Andes, early mountain life and the Anti-Rent Wars that helped shape this part of New York.
East Meredith · 35-40 min from Bellfire
A beautifully preserved 19th-century water-powered mill where historic machinery still comes to life. Explore the sawmill, gristmill, woodworking shop and surrounding farmstead for a fascinating look at rural Catskills ingenuity.
John Burroughs' Woodchuck Lodge
Roxbury · 10 min from Bellfire
Grounds open | Tours Temporarily Paused
The Catskills home and writing retreat of famed naturalist John Burroughs. The historic farmhouse is surrounded by peaceful grounds, trails and a picnic area, with Burroughs’ final resting place at nearby Boyhood Rock.
Shop Local
Our little mountain towns are full of independently owned shops, artist-made goods and excellent places to treasure hunt. Here are a few of our favorites to browse while you’re out exploring.
Margaretville · 15 min from Bellfire
A beautifully curated little world of jewelry, objects for the home and self-care goods from Icelandic designer Jóhanna Methúsalemsdóttir. One of our favorite shops on Main Street.
Margaretville · 15 min from Bellfire
A fun Main Street shop filled with cookware, barware, home goods, gifts and local products. The kind of place you go into for one thing and somehow leave carrying three.
Andes · 30 min from Bellfire
A beautifully curated vintage clothing shop on Andes’ Main Street, with pieces for women, men and kids. An easy stop while spending an afternoon wandering Andes.
Margaretville · 15 min from Bellfire
Colorful, eccentric and impossible to neatly categorize. Barbara Alyn’s shop is packed with one-of-a-kind artwear, textiles, jewelry and wonderfully unexpected finds.
Catskill Mountain Artisans Guild
Margaretville · 15 min from Bellfire
A cooperative shop showcasing work made by local Catskills artists and craftspeople. Inventory changes regularly, so there’s always something new to discover.
Arkville · 15 min from Bellfire
An old-fashioned treasure hunt packed with antiques, vintage pieces, collectibles and unexpected finds. Go when you have a little time to dig.
Rainy Days
A rainy day in the mountains isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Linger over lunch, wander the galleries and shops, or head out for one of these weather-proof Catskills adventures.
Arkville · 15 min from Bellfire
When cabin fever sets in, head to Arkville for an indoor swim. The Catskill Recreation Center offers day passes for its heated pool and fitness facilities—a particularly good option for families on a rainy afternoon.
Mount Tremper · 40 min from Bellfire
Step inside the world’s largest kaleidoscope for a wonderfully weird Catskills experience. The immersive show takes place inside a converted grain silo, with shops nearby to poke around afterward.
Howe’s Cave · 50 min from Bellfire
If the forecast calls for an all-day washout, head underground. Explore limestone caverns, rock formations and subterranean passageways on a guided tour 156 feet below the surface.
Exploring beyond the Western Catskills?
The Catskills are much bigger than our little corner of the mountains. If you’re planning a longer trip, or just curious what else is out there. We’ve put together a broader guide to some of our favorite ways to experience the region, from mountain towns and swimming holes to fly fishing, mushroom walks, farmers markets and scenic back roads.
Of course, you don’t have to go anywhere at all.
Make coffee and watch the meadow wake up. Wander down to the stream, read in the hammock, book a sauna, cook something over the fire and stay up late enough to see the stars. Sometimes the best thing to do in the Catskills is very little.
Simply. In Nature.