Winter Recreation and Trails Guide for Sullivan County NH, NY, PA
Sullivan County’s winter network spans NH, the Sullivan Catskills (NY) and Ricketts Glen (PA); expect groomed cross‑country in Grantham, big upgrades at Holiday Mountain, local rentals in Livingston Manor, and winter parking headaches.
Sullivan County’s winter recreation stretches across three separate “Sullivan” geographies: county lands and town forests in Sullivan County, New Hampshire (Claremont, Newport, Charlestown, Sunapee, Grantham); the Sullivan Catskills region in New York (Liberty, Livingston Manor, Monticello, Grahamsville, Mountaindale); and Ricketts Glen area in Pennsylvania. Use this guide to match trails, equipment and services to the towns named in your plans—and note the county’s trail‑use rules and documented winter access issues before you go.
1. Sullivan County (NH) lands overview
Sullivan County’s web materials state that the county “welcomes recreation on its lands, including hiking, hunting, fishing, gardening and snowmobiling (on designated trails only).” The county’s hiking trails were created to “give people an opportunity to enjoy, explore, and learn about the natural and cultural heritage of Sullivan County,” and include named parcels such as Marshall Pond, Unity Mountain, Little Sugar River, Stowell, Judkins and County Farm that serve as public access points.
2. County Farm trail (directions, parking, markings)
County Farm trail has three trailheads—County Farm (at the Sullivan County Complex), DOT on 2nd NH Turnpike, and Marshall Pond on Mica Mine Rd.—and is marked with blue blazes. Parking is described in three specific locations: up the hill from the County Health Care Staff parking lot at the County Complex; on 2nd NH Turnpike near the DOT salt shed; and on Mica Mine Rd. The county notes trail maps are available at kiosks at each trailhead.
3. Sctrailsplan inventory highlights (select trails and permitted winter uses)
The Sctrailsplan matrix lists multiple town trails with approved uses; examples include Arrowhead (Claremont) allowing hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling, OHRV, ungroomed cross‑country skiing and snowshoeing (published: No), Eastman Cross Country Ski Trails (Grantham) permitting groomed X‑skiing and snowshoeing (published: Yes), and Connecticut River State Forest Trail (Charlestown) for hiking and horseback riding (published: Yes). Use the published column as a quick proxy for available maps, but confirm local status before traveling.
4. Groomed cross‑country and Eastman trails (Grantham / Enfield)
Eastman Cross Country Ski Trails in Grantham are explicitly listed for groomed cross‑country skiing and snowshoeing; nearby Eastman’s Northern Trails (Enfield and Grantham) permit hiking, ungroomed cross‑country skiing and snowshoeing. If you prioritize groomed track skiing, Grantham’s Eastman network is the primary named option in the county inventory.
5. Town forest and trail options across Sullivan County NH
Other named NH options in the Sctrailsplan excerpt that are useful in winter include Grantham Town Forest (hiking, mountain biking, ungroomed X‑skiing, snowshoeing), Grantham’s Sherwood Forest (hiking, ungroomed X‑skiing, snowshoeing), Benson Town Forest: Cole Brook Trail (Plainfield—hiking and mountain biking), and Great Meadow Trail (Charlestown—hiking). Several of these are published with maps; check kiosks at trailheads for on‑site maps.
6. Snowmobiling connections and local clubs
County Farm trail connects to a broader snowmobile network; the county directs users to the Sugah Valley Snow Riders Facebook page for details on that network. Snowmobilers should confirm grooming status, trail closures, and parking availability with the club before heading out—social‑media pages are listed as the local point of contact in county materials.
7. Sctrailsplan access gaps and winter parking warnings
The Sctrailsplan explicitly documents an “accessibility gap with trailheads often hidden or not clearly marked” and warns that towns often neglect clearing outdoor recreation parking of snow in winter. Expect unplowed lots in some towns; the plan cautions that only “resolute locals” can decipher where to park when snow hides signage.
8. Sullivan Catskills (NY) quick overview and guided snowshoeing
Regional tourism materials note Hemlock Neversink “offers guided snowshoeing adventures through scenic trails,” and Villa Roma Resort lists snowshoeing among its winter activities. If you need guided experiences in the Sullivan Catskills, Hemlock Neversink and Villa Roma are named providers; confirm schedules directly with each operator for the current season.
9. Snowshoe rentals and hand‑drawn maps (Livingston Manor & broader)
“Don’t have gear? No problem! Rent snowshoes from Fortress Bikes or Morgan Outdoors to hit the trails in style.” Morgan Outdoors in Livingston Manor specifically offers snowshoe rentals “for all ages, and free hand‑drawn maps with directions to nearby trails,” making it a practical first stop for out‑of‑towners seeking both gear and local trail guidance.
10. Holiday Mountain upgrades (Monticello, NY)
A Sullivan Catskills tourism post states: “This winter, Holiday Mountain takes center stage with big updates! The ‘Turkey Trot’ chairlift is back, and 130 new snow guns ensure the slopes are always primed for adventure. Enjoy upgraded lighting, expanded parking, and improved grooming on 8 ski trails. With beginner‑friendly terrain, a new quad lift, and a thrilling 350‑foot snow tubing run, the whole family can enjoy a snowy day out.” Treat these items as operational claims from regional promotional material and confirm current lift/tubing status and hours with Holiday Mountain before planning a trip.
11. Villa Roma Resort and downhill options (Callicoon / Sullivan Catskills)
Villa Roma Resort’s winter offerings include snow tubing, snowshoeing and winter hiking through scenic trails; the resort is listed as a year‑round winter activity hub in the region. For families looking for mixed downhill/flat‑trail days, Villa Roma is presented as a multi‑activity option in tourism materials.
12. Cross‑country mileage and ridge views in the Catskills
Francis A. Hanofee Park in Liberty is credited with 13 miles of hiking, snowshoeing and cross‑country skiing trails, and Walnut Mountain is singled out as “the second‑highest peak in the Sullivan Catskills region” with noteworthy views. Those two locations serve as longer backcountry options compared with short town rinks and rail trails.
13. Ice skating, community rinks and ice fishing
Community rinks to note: Morningside Park’s outdoor rink (family‑oriented), the Grahamsville Fairgrounds rink run by the Town of Neversink, and Upward Brewing Co.’s Beer Mountain operation where you can “enjoy ice skating over at Beer Mountain this winter season or opt for winter hiking.” Upward is explicitly noted as “closed on Mondays.” Ice fishing is also mentioned at Mountaindale in the Sullivan Catskills; treat on‑ice conditions and safety as season‑dependent.
14. Sullivan Catskills Craft Beverage Trail (warm‑up venues)
The regional Craft Beverage Trail includes Bashakill Vineyard, Seminary Hill, Stickett Inn Cider, Big Eddy Brewing Co., Catskill Brewery, Roscoe Beer Co., Shrewd Fox Brewery, Two Farms Brewing, Russian Mule Brewery, Upward Brewing Company, Do Good Spirits, Rock Valley Spirits and Catskill Provisions Distillery. Use these venues for après‑trail warmups—confirm winter hours, tours and tasting‑room policies directly with each business.
15. Ricketts Glen State Park (Pennsylvania): short interpretive hike
Ricketts Glen State Park includes a short, easy interpretive hike listed as “Length: 1.0 miles Rating: Easy.” As the guide says: “Guided tours will take you into our old growth forest, one of the few stands remaining in all of Pennsylvania. Here you can see a hemlock that stood on this continent before Columbus. This is an easy 1 mile hike into the past. See the park environmental education specialist for tour times.” The park is located “30 miles north of Bloomsburg on PA 487,” and some portions lie in Luzerne County while parts are in Sullivan County, PA—confirm guided‑tour schedules with the park’s education staff.
- Check kiosk maps at each NH trailhead (the county keeps maps at trailhead kiosks for County Farm and other parcels).
- Verify grooming and snowmobile‑trail status (contact Sugah Valley Snow Riders via their Facebook page for the local snowmobile network).
- Confirm rental hours and fees with Morgan Outdoors (Livingston Manor) or Fortress Bikes before assuming on‑site availability of snowshoes.
- Expect hidden signage and possibly unplowed parking—pack traction aids and have a backup parking plan if small lots are buried.
16. Practical logistics checklist before you go
17. Final takeaway: plan for conditions, support local providers
Winter recreation across Sullivan County’s NH trails, the Sullivan Catskills, and Ricketts Glen offers everything from groomed cross‑country in Grantham to big mountain updates at Holiday Mountain and guided snowshoeing in Hemlock Neversink. Because county planning documents flag winter parking and signage gaps, the most reliable trips will come from combining named destinations (County Farm trailheads, Eastman trails, Francis A. Hanofee Park, Morgan Outdoors rentals, Holiday Mountain and Ricketts Glen) with one phone call or web check to confirm grooming, hours and rental availability; that mix keeps outings safe, economical and beneficial to the local winter economy.
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