Pond

The largest body of water in the Catskills outside the reservoirs, and the only Catskill state campground built around a swimming pond with a real sandy beach. Sites are spread through the woods around the shoreline and motors are not allowed, so the water stays calm for kids in kayaks and rowboats. Trails from the campground connect into the Big Indian Wilderness for longer hikes. Livingston Manor and the Beaverkill fly-fishing water are close by, and it is well under three hours from New York City.

The quieter twin of Fish Creek Pond next door, and the one paddling families choose. Rollins Pond has no motorboats, so the water stays glassy and a kid in a kayak can go out without an adult trailing them nervously. Sites are wooded and spread along the shoreline, and a short carry connects to the Fish Creek chain of ponds for longer paddles. It has fewer amenities and far less noise than its neighbor. If your idea of a good campground is loons at dawn rather than a busy beach, this is it.

A peaceful 4.2-mile loop through beautiful forest to a quiet Catskill pond that feels remote but is actually quite accessible. The trail is relatively flat and follows old logging roads for much of the way. The pond at the halfway point is a perfect lunch spot where kids can look for frogs and turtles. Lean-tos along the route offer shelter on rainy days. This is one of the quieter and less crowded trails in the Catskills and a great choice for families who want a peaceful nature walk.

An 8-acre park featuring the Cattle Drive bronze sculpture series by Anita Pauwels with larger-than-life longhorn statues and historic cattle trail quotes along the pathways. Kids love posing next to the massive bronze longhorns and the small pond and running brook add peaceful water elements. The walking paths wind through landscaped greenery with benches and an amphitheater tucked into the scenery. It is a compact park but every corner offers a different feel for photos.

An outdoor art gallery spread across a beautifully landscaped corporate campus with over 50 large-scale sculptures by Texas artists. Kids enjoy spotting and identifying the different sculptures along the walking paths and the pond with fountain adds a beautiful water element to photos. The mix of modern art, manicured lawns, and water features creates portrait backdrops you would expect at a museum but everything here is free and open to the public year-round.