The Mongaup Pond Campground management plan that will guide improvements at the campground for the next 10 years is now finalized, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Basil Seggos announced today. Under the Unit Management Plan (UMP), the Mongaup Pond Campground, located in Livingston Manor, Sullivan County, will undergo upgrades to make it more accessible and allow horseback riding.

“The final plan for Mongaup Pond Campground will guide DEC’s efforts to modernize the facilities at the site and offer many enhancements benefiting visitors’ access and recreational experience,” said Acting Commissioner Seggos. “The proposed actions in the plan increase the efficiency of the campground management that is in harmony with the character of the Catskill Park.”

Major enhancements planned over several years, include:

• provisions to allow campers with horses and horseback riding in certain areas of the campground;
• a new lakeside picnic area; and
• new comfort stations.

Mongaup already provides eight accessible camping sites and an accessible trail and observation deck. The UMP proposes to further enhance accessible recreation opportunities with:

• a new universally accessible pavilion;
• six new accessible lean-tos; and
• a new accessible walkway and trail.

The full list of proposed projects and management details can be seen in the Final Mongaup Pond Campground UMP (PDF) available at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24484.html on DEC’s website.

Mongaup Pond Campground is popular with campers who appreciate its large, wooded campsites and peaceful location. Boating, fishing and swimming are allowed on Mongaup Pond, the largest body of water in the Catskill Park, aside from the New York City reservoirs. It is an ideal base for hikers as its trails connect to the more than 45-mile trail system at the Big Indian Wilderness and Willowemoc Wild Forest.

Also nearby are DEC Catskill Fish Hatchery which raises thousands of trout for stocking and the Mongaup Valley Wildlife Management Area where eagles nest and overwinter.