Located just outside of the Catskill Forest Preserve is the 3214 foot Mount Utsayantha and it's popular fire tower. It is located just southeast of the village of Stamford in Delaware County. This mountain is a village park and you can either hike or drive the one mile gravel road to the summit. There is a 680 foot elevation gain for the one mile road. On the summit is the restored fire tower, numerous radio towers, picnic tables, a summit building and a porta-potty.

There are two "hang glider" take off spots, one just below the summit and the other in front of the summit building. Both have spectacular views, however to get the 360 degree views you'll need to climb the fire tower. Since this fire tower is located outside the Catskill Forest Preserve, it is not part of the "official" Fire Tower Challenge that the Adirondack Mountain Club promotes.

Directions: NY 23 east from the village of Stamford, right on Mountain Avenue. This road will become extremely steep. There is a dirt road on the left as you crest the ridge, which is Tower Road. You'll see a sign for the park on the corner. Park in this area if you are planning to hike the road as there are a few private driveways' prior to the main climb up to the Fire Tower. The GPS coordinates are N42 23.581 W74 35.969 of the start of Tower Road for those who have a GPS devise.

Summit Building seen while climbing the Fire Tower

Mount Utsayantha Fire Tower