Conesville is a cozy mountainside town near the Catskills
Conesville is a remote town settled along the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, where natural forests frame sweeping hillside views. Its landscape features rolling hills, winding streams and spacious properties along quiet country roads. The town’s peaceful setting and proximity to popular mountain destinations and state parks make it a welcoming haven for travelers and new residents. “I moved here from New York City a year ago. I have the opportunity to get to know some of the most amazing people inside [Conesville]. It’s a very clean town with friendly people. We are like a family here,” says Elena Serbu, the general manager of the Conesville Country Store. Serbu also says that the community has several retirees and offers a slow-paced lifestyle. The area has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, significantly lower than the national average of 4.
Available weekend cabins and custom builds for homesteads
Conesville contains mountainside homes and private farmhouses; some have chicken coops and outbuildings. It's not uncommon for homeowners to use their properties as weekend getaways or short-term rentals. Buyers will find cottages, log cabins, manufactured homes and custom builds. Many Conesville residences run on well water and septic tanks. Available lots range from a single acre to more than 20 acres. Properties may include small ponds, creeks and woodlands suitable for year-round hunting. Most dwellings cost between $150,000 and $575,000.
All grade levels attend the nearby public school
Local children can attend Gilboa-Conesville Central School. The public school accepts all grade levels and has a D-plus rating on Niche. The district offers several C.T.E. programs, including culinary arts, welding and cosmetology. In the 2025 school district election, voters approved a budget for building improvements at the school.
Hiking near Schoharie Reservoir and enjoying Mine Kill State Park
The community includes shared neighborhood spaces like Conesville Town Park, but the natural landscape is the main outdoor attraction. The streams and waterways fed by the Bear Kill are known to have trout, walleye and bass. The Long Path is a 358-mile hiking trail that runs through the county. The northern section of the path has an access point off South Mountain Road that leads to the Schoharie Reservoir. The route offers mountain views and quiet wooded roads. However, hikers must follow instructions when the path crosses private lands. The trail detours to Route 990V during hunting season. The Long Path takes hikers to Mine Kill Falls. Here, water drops 80 feet from a gorge near the Blenheim-Gilboa Reservoir in Mine Kill State Park. There is also a public Olympic-sized pool open during spring and summer. Locals can travel about 15 miles to enjoy skiing at Windham Mountain Club. Hunter Mountain Resort is roughly 22 miles away.
Visiting Conesville Country Store and nearby businesses
The town consists of privately operated farms and commercial businesses. Conesville Country Store has been open for less than 10 years, and is the main shop in town. “It’s the only place we have around here. We provide breakfast, lunch and we make all the cookies and muffins. We offer a little bit of everything. My boss, Eric Dahlberg, says that he wants to keep this store alive for the community,” Serbu says. Locals can head to the Gilboa Museum to purchase produce from regional farmers at the seasonal Gilboa Farmers Market. Conesville United Methodist Church’s food pantry is open on the last Sunday of each month. Sunken City Cider in Gilboa serves draft drinks with live music beneath an open-air barn. A Great American supermarket is about 8 miles away in Prattsville. Residents also drive to nearby areas such as Durham and Windham for more restaurant and grocery options.
Traveling and weather risks in this mountain community
Conesville is a car-dependent community secluded from major highways. New York State Route 990V serves as the primary road in the town. Residents must travel outside the area to reach the nearest 24-hour hospital. Margaretville Hospital is about 25 miles west, and Cobleskill Regional Hospital is roughly 30 miles north. Downtown Albany and the Albany International Airport are approximately 45 miles away.
Schoharie County has a history of flooding following very heavy rains. The region has experienced tropical storms and severe weather, including major events like Hurricane Irene in 2011.
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Written By
Ashley Kennedy
