Mamakating offers mountain adventures and country living
Surrounded by state forests and preserved areas in New York’s Catskill Mountains, Mamakating offers a blend of outdoor adventure and country living that appeals to those seeking an escape from the city. “It’s really rural, but it’s still centrally located. You’re 20 or 25 minutes to Monticello and Middletown,” says Cheryl Wolfe, who’s sold homes in the area for 40 years and is the owner and broker of Cheryl Wolfe Realty. “After COVID, you saw a lot of traffic for second-home investment. Now you still see people looking for a second home, but they're a little bit more selective because it's going to be the home that they’ll make their primary home in a short amount of time.” Mamakating is anchored by the hamlet of Wurtsboro, which is known for its locally owned shops and longstanding restaurants. Larger towns like Monticello are nearby, and New York City is around 84 miles away.
Trails span low-lying wetlands to mountain ridges
Mamakating is filled with state forests and nature preserves that have hiking trails and scenic views. The Bashakill Wildlife Management Area is a large wetland where birdwatchers can witness waterfowl migrations. There are boat launches here where anglers can get on the water and fish for bass, and the area also has around 15 miles of walking trails. Hikers can take on more mountainous terrain at Wurtsboro Ridge State Forest and Roosa Gap State Forest, which both contain parts of the 71-mile Shawangunk Ridge Trail. “You can actually hike from Wurtsboro through Sam’s Point out to Minnewaska to Mohonk and just keep right on going, depending on how ambitious you are,” Wolfe says. In winter, the trail is used for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. At the Mamakating Public Library, kids can participate in story times, music classes and a Lego club, while adults can attend writing groups and art classes.
Village homes offer smaller lots while rural homes span acres
In Wurtsboro and the surrounding hamlets, “you have village properties with smaller lots, more of a community setting,” Wolfe says, “but as soon as you’re out of the village, then everything turns rural, so you usually do have larger lots, more privacy.” Cottages, ranch-style and split-level houses are common in the community's hamlets, where they sit on lots large enough for a driveway and an above-ground pool. Colonial-inspired New Traditional homes and farmhouses that can be over a century old are more common in rural areas. These properties can include several acres of forested land. Most homes range from around $180,000 to $650,000, though new construction and lakefront properties can cost between $700,000 and $960,000. Some properties are at high risk of flooding; homeowners should check flood maps to assess their risk.
Monticello Central School District and others serve the area
Depending on where they live, kids here can attend schools in six districts, including the Monticello Central School District, which earns an overall rating of C-plus from Niche. They can start at the C-plus-rated Emma Chase Elementary and then go to the C-rated Robert J. Kaiser Middle. At the B-minus-rated Monticello High, students can enroll in the Academy of Finance, where they can qualify for paid internships and earn an IRS tax preparer certification.
Wurtsboro is the area’s main commercial hub
“Wurtsboro is a cute little town that has a lot of stores and shops,” Wolfe says. “One of the big draws is the crystal shop.” Located in a former church, Crystal Connection and Wellness Center sells crystals and other metaphysical items; they also offer a therapeutic salt cave, aura photography and Reiki training. Other businesses here include antique shops, a yoga studio and a salon. There are also several restaurants. “Danny’s is the staple,” Wolfe says. The restaurant’s building dates to 1825, and today it’s known for American and Italian comfort food. Each July, the Wurtsboro Founders Day Street Fair brings has over 150 vendors and live music. Every Thursday from June through August, the Mamakating Farmers Market offers fresh produce and artisan goods. At Bashakill Vineyards nearby, diners can sample tapas and flights of wine while taking in views of the Bashakill Wetlands. Grocery stores here include the Wurtsboro G-Mart and Star Food Supermarket; grocery chains like Aldi and ShopRite are in Monticello and Middletown.
Bus and car routes to Monticello and Middletown
State Route 17 leads around 14 miles to Monticello and 16 miles to Middletown and Garnet Health Medical Center. New York City is an 84-mile drive, which can take around an hour and a half to two hours, depending on traffic. Coach USA’s ShortLine Hudson bus has a route from Wurtsboro to the city that takes around two hours, and Move Sullivan has bus routes around the county. Sidewalks in Wurstboro make it pedestrian friendly, but residents in the rest of Mamakating will need a car to get around. Houses of worship here include the Community Church of Wurtsboro and Satmar Shul. New York Stewart International Airport, which has domestic flights, is 33 miles away, while Westchester County Airport is a 79-mile trip.
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Written By
Annie Franklin
