The Ashokan Reservoir promenade is an amazing place to walk, run, bike, photograph or look for bald eagles. It is also a wonderful location to catch a Catskills sunrise.

The promenade trail is 2.7 miles one-way (5.4 miles roundtrip) as it follows along the southern shore of the reservoir, offering breathtaking views of the Catskill Mountains throughout. The flat path is open to the public from dawn to dusk. With the proper permits, the reservoir is also open for boating and fishing.  There are two parking areas on either the east end or the west end of the walking path. You can take the path from either direction.

Sunrise Over the Ashokan ReservoirThe Ashokan Reservoir promenade is an amazing place to walk, run, bike, photograph or look for bald eagles. It is also a wonderful location to catch a Catskills sunrise.

The Ashokan Reservoir was constructed between 1907 and 1915 by the New York City Board of Water Supply. The reservoir was formed by the damming of the Esopus Creek, which eventually flows into the Hudson River at Saugerties. The reservoir consists of two basins separated by a dividing weir and roadway.

Water enters the Ashokan's West Basin and, after a settling period, is withdrawn from its East Basin. It is carried southeast under the Hudson River via the 92-mile Catskill Aqueduct, which has a maximum depth of 1,114 feet.

It ordinarily enters the Kensico Reservoir in Westchester for further settling, where it mixes with Delaware system water and then travels south in two aqueducts before entering New York City's water supply distribution at the Hillview Reservoir in Yonkers, just north of the City line.

Approximately 40% of New York City’s water comes from the Catskill Mountain reservoir system. New York City’s water remains unfiltered, making it one of only five large cities in the United States that is not required to filter its drinking water.

The Ashokan Reservoir has approximately 8,315 acres (13 square miles) of surface area and 44 miles of shoreline. It has an average depth of 47 feet and is over 180 feet at its deepest. It holds up to 123 billion gallons of water at full capacity.

The forest surrounding the reservoir is maintained by New York City’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), whose mission includes safeguarding the quality of the reservoir’s water.

The Ashokan Reservoir is located in Ulster County, about 13 miles west of the city of Kingston. Route 28 follows the reservoir to the north while Route 28A follows the reservoir to the south.