❄️ Scenic Trails, Cozy Towns & a Stay at Clove Creek Cabin in Lanesville, NY

Winter in the Catskills is a season of quiet transformation. Today we explore the ultimate Catskills Winter Escape. The forests turn still, mountain peaks frost over, and small towns glow with the warmth of local cafés, woodstove-heated boutiques, and family-run eateries. A recent cinematic winter travel video, filled with snow-dusted ridges, frozen creeks, and slow, thoughtful moments, has been inspiring travelers to head north and experience this quieter side of New York.

If you’re looking to recreate that exact mood — slow mornings, crisp hikes, and cozy nights — there’s no better base than Clove Creek Cabin in Lanesville, NY. Tucked between Hunter Mountain and the charming town of Phoenicia, the cabin places you in the heart of the region’s winter magic.

This editorial-style travel guide brings together scenic trails, charming towns, and the best local dining options, all paired with a stay at one of the Catskills’ most adored cabins.

🌲 A Winter Arrival in Lanesville: Where Quiet Feels Like a Luxury

Driving into Lanesville, you immediately feel what makes this corner of the Catskills so special. Tall pines line the road, the Esopus Creek winds through the valley, and winter settles in with a softness that feels almost sacred. There are no flashing billboards or sprawling resorts here — just classic mountain roads, snow-covered roofs, and that rare silence city dwellers forget exists.

Your retreat for the weekend — or longer, if you’re lucky — is Clove Creek Cabin, a modern-meets-rustic escape thoughtfully designed for relaxation.

• A flickering wood-burning stove that sets the tone the moment you arrive
• Oversized windows that frame the forest and let natural light pour in
• Exposed beams, warm textures, and a modern cabin aesthetic
• A serene private deck overlooking Clove Creek
• A fully equipped kitchen perfect for cooking after a long day outside

Guests consistently describe Clove Creek Cabin as “immaculate,” “peaceful,” and “exactly what a Catskills getaway should feel like.” It’s the kind of place that makes you want to put your phone on airplane mode and simply exist.

🥾 Day 1: Snowy Hikes & Scenic Views Inspired by a Winter Travel Film

The winter travel film that inspires this itinerary captures the Catskills at their purest: hushed woods, snow-laden fir trees, and sweeping mountain lookouts. You can recreate those visuals with a day of winter hiking right from your home base at Clove Creek Cabin.

❄️ Hunter Mountain Fire Tower

Start your adventure with one of the Catskills’ most iconic hikes: the Hunter Mountain Fire Tower. In winter, the trail transforms into a snow-covered corridor of spruce and fir, and the summit rewards you with a 360-degree panorama that feels almost Arctic on a clear day.

Expect:

• Evergreen forests dusted in snow
• Quiet switchbacks leading steadily upward
• Ridge views stretching across four states from the fire tower

Bring microspikes or good winter traction for your boots. The trail can be icy in spots, but the payoff is spectacular and unforgettable.

❄️ Kaaterskill Falls

Next, head to Kaaterskill Falls, one of New York’s most famous waterfalls. In winter, the falls turn into a natural ice sculpture, with frozen curtains and shimmering formations framing the cascades.

The hike is relatively short, but the scenery is dramatic. Go slowly, watch your footing, and take time to soak in the icy amphitheater around you. It’s a scene straight out of a winter documentary.

❄️ North-South Lake & Artist’s Rock

For a gentler outing, explore North-South Lake or the vantage points at Artist’s Rock. The lake is serene in winter, often quiet and lightly trafficked, with views that open up once the leaves are down. It’s perfect for photography, mindful walking, or simply breathing in crisp mountain air.

After a full day of hiking, head back to Clove Creek Cabin, peel off your boots, and let the warmth of the wood stove thaw you out while snow continues to fall outside.

🍽️ Where to Eat: The Best Local Dining Near Lanesville, Phoenicia & Hunter

No winter trip is complete without good food, and the Catskills do cozy dining extremely well. Around Clove Creek Cabin, you’ll find diners, taverns, pizza spots, and cafés that make every meal part of the experience.

📍 Phoenicia Diner (Phoenicia)

Phoenicia Diner is a bona fide Catskills classic. Housed in a retro-style diner space with a modern twist, it serves elevated comfort food made with local ingredients. It’s the perfect place to refuel after a snowy hike.

Order favorites like:

• Cast Iron Trout
• Hot Honey Fried Chicken
• Pancake Stack with real maple syrup
• The Trout Reuben, a local legend

Expect a wait on busy weekends, but it’s worth every minute.

📍 Brio’s Pizzeria & Restaurant (Phoenicia)

Brio’s Pizzeria is a warm, laid-back spot that blends casual energy with seriously good food. Their wood-fired pizza is a regional favorite, and the menu covers everything from salads to pastas.

Top picks include:

• Wood-Fired Margherita Pizza
• Chicken Rancher Pie
• Eggplant Parmesan

📍 Mama’s Boy Burgers (Tannersville)

For a post-hike burger fix, head to Mama’s Boy Burgers in Tannersville. The setup feels fun and nostalgic, and the ingredients are fresh and locally sourced.

Try:

• The Mama’s Boy Burger
• An Impossible Patty Melt for a great vegetarian option
• A Maple Cream Shake or classic milkshake

📍 Jessie’s Harvest House (Tannersville/Hunter)

Jessie’s Harvest House is a wood-lined tavern-style restaurant that shines in winter. It’s ideal for a cozy date night or a celebratory meal after a day on the mountain.

Popular dishes include:

• Braised Short Rib with mashed potatoes
• Pan-Roasted Salmon
• Truffle Fries and seasonal vegetable sides

📍 Last Chance Antiques & Cheese Café (Tannersville)

Last Chance is part cheese shop, part restaurant, part time machine. You’ll find shelves of sweets, antiques, and an impressive beer list, along with hearty comfort food.

It’s quirky, charming, and unmistakably Catskills.

📍 Hunter Mountain Brewery (Hunter)

For tavern fare and craft beer, stop at Hunter Mountain Brewery. It’s a relaxed spot for burgers, wings, nachos, and local brews — exactly what you want after a cold day outside.

📍 Jägerberg Beer Hall & Tavern (Hunter)

In winter, Jägerberg Beer Hall feels like a slice of the Alps in the Catskills. Think schnitzel, bratwurst, soft pretzels, and mulled wine served in a warm, wood-filled space.

📍 Twin Peaks Coffee & Donuts (Tannersville)

For something sweet, visit Twin Peaks Coffee & Donuts, where donuts are made fresh to order. Pair one with a coffee before you hit the trail or as a reward on your way back to the cabin.

🔥 Evenings at Clove Creek Cabin: The Art of Staying In

One of the best parts of a Catskills winter getaway is embracing a slower rhythm. After dinner — whether you eat out or bring back takeout — settle into the ritual of a cabin night at Clove Creek.

Your evening might look like:

• Lighting the wood stove and watching the flames dance
• Sipping wine or tea under a soft blanket on the couch
• Putting on a mellow playlist or a favorite record
• Stepping onto the deck to listen to the creek in the dark
• Stargazing through crisp mountain air when the sky is clear

The cabin’s creekside setting and modern-rustic ambiance make it one of the most relaxing places to stay in the region. It’s a space designed for exhaling and unwinding.

🚗 Day 2: Scenic Drives, Waterfalls & Hidden Corners of the Catskills

After a slow morning at the cabin, head out for a day of scenic exploration. The roads around Lanesville, Hunter, and Tannersville serve up some of the most beautiful winter drives in New York.

📍 Kaaterskill Clove Scenic Byway

Follow the Kaaterskill Clove Scenic Byway for winding roads, dramatic cliffs, and glimpses of frozen waterfalls as you drive. It’s a visual highlight of any Catskills trip, especially in winter.

📍 Colgate Lake

Colgate Lake is a peaceful, lesser-known gem. In winter, the lake often sits under a gentle mist, surrounded by quiet woods and snowbanks. It’s a lovely stop for photographs or a reflective walk.

📍 Ashokan Reservoir

The Ashokan Reservoir offers wide-open views of water backed by mountains. Pathways along the reservoir make for easy winter strolls where you can take in fresh air and big sky.

📍 Woodstock: Artsy Village with Great Food

If you have time, detour to Woodstock for a dose of arts, shopping, and additional dining. The town is known for its creative energy and relaxed vibe.

Notable spots include:

• Garden Café for plant-based dishes
• Silvia for elevated farm-to-table dining
• Bread Alone Bakery for coffee, pastries, and bread

🧘 Day 3: Slow Morning, Local Coffee & One Last Adventure

Your final day is all about savoring the little moments that make a winter escape memorable. Start slowly at Clove Creek Cabin.

Wake up and:

• Make coffee and enjoy it on the deck, bundled up with a blanket
• Take a short walk along Clove Creek and listen to the water
• Cook breakfast in the cabin’s kitchen and linger at the table
• Journal by the fire or read a book you’ve been meaning to finish

On your way back south, stop in Phoenicia one more time:

• Grab espresso or a latte at a local coffee shop
• Pick up a baked good for the road
• Browse small boutiques and galleries for souvenirs

Phoenicia captures everything that’s special about the Catskills: it’s cozy, unpretentious, and full of character.

🌙 Why Clove Creek Cabin Is the Perfect Winter Home Base

There are many cabins in the Catskills, but Clove Creek Cabin stands out for its location, design, and atmosphere.

• It sits just minutes from Hunter Mountain, making it ideal for hikers, skiers, and snowboarders.
• It offers easy access to Phoenicia, Tannersville, and some of the region’s best dining and shopping.
• The interior is a perfect balance of modern design and rustic charm.
• Guests consistently highlight its cleanliness, comfort, and peaceful energy.
• The creekside setting creates a calming, natural soundtrack all year long.

It’s the kind of place you stay once and immediately start planning a return trip.

📅 Trip Planning Essentials

Where to Stay:
✨ Clove Creek Cabin – Lanesville, NY
✨ Clove Creek Cabin on Airbnb

Perfect Trip Length:
2–4 nights

Best Time for Winter Visits:
December through early March for snow, with quieter shoulder season visits in late fall and early spring.

What to Pack:

• Microspikes or winter traction for hiking
• Waterproof boots
• Insulated layers and a warm winter coat
• Hat, gloves, and wool socks
• A book or journal for slow evenings by the fire

🧭 Final Thoughts: A Winter Escape You’ll Want to Repeat

Winter in the Catskills is not about rushing from one attraction to the next. It’s about rediscovering quiet — the kind you feel in your chest when you step into a snow-covered forest or listen to a creek at night. It’s about hiking through still woods, warming up in local cafés, savoring hearty meals, and ending each day with the simple comfort of a glowing fire.

Clove Creek Cabin ties the entire experience together. It’s your sanctuary, your basecamp, and your home in the mountains. If you’re searching for the perfect winter getaway in the Catskills — scenic, cozy, and deeply restorative — this is where you start.

The Catskills are waiting, and Clove Creek Cabin is ready to welcome you.