About Sullivan County

The name is in honor of Major General John Sullivan, who was a hero in the American Revolutionary War. The county is well-known internationally for its rich entertainment history.

Kenoza Stone Arch Bridge in Kenoza Lake, in western Sullivan County.

When New York State established its first twelve counties in 1683, the present Sullivan County was part of Ulster County.

In 1809, Sullivan County was split from Ulster County.

Geography

Sullivan County is in the southern part of New York State, southeast of Binghamton and southwest of Albany. It is separated by the Delaware River from Pennsylvania.

The county, which starts about 75 miles northwest of New York City, is nestled firmly within the Catskill Mountains. Its northeastern corner is within the Catskill Park.

The highest point in the county is a 3,118-foot (950 m) peak unofficially known as Beech Mountain, near Hodge Pond, a subsidiary summit to Mongaup Mountain across the Ulster County line. The lowest point is along the Delaware River.

Cities and towns

Bethel
Bloomingburg
Callicoon
Cochecton 
Fallsburg
Forestburgh
Fremont
Highland
Jeffersonville
Liberty
Livingston Manor
Lumberland
Mamakating
Monticello
Narrowsburg
Neversink
Rock Hill
Rockland
Roscoe
Smallwood
South Fallsburg
Thompson
Tusten
Woodridge
Wurtsboro

Travel and Tourism

Sullivan County has always been a popular tourist destination, with mountain climbing, other outdoor activities, and the Monticello Racway being among the major draws. However, its two most notable legacies to American pop culture are the resort complexes of the Borscht Belt (with their golf courses, social events, and entertainers) and the 1969 Woodstock Festival.

From Aug. 15-17, 1969, some 500,000 people gathered in Sullivan County's Town of Bethel at Yasgur's Farm to hear one of the most memorable rock concerts ever held - The Woodstock Festival.