The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Mon., Apr. 6, announced the temporary closure of Kaaterskill Falls, the viewing platform and connecting trails, effective immediately. The Kaaterskill Wild Forest remains open to the public. According to a DEC press release, the closure "is part of DEC’s statewide efforts to reduce the community spread of COVID-19 by encouraging New Yorkers to safely and responsibly recreate locally. DEC is temporarily closing public access to the falls due to its unique features that do not provide for appropriate social distancing during the ongoing COVID-19 response." The DEC is closing parking areas at Molly Smith, Laurel House Road and Scutt Road to public use and roadside parking in these areas is prohibited. Trails leading to the falls will be closed and the department is blocking the roads that lead to the North-South Lake Campground. Kaaterskill Falls is made up of several short-access trails leading from large parking areas to the falls and the viewing platform. The falls, viewing platform, and access trails are relatively small areas that prevent safe social distancing. The location "...places an unnecessary burden on and danger to state and local resources and emergency responders during the ongoing public health response. DEC will continue to evaluate the situation and will announce when these areas reopen to the recreating public," according to the statement. Read the full press release at DEC [dot] NY [dot] gov.