About This Community
The town of Olive, nestled in the Catskill Park and Forest Preserve, was founded in 1823. Less than a century later, the town’s blueprint was significantly transformed by the construction of the Ashokan Reservoir.
Today, promenades along the reservoir are popular among walkers, runners and cyclists, who enjoy the panoramic views of the reservoir and several high peaks of the Catskills. Route 28, Olive’s main roadway along the north side of the reservoir, is a designated New York State Scenic Byway. Route 28A runs along the south side of the Ashokan, offering a more winding route with rural views.
Esopus Creek, world-renowned for rainbow trout, runs through Olive before emptying into the Ashokan Reservoir. For more than a century, Esopus Creek has been an ideal spot for generations of fly fishermen, including Theodore Gordon. After a good rainfall, be sure to check out the Spillway Gorge from the Beaverkill Road bridge above Esopus Creek.
