The Catskills is an area not too far from New York City. To be precise, 100 miles north-northwest of the big city. It's a large area generally defined by the large 700,000-acre forest reserve in the area. This forest reserve is protected from most forms of development under the laws that govern the state of New York.

It's a beautiful area with plenty of things for the vacationer to see. There is, of course, the lushness of the vegetation to enjoy during the warmer times of the year. The views from the mountains and hills are spectacular, which is quite amazing considering the area used to be flat. It through power of the watercourses that the land eventually became uplifted and eroded.

The Catskills were, and in some ways still are, one of the top locations for urban vacationers to go for their holidays. The area is home to a variety of spas, resorts and ranches that city dwellers can retreat to for the weekend, if they so choose. Because the location is so close to several major cities, it doesn't take much time for urban dwellers looking to get away from it all to get to this area.

There's something for everyone in the Catskills resorts. If you're an animal lover, specifically a horse lover, there are a couple of places you may want to consider checking out:

€ Pinegrove Dude Ranch and Family Resort

€ Rocking Horse Resort

€ Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Birchwood Acres

Pinegrove Dude Ranch and Family Resort

This location has been described by some as the ultimate family getaway for short outdoorsy trips. The ranch is a 600-acre resort that's family-owned, family-focused and dedicated to providing fun activities to its visitors all year round. Depending on what package you choose, there's the option for an all inclusive one where you don't need to worry about cooking. Inclusive features include a free snack bar, a dining room with freestyle dining hours, and three meals daily.

One of its boasts to fame is that Pinegrove has the €only city slicker cattle drive east of the Mississippi. The place is pet friendly and offers family specials and sometimes weekend discounts.

Rocking Horse Resort

The Rocking Horse Resort is family-focused and provides an excellent getaway for families who are active and are looking for an all-inclusive getaway where they don't need to worry about essentials, like food. There's an 85-foot indoor splash park, outdoor heated pools, and three meals daily provided by an award-winning chef. There are so many activities that there's little chance of anyone in the family getting bored.

Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Birchwood Acres

Try visiting Honor's Haven. For the active family that enjoys camping, but doesn't want to completely rough it, Yogi Bear's Park provides everything for maximum comfort and entertainment. There are deluxe lodges for those looking for something a little fancier, and rustic cabins for those on a smaller budget. Plenty of activities will keep both adults and children entertained. There's free wireless Internet and free cable even for the RV sites.