If you're the type of person who starts decorating for Halloween before Labor Day or secretly wishes October lasted all year long, welcome to your dream getaway.

This year, Summerween is one of the biggest seasonal travel trends, celebrating everything we love about spooky season while soaking up the last days of summer. Think cozy cabins, misty forests, ghost stories around the fire, pumpkin-colored sunsets, and cool evenings spent under the stars.

Luckily, Sullivan County is one of the best places to experience it.

What is Summerween?

Summerween is exactly what it sounds like—a playful mix of summer adventure and Halloween vibes. Popularized by social media, it's all about embracing cozy, spooky aesthetics long before the leaves begin to change.

And honestly? The Catskills were made for it.

Stay Somewhere That Feels Like a Horror Movie... in the Best Way

One of the easiest ways to embrace Summerween is by booking a cabin surrounded by towering pines, quiet lakes, and winding country roads.

Wake up to fog rolling across the water, sip coffee on a secluded deck, and spend your evenings gathered around a crackling fire pit with friends.

Many Casskell Stays properties already have that perfectly cozy atmosphere that feels straight out of your favorite spooky movie—without giving up luxury or comfort.

Visit the Forests (If You Dare...)

The Catskills have an undeniable mysterious beauty.

Take a hike beneath towering trees, wander through peaceful nature preserves, or explore quiet trails where the only sounds are birdsong and rustling leaves.

Whether you're chasing waterfalls or simply enjoying the cool shade of the forest, there's something magical about summertime in the woods.

Just don't forget your flashlight if you stay out until sunset...

Pack the Perfect Summerween Picnic

Bring along a picnic with a spooky twist:

Blackberry lemonade
Apple cider donuts
Charcuterie board with dark berries and cheeses
Orange and black macarons
Pumpkin-shaped cookies
Chocolate-covered strawberries
Vintage plaid blanket

Find a scenic overlook or lakeside spot and enjoy your own gothic summer picnic.

Spend the Evening Around the Fire

Nothing says Summerween quite like telling ghost stories around a campfire.

Bring marshmallows, make s'mores, play spooky music, and see who can tell the creepiest Catskills legend.

Bonus points if everyone wears flannel—even if it's still July.

Browse Antique Shops & Small Towns

Part of Summerween is embracing vintage charm.

Spend an afternoon wandering through Sullivan County's small towns, browsing antique stores, bookstores, artisan markets, and quirky local shops. You'll never know what treasures—or oddities—you'll uncover.

Watch the Sunset Over the Lake

Golden hour feels different in the Catskills.

As the sun disappears behind the mountains, the lakes become glassy, the woods grow quiet, and everything takes on that dreamy orange glow that somehow already feels like autumn.

It's the perfect time for:

Evening kayaking
Lakeside photography
Stargazing
Reading your favorite gothic novel
Enjoying a glass of wine on the porch

Create Your Own Summerween Movie Night

After a day exploring Sullivan County, settle into your cabin with:

Cozy blankets
Popcorn
Candles (battery-operated if you're outdoors!)
Hot chocolate or apple cider

Then queue up your favorite spooky-but-summery classics like:

The Lost Boys
Practical Magic
Jaws
Scooby-Doo
Coraline
Beetlejuice

Your Summerween Packing List

Don't forget:

Oversized sweaters for cool evenings
Hiking boots
Lantern or flashlight
Bug spray
Camera
A spooky book
Flannel blanket
Campfire snacks
Cozy pajamas

Celebrate Summer Before Autumn Arrives

There's something magical about the few weeks when summer is still in full swing, yet you can almost feel fall waiting just around the corner.

Whether you're hiking through the forest, relaxing by the lake, exploring charming small towns, or simply unwinding at your cabin, Sullivan County is the perfect place to celebrate Summerween.

Book your getaway with Casskell Stays and discover why spooky season starts early in the Catskills.

Summerween in Sullivan County: Where Summer Meets Spooky Season in the Catskills