Primitive camping opportunities exist within a 60-mile radius of Housatonic, Massachusetts, primarily in New York and Vermont. The region features mixed hardwood forests with elevations between 600-2,000 feet. Seasonal considerations are important, as many dispersed sites become muddy in spring and fall, with limited winter access.
What to do
Explore hiking trails: The Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park spans over 900 acres of protected forest with abundant wildlife viewing. One visitor notes, "Less then 10 min drive from town, but hiking in and finding a suitable place to make camp has the feeling of the wild, with the safety of having full cell service."
Fish in natural lakes: Echo Lake in the Catskills provides fishing opportunities surrounded by hills. A camper mentions, "Lake is surrounded by hills and there is a small lean two with a few campfire spots. Other campsites are scattered and require navigating through small overgrown trails (wear pants)."
Visit nearby attractions: George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed camping areas offer easy access to local establishments. According to one camper, "Brewery, distillery, beautiful lakes and scenic towns all within 15 minutes of the sites."
What campers like
Spacious, well-separated sites: The George D Aiken Wilderness area features camping spots with enough distance between them for privacy. A camper describes, "Large, well organized camping spots along the road. The spot I chose had a beautifully built fire pit."
Natural features: NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot provides multiple pull-offs in wooded settings. One camper reports, "Peaceful and quiet dispersed camping spot. Large enough for 2-3 vehicles or one large rig/RV. Very few vehicles pass, some days none. Two fire rings set up: a large one and a small cooking one."
Lake views: Some Echo Lake sites offer elevated perspectives. A visitor explains, "We camped on the hill with a beautiful view of the whole lake and breeze."
What you should know
Site availability challenges: NFR 273 can get unexpectedly busy during peak seasons. A recent visitor shared, "Went on a Wednesday night late October and had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot."
Access limitations: Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park has narrow roads unsuitable for larger vehicles. A camper warns, "There's only a few spots, and the road is narrow with not much turnaround room, I wouldn't recommend for trailers or RVs."
Seasonal conditions: George D Aiken sites can become waterlogged after rainfall. One camper noted, "It had rained a lot prior to our arrival, and several sites were damp. We found a perfect site off the road on the right side."
Facility updates: Primitive camping information changes frequently. At Sage's Revine campground, a visitor reported, "There was a bunch of signs that said no parking so we parked at the entrance to the trailhead."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection strategy: Choose more open areas to reduce insect exposure. At NFR 273, one camper observed, "A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well. A few miles down the road there is another campsite that is more open and also has a fire pit with a lot less bugs flying around."
Prep for varied terrain: Sage's Revine Camp Ground and similar sites require preparation for hiking with gear. A visitor explains, "The area itself is beautiful but I believe it is more for tent camping versus cars, overlanding vehicles and RVs."
Sanitation awareness: Some primitive sites lack proper facilities, requiring advance planning. At George D Aiken, one camper reported, "Site was littered with places previous campers had left human excrement. While not in the site directly, it was all around it."
Tips from RVers
Road condition assessment: Forest roads can be challenging but passable with careful driving. A visitor to NFR 273 mentioned, "Many pull offs but a lot were too wet for my van and I was afraid of getting stuck. The road itself was in great condition though."
Watch for road closures: Seasonal maintenance can limit access. A camper at NFR 273 advised, "The entrance to the road had a sign that said 'road closed ahead'. We chanced it and was able to find a really nice open spot right before the road closure."
Size limitations: Smaller RVs and vans work best at most dispersed sites near Housatonic. Larger rigs should target George D Aiken Wilderness sites, where a camper noted, "Road was quite good. I believe I have the last of 4 sites. Nice camp fire area."
