The Ancramdale area sits at approximately 800 feet elevation in New York's Taconic Mountain region, where wooded valleys and limestone bedrock create distinctive camping terrain. Seasonal patterns impact tent camping near Ancramdale, with many trails closing during muddy spring conditions and sites often filling by Friday afternoon in summer months. Winter camping opportunities exist but require additional preparation for subfreezing temperatures.
What to do
Hiking Bear Mountain: Access challenging trails from the Undermountain Trailhead where campers staying at Brassie Brook Shelter can summit Bear Mountain. According to one visitor, "After about a mile, you reach a trail intersection, stay left and continue up the hill until you reach the giant sign that reads 'Appalachian Trail - North and South'... make sure to hit the summit of Bear Mountain; incredible view!"
Backpacking with elevation gain: Many tent sites require substantial hiking with gear. One camper at Laurel Ridge Campsite notes, "It's quite a hike to get to this dispersed campground, so be prepared! We packed on our backpacks early in the morning and arrived there mid-afternoon. Very beautiful view, and an awesome spot!"
Waterfront camping: Sites around Echo Lake provide opportunities for swimming and lakeside relaxation during warmer months. A visitor reports, "There are tent sites around the whole lake with fire pits and 1 lean-to site at the end of the trail when you first arrive at the lake."
What campers like
Private, primitive settings: Alander Trail Camground offers secluded tent sites that require effort to reach. As one camper describes, "You have to park at the entrance and hike in about 1.5-2 miles with everything on your back to get to the spots. Once you get there, there's quite a few sites to choose from and each offer quite a bit of privacy."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The Ancramdale region hosts diverse wildlife, including bears, which campgrounds address with safety measures. At Alander Trail Camground, "They give you a semi-flat area for a tent, a fire pit and grill rack, one picnic table, and a bear box you would be sharing with other campers nearby."
Clean facilities: Despite remote locations, many campgrounds maintain orderly facilities. One visitor to Alander Trail Camground noted, "Although we were the only campers at the time the area was emmaculate and not one piece of trash on the ground anywhere! The outhouse was even clean!"
What you should know
Bear safety requirements: All camping in the region requires proper food storage. Multiple sites provide bear boxes, as noted at Riga Lean-To: "We absolutely loved this little lean-to next to Bear Mountain... Riga has the lean-to as well as about 4 or 5 sites all around."
Campfire regulations vary: Fire restrictions differ significantly between sites. While Echo Lake permits fires, other locations have strict prohibitions. A Laurel Ridge camper notes simply, "No fires allowed, however."
Limited facilities: Most backcountry tent camping locations near Ancramdale have minimal amenities. As one Echo Lake camper advises, "Make sure you practice leave no trace principles and pack out what you bring in! It does get a little crowded later in the day so you may have to share space with others."
Terrain considerations: Camping surfaces vary throughout the region. A visitor to Echo Lake mentions, "The sites are relatively flat and well shaded with trees. Note, it can get swampy near the edge of the lake so you may want to bring bug spray."
Tips for camping with families
Choose accessible locations: For families with younger children, sites with shorter approaches work better. Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground provides more developed options: "Super short walk to the campsite. There were bear lockers but I just cooked at the car in the parking lot. Bathrooms had pit toilets and were clean."
Pack for weather fluctuations: The Ancramdale region experiences significant temperature changes even in summer. One backpacker shared, "Our trip was sadly cut short because we were freezing and it was raining a lot LOL but hey it's part of the experience. The fall views made it worth it."
Select strategically positioned sites: When tent camping with families, site selection matters. At Samuel F. Pryor campground, "I definitely recommend trying to get the walk-in sites (8-15) because they're just a little bit more set back and kind of wonderfully wooded all around. 8 & 9 seemed like the star sites, because they're up and away a little bit more than 10-15."
Tips for RVers
Limited RV options: The Ancramdale region primarily serves tent campers, with few developed RV sites. Windmill Hill offers drive-in access about 30 miles from Ancramdale: "I booked site 5 for the week. Great experience! Quiet woods atmosphere with trail's. Wonderful place to camp. Very clean."
Consider base camp alternatives: Many RVers use established campgrounds as base camps for day trips to hiking trails. At Shawangunk Gateway, "Holy crap is this the perfect location for exploring the Gunks, Mohonk Preserve, etc. You couldn't be more central to everything that's going on around it."
Plan for limited hookups: Most campsites near Ancramdale lack RV amenities like electric, water, or sewer. RVers should prepare for dry camping with full tanks and limited power usage when visiting the area.
