Dispersed camping near Annandale-on-Hudson, New York offers primitive overnight options in the surrounding Catskill Mountains and Taconic region. The area features mixed hardwood forests at elevations ranging from 600-3,500 feet with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during daytime and 50-60°F at night. Seasonal considerations impact site accessibility, with spring bringing muddy conditions and potential flooding along waterways.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Duck Pond Campsite provides access to a small pond where campers can fish in a secluded setting. "After driving unpaved dirt road for a while, we arrived at surprisingly well maintained beautiful campsites. The pond is small so the mosquitos were not too bad," notes Yae U., who appreciated the quiet atmosphere despite the rough drive in.
Winter camping: Burnt Rossman State Forest - Westkill Camp serves as an excellent base for cold-weather exploration. Felix R. reports, "Was a great location for winter camping. Site easily accessible from road. Beautiful, peaceful, great time!" The site's road access makes it practical for winter excursions when many backcountry areas become difficult to reach.
Hiking access: Campers seeking proximity to trails can use sites as starting points for day hikes or longer treks. "Great camping spots about 1.5 mile hike in from Denning Trailhead. A lot of spots right by the river. Great spot to camp and then wake up to hike to tabletop/peekamoose mountain," writes Ali B. about Denning Trailhead Peekamoose Primitive Camping.
What campers like
Streamside camping: Betty Brook Camp offers sites directly alongside flowing water. Robert B., who has frequented the area for decades, states: "Love to camp here all year long have been coming to the area for a couple of decades now. Remote. Sometimes you never see anyone. Sometimes you see some people. You camp on the stream."
Privacy despite accessibility: Sites balancing seclusion with reasonable access receive positive reviews. "This spot is right off the road. Nice and quiet. There is enough room for 2 to 3 campers. Parking across the street if it's wet," reports The L. about a site at Burnt Rossman State Forest.
Convenient amenities: Some primitive sites include basic cooking structures. Breanne H. noted at Allaben Primitive Campsites: "Nice spot right off the main road and close to town. Small pond-don't think there are any fish. Picnic table. Fire pit with cooking griddle. Trails to the fishing access across the road."
What you should know
Vehicle limitations: Access roads to some sites restrict vehicle types. "The road in on old cemetery rd was pretty rough, so we decided to go out the other way, which was way worse. The site itself, was pretty nice, Fire pit, trickling stream, but the years taken off the life of my truck was not worth it," cautions The L. about Duck Pond Campsite.
Parking constraints: Many dispersed sites have limited parking capacity. Dawn M. notes about Hemlock Ridge MUA: "The parking lot only holds about 4-5 cars, 6 if you park real tight. There's no spectacular mountain views from above, but rather a quiet peaceful wooded area."
Potential regulation changes: Camping permissions may change without notice. Regarding Jug End, Licia S. warns: "This is a hiking trail only- no camping per website: https://www.mass.gov/locations/jug-end-state-reservation-wildlife-management-area," indicating that formerly permitted camping activities may now be prohibited.
Tips for camping with families
Consider proximity to towns: For families needing supply runs, sites near small communities offer convenience. Peter notes about Betty Brook Camp: "It's rather remote, but it is right along West kill road. There's a stream alongside it, a fire pit, and a town about 8 mi away. It's a small town, with just a gas station store."
Choose swamp-free sites: Families should select locations away from standing water. Kate from Echo Lake advises: "Note, it can get swampy near the edge of the lake so you may want to bring bug spray. Make sure you practice leave no trace principles and pack out what you bring in!"
Plan for shared spaces: Popular areas may require sharing sites during peak times. "It does get a little crowded later in the day so you may have to share space with others and it can be a little noisy at night," Kate adds about Echo Lake, making midweek or off-season visits potentially better for families seeking quiet.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: RVers should research access limitations before arrival. Tim M. advises about Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park: "This spot is easy to find and access, and had decent ATT service. There's only a few spots, and the road is narrow with not much turnaround room, I wouldn't recommend for trailers or RVs."
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies dramatically between sites. Cory D. notes about Hemlock Ridge MUA: "This isn't a fancy campsite and has no amenities. There is a small(10 car) parking lot and a trail that runs thru 80 acres of forest. Camping is allowed anywhere 150ft from the trail. Normal LNT rules apply. Bugs are relentless."
Off-season advantages: Shoulder seasons offer improved access for larger vehicles when fewer campers compete for limited space. Robert F. from Allaben comments: "Cool spot next to a pond. There are a few others that aren't next to a pond, and therefore not as cool... but still pretty cool bc it's free and you can walk up a little to a pond."
