Tent campsites near Averill Park, New York range from free dispersed sites in state forests to established campgrounds with basic amenities. The region sits within the Taconic Mountains and Rensselaer Plateau areas, with elevations ranging from 400-1,400 feet. Camping locations typically feature northern hardwood forests with maple, beech, and oak trees dominating the landscape, creating seasonal color changes in autumn months.
What to do
Hiking trails access: At Ushers Road State Forest, bicycle-friendly nature trails provide recreation opportunities directly from camping areas. One visitor noted, "The terrain eventually transitions into a low-lying, swampy area, likely due to recent rainfall over the past week."
Water recreation nearby: Campers at Zoar Outdoor can participate in organized water activities. According to a reviewer, "The campground is connected to an adventure/outing company that provides white water rafting, tubing and other water activities on a nearby river."
Train watching: Chester Railway Station offers a unique experience for railroad enthusiasts. A camper mentioned, "The caboose is stationed on a big grassy field, near a real railroad. You hear the trains running at night."
Bear Mountain summit hikes: For more challenging terrain within driving distance, trails lead to elevated viewpoints. As one camper described their route to Brassie Brook Shelter, "We started our hike at the under-mountain trailhead, located right off route 41, and climbed up the mountain. Be prepared for steep inclines, and lots of rocks."
What campers like
Privacy in primitive settings: Backpacking campers appreciate the seclusion offered at backcountry sites. A reviewer of Alander Trail Campground stated, "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, theres quite a few sites to choose from and each offer quite a bit of privacy."
Bear boxes at backcountry sites: Safety features at remote campsites receive positive mentions. One camper at Laurel Ridge noted, "There is a bear box near that if you bring a padlock you can use it."
Clean facilities: Even primitive campgrounds maintain good standards. A visitor to Alander Trail Campground remarked, "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!"
Staff assistance: At more developed campgrounds like Zoar Outdoor, service quality stands out. One camper commented, "Staff was awesome, went out of their way to take care of our group from camping to rafting."
What you should know
Booking policies: Some campgrounds have strict reservation requirements. A camper at Zoar Outdoor noted, "Not a happy camper. I'm writing this mid-October from western MA. In between homes and looked forward to staying another night, but can not because of a 12 hour advance policy."
Fire regulations: Restrictions vary by location. At Laurel Ridge, a camper mentioned, "I don't think you are supposed to make a fire, but am not sure. There was a fire pit there so we used it at night because it was pretty cold."
Weather preparedness: Conditions can change rapidly. 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."
Wildlife concerns: Remote campsites require proper food storage. A reviewer at Alander Trail Campground advised, "You will be in the heart of the forest/woods so definitely make sure to be prepared. We had some scares with coyotes and bears in the past but never anything crazy."
Tips for camping with families
Shelter options: Some campgrounds offer both lean-to structures and tent sites. At Brassie Brook, "The lean-to fit our small tens, and there is a picnic table. There's also room to camp your tent on the ground too if you wanted to or had more ppl along."
Pack-in requirements: Family backpacking trips need careful planning. For Laurel Ridge, a camper advised, "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."
Seasonal considerations: Fall camping offers scenic views but requires thermal preparation. One camper described their October experience: "It was pretty cold in the 50s and down to 40s late at night."
Day hike options: Some areas allow preliminary exploration. A visitor to Laurel Ridge suggested, "If you hike normally, and do some cardio like spin class or something regularly, try the day hike first. Then move on to the overnight."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV accessibility: Most camping areas near Averill Park cater to tent camping with minimal RV facilities. At Ushers Road State Forest, sites require appropriate vehicle clearance on forest roads.
Private bathrooms at select sites: For RVers seeking more comfort while still enjoying nature, some nearby options exist. A reviewer noted that at Getaway Catskill Campground, "Each site has a private bathroom and hot shower, as well as a kitchenette."
Terrain limitations: The topography restricts large vehicle access to many camping areas. Most primitive camping sites in the region require tent setup rather than RV parking.
