Dispersed camping near Berne, New York provides access to the Helderberg Escarpment, a limestone cliff formation rising 1,100 feet above the Hudson Valley. Winter temperatures frequently drop below 10°F, while summer brings occasional thunderstorms that can rapidly change trail and campsite conditions. The region contains several primitive campsites located between 1,000-2,000 feet elevation within Albany County's mixed hardwood forests.
What to do
Fishing access points: At Allaben Primitive Campsites, visitors can explore "trails to the fishing access across the road" according to camper Breanne H., who also noted the site includes "a fire pit with cooking griddle" for preparing your catch.
Winter hiking trails: Winter camping opportunities exist throughout the area with proper preparation. At Burnt Rossman State Forest, camper Felix R. found it "a great location for winter camping. Site easily accessible from road. Beautiful, peaceful, great time!"
Wildlife observation: Fort Plain Lock 15 provides opportunities for wildlife viewing in a riverside setting. "The resident peacock has been keeping me company," reports one camper, who adds, "I tried fishing, without any luck, it had been raining a lot lately, so maybe that was the reason."
What campers like
Multi-season accessibility: Some campers return to these sites year-round. At Betty Brook Camp, longtime visitor Robert B. shares, "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."
Roadside convenience: Several sites offer easy access from main roads while maintaining a natural setting. One camper noted about Burnt Rossman State Forest, "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."
Shaded tent sites: Echo Lake provides well-shaded tent spots throughout the area. As one backpacker observed, "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."
What you should know
Trail maintenance issues: Some sites require navigating overgrown pathways. At Echo Lake, James A. advises that "other campsites are scattered and require navigating through small overgrown trails (wear pants)."
Limited facilities: Most sites lack amenities beyond basic fire rings. Peter at Betty Brook Camp notes, "It's a small town, with just a gas station store. I would not recommend this for large trailers. The site is fairly small, but it's in state park, and there's tons of walking that can be done."
Permit requirements: Not all areas allow camping despite appearing on maps. Jug End Dispersed campground received this warning from camper Licia S.: "This is a hiking trail only- no camping per website: https://www.mass.gov/locations/jug-end-state-reservation-wildlife-management-area."
Seasonal water conditions: Weather impacts both water levels and campsite conditions. At Fort Plain Lock 15, a recurring visitor observed, "The water was significantly lower last time I was here. They have dropped the gates, and the lock is in operation."
Tips for camping with families
Look for elevated sites: When camping with children near water, higher ground provides benefits. At Echo Lake, James A. recommends, "We camped on the hill with a beautiful view of the whole lake and breeze."
Site sharing expectations: Popular sites may require flexibility. One Echo Lake visitor cautions, "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."
Established fire rings: Duck Pond Campsite provides safer cooking options for families. As visitor Yae U. reports, "After driving unpaved dirt road for a while, we arrived a surprisingly well maintained beautiful campsites. The pond is small so the mosquitos were not too bad."
Tips from RVers
Parking surface conditions: At Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail, Mona M. advises, "The parking lot is large, rocky, and uneven, situated right on the Mohawk River," making it challenging for some RVs without proper leveling equipment.
Small trailer restrictions: Many sites cannot accommodate larger rigs. Betty Brook Camp has size limitations as noted by a local camper: "I would not recommend this for large trailers. The site is fairly small."
Soft entrance concerns: Some sites have entrance issues during wet periods. At Burnt Rossman State Forest, one camper warns, "Entrance is soft," suggesting potential difficulty for heavier vehicles after rain.
