Top Free Dispersed Camping near Bethel, NY

Searching for the perfect place to dispersed camp near Bethel? Dispersed camping is an excellent way to get away from it all and to disconnect. Search dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots and read camper reviews.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Bethel, NY (10)


Recent Dispersed Reviews In Bethel

7 Reviews of 10 Bethel Campgrounds


  • G
    Camper-submitted photo from Hickok Brook
    Aug. 26, 2024

    Hickok Brook

    Small, don't blink you'll miss it.

    There are only 3 spots where we are. No motor vehicles beyond where I'm camping. Bring everything with you. It's a hike back to town... there is a small town 10 minutes away. Eldred, NY. Really is a nice quiet place. It's Labor Day weekend, see how many people try to cram in to the very limited camping area. Where I originally camped was not a spot, according to Ranger. Had to move next to the lake. Need a permit on NY state land. Contact Rangers office of whatever county.

  • Corey The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Hickok Brook
    Jun. 17, 2024

    Hickok Brook

    Beautiful but buggy lakeside tent sites

    I drove in thinking that there would be flat places to park a very rugged camper in my full ton diesel pickup. The road is very rough with huge potholes so good clearance is a must. It's not a good spot for car camping but you could conceivably drive up to the spots and pull off the road to put up a small tent somewhere. Very gorgeous but not rv friendly.

  • Katharine T.
    Camper-submitted photo from Appalachian Trail - designated backpacker 2 campsite
    May. 31, 2022

    Appalachian Trail - designated backpacker 2 campsite

    Perfect balance of community and space

    We stayed here during our section hike through the DWG on the AT. There’s plenty of space. We camped nearer to others but there are secluded spots too. We’ll maintained w bear boxes provided. Good trees for hammocking. We had thought there was a shelter (there isn’t) but it was fine. No ground fires. No Water (nearest is sunfish pound- easy hike about a 1 round trip). Great views!

  • K
    Camper-submitted photo from Echo Lake
    Jul. 9, 2021

    Echo Lake

    Lovely Camping in the Catskills

    This campground was my first backpacking trip and it was perfect!  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.  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.  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 and it can be a little noisy at night.

  • Ali B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Denning Trailhead Peekamoose Primitive Camping
    Sep. 28, 2020

    Denning Trailhead Peekamoose Primitive Camping

    Dispersed primitive camping

    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. (near the top of tabletop there is also a lean-to for camping).

  • Cory D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed
    May. 28, 2019

    Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed

    A place to sleep near the gunks

    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. Many climbers stay there for access to the gunks.

  • R
    Camper-submitted photo from Appalachian Trail - designated backpacker 2 campsite
    Jul. 12, 2017

    Appalachian Trail - designated backpacker 2 campsite

    Small but kind of your only option

    I gave the site only four stars because there's no water nearby, and the views are only mediocre. Also it's a little on the small and sloped side for tent camping, but I was in a hammock and it was a great place for that!

    That being said, as you enter the Worthington State Forest there are signs and hand painted maps indicating that this is the only place you can sleep in the forest. So if this is your timing, this is where you'll be sleeping! The site itself is unmarked when you come to it, but it's the only pretty obvious camping spot on the trail so it's not hard to find.

    Stock up on water at the Dunnfield creek natural area, or wait until Sunfish pond. There are lots of signs around Sunfish pond itself that there's no camping allowed.



Guide to Bethel

Camping near Bethel, New York, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful getaway or a family-friendly adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the nearby trails for stunning views. Many campers recommend taking a hike around Conservation Island for an easy and flat walk. One visitor mentioned, "Take a hike around Conservation Island. It’s very flat and an easy walk/hike."
  • Fishing: The area is known for great fishing spots. Campers at Keen Lake Resort Campground rave about the fishing, saying, "Beautiful lake, great fishing."
  • Swimming: Enjoy a refreshing swim at local beaches. One camper noted, "There’s a small unguarded beach that allows swimming which was very nice."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A visitor at Pickerel Point Campground said, "The bathrooms are clean and overall a wonderful experience."
  • Friendly staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff. One review from Keen Lake Resort Campground highlighted, "Super friendly staff. It’s big; they have tent sites right along the lake."
  • Quiet atmosphere: Many enjoy the peacefulness of the campgrounds. A camper at Woodland Valley Campground shared, "I can’t believe how quiet it is here. Our site is wooded and very private."

What you should know:

  • Campsite proximity: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A camper at Pickerel Point Campground mentioned, "Camp sites are very close together. I could hear the neighbors' conversation."
  • Limited cell service: Be prepared for spotty cell service in many areas. One visitor at Woodland Valley Campground noted, "Cell phone signal isn't all that great."
  • Seasonal crowds: Weekends can get busy, especially during the summer. A camper at Dingmans Campground said, "Can get really overcrowded on summer weekends sometimes."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for kids: Look for campgrounds with planned activities. A parent at Keen Lake Resort Campground said, "The amount of activities they had planned for all group ages was nothing short of amazing."
  • Choose quieter sites: If your family prefers peace, opt for sites further from playgrounds. One camper at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park mentioned, "The kids were at the playground 8 am or before and the noise woke us up."
  • Pack snacks: Having snacks on hand can help keep kids happy. A visitor at Dingmans Campground noted, "I grabbed a bag of ice for 'sodas' and cup of noodles and had a great night."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site accessibility: Make sure your RV can fit in the designated site. A camper at Keen Lake Resort Campground mentioned, "The site we had was a little tight to get into, but we had enough room to enjoy our site."
  • Look for full hookups: If you need more amenities, choose campgrounds with full hookups. One RV owner at Thousand Trails Rondout Valley said, "The sites are very spacious and have lots of trees and shade."
  • Be prepared for limited Wi-Fi: Many campgrounds have poor internet access. A visitor at Kittatinny Campground noted, "There is zero wifi and near zero cell signal, so offline access for music and other stuff."

Camping near Bethel, New York, has something for everyone. Whether you're with family or friends, you'll find plenty of activities and beautiful spots to enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Bethel, NY?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Bethel, NY is Hickok Brook with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Bethel, NY?

    TheDyrt.com has all 10 dispersed camping locations near Bethel, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.