Best Dispersed Camping near Cold Spring, NY

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Cold Spring, NY

10 Reviews of 5 Cold Spring Campgrounds

• K

  Kate

  Guide

  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.

• 

  Corey

  Scout

  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.

• 

  Doc B.

  Scout

  Jun. 17, 2021

  Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park

  A hidden gem...

  99% off people don't even know this area exists. If you want a quiet piece of beautiful forest to truly rough it and go camping for a few days, then this is what you have been looking for. Less then 10 min drive from town, but hiking in and finding a suitable place to make camp has the feeling of the wild, with the safety of having full cell service. There is plenty of trails to explore and wildlife to enjoy, especially since these over 900 acres also back up to another huge plot of protected forests. Please enjoy Mother Nature's healing love, and leave the area cleaner than when you arrived. Always let someone know where you are headed and when you plan to return.

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• 

  Cory D.

  Ranger

  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.

• 

  Dawn M.

  Traveler

  Apr. 25, 2025

  Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed

  Pretty cool

  If you like dispersed camping, like me- this place is good. There are absolutely no amenities whatsoever & barely even a signal here, but it’s quiet & off the beaten path. 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 & although I only seen/stayed at one camping spot which is literally at about the required 150ft from the road, you can set up your own camp anywhere. I was the only one here & it was a very peaceful & relaxing night

• T

  Tim M.

  Guide

  Oct. 4, 2025

  Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park

  Convenient pit stop

  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.

• 

  James A.

  Traveler

  Jun. 29, 2025

  Echo Lake

  Beautiful lake with lean to

  Lake is surrounded by hills and there is a small lean two with a few campfire spots. Other campsites are scattered and require navigating through small overgrown trails (wear pants) We camped on the hill with a beautiful view of the whole lake and breeze.

• G

  Gregg T.

  Guide

  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.

• 

  Ali B.

  Traveler

  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).