Tent Camping near Colliersville, NY

Tent camping near Colliersville, New York offers varied terrain within the northern Catskill foothills, with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,000 feet across the region. Fall brings temperatures that drop into the 30s overnight, while summer camping typically sees daytime temperatures in the mid-70s to low 80s. Dispersed camping locations throughout the area's state forests require proper preparation as cell service can be limited or non-existent in many locations.

What to do

Hiking trails access: Duck Pond Campsite provides direct access to multiple unmarked forest trails. "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 one camper at Duck Pond Campsite.

Lake activities: Alder Lake offers swimming, paddling, and fishing opportunities. "The hike around the lake is a lovely, easy walk. The hike trail that connects to the far end of the lake is 6+ miles and while there were no real views, it was lovely," reports a camper who stayed for three nights.

Winter recreation: Several areas maintain trails for cross-country skiing when snow-covered. At Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park, "you can cross country ski here in winter—in fact, reserve one of the winterized cabins and come for a long weekend of cozy cabin time and quiet time outdoors on the winter trails."

What campers like

Secluded forest settings: Charles E. Baker State Forest provides free primitive camping in a peaceful environment. "Beautiful forest with miles of trails. I found this spot passing through on my bike and had no problem pitching a tent in a secluded spot in the woods," writes one visitor.

Morning views: Sunrise views across the water are particularly notable at Alder Lake. One camper mentioned, "Bugs were pretty bad. Awesome sunrise," highlighting the trade-offs of lakeside camping.

Space between sites: Most campers appreciate the separation between designated camping areas. At Alder Lake, "The campsites are very spacious with lots of room between you and other campers, and have a fire pit and some have picnic tables."

What you should know

Road conditions: Access to many primitive sites requires navigating rough roads. A Duck Pond Campsite visitor warned, "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."

Seasonal crowds: Summer weekends can be particularly busy at established sites. One Alder Lake visitor noted, "We arrived around 11:00 am and the parking lot was already packed and cars were lined up along the road. We grabbed one of the three spots that were left and were amazed at how many large groups were set up."

Limited facilities: Most primitive sites lack restroom facilities and potable water. At Charles E. Baker State Forest, a camper observed, "Only giving 4 stars because the best free sites have water pumps and vault toilets, but this is a great camping experience."

Tips for camping with families

Beginner-friendly options: Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park offers structured environments with amenities. "There is a beautiful picnic pavilion and playground, so kid friendly. Unfortunately, pets can come for day use but can't stay in the cabins," notes a visitor to Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park.

Water access considerations: Sites near water bodies may require extra supervision but offer recreational opportunities. At Alder Lake, "None of the camping areas were on the water and only a few had a short path down to the water. The beach was pretty full and there were a ton of people walking the path."

Noise levels: Some areas remain quiet even during peak season. A camper at Alder Lake reported, "There's no noise at night apart from the running water of the stream and we had a very peaceful weekend."

Tips from RVers

Vehicle clearance requirements: Small to mid-size RVs can access some areas but high clearance is often necessary. An Alder Lake camper with an RV van noted, "Was not the easiest for my RV van to get up the hill with the ruts, but I have a small lift so it helps, lower clearance vans might not make it."

Roadside camping options: Limited pull-off sites exist along forest roads for smaller vehicles. "There are two campsites located right outside of the park where you can park your car next to your tent," mentions a camper describing the best tent camping near Colliersville, New York.

Seasonal limitations: Spring thaw and heavy rainfall can make roads impassable for larger vehicles. During these periods, walk-in tent sites often remain the only viable option at locations like Duck Pond Campsite and other primitive areas.