Dispersed camping opportunities around Denver, New York provide backcountry experiences in the western Catskills region. Sites range from streamside locations to forested settings, with elevations between 1,800-2,500 feet creating cooler temperatures than surrounding lowlands. Most primitive camping areas require visitors to practice leave-no-trace principles and be self-sufficient, as services are extremely limited throughout the region.
What to do
Streamside camping: Betty Brook Camp offers camping directly on a stream where visitors can enjoy wading and fishing. A camper notes, "You camp on the stream. There is a couple of spots," making it ideal for those seeking water access without a difficult hike.
Mountain hiking: Denning Trailhead Peekamoose Primitive Camping serves as a basecamp for tackling nearby peaks. According to one backpacker, it provides "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."
Swimming: The lakes and ponds throughout the region offer swimming opportunities during summer months. At Echo Lake, visitors will find "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," providing direct water access.
What campers like
Solitude: Many of these dispersed sites provide genuine seclusion from crowds. As one camper at Betty Brook Camp describes, "Remote. Sometimes you never see anyone. Sometimes you see some people," highlighting the isolation valued by primitive campers.
Winter accessibility: Some locations remain accessible year-round despite seasonal challenges. A visitor to Burnt Rossman State Forest reported, "Was a great location for winter camping. Site easily accessible from road. Beautiful, peaceful, great time!"
Lake views: Elevated campsites provide scenic vantages over water bodies. At Echo Lake, one camper shared, "We camped on the hill with a beautiful view of the whole lake and breeze," describing a strategic location that combined views with natural ventilation.
What you should know
Road conditions: Many sites require navigating rough access roads that demand appropriate vehicles. A camper at Duck Pond Campsite warned, "After driving unpaved dirt road for a while, we arrived a surprisingly well maintained beautiful campsites...Just be careful driving in the sometimes rough conditions."
Cell service limitations: Communication capabilities are severely restricted throughout the region. A Duck Pond Campsite visitor noted, "Intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving on these rough roads," underscoring the importance of advance planning.
Seasonal restrictions: Winter access varies significantly by location. At Beals Pond State Forest, a visitor cautioned, "This state forest is beautiful but not easily accessible in the winter. After a certain point, the road is not maintained in the winter and I was unable to get cell reception with Verizon."
Site availability: Popular areas fill quickly during peak seasons. Echo Lake visitors should know that "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."
Tips for camping with families
Site proximity: Choose locations with minimal hiking required for easier access with children and gear. Allaben Primitive Campsites provides a "Nice spot right off the main road and close to town. Small pond-don't think there are any fish. Picnic table. Fire pit with cooking griddle."
Amenities consideration: Identify sites with at least basic facilities for comfort. Betty Brook Camp offers some conveniences as it is "right along West kill road. There's a stream alongside it, a fire pit, and a town about 8 mi away. It's a small town, with just a gas station store."
Bug preparation: Waterside locations require additional insect protection. For Echo Lake, a visitor advises, "it can get swampy near the edge of the lake so you may want to bring bug spray."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most primitive sites accommodate only smaller vehicles and compact trailers. For Betty Brook Camp, a local resident recommends, "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."
Alternative exits: Scout multiple routes when navigating to remote sites. At Duck Pond Campsite, one RVer shared their experience: "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."
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