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Best Dispersed Camping near Downsville, NY

16 Reviews

Several free dispersed camping areas exist in state forests near Downsville, New York. Beals Pond State Forest offers hike-in and walk-in access sites that accommodate tents and RVs, though winter access is limited due to unmaintained roads and no cell reception. Denning Trailhead provides primitive camping spots approximately 1.5 miles from the trailhead, with sites situated along a river. Fire rings are available at most locations.

Russell Brook Road, Allaben Primitive Campsites, and Rider Hollow provide additional dispersed options within driving distance of Downsville. Betty Brook Camp features drinking water, picnic tables and streamside camping. Duck Pond Campsite receives positive reviews but requires navigating rough roads with limited cell service. One camper noted, "The road in on old cemetery rd was pretty rough, so we decided to go out the other way, which was way worse." Most sites enforce the standard 14-day camping limit and require practicing leave-no-trace principles. Permits are generally not required, though visitors should check current regulations with the appropriate ranger station before arrival.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Downsville, New York (14)

    1. Russell Brook Road

    Be the first to review!
    Roscoe, NY
    7 miles

    2. Beals Pond State Forest

    1 Review
    Trout Creek, NY
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 357-2161

    3. Denning Trailhead Peekamoose Primitive Camping

    1 Review
    Claryville, NY
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 256-3076

    "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."

    4. Allaben Primitive Campsites

    2 Reviews
    Shandaken, NY
    33 miles

    "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. Trails to the fishing access across the road."

    "Cool spot next to a pond. There are a few others that aren’t next to a pond, and therefore not as cool… but still pretty cool bc it’s free and you can walk up a little to a pond."

    5. Rider Hollow Dispersed Camping

    Be the first to review!
    Highmount, NY
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 256-3076

    6. Burnt Rossman State Forest - Westkill Camp

    2 Reviews
    North Blenheim, NY
    38 miles

    "Was a great location for winter camping. Site easily accessible from road. Beautiful, peaceful, great time!"

    "Entrance is soft"

    7. Duck Pond Campsite

    2 Reviews
    North Blenheim, NY
    40 miles

    "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."

    "Intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving on these rough roads"

    8. Betty Brook Camp

    2 Reviews
    West Fulton, NY
    40 miles

    "I live near this campground. I'm about a mile away and I pass it every day. It is rather remote, but it is right along West kill road."

    "Remote. Sometimes you never see anyone. Sometimes you see some people. You camp on the stream. There is a couple of spots"

    9. Hickok Brook

    2 Reviews
    Barryville, NY
    41 miles

    "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."

    "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."

    10. Long Pond Campground

    4 Reviews
    Georgetown, NY
    49 miles

    "Aside from that this was a short drive in and I was able to score a spot right on the pond next to a dock."

    "Campground was easy to locate and the road was in good shape. We stayed in the space across from the port-a-pottie."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Downsville, NY

17 Photos of 14 Downsville Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Downsville, NY

16 Reviews of 14 Downsville Campgrounds

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2019

    Whaupaunaucau State Forest

    Hidden gem in Chenango County

    You have to work a bit to find info on the Whaupaunaucau state forest as a camping destination, but for primitive campers that is part of the appeal! This is a relatively unknown oasis outside of the county, but this state forest has a network of miles of trails for both hiking and criss country skiing. There is an offifical lean-to shelter and developed campsite on trail 20 (see map) but there are several primitive sites with tent site and stine fireplace, plus dispersed leave-no-trace camping is allowed anywhere in the state forest, and the possibilities are endless. Lovely hilly vistas, pondside glens, and lots of clearings near clear streams deep in this old stately forest. A great place to get away from it all for hiking and camping but it is also a fantastic place to go if you enjoy botanizing or birding, lots of unusual species to see. Just beware of ticks, they are invading the region

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 31, 2025

    Round Pond Pharsalia Woods Dispersed

    Primitive camping at Round Pound

    This is a relatively new location for primitive camping in the Pharsalia Woods State Forest. There is a parking area just off the Plymouth Reservoir Rd that allows you to access a network of trails that traverse the state preserve around the unique Round Pond and adjacent bog. Primitive camping is allowed anywhere in the vicinity as long as you are 150 feet from the waters edge and away from the parking lot. The parking lot has an info kiosk with a map of the trail network and info about the unique bog ecosystem. You need to sign in at the kiosk, but otherwise there are no permits needed and no fees. One amazing aspect at this site is a beautiful and accessible raised boardwalk to a unique overlook that has a beautiful vista over the bog and is an amazing place for birdwatching especially during spring migration. You can also access the bog pond here if using kayaks or canoes. It is like a unique wilderness location fir primitive camping, but only 15 minutes from the village of Norwich!

    For more info on the Pharsalia Woods in general, and the Round Pond in particular, visit this link on the DEC website: https://dec.ny.gov/places/pharsalia-woods-state-forest Be sure to also click on the link on that page regarding primitive camping at this site

  • Corey
    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.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 27, 2024

    Beals Pond State Forest

    Not easily accessible in winter

    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.

  • YThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2024

    Duck Pond Campsite

    Open quite campsites

    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. So few people passed by and very unknown quite and we just loved the experience. Just be careful driving in the sometimes rough conditions.

  • The L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 10, 2025

    Duck Pond Campsite

    Small vehicle only

    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. Intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving on these rough roads

  • James A.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

Guide to Downsville

Several primitive camping options exist near Downsville in the Catskills region of New York. Russell Brook Road offers drive-in access while Beals Pond State Forest provides tent and RV spots accessible by hiking or walking in. The Denning Trailhead area features riverside primitive camping approximately 1.5 miles from the trailhead, with campers noting it provides convenient access to Peekamoose Mountain hiking trails.

Free dispersed camping is available at multiple locations, with varying amenities and access conditions. Allaben Primitive Campsites and Rider Hollow allow campfires and permit alcohol and pets, while Betty Brook Camp uniquely offers drinking water and picnic tables. Several sites have challenging access conditions during winter months. One camper reported that Beals Pond State Forest is "not easily accessible in the winter" with roads becoming unmaintained and no cell reception. Duck Pond Campsite requires navigating rough dirt roads that may challenge larger vehicles. A visitor noted: "The road in was pretty rough...the years taken off the life of my truck was not worth it."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Downsville, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Downsville, NY is Russell Brook Road with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 14 dispersed camping locations near Downsville, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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