Dispersed camping options near Feura Bush, New York range from primitive forest sites to hike-in backcountry locations. This Northeastern region contains several state forests and public lands within a 35-mile radius where camping is permitted. Winter temperatures average 20-30°F with summer highs around 80-85°F, creating distinct seasonal camping opportunities throughout the protected woodland areas.
What to do
Hiking mountain trails: At Giant Ledge Primitive Camp, campers can access challenging terrain with vertical ascents. "It is a near vertical hike the first mile with 90% or more being over rock gardens. Not some rocks littering the trail. I think the trail used to be a stream or creek," notes Caleb J.
Stargazing from elevations: Clear nights offer excellent astronomy opportunities from higher elevation campsites. "Yes you can camp on top of the mountain. Yes you can make a cap fire. Yes you can star gaze by the views near the camp," shares Ryan about Giant Ledge.
Water activities: Several campsites feature small ponds or lakes suitable for fishing or wading. Echo Lake provides a mountain lake setting where "Lake is surrounded by hills and there is a small lean to with a few campfire spots. Other campsites are scattered and require navigating through small overgrown trails," according to James A.
Wildlife observation: The forested areas contain diverse wildlife including birds, deer and occasionally bears. "Thought I heard bears come through overnight, but may have been a lucid dream. Bear can was undisturbed in the morning," reports John S. from his Giant Ledge camping experience.
What campers like
Private, secluded sites: Tent campsites near Feura Bush often provide genuine isolation. At Alander Trail Campground, Kay D. notes "You have to park at the entrance and hike in about 1.5-2 miles with everything on your back to get to the spots. Once you get there, theres quite a few sites to choose from and each offer quite a bit or privacy."
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Even primitive sites often show good stewardship. "Although we were the only campers at the time the area was emmaculate and not one piece of trash on the ground anywhere! The outhouse was even clean!" shares Liz P. about Alander Trail Campground.
Mountain views: Several campsites offer panoramic vistas after short hikes. At Echo Lake, James mentions "We camped on the hill with a beautiful view of the whole lake and breeze."
Water features: Small ponds and lakes enhance the camping experience at several locations. The sites themselves are typically "relatively flat and well shaded with trees," according to Kate at Echo Lake.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to remote campsites often requires navigating difficult roads. At Duck Pond Campsite, one visitor warns, "The road in on old cemetery rd was pretty rough, so we decided to go out the other way, which was way worse... Intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving on these rough roads."
Elevation challenges: Many sites require significant hiking with gear. At Giant Ledge, one camper advises: "It doesn't wind its way up the mountain, someone picked a side and said 'we go up from here, straight up'... I carried 30lbs in my pack, it was exhausting."
Bear safety requirements: Bear activity is common in the region. At Alander Trail Campground, "They give you a semi-flat area for a tent, a fire pit and grill rack, one picnic table, and a bear box you would be sharing with other campers nearby," explains Kay D.
Limited facilities: Most dispersed camping around Feura Bush lacks basic amenities. Kate from Echo Lake advises, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Reserve sites early: Family-friendly sites with easier access fill quickly, especially in summer months. At Getaway Catskill Campground, each site offers "a private bathroom and hot shower, as well as a kitchenette," making it more suitable for families with young children.
Pack for varying temperatures: Even summer nights can be cool at higher elevations, requiring proper sleeping gear for children. Temperatures can fluctuate 20-30 degrees between day and night, especially at sites like Giant Ledge where one camper notes the first campsite was "over a mile in" through challenging terrain.
Water source planning: Most sites lack potable water. At Giant Ledge, John S. mentions "The spring water source is a short hike back from the campsite, relatively convenient to restock from camp," but families should still bring filtration systems.
Bug protection: Seasonal insects can affect comfort, particularly in spring and summer. At Echo Lake, one camper notes "it can get swampy near the edge of the lake so you may want to bring bug spray."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Most dispersed camping areas near Feura Bush cannot accommodate large recreational vehicles. At Ushers Road State Forest, the terrain "eventually transitions into a low-lying, swampy area," making it unsuitable for anything beyond small camper vans.
Alternative parking options: RVers often need to park at designated areas and hike to tent sites. Duck Pond Campsite requires "small vehicle only" according to one visitor who found the "years taken off the life of my truck was not worth it" when attempting access with a larger vehicle.
Level site scarcity: Finding level ground for parking can be challenging. Most sites described in visitor reviews are designed for tent camping only, with Ushers Road State Forest offering "plenty of potential camping spots" but primarily through "bicycle-friendly nature trails" rather than vehicle access points.
