Best Dispersed Camping near Gilboa, NY

Multiple dispersed camping areas surround Gilboa, New York within the Catskill region. Burnt Rossman State Forest, Duck Pond Campsite, and Betty Brook Camp provide primitive camping options within relatively close proximity. Most sites are situated on state forest land where camping is permitted without reservation. Several additional areas like Rensselaerville State Forest and Echo Lake extend the dispersed camping options, with sites typically located along streams, ponds, or in wooded settings.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the area's dispersed camping network. Many access roads are unpaved and may become difficult after rain or during winter months. As one camper noted, "The road in on old cemetery rd was pretty rough... the site itself was pretty nice, fire pit, trickling stream, but the years taken off the life of my truck was not worth it." Most sites have designated fire rings but offer minimal to no amenities. Water is generally unavailable except at Betty Brook Camp. Cell service is intermittent across most locations, with several reviews mentioning limited connectivity during their stays.

These primitive camping areas provide natural settings with varying levels of remoteness. Sites near water features like Duck Pond and Betty Brook offer stream-side camping opportunities. Several locations provide good hiking access, particularly Echo Lake which requires a backpacking approach. A visitor reported Echo Lake as "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." Winter camping is possible at some locations, with one camper describing Burnt Rossman State Forest as "a great location for winter camping. Site easily accessible from road. Beautiful, peaceful, great time!" Many areas remain relatively uncrowded, though the more accessible sites can fill during summer weekends and holiday periods.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Gilboa, New York (14)

    1. Burnt Rossman State Forest - Westkill Camp

    2 Reviews
    North Blenheim, NY
    7 miles

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

    "Entrance is soft"

    2. Duck Pond Campsite

    2 Reviews
    North Blenheim, NY
    8 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"

    3. Betty Brook Camp

    2 Reviews
    West Fulton, NY
    10 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"

    4. Allaben Primitive Campsites

    1 Review
    Shandaken, NY
    20 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."

    6. Echo Lake

    2 Reviews
    Woodstock, NY
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 652-7365

    "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. "

    "Lake is surrounded by hills and there is a small lean two with a few campfire spots."

    7. 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."

    9. Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail

    3 Reviews
    Fort Plain, NY
    38 miles

    "Continue driving past the original coordinates until you reach the dirt parking lot on the right. You’ll see signs that say “No Vehicles Past This Point” — those apply only to the grassy picnic area."

    "It offers sounds of the highway and freight trains going by, my wife and I love it. If you need quiet, keep on moving. There are grills in the grassy area for tent camping, also a potable water tap."

    10. Ushers Road State Forest

    2 Reviews
    Round Lake, NY
    49 miles

    "This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails. I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Gilboa, NY

15 Reviews of 14 Gilboa Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • The L.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 8, 2025

    Ushers Road State Forest

    Trail head

    This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails. I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side. The terrain eventually transitions into a low-lying, swampy area, likely due to recent rainfall over the past week.

    About 500 feet down the right-hand trail, there is a smaller path branching off to the left. This leads to a previously used campsite, approximately 200 feet from the main trail. The site includes a stone fire ring, indicating prior use.

    Given that camping is permitted anywhere in the woods as long as it’s at least 150 feet off the trail, the surrounding area offers an abundance of potential camping spots.

  • 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

  • Mona M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 16, 2025

    Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail

    Just Passed Lock 15

    Continue driving past the original coordinates until you reach the dirt parking lot on the right. You’ll see signs that say “No Vehicles Past This Point” — those apply only to the grassy picnic area. The parking lot is large, rocky, and uneven, situated right on the Mohawk River. It's a great spot for wildlife viewing and fishing (with a valid license). Verizon cell service is good here. At the lock parking area, you'll find pit toilets, a dumpster, and potable water available on the side of the building as you enter.

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

    Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail

    Great overnight.

    Simply it’s a parking lot with a view. The parking area is right on the water. It offers sounds of the highway and freight trains going by, my wife and I love it. If you need quiet, keep on moving. There are grills in the grassy area for tent camping, also a potable water tap.

  • 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.

  • The L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 9, 2025

    Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail

    High season

    Well, I’m back, it’s June, and there are 3 other groups here. 1 boat, and 2 tent camping. The parking lot is still empty. The water was significantly lower last time I was here. They have dropped the gates, and the lock is in operation. The resident peacock has been keeping me company. Tried fishing, without any luck, it had been raining a lot lately, so maybe that was the reason. It still has the highway noise and of course the train noise going by, but I love that. I anticipate another lovely sleep. It’s quite breezy, so the windows will be open. I’m in my happy place!!!


Guide to Gilboa

Dispersed camping areas near Gilboa, New York offer primitive camping experiences across the Catskill region's state forests and public lands. Sites typically sit at elevations between 1,200-2,000 feet, with seasonal temperature variations that include warm summers and cold winters with significant snowfall. Most locations provide basic amenities with access via unpaved forest roads that connect to the regional highway system.

What to do

Hiking accessible trails: Echo Lake provides an excellent base for hiking enthusiasts, with camping spots that support longer backcountry adventures. "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 (wear pants)," notes James A., who camped on a hillside with panoramic lake views.

Fishing opportunities: The primitive sites near Allaben Primitive Campsites offer direct fishing access. "Trails to the fishing access across the road," mentions Breanne H. in her review, noting the site's proximity to a small pond and town amenities. A valid New York fishing license is required for all anglers.

Wildlife viewing: The parking area at Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail provides opportunities to observe local wildlife. "It's a great spot for wildlife viewing and fishing (with a valid license)," reports Mona M. The site sits directly on the Mohawk River, creating natural habitat viewing opportunities throughout the day.

What campers like

Stream-side camping: Many dispersed campsites in the region feature waterfront locations. "Love to camp here all year long have been coming to the area for a couple of decades now. Remote. Sometimes you never see anyone. Sometimes you see some people. You camp on the stream," explains Robert B. about Betty Brook Camp.

Winter camping options: Several sites remain accessible during colder months. Felix R. notes that Burnt Rossman State Forest "was a great location for winter camping. Site easily accessible from road. Beautiful, peaceful, great time!" Winter visitors should prepare for potentially difficult road conditions and bring appropriate cold-weather gear.

Trail proximity: The dispersed camping near Denning Trailhead Peekamoose Primitive Camping provides strategic access to hiking routes. "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," shares Ali B., highlighting the convenience for peak-bagging expeditions.

What you should know

Road conditions: Access to many dispersed camping areas requires navigating rough terrain. "After driving unpaved dirt road for a while, we arrived at surprisingly well maintained beautiful campsites," states Yae U. about Duck Pond Campsite, adding, "Just be careful driving in the sometimes rough conditions."

Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly across the region. "Intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving on these rough roads," reports one camper about Duck Pond Campsite. Verizon service is noted as good at Fort Plain Lock 15, though coverage elsewhere remains inconsistent.

Established sites: State forests contain previously used campsites that may not be officially designated. At Ushers Road State Forest, a visitor found that "about 500 feet down the right-hand trail, there is a smaller path branching off to the left. This leads to a previously used campsite, approximately 200 feet from the main trail. The site includes a stone fire ring, indicating prior use."

Tips for camping with families

Consider accessible locations: Sites near roads provide easier access for families with young children. "This spot is right off the road. Nice and quiet. There is enough room for 2 to 3 campers," notes a visitor to Burnt Rossman State Forest, mentioning the site's convenient parking arrangement.

Select sites with amenities: For free camping near Gilboa, New York with children, prioritize locations with minimal facilities. Fort Plain Lock 15 offers "pit toilets, a dumpster, and potable water available on the side of the building as you enter," according to Mona M., making it suitable for families needing basic sanitation.

Prepare for insect activity: Sites near water features may experience increased mosquito presence. Kate from Echo Lake advises, "Note, it can get swampy near the edge of the lake so you may want to bring bug spray." Campers should pack appropriate insect repellent, especially during warmer months.

Tips from RVers

Parking restrictions: Many dispersed camping areas have limited space for larger vehicles. Peter from Betty Brook Camp cautions, "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 parking options: When conditions are wet, alternate arrangements may be necessary. At some locations like Burnt Rossman State Forest, visitors note "parking across the street if it's wet. Entrance is soft," suggesting campers should have contingency plans for vehicle placement during inclement weather.

Surface considerations: RV campers should prepare for uneven terrain at many sites. The Lock 15 parking lot is described as "large, rocky, and uneven, situated right on the Mohawk River," indicating the need for careful positioning and possibly leveling equipment when camping with recreational vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Gilboa, NY is Burnt Rossman State Forest - Westkill Camp with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

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