Best Dispersed Camping near Haines Falls, NY
Dispersed camping opportunities abound near Haines Falls in New York's Catskill region. Echo Lake offers primitive tent sites with fire pits surrounding the lake and one lean-to at the trailhead. The sites are flat and shaded, though the lake edges can become swampy during wet periods. According to reviews, Echo Lake "can get a little crowded later in the day," requiring campers to occasionally share space. Allaben Primitive Campsites provides drive-in and walk-in access with a small pond, picnic table, and fire pit with cooking griddle.
Most dispersed sites in this region permit campfires but require strict adherence to Leave No Trace principles. Pack out all trash and come prepared with your own water, as drinking water is unavailable at most locations. Denning Trailhead Peekamoose Primitive Camping requires a 1.5-mile hike in from the trailhead, with numerous riverside camping spots. This area serves as an excellent base for hiking to Tabletop and Peekamoose mountains. Cell service ranges from intermittent to nonexistent at many sites.
Road conditions vary significantly between locations. Duck Pond Campsite features well-maintained sites accessible via unpaved dirt roads that can be challenging for larger vehicles. Several campers noted that "the road in on old cemetery rd was pretty rough" and recommended small vehicles only. Betty Brook Camp sits alongside a stream with a fire pit and offers year-round camping opportunities. Burnt Rossman State Forest - Westkill Camp provides roadside access with parking across the street when conditions are wet. The entrance can be soft, so exercise caution during rainy periods. Winter camping is possible at several locations for properly equipped visitors.
