Best Dispersed Camping near Highland, NY
Several dispersed camping options exist within driving distance of Highland, New York, primarily in the Catskill region. Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park offers primitive camping across its 900+ acres of forest land with no amenities but full cell service. The area provides hiking trails and connects to additional protected forest lands. Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed features similar primitive camping with a small 10-car parking lot and trails through 80 acres where camping is permitted 150 feet from trails. Both locations maintain standard Leave No Trace requirements.
Echo Lake in the Catskills provides tent sites around the lake with fire pits and a lean-to at the trailhead. The lake is accessible via a hiking trail, with camping spots that can get crowded later in the day. One camper noted, "The sites are relatively flat and well shaded with trees," though areas near the water can become swampy. Further west, Denning Trailhead offers primitive camping spots approximately 1.5 miles from the trailhead with many sites along the river. Allaben Primitive Campsites provides more accessible car camping with basic amenities including picnic tables and fire pits with cooking griddles.
