Best Dispersed Camping near Hudson, NY
The Catskill Mountains and Hudson Valley surrounding Hudson, New York feature numerous dispersed camping options within an hour's drive. State forests and public lands offer primitive sites with varying levels of accessibility and amenities. Echo Lake, a highly-rated backcountry destination in the Catskills, provides tent sites around a scenic lake with fire pits and a lean-to shelter. Other notable options include Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park, which spans over 900 acres of forested land, and Duck Pond Campsite, where campers can find secluded spots near small bodies of water. Most sites in the region are primitive with minimal facilities, catering primarily to tent campers seeking a more rustic experience.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the camping areas near Hudson. Many dispersed sites require navigation on unpaved forest roads that can become challenging after rain. As one camper noted about Duck Pond Campsite, "The road in 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." Cell service is intermittent in more remote locations, particularly in the western Catskills. Most primitive sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations accepted. The 150-foot rule applies in many state forests, requiring campers to set up at least 150 feet from trails, roads, and water sources. Bug spray is recommended, especially near lakes and ponds where mosquitoes can be prevalent.
Campers consistently highlight the peaceful seclusion available in the region's dispersed sites. At Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park, visitors appreciate that it's "less than 10 min drive from town, but hiking in and finding a suitable place to make camp has the feeling of the wild, with the safety of having full cell service." Water features enhance many camping experiences, with streams, ponds, and lakes providing scenic backdrops. Betty Brook Camp offers streamside camping with fire pits, while Echo Lake sites surround the water with "relatively flat and well-shaded" areas. Winter camping is possible at several locations, with one reviewer noting Burnt Rossman State Forest's Westkill Camp as "a great location for winter camping." Leave No Trace principles are emphasized throughout the region, with most sites requiring visitors to pack out all trash and waste.
