Best Dispersed Camping near Hurley, NY

Dispersed camping options near Hurley, New York include several primitive sites throughout the Catskill region. Echo Lake offers tent sites around the water with fire pits and a lean-to, accessible via a hiking trail. Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park provides free primitive camping across its 900 acres of forest land. Hemlock Ridge MUA features dispersed camping with a small parking area and sites located at least 150 feet from established trails. Denning Trailhead Peekamoose area has riverside camping spots about 1.5 miles from the trailhead.

Most sites require proper preparation as amenities are minimal or nonexistent. Campers should bring all necessary water, as drinking sources are not available at most locations. Fire regulations permit campfires at most sites, but visitors must practice proper fire safety and follow Leave No Trace principles. According to reviews, Echo Lake "can get swampy near the edge of the lake so you may want to bring bug spray." Cell service varies significantly; Taconic Hereford maintains full coverage while Hemlock Ridge has limited connectivity.

Access to these primitive camping areas varies in difficulty. Duck Pond Campsite requires navigation on unpaved 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. Burnt Rossman State Forest - Westkill Camp is more accessible, situated right off the road with space for 2-3 campers. Weather conditions can affect site accessibility, particularly during winter months or after heavy rainfall. Visitors should check current regulations before planning trips, as some areas may require permits during peak seasons.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Hurley, New York (13)

    1. Echo Lake

    2 Reviews
    Woodstock, NY
    13 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."

    2. Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park

    3 Reviews
    Verbank, NY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 256-3000

    "99% off people don't even know this area exists. If you want a quiet piece of beautiful forest to truly rough it and go camping for a few days, then this is what you have been looking for."

    "This spot is easy to find and access, and had decent ATT service. There's only a few spots, and the road is narrow with not much turnaround room, I wouldn't recommend for trailers or RVs."

    3. Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Plattekill, NY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 256-3000

    "If you like dispersed camping, like me- this place is good. There are absolutely no amenities whatsoever & barely even a signal here, but it’s quiet & off the beaten path."

    4. Denning Trailhead Peekamoose Primitive Camping

    1 Review
    Claryville, NY
    20 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."

    5. 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. Sage's Revine

    2 Reviews
    Taconic, CT
    32 miles
    Website

    "Near non-potable stream, no fires allowed, bathroom is fine, bear boxes available. 50 feet between platforms. Right over the border of CT into MA on the Appalachian Trail."

    7. Jug End Dispersed — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

    2 Reviews
    South Egremont, MA
    36 miles
    Website

    "Trash cans, but carry out is preferable."

    9. Burnt Rossman State Forest - Westkill Camp

    2 Reviews
    North Blenheim, NY
    46 miles

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

    "Entrance is soft"

    10. Duck Pond Campsite

    2 Reviews
    North Blenheim, NY
    46 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"

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Hurley, NY

19 Reviews of 13 Hurley 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.

  • Doc B.
    Jun. 17, 2021

    Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park

    A hidden gem...

    99% off people don't even know this area exists. If you want a quiet piece of beautiful forest to truly rough it and go camping for a few days, then this is what you have been looking for. Less then 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. There is plenty of trails to explore and wildlife to enjoy, especially since these over 900 acres also back up to another huge plot of protected forests. Please enjoy Mother Nature's healing love, and leave the area cleaner than when you arrived. Always let someone know where you are headed and when you plan to return.

  • 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

  • Cory D.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2019

    Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed

    A place to sleep near the gunks

    This isn't a fancy campsite and has no amenities. There is a small(10 car) parking lot and a trail that runs thru 80 acres of forest. Camping is allowed anywhere 150ft from the trail. Normal LNT rules apply. Bugs are relentless. Many climbers stay there for access to the gunks.

  • Dawn M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 25, 2025

    Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed

    Pretty cool

    If you like dispersed camping, like me- this place is good. There are absolutely no amenities whatsoever & barely even a signal here, but it’s quiet & off the beaten path. The parking lot only holds about 4-5 cars, 6 if you park real tight. There’s no spectacular mountain views from above, but rather a quiet peaceful wooded area & although I only seen/stayed at one camping spot which is literally at about the required 150ft from the road, you can set up your own camp anywhere. I was the only one here & it was a very peaceful & relaxing night

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Sage's Revine

    Not highest recommended

    There was a bunch of signs that said no parking so we parked at the entrance to the trailhead. The area itself is beautiful but I believe it is more for tent camping versus cars, overlanding vehicles and RVs.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park

    Convenient pit stop

    This spot is easy to find and access, and had decent ATT service. There's only a few spots, and the road is narrow with not much turnaround room, I wouldn't recommend for trailers or RVs.


Guide to Hurley

Primitive camping sites near Hurley, New York offer campers a chance to experience the southern Catskill region with minimal amenities. Located within 40 miles of Hurley, these sites span across multiple state forests and wilderness areas at elevations ranging from 600 to 3,500 feet. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, while summer highs average in the mid-80s with frequent afternoon thunderstorms.

What to do

Mountain hiking routes: Rider Hollow Dispersed Camping provides direct access to multiple trail systems. "Great spot to camp and then wake up to hike to tabletop/ peekamoose mountain. Near the top of tabletop there is also a lean-to for camping," notes reviewer Ali B.

Fishing opportunities: Allaben Primitive Campsites offers "trails to the fishing access across the road," according to Breanne H. The nearby Esopus Creek contains brown and rainbow trout populations with public fishing rights along multiple sections.

Photography locations: The campsites around Echo Lake provide excellent landscape photography opportunities. "Lake is surrounded by hills and there is a small lean to with a few campfire spots. We camped on the hill with a beautiful view of the whole lake and breeze," shares James A.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Hemlock Ridge MUA offers seclusion for those willing to walk in. "There are absolutely no amenities whatsoever & barely even a signal here, but it's quiet & off the beaten path," writes Dawn M.

Winter accessibility: Burnt Rossman State Forest - Westkill Camp remains open year-round. Felix R. notes it "was a great location for winter camping. Site easily accessible from road. Beautiful, peaceful, great time!"

Cost-free camping: Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park offers rustic camping without fees. "If you want a quiet piece of beautiful forest to truly rough it and go camping for a few days, then this is what you have been looking for," states Doc B.

What you should know

Road conditions: Duck Pond Campsite requires careful vehicle selection. "After driving unpaved dirt road for a while, we arrived at surprisingly well maintained beautiful campsites," says Yae U., while adding, "Just be careful driving in the sometimes rough conditions."

Limited facilities: Most primitive camping areas near Hurley lack basic amenities. Cory D. explains Hemlock Ridge MUA "isn't a fancy campsite and has no amenities. There is a small (10 car) parking lot and a trail that runs thru 80 acres of forest."

Camping regulations: Some sites have specific restrictions. Jug End's status has changed, with Licia S. noting: "This is a hiking trail only- no camping per website: https://www.mass.gov/locations/jug-end-state-reservation-wildlife-management-area."

Tips for camping with families

Choose accessible sites: Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park combines wilderness with safety features. "Less then 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," explains Doc B.

Prepare for insects: Echo Lake requires insect protection, particularly in warmer months. One camper recommends covering up: "Other campsites are scattered and require navigating through small overgrown trails (wear pants)."

Set arrival time expectations: Popular sites fill quickly during peak seasons. At Echo Lake, one reviewer notes: "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."

Tips from RVers

Site capacity limitations: Most rustic camping near Hurley accommodates only small vehicles. At Taconic Hereford, Tim M. advises, "There's only a few spots, and the road is narrow with not much turnaround room, I wouldn't recommend for trailers or RVs."

Seasonal accessibility: Allaben Primitive Campsites provides one of the few drive-in options with "nice spot right off the main road and close to town," according to Breanne H., who appreciated the "picnic table, fire pit with cooking griddle."

Communication planning: Cell service varies significantly between sites. The Dyrt reviewer at Duck Pond Campsite reported "intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving on these rough roads."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Hurley, NY is Echo Lake with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 13 dispersed camping locations near Hurley, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.