Best Dispersed Camping near Hyde Park, NY

Dispersed camping areas around Hyde Park, New York include several primitive sites in the nearby Catskill Mountains and Taconic regions. The Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park offers over 900 acres of undeveloped forest land where campers can establish primitive sites away from designated trails. Other options include Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed, an 80-acre wooded area popular with rock climbers visiting the Gunks, and more remote sites at Echo Lake and Denning Trailhead in the western Catskills. These areas typically require campers to follow standard Leave No Trace principles and set up at least 150 feet from trails, roads, and water sources.

Access to these dispersed camping areas varies significantly. Taconic Hereford and Hemlock Ridge require short hikes from small parking areas that accommodate only 4-6 vehicles. Most sites lack any amenities, with no drinking water, toilets, or trash facilities. A visitor noted that Hemlock Ridge has "absolutely no amenities whatsoever & barely even a signal here, but it's quiet & off the beaten path." Fire regulations vary by location and season, with some areas permitting campfires in established rings while others enforce strict bans. During peak summer months, sites closer to trailheads fill quickly, especially on weekends.

The dispersed camping experience near Hyde Park ranges from relatively accessible forest sites to more remote backcountry locations. Echo Lake features tent sites surrounding the water with "a small lean-to with a few campfire spots," according to a recent visitor. Many campers value these areas for their solitude and natural setting. One camper described Taconic Hereford as "a quiet piece of beautiful forest to truly rough it and go camping for a few days" with "the feeling of the wild, with the safety of having full cell service." Sites near water, particularly at Echo Lake and along the river near Denning Trailhead, tend to be most popular. Wildlife sightings are common throughout these areas, and several locations connect to extensive trail networks, providing opportunities for day hikes or longer backpacking routes.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Hyde Park, New York (8)

    1. Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park

    3 Reviews
    Verbank, NY
    9 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."

    2. Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Plattekill, NY
    12 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."

    3. Echo Lake

    2 Reviews
    Woodstock, NY
    23 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."

    4. Denning Trailhead Peekamoose Primitive Camping

    1 Review
    Claryville, NY
    29 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. Sage's Revine

    2 Reviews
    Taconic, CT
    30 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."

    6. Allaben Primitive Campsites

    1 Review
    Shandaken, NY
    31 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."

    7. Jug End Dispersed — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

    2 Reviews
    South Egremont, MA
    36 miles
    Website

    "Trash cans, but carry out is preferable."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Hyde Park, NY

13 Reviews of 8 Hyde Park 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Luke A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2018

    Jug End Dispersed — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

    Jug End Campground, Great Spot for Section Hikers and All.

    Great spot, I have section hiked the majority of the east coast AT and this is in my top 10 spots to stay at. Trash cans, but carry out is preferable.


Guide to Hyde Park

Dispersed camping opportunities around Hyde Park, New York primarily cluster in the Catskill Mountains to the west and the Taconic Mountains to the east. Most free camping areas sit at elevations between 1,000-2,500 feet, with significant temperature variations between seasons. Winter camping requires specialized gear as temperatures regularly drop below freezing, while summer brings moderate daytime highs averaging 75-85°F with cooler evenings.

What to do

Fishing access points: At Allaben Primitive Campsites, campers can take advantage of "trails to the fishing access across the road," according to Breanne H. This spot offers the convenience of being "right off the main road and close to town" while still providing a natural setting.

Backpacking connection: Echo Lake serves as an excellent starting point for longer hikes. Kate notes, "This campground was my first backpacking trip and it was perfect!" The lake location provides multiple tent sites "with fire pits and 1 lean-to site at the end of the trail when you first arrive."

Mountain hiking: Near Denning Trailhead Peekamoose Primitive Camping, visitors can access challenging mountain trails. Ali B. recommends, "Great spot to camp and then wake up to hike to tabletop/peekamoose mountain," adding that "near the top of tabletop there is also a lean-to for camping."

What campers like

Cell service reliability: Some free camping near Hyde Park, New York maintains surprisingly good connectivity. At Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park, Tim M. found "decent ATT service" despite the natural setting, making it useful as a "convenient pit stop."

Water proximity: Camping near water ranks highly with visitors. James A. describes Echo Lake as "surrounded by hills" where they "camped on the hill with a beautiful view of the whole lake and breeze." Similarly, Ali B. notes Denning Trailhead offers "a lot of spots right by the river."

Solitude with safety: The balance of remoteness with accessibility attracts many campers. Tim M. notes that Taconic Hereford has "only a few spots, and the road is narrow with not much turnaround room," which helps limit crowds while still being "easy to find and access."

What you should know

Parking limitations: Most dispersed sites have minimal parking. Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed has a parking lot that "only holds about 4-5 cars, 6 if you park real tight," according to Dawn M. Similarly, Tim M. notes Taconic Hereford has limited parking and "I wouldn't recommend for trailers or RVs."

Lean-to availability: Several sites offer lean-to structures as alternatives to tent camping. James A. mentions Echo Lake has "a small lean-to with a few campfire spots," while Ali B. notes that near Peekamoose mountain "there is also a lean-to for camping."

Regulations vary by location: Not all dispersed camping areas in the region follow the same rules. At Sage's Revine just across the border in Connecticut, Luke A. reports that "no fires allowed" despite being "near non-potable stream" with "bear boxes available."

Tips for camping with families

Spacing between sites: For families needing privacy or space, some areas offer good separation. Luke A. notes that Sage's Revine has "50 feet between platforms," making it easier to maintain boundaries between camping groups.

Bug preparation: Pack appropriate insect repellent, especially for lakeside camping. Kate warns that at Echo Lake, "it can get swampy near the edge of the lake so you may want to bring bug spray."

Noise considerations: Some free camping spots near Hyde Park can get crowded during peak times. Kate mentions Echo Lake "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

Size restrictions: Most dispersed camping areas near Hyde Park cannot accommodate larger vehicles. Tim M. specifically warns about Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park: "I wouldn't recommend for trailers or RVs" due to narrow access roads "with not much turnaround room."

Alternative amenities: While most dispersed sites lack facilities, Jug End Dispersed along the Appalachian Trail offers basic services. Luke A. notes it has "trash cans, but carry out is preferable" and ranks it "in my top 10 spots to stay at" after section hiking much of the east coast AT.

Setup requirements: At Hemlock Ridge, Dawn M. explains there's "absolutely no amenities whatsoever & barely even a signal here," but notes you can find established sites at "about the required 150ft from the road" or "set up your own camp anywhere" in the "quiet peaceful wooded area."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Hyde Park, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Hyde Park, NY is Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 8 dispersed camping locations near Hyde Park, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.