Best Dispersed Camping near Kingston, NY
Dispersed camping options surround Kingston, New York, with several primitive sites available within an hour's drive. Echo Lake offers tent sites with fire pits around the water and one lean-to at the trailhead. Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park provides free camping across its 900 acres of forest land. Hemlock Ridge MUA features a small parking area (4-5 vehicles) with camping permitted 150 feet from trails. According to reviews, Echo Lake "can get swampy near the edge, so bring bug spray" and "gets crowded later in the day."
Most sites permit fires in established fire rings only, and campers must pack out all trash. No drinking water is available at these primitive locations; bring sufficient water supplies for your stay. Cell service varies significantly between sites. Taconic Hereford maintains full coverage while Hemlock Ridge has minimal signal. Access roads to Duck Pond Campsite require careful navigation as campers report "the road in on old cemetery road was pretty rough" and recommend small vehicles only.
The Catskills region offers additional options like Denning Trailhead Peekamoose Primitive Camping, accessible via a 1.5-mile hike with riverside camping spots. Burnt Rossman State Forest-Westkill Camp provides roadside access with room for 2-3 campers. All dispersed camping in this region requires adherence to Leave No Trace principles. Pets are permitted at most sites. Winter camping is possible at several locations, though preparation for cold weather conditions is essential. Campsites typically operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations accepted.
