Primitive camping near Lake Hill, New York provides secluded options throughout the Catskill Mountains. The region sits at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 feet, creating diverse microclimates within short distances. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing with significant snowfall, while summer nights remain cool even after warm days.
What to do
Hiking from camp: Denning Trailhead offers riverside camping spots that serve as excellent starting points for nearby mountain trails. "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," notes Ali B.
Stream fishing: Betty Brook Camp provides streamside primitive camping with easy access to water. According to Robert B., "Love to camp here all year long have been coming to the area for a couple of decades now. Remote. Sometimes you never see anyone. Sometimes you see some people. You camp on the stream."
Winter camping: The Catskills region offers year-round dispersed camping opportunities. At Burnt Rossman State Forest, one camper noted, "Was a great location for winter camping. Site easily accessible from road. Beautiful, peaceful, great time!"
What campers like
Solitude and quiet: The remote locations of many primitive sites create peaceful experiences. At Hemlock Ridge MUA, Dawn M. reports, "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."
Lakeside locations: Echo Lake offers camping spots around its perimeter. James A. describes it as a "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)."
Cell service despite remoteness: Some camping areas maintain connectivity despite their wilderness setting. At Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park, Doc B. shares, "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."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to some sites can be challenging. At Duck Pond Campsite, The L. warns, "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."
Limited parking: Many dispersed camping areas have restricted vehicle capacity. At Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed, Cory D. notes, "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."
Mosquito preparation: Water proximity can increase insect activity. One camper at Duck Pond Campsite shared, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Pack extra clothing: Weather can change quickly in the Catskills. At Echo Lake, Kate recommends preparation: "This campground was my first backpacking trip and it was perfect! 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."
Choose drive-up sites with children: Some primitive sites allow vehicles close to camping areas. Allaben Primitive Campsites provides easier access for families with young children, as Breanne H. describes: "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."
Trail distance considerations: When backpacking with children, select sites with appropriate hiking distances. At Sage's Revine, Luke A. notes the amenities that help with family camping: "Near non-potable stream, no fires allowed, bathroom is fine, bear boxes available. 50 feet between platforms."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Most primitive sites near Lake Hill accommodate only smaller vehicles. At Betty Brook Camp, Peter advises, "I would not recommend this for large trailers. The site is fairly small, but it's in state park, and there's tons of walking that can be done."
Limited turnaround space: Narrow forest roads can make maneuvering difficult. Tim M. at Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park cautions, "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 access changes: Winter conditions significantly impact road conditions for RV access. Verify road status before traveling to remote primitive camping areas during colder months when snow and ice are common in the Catskills.
