Best Dispersed Camping near Lake Katrine, NY
The Lake Katrine region of New York offers several free dispersed camping options within the Catskill Mountains. Echo Lake provides tent sites around the water with fire pits and one lean-to shelter. Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park features 900 acres of forested land where primitive camping is permitted 150 feet from trails. Allaben Primitive Campsites and Hemlock Ridge MUA offer additional no-fee options for those seeking backcountry experiences. According to reviews, Echo Lake "can get a little crowded later in the day" and "a little noisy at night," especially during peak seasons.
Most dispersed sites in this region require self-sufficiency. No drinking water, toilets, or trash facilities exist at most locations. Campers must pack out all waste and follow Leave No Trace principles. Fire regulations permit campfires at most sites, though fire rings should be used where available. Bug spray is essential, particularly near water bodies where reviewers note it "can get swampy near the edge of the lake." Cell service varies significantly between locations.
Access to these primitive sites ranges from drive-in to hike-in requirements. Duck Pond Campsite requires navigation on unpaved roads that several campers describe as "pretty rough" with "intermittent cell service." Denning Trailhead Peekamoose sites involve approximately a 1.5-mile hike from the trailhead. Winter camping is possible at some locations like Burnt Rossman State Forest, though weather conditions should be monitored closely. Parking is limited at smaller sites like Hemlock Ridge MUA, which accommodates only 4-5 vehicles. Pets are permitted at all listed dispersed camping areas.
