Primitive camping near Livingston Manor, New York offers secluded sites throughout the surrounding Catskill Forest Preserve at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 3,500 feet. The region features numerous streams and small ponds with seasonal fishing opportunities. Most dispersed camping areas enforce a 3-night maximum stay limit with strict regulations about camping at least 150 feet from water sources.
What to do
Hike from camp to mountain views: At Denning Trailhead Peekamoose Primitive Camping, campers can access mountain trails directly from their sites. "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.
Winter camping excursions: The area offers year-round opportunities at select sites. Burnt Rossman State Forest provides accessible winter camping options. Felix R. shares: "Was a great location for winter camping. Site easily accessible from road. Beautiful, peaceful, great time!"
Fishing and stream exploration: Several campsites are located near small streams and ponds. At Betty Brook Camp, "You camp on the stream. There is a couple of spots," according to Robert B., making it ideal for anglers and those who enjoy water activities.
What campers like
Quieter alternatives to crowded sites: Many dispersed camping areas remain relatively unknown. One camper reports about Duck Pond Campsite: "After driving unpaved dirt road for a while, we arrived at 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."
Lakeside camping with elevated views: For those willing to hike in, certain spots offer premium vantage points. At Echo Lake, James A. mentions: "We camped on the hill with a beautiful view of the whole lake and breeze." This provides a cooler and less buggy alternative to shoreline camping.
Small-scale sites with basic amenities: Some primitive campsites feature unexpected conveniences. At Allaben Primitive Campsites, Breanne H. found: "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."
What you should know
Access challenges require planning: Many dispersed sites have difficult approach roads. 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... Intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving on these rough roads."
Limited space at popular areas: Some sites accommodate only a few groups. At Burnt Rossman State Forest, The L. notes: "This spot is right off the road. Nice and quiet. There is enough room for 2 to 3 campers. Parking across the street if it's wet. Entrance is soft."
Seasonal access limitations: Winter conditions affect accessibility at certain locations. Joshua M. reports about Beals Pond State Forest: "This state forest is beautiful but not easily accessible in the winter. After a certain point, the road is not maintained in the winter and I was unable to get cell reception with Verizon."
Tips for camping with families
Select sites with convenient facilities: Some primitive sites offer more amenities than others. Peter at Betty Brook Camp explains: "I live near this campground. I'm about a mile away and I pass it every day. It is rather remote, but it is right along West kill road. There's a stream alongside it, a fire pit, and a town about 8 mi away. It's a small town, with just a gas station store."
Prepare for insects near water: Lakeside camping requires bug protection. At Echo Lake, Kate advises: "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!"
Consider camping above water sources: For families with children, higher elevation sites may offer more comfort. James A. at Hickok Brook suggests camping away from the immediate shoreline: "We camped on the hill with a beautiful view of the whole lake and breeze," which helps reduce insect exposure.
Tips from RVers
Site limitations for larger vehicles: Most dispersed sites accommodate tents and small trailers only. Corey at Hickok Brook cautions: "I drove in thinking that there would be flat places to park a very rugged camper in my full ton diesel pickup. The road is very rough with huge potholes so good clearance is a must. It's not a good spot for car camping but you could conceivably drive up to the spots and pull off the road to put up a small tent somewhere."
Carefully research road conditions: RVers should investigate access routes before attempting remote sites. Yae U. advises: "Just be careful driving in the sometimes rough conditions," when describing the approach to Duck Pond Campsite.
Limited turning space: Larger vehicles face challenges with narrow forest roads. Peter notes about Betty Brook Camp: "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."
