Dispersed camping near Mount Tremper, New York provides access to multiple primitive sites throughout the Catskill Forest Preserve, which covers over 700,000 acres in the region. Most locations sit at elevations between 1,500-2,500 feet, creating cooler microclimates compared to nearby valley areas. Winter camping requires additional preparation as temperatures can drop below freezing from November through April.
What to do
Streamside camping access: Echo Lake offers camping options with water views. As one camper noted, "We camped on the hill with a beautiful view of the whole lake and breeze." Other campers recommend water activities, with one visitor stating, "This campground was my first backpacking trip and it was perfect! There are tent sites around the whole lake with fire pits."
Winter camping: Burnt Rossman State Forest - Westkill Camp provides year-round access with camping spots suitable for colder conditions. According to a visitor, "Was a great location for winter camping. Site easily accessible from road. Beautiful, peaceful, great time!"
Day hiking preparation: Base yourself at Denning Trailhead Peekamoose Primitive Camping for access to multiple trail systems. A camper shared, "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."
What campers like
Privacy in rustic settings: The isolation appeals to those seeking quieter camping experiences. At Hemlock Ridge MUA, a camper reported, "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."
Natural water features: Streamside camping ranks highly in reviews. At Betty Brook Camp, a regular visitor explained, "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."
Quick access to civilization: Despite wilderness settings, some sites maintain proximity to resources. One camper at Betty Brook noted, "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."
What you should know
Vehicle restrictions: Many access roads require appropriate vehicles. At Duck Pond Campsite, one camper warned, "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 cell coverage: Communication can be unreliable at most sites. A visitor to Duck Pond noted "Intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving on these rough roads." Similarly at Hemlock Ridge, expect "barely even a signal."
Bug preparation: Insect protection is essential, particularly near water sources. A visitor to Echo Lake warned, "Note, it can get swampy near the edge of the lake so you may want to bring bug spray." At Hemlock Ridge, another camper stated, "Bugs are relentless."
Tips for camping with families
Space limitations: Some sites accommodate limited group sizes. A camper at Taconic Hereford noted, "There's only a few spots, and the road is narrow with not much turnaround room." Consider this when planning for larger family groups.
Safety planning: Due to remote locations, families should implement safety protocols. One experienced camper at Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park advised, "Always let someone know where you are headed and when you plan to return."
Educational opportunities: These natural settings provide learning environments. A visitor to Taconic Hereford shared, "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."
Tips from RVers
Small trailer limitations: Most dispersed sites cannot accommodate larger RVs. At Taconic Hereford, a camper warned, "I wouldn't recommend for trailers or RVs." Betty Brook similarly notes, "I would not recommend this for large trailers. The site is fairly small."
Limited turnaround space: Access roads often lack adequate space for maneuvering larger vehicles. Sites like Duck Pond require careful planning, with one visitor noting they had to "go out the other way, which was way worse" when trying to navigate with their vehicle.
Clearance requirements: Unpaved access roads require vehicles with appropriate ground clearance. One Duck Pond visitor advised, "After driving unpaved dirt road for a while, we arrived a surprisingly well maintained beautiful campsites... Just be careful driving in the sometimes rough conditions."
