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Best Dispersed Camping near Palenville, NY

22 Reviews

The Catskill Mountains surrounding Palenville offer several free dispersed camping options within relatively short driving distances. Echo Lake provides primitive tent sites accessible by hiking approximately 1.5 miles from the trailhead, with sites surrounding the lake and one lean-to. Nearby, Allaben Primitive Campsites offers drive-in access with designated spots including fire pits and a small pond. According to one visitor, it's a "nice spot right off the main road and close to town."

Denning Trailhead Peekamoose area features backcountry sites about 1.5 miles from the parking area, many positioned along a river. Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park provides a more accessible option with "plenty of trails to explore" while maintaining cell service. Road conditions can be challenging at several sites, with Duck Pond Campsite requiring small vehicles due to rough access roads. Most dispersed camping areas enforce standard 14-day limits and follow leave-no-trace principles, with limited or no amenities. Visitors should be prepared for self-sufficient backcountry camping with their own water and waste disposal methods.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Palenville, New York (16)

    1. Echo Lake

    2 Reviews
    Woodstock, NY
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 652-7365

    "There are tent sites around the whole lake with fire pits and 1 lean-to site at the end of the trail when you first arrive at the lake.  The sites are relatively flat and well shaded with trees. "

    "Lake is surrounded by hills and there is a small lean two with a few campfire spots."

    2. Devil's Kitchen Lean-to

    1 Review
    Elka Park, NY
    5 miles

    "Lean-to is right on the overlook trail so a lot of hikers passing by."

    3. Mink Hollow Lean-to

    1 Review
    Elka Park, NY
    8 miles

    "Lean-to is just off the Mink Hollow trail near the Devil's Path there is an outhouse near lean-to. A reliable piped spring is a quarter mile away."

    4. Allaben Primitive Campsites

    2 Reviews
    Shandaken, NY
    17 miles

    "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."

    "Cool spot next to a pond. There are a few others that aren’t next to a pond, and therefore not as cool… but still pretty cool bc it’s free and you can walk up a little to a pond."

    5. Denning Trailhead Peekamoose Primitive Camping

    1 Review
    Claryville, NY
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 256-3076

    "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."

    6. Sage's Revine

    2 Reviews
    Taconic, CT
    30 miles
    Website

    "Near non-potable stream, no fires allowed, bathroom is fine, bear boxes available. 50 feet between platforms. Right over the border of CT into MA on the Appalachian Trail."

    7. Jug End Dispersed — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

    2 Reviews
    South Egremont, MA
    30 miles
    Website

    "Trash cans, but carry out is preferable."

    8. Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park

    3 Reviews
    Verbank, NY
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 256-3000

    "99% off people don't even know this area exists. If you want a quiet piece of beautiful forest to truly rough it and go camping for a few days, then this is what you have been looking for."

    "This spot is easy to find and access, and had decent ATT service. There's only a few spots, and the road is narrow with not much turnaround room, I wouldn't recommend for trailers or RVs."

    9. Burnt Rossman State Forest - Westkill Camp

    2 Reviews
    North Blenheim, NY
    33 miles

    "Was a great location for winter camping. Site easily accessible from road. Beautiful, peaceful, great time!"

    "Entrance is soft"

    10. Duck Pond Campsite

    2 Reviews
    North Blenheim, NY
    33 miles

    "After driving unpaved dirt road for a while, we arrived a surprisingly well maintained beautiful campsites. The pond is small so the mosquitos were not too bad."

    "Intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving on these rough roads"

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Palenville, NY

8 Photos of 16 Palenville Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Palenville, NY

22 Reviews of 16 Palenville Campgrounds

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2021

    Echo Lake

    Lovely Camping in the Catskills

    This campground was my first backpacking trip and it was perfect!  There are tent sites around the whole lake with fire pits and 1 lean-to site at the end of the trail when you first arrive at the lake.  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.  Make sure you practice leave no trace principles and pack out what you bring in!  It does get a little crowded later in the day so you may have to share space with others and it can be a little noisy at night.

  • Doc B.
    Jun. 17, 2021

    Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park

    A hidden gem...

    99% off people don't even know this area exists. If you want a quiet piece of beautiful forest to truly rough it and go camping for a few days, then this is what you have been looking for. 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. 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. Please enjoy Mother Nature's healing love, and leave the area cleaner than when you arrived. Always let someone know where you are headed and when you plan to return.

  • YThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2024

    Duck Pond Campsite

    Open quite campsites

    After driving unpaved dirt road for a while, we arrived a 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. Just be careful driving in the sometimes rough conditions.

  • The L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 10, 2025

    Duck Pond Campsite

    Small vehicle only

    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. Intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving on these rough roads

  • Cory D.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2019

    Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed

    A place to sleep near the gunks

    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. Normal LNT rules apply. Bugs are relentless. Many climbers stay there for access to the gunks.

  • Dawn M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 25, 2025

    Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed

    Pretty cool

    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. The parking lot only holds about 4-5 cars, 6 if you park real tight. 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. I was the only one here & it was a very peaceful & relaxing night

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Sage's Revine

    Not highest recommended

    There was a bunch of signs that said no parking so we parked at the entrance to the trailhead. The area itself is beautiful but I believe it is more for tent camping versus cars, overlanding vehicles and RVs.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park

    Convenient pit stop

    This spot is easy to find and access, and had decent ATT service. There's only a few spots, and the road is narrow with not much turnaround room, I wouldn't recommend for trailers or RVs.

Guide to Palenville

Multiple primitive camping opportunities exist around the Catskill region near Palenville, New York. Echo Lake offers backcountry tent sites with fire pits surrounding the water and one lean-to, accessible via hiking trail. According to a visitor, "The sites are relatively flat and well shaded with trees" though "it can get swampy near the edge of the lake." Denning Trailhead Peekamoose provides primitive sites approximately 1.5 miles from the trailhead with riverside camping options.

Several drive-in dispersed sites accommodate both tent and small vehicle camping. Allaben Primitive Campsites provides easy access near town with a small pond, fire pit, and picnic table. Duck Pond Campsite offers more remote camping but requires navigating rough forest roads that may challenge larger vehicles. A camper noted, "The road in on old cemetery rd was pretty rough" with "intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving." Betty Brook Camp features streamside camping with basic amenities including drinking water and picnic tables. The free sites in this region typically require adherence to standard Leave No Trace principles, with most enforcing the standard 14-day camping limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Palenville, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Palenville, NY is Echo Lake with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Palenville, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 16 dispersed camping locations near Palenville, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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