Best Dispersed Camping near Poughquag, NY
Several dispersed camping areas surround Poughquag, New York, primarily across New York and Connecticut state lands. Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park offers free primitive camping across 900 acres of forested land. The area requires hiking in to establish campsites and provides no amenities beyond sanitary dump facilities. The narrow access road has limited parking and poor turnaround space, making it unsuitable for RVs or trailers.
Hemlock Ridge MUA provides another free dispersed option with tent camping opportunities but no facilities. The small parking area accommodates only 4-6 vehicles, and campers must hike in to set up at least 150 feet from trails. One camper noted, "There are absolutely no amenities whatsoever and barely even a signal here, but it's quiet and off the beaten path." Additional primitive sites can be found at Echo Lake in the Catskills, which features established tent sites around the lake, fire pits, and a lean-to, though it requires a backpacking trip to access. Most dispersed sites in the region observe standard Leave No Trace principles with variable regulations on fires depending on location and season.
