Dispersed camping near Ravena, New York extends beyond the better-known state forests into several less-traveled wilderness areas. The terrain ranges from 400 to 2,000 feet elevation with varied topography offering both lowland stream-side sites and higher elevation forest camping. Most accessible sites remain open year-round, though winter access requires appropriate vehicle capabilities and cold-weather gear as temperatures often drop below freezing from December through March.
What to do
Hiking and wildlife viewing: Several campsites connect to hiking trails with varying difficulty levels. Echo Lake provides access to multiple trails around the lake perimeter. James A. notes, "Lake is surrounded by hills and there is a small lean two with a few campfire spots. Other campsites are scattered and require navigating through small overgrown trails (wear pants)."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple small streams and ponds offer fishing options near campsites. At Betty Brook Camp, campers can fish directly adjacent to their site. Robert B. shares, "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."
Winter camping: Several sites remain accessible during colder months, particularly for campers seeking solitude. At Burnt Rossman State Forest - Westkill Camp, Felix R. found "a great location for winter camping. Site easily accessible from road. Beautiful, peaceful, great time!"
What campers like
Privacy and remoteness: Most sites offer significant distance from other campers. Campers at NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot appreciate the isolation. Danny D. confirms it's a "Peaceful and quiet dispersed camping spot. Large enough for 2-3 vehicles or one large rig/RV. Very few vehicles pass, some days none."
Stream access: Multiple sites feature creeks or streams running directly through or adjacent to campsites. Peter from Betty Brook Camp mentions, "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."
Established fire rings: Many sites contain previously built fire rings despite primitive conditions. At Duck Pond Campsite, Yae U. reports finding "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."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to most rustic camping near Ravena requires driving on unpaved roads with variable conditions. Yae U. advises Duck Pond campers to "be careful driving in the sometimes rough conditions."
Lack of facilities: Most areas have no toilets or water sources. Bring adequate water supplies, waste bags, and sanitation supplies. At George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed, campers should prepare for basic conditions. David G. noted, "It had rained a lot prior to our arrival, and several sites were damp. We found a perfect site off the road on the right side."
Seasonal considerations: Sites can become wet during spring or after rainfall periods. Michele N. from NFR 273 found "At least a dozen spots, some very spacious. Only crashed for 1 night but will be coming back to spend a few, this area was excellent!"
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly between camping areas. C H. notes about George D Aiken Wilderness, "The camp spots were all pretty spread out from each other and the road was easy to drive on. There were only about 10 spots along the access road. Brewery, distillery, beautiful lakes and scenic towns all within 15 minutes of the sites."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with stream access: Children often enjoy exploring shallow water features. Peter from Betty Brook Camp mentions it's "right along West kill road. There's a stream alongside it, a fire pit, and a town about 8 mi away."
Pack insect protection: Some areas experience significant bug activity, especially in summer months. Natasha T. warns about Sage's Revine, "A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well."
Consider site accessibility: Some locations require minimal walking from parking areas, making them suitable for families with young children. The L. describes Ushers Road State Forest: "About 500 feet down the right-hand trail, there is a smaller path branching off to the left. This leads to a previously used campsite, approximately 200 feet from the main trail."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller vehicles only. The L. cautions about Duck Pond: "The road in on old cemetery rd was pretty rough, so we decided to go out the other way, which was way worse... years taken off the life of my truck."
Check road conditions: Call local ranger stations before attempting remote camping with larger vehicles. SJ W. from NFR 273 found "Many pull offs but a lot were too wet for my van and I was afraid of getting stuck. The road itself was in great condition though."
Designated parking areas: Some sites have specific areas for vehicle parking separated from tent camping areas. At Burnt Rossman State Forest, The L. advises, "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."
