Dispersed camping options near Roscoe, New York include sites along the Delaware River and within the western Catskills region at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,500 feet. The area receives approximately 45 inches of annual rainfall, with summer temperatures averaging 70-80°F during the day and dropping to 50-60°F at night. Campers should prepare for sudden weather changes even during summer months.
What to do
Fishing access points: Little Pond Campground offers excellent fishing opportunities with several campers reporting eagles and beavers visible from kayaks. According to Lauren S., "Got a kayak for the day and it was a great rate. Saw beavers and eagles."
Hiking trails: Bear Spring Mountain features extensive trail networks suitable for all skill levels. Amber A. noted, "There is some pretty serious hiking on site and nearby. There was a lot of horse activity but I don't know if you can hire them here. Lots of wildlife!"
Water recreation: Roscoe Campsites provides direct river access to the Beaverkill. Mike C. shared, "Nice place. Only ever been during mid week and the place is empty which is nice. Great access to the beaverkill."
What campers like
Secluded waterfront sites: Alder Lake offers walk-in sites with significant privacy along the shoreline. Nora S. reported, "The campsites are very spacious with lots of room between you and other campers, and have a fire pit and some have picnic tables. There's no noise at night apart from the running water of the stream."
Free camping options: Some Catskills campgrounds offer no-cost camping with trade-offs in amenities. Regarding Alder Lake, SJ W. mentioned, "Love this place will definitely be back, not sure why it didn't show up for free camping when I had it filtered, found it on another app."
Stream play areas: Russell Brook Campsites features direct brook access popular with families. One camper shared, "Our site was massive (39) and and direct access to Russell Brook. Couldn't keep my son out of the water. Very peaceful."
What you should know
Pet policies: Beyond the dog parks mentioned in other campgrounds, Hunter Lake Campgrounds is pet-friendly for both tent and RV campers. William J F. explained, "Only place still run like a family campground should be run. Wonderful owners. All campers were kind. Very quiet place at night."
Reservation systems: Some campgrounds require traditional booking methods. Justin H. noted about Hunter Lake, "The only way to make a reservation is by calling them (and then apparently you have to mail them a check or money order to reserve your spot!?!), but I have called three times now across the span of a week and a half and haven't received any kind of response."
Site spacing considerations: Beaverkill Campground sites offer varying degrees of privacy. Luke S. shared, "My only complaint would be the size of each campsite. Some are larger than others but overall most sites are fairly small and there isn't much privacy between them."
Tips for camping with families
Stream access sites: Russell Brook offers specific sites with shallow water access ideal for children. Mike C. reported, "Couldn't keep my son out of the water. Very peaceful. Felt like we had the place to ourselves."
Quiet hour enforcement: Little Pond Campground enforces strict quiet hours beneficial for families with young children. Gabriella G. mentioned, "Since it's a very family oriented campground having rules like quiet hours makes total sense, but this place takes things to the extreme."
Bear safety protocols: Catskills campgrounds have varying bear safety requirements. At Alder Lake, campers note each walk-in site "has its own bear box and outhouse."
Tips from RVers
Midweek availability: For RVers seeking quieter experiences, Peaceful Valley Campsite offers less crowded conditions on weekdays. Dave S. noted, "Great location with nice riverside spots. Weekdays are quiet, weekends not so much. Full hook-ups."
Site surface conditions: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Roscoe have varying site surfaces. Justin H. observed at Roscoe Campsites, "The 'tent sites' are not actually built for tents. The ground is worn over and very rocky. If you visit, bring incredibly thick sleeping pads or air mattresses if you want to sleep semi-comfortably."
Cell service limitations: RVers planning to stay connected should note connectivity challenges. Giselle P. shared about Little Pond Campground, "Cell service is non existent and they have a pay phone near the entrance booth where you can use to make/receive phone calls. It's a 20 min drive back into town to get cell service."
