Dispersed camping opportunities surround Round Top, New York in the northern Catskill region, with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 3,500 feet creating varied terrain and microclimates. Most primitive campsites in state forests follow New York's general backwoods camping regulations requiring setup at least 150 feet from water sources. Local dispersed camping areas frequently experience temperature fluctuations of 15-20 degrees between day and night, even in summer months.
What to do
Fishing local streams: Multiple primitive campsites along Betty Brook Camp provide direct access to trout fishing opportunities. According to a regular visitor, "You camp on the stream. There is a couple of spots" with easy water access for anglers looking for free camping near Round Top, New York.
Mountain hiking: Denning Trailhead offers access to challenging Catskill peaks from primitive camping areas. "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," notes a backpacker who used this area as a basecamp for summit attempts.
Wildlife observation: Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park features over 900 acres of undeveloped forest habitat connecting to additional protected lands. One camper explains, "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."
What campers like
Lakeside camping: Echo Lake offers tent sites encircling the water with varied terrain options. One camper reports, "We camped on the hill with a beautiful view of the whole lake and breeze" - providing both scenic vistas and natural cooling during warmer months.
Solitude: Betty Brook primitive camping attracts those seeking minimal crowds. A long-time visitor 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." This represents the quintessential no-cost camping experience near Round Top.
Established fire rings: Several dispersed sites including Allaben Primitive Campsites feature basic fire amenities. One reviewer notes the site has a "Fire pit with cooking griddle" - an unexpected bonus for primitive camping that enhances meal preparation options.
Winter accessibility: Burnt Rossman State Forest remains open during colder months with vehicle access maintained. A winter camper commented, "Was a great location for winter camping. Site easily accessible from road. Beautiful, peaceful, great time!"
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to Duck Pond Campsite requires careful vehicle selection. A visitor warns, "The road in on old cemetery rd was pretty rough, so we decided to go out the other way, which was way worse." High-clearance vehicles are recommended for many free camping areas around Round Top.
Cell service: Connectivity varies dramatically across dispersed sites. At Duck Pond, a camper experienced "Intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving on these rough roads" - highlighting the importance of downloaded offline maps.
Site privacy: Echo Lake's popularity can lead to shared spaces during peak times. A camper observed, "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."
Water conditions: Mosquito activity correlates with proximity to water sources. One Echo Lake visitor advises, "Note, it can get swampy near the edge of the lake so you may want to bring bug spray."
Tips for camping with families
Accessible pond sites: Allaben Primitive Campsites offers drive-up access near a small pond. A family camper describes, "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."
Trail networks: Many primitive sites connect to wider hiking systems appropriate for various age groups. At Duck Pond Campsite, despite rough access roads, one visitor found "surprisingly well maintained beautiful campsites" with manageable hiking opportunities.
Safety planning: Cell service unreliability requires additional preparation with children. A camper at Taconic Hereford advises, "Always let someone know where you are headed and when you plan to return."
Tips from RVers
Site limitations: Most dispersed camping around Round Top accommodates only smaller rigs or vans. A camper familiar with Betty Brook notes, "I would not recommend this for large trailers. The site is fairly small, but it's in state park, and there's tons of walking that can be done."
Turnaround challenges: Access roads often lack adequate turning space for longer vehicles. A Duck Pond camper observed their vehicle struggled with "driving unpaved dirt road for a while" before reaching the campsite, making navigation difficult for larger rigs.
Seasonal access: Winter camping remains possible but requires appropriate vehicles and preparation. Smaller RVs and camper vans can access some sites year-round, particularly at Burnt Rossman State Forest where winter camping was reported as "easily accessible from road."
