Best Dispersed Camping near Roxbury, NY
Dispersed camping sites surround the Roxbury area in New York's Catskill region, with several primitive camping locations available on state forest lands. The Duck Pond Campsite, Burnt Rossman State Forest, Betty Brook Camp, and Allaben Primitive Campsites offer free or low-cost options for tent and sometimes RV camping. These sites generally feature minimal to no amenities and follow typical state forest camping regulations. Most locations allow camping without permits or reservations, though some areas have seasonal restrictions.
Access roads to many sites require careful navigation, particularly during wet conditions. Several reviews note rough, unpaved dirt roads leading to campsites like Duck Pond, where one visitor cautioned that "the road in on old cemetery rd was pretty rough" and recommended "small vehicle only." Cell service is intermittent in many areas, which can be problematic when navigating remote forest roads. Sites are typically primitive with no water sources, bathrooms, or garbage facilities. Campers must pack out all trash and follow leave-no-trace principles throughout the region.
Many locations feature stream access or pond views, providing peaceful natural settings. Betty Brook Camp allows camping directly alongside a stream, and as one visitor noted, it's "remote. Sometimes you never see anyone." The Westkill Camp in Burnt Rossman State Forest has been described as "a great location for winter camping" with sites "easily accessible from road." Echo Lake offers tent sites around the entire lake with established fire pits and a lean-to, though "it can get a little crowded later in the day" according to a visitor. Winter camping is possible in some locations, but accessibility becomes more challenging as roads may not be maintained during snowy conditions.