Best Dispersed Camping near Stamford, NY

Dispersed camping opportunities abound in the Stamford, New York region, with several primitive sites available in nearby state forests. Burnt Rossman State Forest - Westkill Camp offers accessible tent and RV camping with established fire rings. Duck Pond Campsite provides a secluded experience near a small body of water, while Betty Brook Camp features streamside camping with picnic tables and drinking water. These free public land camping areas typically permit pets and allow campfires in designated rings.

Road conditions to many sites require careful navigation. Duck Pond Campsite access involves unpaved dirt roads that can be challenging for larger vehicles. According to reviews, "The road in on old cemetery rd was pretty rough" and visitors are advised to bring small vehicles only. Cell service is intermittent throughout the region, particularly at remote sites. Winter access becomes limited at many locations, with several forest roads remaining unmaintained during snow season.

Most dispersed sites in the area lack amenities such as toilets, trash service, or drinking water. Campers should prepare to pack out all waste and bring sufficient water supplies. Betty Brook Camp is an exception, offering drinking water and picnic tables. Burnt Rossman State Forest - Westkill Camp accommodates 2-3 campers and remains accessible year-round. As one camper noted, it was "a great location for winter camping" with sites "easily accessible from road." Fire regulations permit campfires at most locations, but visitors must practice proper fire safety and follow Leave No Trace principles. Ticks are prevalent in the region, particularly during warmer months, so appropriate precautions are recommended.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Stamford, New York (14)

    1. Burnt Rossman State Forest - Westkill Camp

    2 Reviews
    North Blenheim, NY
    8 miles

    "Was a great location for winter camping. Site easily accessible from road. Beautiful, peaceful, great time!"

    "Entrance is soft"

    2. Duck Pond Campsite

    2 Reviews
    North Blenheim, NY
    10 miles

    "After driving unpaved dirt road for a while, we arrived a surprisingly well maintained beautiful campsites. The pond is small so the mosquitos were not too bad."

    "Intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving on these rough roads"

    3. Betty Brook Camp

    2 Reviews
    West Fulton, NY
    10 miles

    "I live near this campground. I'm about a mile away and I pass it every day. It is rather remote, but it is right along West kill road."

    "Remote. Sometimes you never see anyone. Sometimes you see some people. You camp on the stream. There is a couple of spots"

    4. Allaben Primitive Campsites

    1 Review
    Shandaken, NY
    25 miles

    "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. Trails to the fishing access across the road."

    7. Denning Trailhead Peekamoose Primitive Camping

    1 Review
    Claryville, NY
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 256-3076

    "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."

    8. Echo Lake

    2 Reviews
    Woodstock, NY
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 652-7365

    "There are tent sites around the whole lake with fire pits and 1 lean-to site at the end of the trail when you first arrive at the lake.  The sites are relatively flat and well shaded with trees. "

    "Lake is surrounded by hills and there is a small lean two with a few campfire spots."

    9. Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail

    3 Reviews
    Fort Plain, NY
    37 miles

    "Continue driving past the original coordinates until you reach the dirt parking lot on the right. You’ll see signs that say “No Vehicles Past This Point” — those apply only to the grassy picnic area."

    "It offers sounds of the highway and freight trains going by, my wife and I love it. If you need quiet, keep on moving. There are grills in the grassy area for tent camping, also a potable water tap."

    10. Beals Pond State Forest

    1 Review
    Trout Creek, NY
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (518) 357-2161
Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 14 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Stamford, NY

15 Reviews of 14 Stamford Campgrounds


  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2019

    Whaupaunaucau State Forest

    Hidden gem in Chenango County

    You have to work a bit to find info on the Whaupaunaucau state forest as a camping destination, but for primitive campers that is part of the appeal! This is a relatively unknown oasis outside of the county, but this state forest has a network of miles of trails for both hiking and criss country skiing. There is an offifical lean-to shelter and developed campsite on trail 20 (see map) but there are several primitive sites with tent site and stine fireplace, plus dispersed leave-no-trace camping is allowed anywhere in the state forest, and the possibilities are endless. Lovely hilly vistas, pondside glens, and lots of clearings near clear streams deep in this old stately forest. A great place to get away from it all for hiking and camping but it is also a fantastic place to go if you enjoy botanizing or birding, lots of unusual species to see. Just beware of ticks, they are invading the region

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2021

    Echo Lake

    Lovely Camping in the Catskills

    This campground was my first backpacking trip and it was perfect!  There are tent sites around the whole lake with fire pits and 1 lean-to site at the end of the trail when you first arrive at the lake.  The sites are relatively flat and well shaded with trees.  Note, it can get swampy near the edge of the lake so you may want to bring bug spray.  Make sure you practice leave no trace principles and pack out what you bring in!  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.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 27, 2024

    Beals Pond State Forest

    Not easily accessible in winter

    This state forest is beautiful but not easily accessible in the winter. After a certain point, the road is not maintained in the winter and I was unable to get cell reception with Verizon.

  • YThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2024

    Duck Pond Campsite

    Open quite campsites

    After driving unpaved dirt road for a while, we arrived a 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. Just be careful driving in the sometimes rough conditions.

  • The L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 10, 2025

    Duck Pond Campsite

    Small vehicle only

    The road in on old cemetery rd was pretty rough, so we decided to go out the other way, which was way worse. The site itself, was pretty nice, Fire pit, trickling stream, but the years taken off the life of my truck was not worth it. Intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving on these rough roads

  • Mona M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 16, 2025

    Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail

    Just Passed Lock 15

    Continue driving past the original coordinates until you reach the dirt parking lot on the right. You’ll see signs that say “No Vehicles Past This Point” — those apply only to the grassy picnic area. The parking lot is large, rocky, and uneven, situated right on the Mohawk River. It's a great spot for wildlife viewing and fishing (with a valid license). Verizon cell service is good here. At the lock parking area, you'll find pit toilets, a dumpster, and potable water available on the side of the building as you enter.

  • The L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 10, 2025

    Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail

    Great overnight.

    Simply it’s a parking lot with a view. The parking area is right on the water. It offers sounds of the highway and freight trains going by, my wife and I love it. If you need quiet, keep on moving. There are grills in the grassy area for tent camping, also a potable water tap.

  • James A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 29, 2025

    Echo Lake

    Beautiful lake with lean to

    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) We camped on the hill with a beautiful view of the whole lake and breeze.

  • The L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 9, 2025

    Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail

    High season

    Well, I’m back, it’s June, and there are 3 other groups here. 1 boat, and 2 tent camping. The parking lot is still empty. The water was significantly lower last time I was here. They have dropped the gates, and the lock is in operation. The resident peacock has been keeping me company. Tried fishing, without any luck, it had been raining a lot lately, so maybe that was the reason. It still has the highway noise and of course the train noise going by, but I love that. I anticipate another lovely sleep. It’s quite breezy, so the windows will be open. I’m in my happy place!!!


Guide to Stamford

Dispersed camping opportunities around Stamford, New York include several primitive sites within the Catskill Mountain region at elevations between 1,500-2,500 feet. The area features a mix of hardwood forests and small streams or ponds, with most primitive camping located in nearby state forests. These public lands typically maintain seasonal access roads that close during winter months, though some sites remain accessible year-round.

What to do

Hike to fishing spots: The Denning Trailhead Peekamoose Primitive Camping area offers stream-side camping approximately 1.5 miles from the trailhead. "Great 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," reports one camper.

Wildlife viewing: Fort Plain Lock 15 provides opportunities to observe local wildlife along the Mohawk River. "It's a great spot for wildlife viewing and fishing with a valid license. Verizon cell service is good here," according to one visitor.

Explore remote forests: Beals Pond State Forest contains unmarked trails and primitive sites. The forest offers seasonal access, but visitors should note that "after a certain point, the road is not maintained in the winter and I was unable to get cell reception with Verizon," according to one camper review.

What campers like

Peaceful water features: Echo Lake receives positive feedback for its scenic camping options. "Lake is surrounded by hills and there is a small lean to with a few campfire spots. Other campsites are scattered and require navigating through small overgrown trails. We camped on the hill with a beautiful view of the whole lake and breeze," writes one visitor.

Secluded locations: At Duck Pond Campsite, campers appreciate the remote setting. "After driving unpaved dirt road for a while, we arrived at 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."

Consistent availability: Free camping near Stamford, New York remains accessible throughout multiple seasons. One regular visitor to Betty Brook Camp notes: "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."

What you should know

Road conditions: Many sites require navigation of unpaved roads that deteriorate seasonally. Duck Pond Campsite reviews mention challenging access: "Just be careful driving in the sometimes rough conditions." Another camper specifically warns about the return route: "The site itself was pretty nice, Fire pit, trickling stream, but the years taken off the life of my truck was not worth it."

Limited services: Most dispersed camping lacks amenities. At Allaben Primitive Campsites, facilities are minimal but practical: "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. Trails to the fishing access across the road."

Seasonal constraints: Winter conditions significantly restrict access to multiple camping areas. Beals Pond State Forest becomes particularly challenging as "the road is not maintained in the winter" according to visitor reports. Cell service reliability also decreases during winter months at most remote locations.

Tips for camping with families

Choose sites with established facilities: Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail provides more amenities than typical dispersed sites. "At the lock parking area, you'll find pit toilets, a dumpster, and potable water available on the side of the building as you enter," notes one camper.

Consider noise levels: Some locations have ambient sound that may affect light sleepers. At Fort Plain, one camper mentions: "It offers sounds of the highway and freight trains going by. If you need quiet, keep on moving. There are grills in the grassy area for tent camping, also a potable water tap."

Plan for bugs: Echo Lake can become buggy in warmer months. "It can get swampy near the edge of the lake so you may want to bring bug spray. Make sure you practice leave no trace principles and pack out what you bring in," advises one visitor.

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Burnt Rossman State Forest - Westkill Camp accommodates smaller recreational vehicles but has limited space. "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. Entrance is soft," reports one RVer.

Surface considerations: Many dispersed camping areas feature uneven terrain challenging for larger vehicles. Betty Brook Camp has limitations noted by a local resident: "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."

Seasonal planning: Winter camping requires specific preparation at most locations. At Burnt Rossman State Forest, one camper found that it "was a great location for winter camping. Site easily accessible from road. Beautiful, peaceful, great time!"

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Stamford, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Stamford, NY is Burnt Rossman State Forest - Westkill Camp with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Stamford, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 14 dispersed camping locations near Stamford, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.