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Best Dispersed Camping near Stottville, NY

20 Reviews

Dispersed camping can be found within state forests and protected lands near Stottville, New York. Several free primitive sites are located in the surrounding region, including Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park, Ushers Road State Forest, and primitive campsites near Echo Lake in the Catskills. Most areas maintain minimal facilities in keeping with true backcountry camping principles. The region provides various options for tent camping with access types ranging from drive-in sites to those requiring hiking to reach camping areas.

Access roads to many dispersed camping areas feature unpaved surfaces and can become challenging during wet conditions. Multiple reviews indicate rough road conditions at sites like Duck Pond Campsite, where one visitor noted "the road in on old cemetery rd was pretty rough." Sites vary considerably in amenities, with most offering primitive camping with no water, toilets, or trash services. Fire restrictions differ between locations, with some areas like Jug End prohibiting fires while others like Echo Lake and Burnt Rossman State Forest permit campfires in established fire rings. Cell service is typically intermittent, with one camper reporting "frightening" gaps in coverage while navigating rough roads.

The dispersed camping sites near Stottville provide varying experiences depending on proximity to water and natural features. Betty Brook Camp includes streamside sites, while Echo Lake offers lakeside camping with one visitor describing it as "surrounded by hills and there is a small lean to with a few campfire spots." Privacy levels differ between locations, with Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park described as "a hidden gem" where "99% of people don't even know this area exists." Winter camping is possible in some locations, with Burnt Rossman State Forest noted as "a great location for winter camping" according to visitor feedback. Most sites require adherence to proper wilderness ethics, with several reviewers emphasizing the importance of Leave No Trace principles.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Stottville, New York (14)

    1. Jug End Dispersed — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

    2 Reviews
    South Egremont, MA
    19 miles
    Website

    "Trash cans, but carry out is preferable."

    2. Echo Lake

    2 Reviews
    Woodstock, NY
    22 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."

    3. Sage's Revine

    2 Reviews
    Taconic, CT
    22 miles
    Website

    "Near non-potable stream, no fires allowed, bathroom is fine, bear boxes available. 50 feet between platforms. Right over the border of CT into MA on the Appalachian Trail."

    4. Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park

    3 Reviews
    Verbank, NY
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (845) 256-3000

    "99% off people don't even know this area exists. If you want a quiet piece of beautiful forest to truly rough it and go camping for a few days, then this is what you have been looking for."

    "This spot is easy to find and access, and had decent ATT service. There's only a few spots, and the road is narrow with not much turnaround room, I wouldn't recommend for trailers or RVs."

    5. Allaben Primitive Campsites

    1 Review
    Shandaken, NY
    33 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."

    6. Burnt Rossman State Forest - Westkill Camp

    2 Reviews
    North Blenheim, NY
    41 miles

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

    "Entrance is soft"

    7. Duck Pond Campsite

    2 Reviews
    North Blenheim, NY
    40 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"

    8. Rensselaerville State Forest

    Be the first to review!
    Preston Hollow, NY
    28 miles

    9. Ushers Road State Forest

    2 Reviews
    Round Lake, NY
    43 miles

    "This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails. I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side."

    10. Betty Brook Camp

    2 Reviews
    West Fulton, NY
    42 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"

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Stottville, NY

8 Photos of 14 Stottville Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Stottville, NY

20 Reviews of 14 Stottville Campgrounds

  • 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.

  • The L.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 8, 2025

    Ushers Road State Forest

    Trail head

    This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails. I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side. The terrain eventually transitions into a low-lying, swampy area, likely due to recent rainfall over the past week.

    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. The site includes a stone fire ring, indicating prior use.

    Given that camping is permitted anywhere in the woods as long as it’s at least 150 feet off the trail, the surrounding area offers an abundance of potential camping spots.

  • Doc B.
    Jun. 17, 2021

    Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park

    A hidden gem...

    99% off people don't even know this area exists. If you want a quiet piece of beautiful forest to truly rough it and go camping for a few days, then this is what you have been looking for. Less then 10 min drive from town, but hiking in and finding a suitable place to make camp has the feeling of the wild, with the safety of having full cell service. 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. Please enjoy Mother Nature's healing love, and leave the area cleaner than when you arrived. Always let someone know where you are headed and when you plan to return.

  • 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

  • Cory D.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2019

    Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed

    A place to sleep near the gunks

    This isn't a fancy campsite and has no amenities. There is a small(10 car) parking lot and a trail that runs thru 80 acres of forest. Camping is allowed anywhere 150ft from the trail. Normal LNT rules apply. Bugs are relentless. Many climbers stay there for access to the gunks.

  • Dawn M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 25, 2025

    Hemlock Ridge MUA Dispersed

    Pretty cool

    If you like dispersed camping, like me- this place is good. There are absolutely no amenities whatsoever & barely even a signal here, but it’s quiet & off the beaten path. The parking lot only holds about 4-5 cars, 6 if you park real tight. There’s no spectacular mountain views from above, but rather a quiet peaceful wooded area & although I only seen/stayed at one camping spot which is literally at about the required 150ft from the road, you can set up your own camp anywhere. I was the only one here & it was a very peaceful & relaxing night

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Sage's Revine

    Not highest recommended

    There was a bunch of signs that said no parking so we parked at the entrance to the trailhead. The area itself is beautiful but I believe it is more for tent camping versus cars, overlanding vehicles and RVs.

Guide to Stottville

Dispersed camping near Stottville, New York provides access to the diverse ecosystems of the eastern Catskills and Taconic Mountain ranges. The region receives approximately 46 inches of precipitation annually, creating varied camping conditions across seasons. Most dispersed sites sit at elevations between 400-2,000 feet, with temperature differences of 5-10 degrees between valley and ridge sites.

What to do

Fishing access points: At Allaben Primitive Campsites, visitors can enjoy convenient fishing access points. As one camper noted, "Trails to the fishing access across the road" make reaching prime fishing spots straightforward.

Winter exploration: The region offers excellent cold-weather camping opportunities. At Burnt Rossman State Forest, campers report the area is "a great location for winter camping. Site easily accessible from road. Beautiful, peaceful, great time!"

Trail biking: Ushers Road State Forest provides excellent options for cyclists looking to explore. One visitor reported, "This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails. I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side."

What campers like

Privacy levels: Camping options range from secluded to more social settings. At Betty Brook Camp, one visitor shared their experience: "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."

Streamside camping: Several sites offer water access directly from campsites. Betty Brook Camp features spots where "You camp on the stream. There is a couple of spots," according to regular visitors.

Convenient town access: Some campsites balance wilderness experience with practical needs. One camper at Betty Brook Camp mentioned, "There's a stream alongside it, a fire pit, and a town about 8 mi away. It's a small town, with just a gas station store."

What you should know

Road conditions: Access to many sites requires navigating unpaved roads of varying quality. At Duck Pond Campsite, one reviewer warned, "After driving unpaved dirt road for a while, we arrived a surprisingly well maintained beautiful campsites... Just be careful driving in the sometimes rough conditions."

Vehicle limitations: Not all sites accommodate larger vehicles. A Duck Pond Campsite visitor cautioned, "The road in on old cemetery rd was pretty rough, so we decided to go out the other way, which was way worse... the years taken off the life of my truck was not worth it."

Platform camping: Some AT-adjacent sites offer raised platforms rather than ground sites. At Sage's Revine, a hiker noted, "12 platforms available... 50 feet between platforms. Right over the border of CT into MA on the Appalachian Trail."

Tips for camping with families

Water features: Look for sites with small water features for exploration. Allaben Primitive Campsites offers a "Small pond" according to visitors, though they note "don't think there are any fish."

Cooking amenities: Some sites provide helpful cooking features. One camper at Allaben mentioned the "Fire pit with cooking griddle," which can simplify meal preparation.

Bug considerations: Be prepared for insects, especially near water. At Echo Lake, a camper advised, "Note, it can get swampy near the edge of the lake so you may want to bring bug spray."

Tips from RVers

Site access assessment: Small RVs can access some dispersed sites, but prior research is essential. At Duck Pond Campsite, a visitor specifically titled their review "Small vehicle only," indicating the limitations for larger rigs.

Parking alternatives: When conditions are wet, look for alternative parking areas. At Burnt Rossman State Forest - Westkill Camp, campers note there's "Parking across the street if it's wet. Entrance is soft."

Cell service planning: Connectivity varies significantly across the region. A visitor to Duck Pond Campsite reported "Intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving on these rough roads," highlighting the importance of pre-downloading maps.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Stottville, NY is Jug End Dispersed — Appalachian National Scenic Trail with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

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

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