Dispersed camping near Warnerville, New York encompasses several state forests and primitive sites within the western Catskill region. The area sits at elevations ranging from approximately 900 to 1,800 feet, with terrain characterized by rolling hills, mixed hardwood forests, and numerous small streams. Winter camping options remain accessible in certain locations despite seasonal road closures that can limit vehicle access from November through April.
What to do
Fishing access points: At Allaben Primitive Campsites, trails lead directly to fishing access across the main road. One camper noted, "Trails to the fishing access across the road," making this a convenient base for anglers seeking easy water access.
Wildlife viewing: The parking area at Fort Plain Lock 15 provides prime river viewing opportunities. According to a visitor, "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)."
Mountain biking: Several state forest areas permit mountain biking on established trails. At Ushers Road State Forest, 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."
Winter exploration: Dispersed sites in this region often remain accessible during colder months. A camper at Burnt Rossman State Forest mentioned, "Was a great location for winter camping. Site easily accessible from road. Beautiful, peaceful, great time!"
What campers like
Isolation and quiet: Many dispersed sites offer significant privacy from other campers. A regular at Betty Brook Camp shared, "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."
Stream access: Multiple sites feature water proximity, which campers consistently appreciate. One visitor mentioned, "You camp on the stream. There is a couple of spots," when describing Betty Brook Camp.
Established fire rings: Several sites come equipped with pre-existing fire pits. At Echo Lake, a camper observed, "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)."
Lean-to availability: Some locations feature rustic shelters. At Echo Lake, a visitor commented, "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."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to many sites require cautious driving. One visitor to Duck Pond Campsite warned, "Just be careful driving in the sometimes rough conditions," while another added that the roads needed "careful navigation" during wet periods.
Site capacity: Most dispersed sites accommodate limited groups. At Burnt Rossman State Forest - Westkill Camp, a visitor noted, "There is enough room for 2 to 3 campers. Parking across the street if it's wet. Entrance is soft."
Noise factors: Not all sites provide silent surroundings. Regarding Fort Plain Lock 15, a camper advised, "It offers sounds of the highway and freight trains going by, my wife and I love it. If you need quiet, keep on moving."
Seasonal wetness: Weather affects site conditions significantly. One camper noted at Ushers Road State Forest, "The terrain eventually transitions into a low-lying, swampy area, likely due to recent rainfall over the past week."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for children: Choose locations with natural features that provide entertainment. Allaben Primitive Campsites offers "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."
Amenities for comfort: Some locations provide basic facilities helpful for families. At Fort Plain Lock 15, a visitor noted, "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."
Trail difficulty assessment: When planning hikes with children, consider trail conditions. One Echo Lake visitor cautioned, "It can get swampy near the edge of the lake so you may want to bring bug spray," while another mentioned that "sites are relatively flat and well shaded with trees."
Campsite spacing: For family privacy, select locations with adequate separation. Duck Pond Campsite provides "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."
Tips from RVers
Vehicle size limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate only smaller RVs or campervans. Peter at Betty Brook Camp advised, "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."
Parking surface conditions: Evaluate ground stability before attempting to park RVs. At Burnt Rossman State Forest, a camper warned about soft entrance conditions, recommending alternative parking "across the street if it's wet."
Site access requirements: Vehicle clearance matters significantly when accessing remote sites. One visitor to Duck Pond Campsite 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."
Water and waste planning: No hookups exist at these sites, requiring self-containment. A Fort Plain Lock 15 visitor noted that while potable water is available, RVers should prepare for limited facilities as most sites have "minimal or no facilities" beyond the basic amenities.
