Dispersed camping near West Coxsackie, New York offers several primitive sites scattered throughout the Catskills and surrounding state forests. The area features elevations ranging from 400 to 2,000 feet with mixed hardwood forests and seasonal streams. Winter camping remains popular at several locations where road access stays open year-round, though campers should prepare for temperatures that can drop below freezing from November through March.
What to do
Fishing access points: Betty Brook Camp provides streamside camping with easy fishing access. "I live near this campground. It is rather remote, but it is right along West kill road. There's a stream alongside it, a fire pit, and a town about 8 mi away," notes a local reviewer at Betty Brook Camp.
Mountain biking trails: Explore the network of bike-friendly trails from Ushers Road State Forest. "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," explains a visitor at Ushers Road State Forest.
Winter camping options: Several sites remain accessible during colder months. "Was a great location for winter camping. Site easily accessible from road. Beautiful, peaceful, great time!" reports a winter camper at Burnt Rossman State Forest - Westkill Camp.
What campers like
Secluded ponds: Duck Pond Campsite provides a peaceful setting despite challenging access. "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," shares a reviewer at Duck Pond Campsite.
Hillside views: Echo Lake offers elevated camping spots with panoramic perspectives. "We camped on the hill with a beautiful view of the whole lake and breeze," reports a camper at Echo Lake.
Remote solitude: Several locations provide genuine seclusion from other campers. "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," explains a regular visitor to Betty Brook Camp.
What you should know
Vehicle clearance requirements: Many access roads require appropriate vehicles. "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," warns a visitor about Duck Pond Campsite.
Campsite availability: Some locations have limited capacity. "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," notes a camper about Burnt Rossman State Forest - Westkill Camp.
Cell service variability: Connectivity ranges from none to moderate depending on location. "Intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving on these rough roads," reports a camper at Duck Pond Campsite.
Tips for camping with families
Accessible primitive sites: Allaben Primitive Campsites offers family-friendly amenities close to civilization. "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," notes a visitor at Allaben Primitive Campsites.
Trail exploration options: Multiple forests provide short hiking opportunities suitable for children. "There is a couple of spots," mentions a camper about Betty Brook Camp, referring to the camping areas along the stream that families can explore.
Safety planning: Maintain communication plans when venturing into more remote areas. "Always let someone know where you are headed and when you plan to return," advises a camper at Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park.
Tips from RVers
Small rigs only: Most dispersed sites accommodate compact campers rather than large setups. "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," cautions a reviewer at Taconic Hereford Multiple Use Park.
Entrance conditions: Monitor ground conditions at campsite access points. "Entrance is soft," warns a camper about Burnt Rossman State Forest - Westkill Camp, suggesting potential difficulty for heavier vehicles after rain.
Parking alternatives: Some locations offer parking across from campsites when conditions warrant. "Parking across the street if it's wet," notes a visitor to Burnt Rossman State Forest - Westkill Camp.
