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usmcshepherd's avatar
usmcshepherd
Explorer II
Oct 14, 2013

Catskill Mountains Boondocking

Hello all,

I am hoping to escape for a couple days this next week and while I would prefer to make it up in the Green Mountains of VT I just don't think I'll be able to make it that far this year (but will certainly next year). That said I was looking at the map and reading about the Catskills and it sounds like their colors are in full affect right now. The only problem is it appears that all state parks are closed as of today in the Catskill Mountains. So...being a good truck camper and more then willing to boondock on our own I was wondering if anyone had boondocked in their camper anywhere within the Catskills? Is it legal to do so, and if so if they could recommend a place to look? Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated....we will probably do some day hikes and possibly the historic train ride while in the area, but mostly just looking for a pretty place and some quiet.

Thanks in advance,
Truck Campers
  • bobndot's avatar
    bobndot
    Explorer II
    Oct 15, 2013
    ecoast wrote:
    ^^good links, but adirondacks, not catskills.

    OP can also 'stealth camp' in new paltz, rural college town; many restaurants/brewpub

    15 mins away is Mohonk Mountain House and Minnewaska State Park, both well worth a look...


    Catskill info is in the 2nd link as well . I used this link because I'm short on time right now to type it out myself. Sorry for the confusion , I ment to incl. a side note .

    You can park overnight at the trailhead parking lots for backpackers. Just don't put out an awning or build a campfire . NYS DEC has an ord. against overnight camping in these lots but parking is allowed .
  • DennisNYS's avatar
    DennisNYS
    Explorer
    Oct 15, 2013
    Hey Gunny,
    I am in the lower Catskills/Hudson Valley area, Ulster Cty.
    If you are traveling close by, or through, you are more than welcome to
    stay on my property overnight, or whatever. (12 miles from New Paltz).
    One 'old', and one young jarhead(s) on site.
    SF.
  • ecoast's avatar
    ecoast
    Explorer
    Oct 14, 2013
    ^^good links, but adirondacks, not catskills.

    OP can also 'stealth camp' in new paltz, rural college town; many restaurants/brewpub

    15 mins away is Mohonk Mountain House and Minnewaska State Park, both well worth a look...
  • usmcshepherd's avatar
    usmcshepherd
    Explorer II
    Oct 14, 2013
    Thanks for the info all...could be the government will be completely defunded by then and we'll all be looking for a new place to live:)!
  • ecoast's avatar
    ecoast
    Explorer
    Oct 14, 2013
    peekamoose area, sundown ny...

    berme road, ellenville, behind firehouse...
  • Tom_Barb's avatar
    Tom_Barb
    Explorer
    Oct 14, 2013
    usmcshepherd wrote:
    Tom/Barb...found the spot you mentioned but there appears to be homes around there. I followed Townsend Rd to the end and see a trail going into the forest..,looks beautiful but occupied...or am I seeing something else?


    The trail you are seeing is the old road that connected to the Huff Road. Way back in the 40s.

    My Dad bought that old farm that became all those houses in 1944, I was raised there and several other farms in the area, and my sister lives at the bottom of the Bramley Mountain road on the Bloomville side.

    If you camp at the turn around no one will bother you or say any thing.
  • usmcshepherd's avatar
    usmcshepherd
    Explorer II
    Oct 14, 2013
    Tom/Barb...found the spot you mentioned but there appears to be homes around there. I followed Townsend Rd to the end and see a trail going into the forest..,looks beautiful but occupied...or am I seeing something else?
  • Tom_Barb's avatar
    Tom_Barb
    Explorer
    Oct 14, 2013
    My favorite spot to boondock in the catskills is at the top of Bramley Mountain at the end of the Townsend Rd, off the Brambly mountain rd in Bovina Center, Delaware County.

    Use Google maps to get the addy.

    Hanford Mills is a nice place to visit, as is the Farmers Museum on rt 80 north of Cooperstown.

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