In the western Catskill Mountains, near Margretville and the Pepacton Reservior is Alder Lake, and old resort lake that is now State Forest, and offers primitive camping around the lake. It is backpack only in, however it is a short walk from the parking area to the approximately 7 designated primitive campsites around the lake.

The 77-acre man-made lake, is handsomely surrounded by a high mountains of the Mill Brook Range, and other unnamed mountains. It is a 6-mile hike to the east to get to Balsam Mountain, home of a fire tower.

Setting up my tent at one of the campsites.

The 1.5 mile trail around the lake has several interesting views of the lake.

Several of the campsites have stone chairs, and other things made out of natural products.

Cooking dinner.

It was a beautiful night out there.

Here is a map of Alder Lake.