Camping at Alder Lake

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.

Primative Campsite II

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.

Coykendall Lodge Ruins

Setting up my tent at one of the campsites.

Primative Campsite and Table

Setting Up My Tent

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

Marshy End of the Lake

Along Edge of Alder Pond

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

Stone Chairs

Cooking dinner.

Cooking Dinner

It was a beautiful night out there.

Watching the Campfire Burn in the The Evening

Here is a map of Alder Lake.


View Alder Lake in a larger map

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