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.
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.
View Alder Lake in a larger map
20 Comments
I have a question. Is this area free? Also, did you go fishing?
Yes. I didn’t catch anything but sunnies in there, but I’m there is brookies and probably perch too … The camping is free, no permit required, but the sites are all walk-in, about 1/8th of a mile from parking area to closest sites. The pond is fairly small and shallow and suffers from algea at one end during the end of summer, but is really pretty.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/58856.html
Hi Andy, Is there drinking water available?
It’s been a long time since I was last up there, but I think there is a spring along the lake. I would still boil it to be safe though.
HI Andy,
Can you say if one needs to reserve a camping spot?
Thanks!
No reservations required, but the eight or so designated sites are first come, first serve and fill up quickly on nice summer weekends.
hey thanks for the run down of the camping on lake alder. looking to go up there one of these weekends.
is there fire wood there or do you need to bring wood in with you?
thanks
mack
Can you park a camper in the park are and stay there
Sorry no, Alder Pond is walk-in tent sites around the lake only.
Hi Andy, does it get very crowded for camping during Memorial Day Weekend? Thank you!
Yes it will be crowded due to other campgrounds closed.
Are you guys open right now with the covid or are there just regulations?
Alder Pond is not on the list of camping suspensions but get there early avoid peak times on weekends and holidays as it fills up early. 3 day maximum https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/120286.html
is there any type of bathroom near the lake, like a porta potty?
Most years the DEC has a portapotty at the parking area, but I don’t know this year with the panademic if that’s been scaled back.
hi,
If anyone has any updated information on this area I would like to know; i’m planning a weekend camping trip. (:
Do I need a permit for just a weekend?
Can I bring a Kayak?
Can you swim in the lake!? Thanks!!
Sure, nothing prohibits it. It’s been about ten years since I was last was there.
are there any places nearby that sell firewood?
There is a general store about ten minutes from the parking area. It is a bit overpriced and wasn’t very dry when we got it this past weekend.