Camping at Alder Lake in New York
Alder Lake is a place in the western Catskills that feels like time forgot. The winding dirt road that leads you there is the first clue that you’re entering someplace special. By the time you reach the clearing and see the lake’s surface, often glassy and sometimes rippling with a light breeze, it’s clear this isn’t the sort of campground where you check your phone (not that you can because there’s no cell service anyway). It’s quiet, remote, and filled with that particular kind of peace that only comes from being surrounded by trees and water. The quintessential campground.
The lake itself is the main draw, a perfect mirror for the hills and sky around it. On calm mornings, the reflection is so crisp it’s hard to tell where the land ends and the water begins. Sunrises burn orange and gold across the surface while the evenings bring soft blues and purples as the light fades over the tree line. Whether or not you’re sitting at your tent’s edge or out on the small trail that circles the lake, there’s always that stillness, a reminder that nature has its own rhythm.
Camping at Alder Lake isn’t complicated, but it does reward a bit of planning. The best sites are right along the shoreline, and they tend to go quickly during summer weekends. Arriving early or visiting midweek usually means you’ll have your pick of the spots, especially in Winter. There’s no reservation system, so it’s all first come, first served. Bring your own water and be ready to pack out what you bring in. The simplicity is really part of the charm. It feels like camping should, without the hum of generators or endless rows of RVs.
One of the quiet pleasures here is waking up early before the rest of the campers stir. The fog often drifts low across the water, and the only sounds are the loons calling from the far side of the lake. You can follow the path up into the surrounding forest where old stone walls mark the remnants of long abandoned farmsteads. The short hike to Mill Brook Ridge begins nearby for those who want to stretch their legs and get a view of the Catskills from above.
Campfire nights at Alder Lake have a certain magic. When the stars come out, the whole sky opens up. The lack of artificial light means you’ll see the Milky Way on clear nights, stretching across the sky. A lot of people bring kayaks or inflatable boats to paddle out just before dusk. It’s just about quiet enough to hear the echo of your paddle dipping into the water. If you time it right, you’ll catch the lake reflecting the stars just as sharply as it reflected the mountains earlier that day.
Because the area is so remote (for those coming from the metro area), it’s worth being prepared for the basics. Cell service is almost non-existent, and the nights can get surprisingly cold, even in early summer. A good sleeping bag, a warm layer, and a decent sleeping pad are worth bringing. Bring a small tarp too, since the afternoon storms in the Catskills can appear out of nowhere. Many of the seasoned campers there use simple setups: a small tent or hammock, water/food, and basic camping tools. That’s all you need.
There’s just something about Alder Lake that feels different than other campsites in the Catskills. People tend to be really friendly too, sharing extra firewood or offering directions to the trailhead. It’s not a place for loud parties or big crowds, and that’s what keeps it special. Alder Lake attracts the kind of campers who are there for the quiet, for the reflection of the sky on the water, for the feeling of being a little cut off from everything else. It’s not unusual to meet someone who’s been coming here for years.
Even after several trips Alder Lake never loses its pull. Every visit feels a little different depending on the season, the weather, or the light. Some days the water is perfectly still, reflecting the hills and sky like glass, while on others a soft breeze scatters the image into a shimmer. Whether you’re there with friends or on your own, that moment when the lake catches the last bit of daylight always feels the same quiet, steady, and unforgettable. And if you’re heading there in summer, do yourself a favor and pack strong insect repellent or wear clothes treated with permethrin. Trust me you don’t want to end the night counting ticks instead of stars.
