Primitive camping trip in late April
Hey r/catskills — looking for recommendations for a trail for my first real backpacking overnight and want it to be a great experience so I keep coming back. I’m experienced with day hikes but new to overnight backpacking and have been doing a ton of research (AllTrails, Gaia, DEC maps.). I’ve been looking at the Big Indian / Slide Mountain Wilderness area but still can’t decide.
Looking for:
Primitive/dispersed camping (following DEC rules)
Nice flat campsite with decent ground (pine needles/duff preferred, not tall grass/rough rocky ground)
Near reliable water so I don’t have to carry a ton of weight of water and i have a filter and a stove
Quiet/less crowded if possible (i can go on weekdays)
Beautiful scenery / peaceful woods vibe
Don’t mind a challenging hike in
Also wondering: what are trail conditions usually like in late April? Still snowy/icy at elevation, or mostly melted out by then?
Coming from Queens, NY so a 2hr 30 min drive from there. Planning for mid-week if possible.
Would love recommendations for trails, trailheads, or areas that fit this vibe. Thanks!