Catskill Mountaineer

Camping at Big Pond
Big Pond
View of the Big Pond - Taken from the side of the dam
 
 

OVERVIEW

  Name: Big Pond
  Forest: Delaware Wild Forest
  No of Parking Areas : (3) Parking Areas
  Parking Area #1 : (1) off Barkaboom Road (12 cars) for campsites 1 - 10
  Parking Area #2 : (1) on Barkaboom Road (6 cars) for campsites 1-10
  Parking Area #3 : (1) on Post Road (3-5 cars) for campsites 11 & 12
  Winter Access: Limited in the Winter
  Camp sites: 12 major Primitive Camp Site locations
  Lean-to sites: None near Big Pond
  Access & Activities: Hike, kayak, camp, bike, fish, backpack, and ski
  Cost / Reservations: Free - no reservation system (first come - first serve)
   
  Views : Beautiful view of the lake
  Access : Foot Trails to ALL campsites
  Size : 51 Acres - 1.5 miles shoreline - 60 feet deep (middle of pond)
  Boats : Canoe, kayak, row boat (Electric motor permitted)
  Ice Fishing : Permitted
  Fish : Alewife, American Eel, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Chain Pickerel,
  Fish : Golden Shiner, White Sucker, Brown Bullhead, Pumpkinseed,
  Fish : Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass,Yellow Perch
  Fish Stocked : 200-1,000 Brown Trout (8-21") per year - (250) Rainbow Trout (8-9") per year
   
  Fishing Rules : DEC Statewide Fishing Regulations apply to Big Pond

  Fishing Map : DEC Fishing Map of Big Pond (free)

  DEC Big Pond : DEC Information about the Big Pond area

  DEC Trail Map: DEC Delaware Wild Forest Map (free)

  USGS Map: USGS Arena Quad Maps

  Digital Mapper: Topo     Terrain     Satellite

Maps of Big Pond

Map of the Big Pond in the Delaware Wild Forest

 

Notes About Camping at Big Pond

 TRAIL
  There is one trail near the bottom of Big Pond. It is called Touch-Me-Not Trail. It runs from Alder Lake to Big Pond. Then continues on the other side of the road to Beecher Hill Road.

 CAMPSITES
  The campsites at Big Pond are defined by the DEC as Primitive Campsites. This means there are no amenities, such as, potable water, bathrooms, showers, etc. All the campsites are free, and available on a first-come-first-serve basis. If the maximum capacity of the campsite has not been met, you must share the campsite with other parties. You cannot claim a particular campsite as yours alone if space is available.

Black Bears exist everywhere in the Catskill Mountains. We very rarely see them during the day. At night, they come down to the campsites looking for food and scraps that people leave out. Make sure you read the section on Black Bears at the bottom of the page to mitigate your risk. Copperhead or Rattlesnakes at Big Pond are not known to exist.

Campsites by the water have more problems with Black Flies and mosquitoes, but have better views and access to Big Pond. Campsites on the water are also convenient for campers with boats. The largest campsite is campsite #1. Campsite #5 is a handicap campsite.

 LAKE
  Big Pond is 60 feet deep at the deepest location on the lake. The deepest location is the middle of the lake. To see an elevation model of the lake see the fishing map on this page. It is an excellent to kayak or canoe on. It you take water from the lake, make sure you sterilize the water.

Fishing is popular at Big Pond. The pond is stocked with Trout every year. Make sure you have a NY State fishing license and know the regulations.

Boating is permitted on Big Pond. Electric trolling motors are permitted for boats, but not gas motors. Canoes, kayaks, row boats, etc are permitted. You can put your boat into the water at the parking area on Barkaboom Road at the south end of the lake.

 PARKING
  The biggest and most popular parking area is the large parking area off Barkaboom Road.

The parking area on Barkaboom Road is good for launching your boat.

The parking area on Post Road should only be used for campsites #11 and #12.

 OTHER INFORMATION
  There is limited cell phone service in some parts of the region (as of 2023).



 

DIRECTIONS to the Big Pond Parking Area from Exit 19 (Kingston)

 
  • Big Pond Parking Area - WGS84 (DEC): 42.042117, -74.727583 - Elevation is approximately 1957 feet
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  • Big Pond Parking Area - Deg/Min/Sec: N42 02 31, W74 43 39 - Elevation is approximately 1957 feet
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  • Big Pond Parking Area - GPS: N 42 02.527, W 74 43.655 - Elevation is approximately 1957 feet
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  • Big Pond Parking Area - UTM: 18N 522546 4654488 - Elevation is approximately 1957 feet

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  • Get off New York State Thruway at Exit 19 (Kingston).
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  • Take a RIGHT out of the NYS Thruway onto Route 28 West.
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  • Go approximately 46.3 miles on Rt 28 West
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  • Take a LEFT onto Route 30
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  • Go approximately 8.2 miles on Rt 28 West
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  • After crossing the bridge take LEFT onto BWS Road No 8
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  • Go approximately 1.9 miles on BWS Road No 8
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  • Take a RIGHT onto Barkaboom Road
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  • Go approximately 5.5 miles on Barkaboom Road
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  • Just after you pass Big Pond, take a LEFT into the DEC Big Pond Parking Area
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    Camping & Hiking at Big Pond

    view of Big Pond looking south towards Barkaboom Road
    This picture was taken from the north side of Big Pond looking south towards the dam. The picture was taken very close to campsite #11.
    Big Pond Parking Area off Barkaboom Road.
    This is the Big Pond Parking Lot. It is the largest parking area for Big Pond. It holds about 12 cars. This would be the primary parking area for campsites #1 to #10. It is located off Barkaboom Road. At the other end of the parking area are two trails that will take you to the first 10 campsites.
    Big Pond parking area directly on Barkaboom Road
    This is the smaller parking area directly next to Barkaboom Road. It is often used to launch boats into Big Pond. It holds about 7 cars.
    Big Pond parking area on the north side of the lake for campsites #11 and #12 on Post Road.
    This is the smallest Parking Area for Big Pond. It is located on the north side of Big Pond on Post Road. It is parking for campsites #11 and #12 only. The parking area in the picture holds 2 cars. BUT, you cannot block the gate. So, you have to park very close to each other. There is also parking on the side of the road about 50' west of this spot. It holds 3 cars.
    No camping signs on Big Pond
    Make sure you ONLY camp at designated campsites. If you see this emblem, this means that you cannot camp there. If you do, you will get a ticket from NY State Rangers. Sometimes there is a Brown or Yellow sign stating "No Camping". These signs are about 1 foot square in size.
    campsite #1 at Big Pond
    This is Campsite #1 on the southern part of Big Pond. This site is reserved for groups of 10-to-20 people. You are allowed a maximum of 4 tents.

    Groups more then 10 people require a permit from the DEC (see link at bottom of page for Delaware Wild Forest)
    campsite #2 at Big Pond
    This is Campsite #2 on the southern part of Big Pond. This site can have up to a maximum of 9 people. You are allowed a maximum of 3 tents.
    campsite #3 at Big Pond
    This is Campsite #3 on the southern part of Big Pond. This site can have up to a maximum of 9 people. You are allowed a maximum of 3 tents.
    campsite #4 at Big Pond
    This is Campsite #4 on the southern part of Big Pond. This site can have up to a maximum of 9 people. You are allowed a maximum of 3 tents.
    this is a handicap campsite. Listed on map as campsite #5 at Big Pond
    This is Campsite #5 on the southern part of Big Pond. This is for handicap people. This site can have up to a maximum of 9 people. You are allowed a maximum of 3 tents.

    NOTE: This is a HANDICAP site. You must have at least one person who is disabled.
    campsite #6 at Big Pond
    This is Campsite #6 on the southern part of Big Pond. This site can have up to a maximum of 9 people. You are allowed a maximum of 3 tents.
    campsite #7 at Big Pond
    This is Campsite #7 on the southern part of Big Pond. This site can have up to a maximum of 9 people. You are allowed a maximum of 3 tents.
    campsite #8 at Big Pond
    This is Campsite #8 on the southern part of Big Pond. This site can have up to a maximum of 9 people. You are allowed a maximum of 3 tents.
    campsite #9 on Big Pond on the east side of the lake
    This is Campsite #9 on the east side of the lake. This site can have up to a maximum of 6 people. You are allowed a maximum of 2 tents.
    campsite #10 on Big Pond on the east side of Big Pond
    This is Campsite #10 on the east side of the lake. This site can have up to a maximum of 6 people. You are allowed a maximum of 2 tents.

    Please Note: There is another campsite above this campsite. It is illegal to camp at the site above Campsite #10. There is yellow disk (4" in diameter) nailed to a tree noting that location is illegal to camp at. Some people think that the illegal campsite is campsite #10

    Above the illegal campsite is a swampy area that is VERY muddy. You should not try to access campsite #11 or #12 through the swampy region.
    campsite #11 on Big Pond on the northeast side of Big Pond
    This is Campsite #11 on the northeast side of the lake. This site can have up to a maximum of 6 people. You are allowed a maximum of 2 tents.

    Access to this campsite should be done from Post Road on the north side of Big Pond.
    campsite #12 on Big Pond on the northwest side of Big Pond
    This is Campsite #12 on the northwest side of the lake. This site can have up to a maximum of 6 people. You are allowed a maximum of 2 tents.

    Access to this campsite should be done from Post Road on the north side of Big Pond.

    You should not go beyond campsite #12 because you will enter private property.
    illegal campsite #1 on Big Pond
    This is an illegal campsite on Big Pond. It is located close to the main parking area. It is also between Campsite #5 and #6. Do NOT camp here!
    illegal campsite #2 on Big Pond
    This is an illegal campsite on Big Pond. It is located north of Campsite #10. Do NOT camp here!
     

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