Hiking & Camping at Trout Pond Region

View of the Lower Russell Brook Falls

OVERVIEW

Name: Camping, Trails, and Falls on Russell Brook & Morton Hill Road

Forest: Delaware Wild Forest

Parking Area : 15+ spaces (DEC) directly off Russell Brook Road

Winter Access: Russell Brook Road / Morton Hill Road PA

Lean-to sites: 0

Campsites : 6 off Russell Brook & Morton Hill Road

Views : Russell Brook Falls

Access : Foot Trails for some campsites

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

USGS Map: USGS Roscoe Quad Maps

Digital Mapper: Topo Terrain Satellite

Maps of Trout Pond

Map of campsites, hikes, and waterfalls around Trout Pond in the Delaware Wild Forest

Notes About Camping at Trout Pond

TRAIL

You will need to hike to all of the campsites around the Trout Pond region. The nearest campsite is 1/4 mile away. The farthest campsite is just over 1-1/2 miles away. The trails to get the Trout Pond are on old dirt roads. These campsites are not suitable for those with a movement disability. It is recommended that you have a backpack to carry your tent, sleeping bag, and supplies to the campsite. All the campsites have access to water. The water must be purified before drinking or cooking.

CAMPSITES

The campsites at Trout 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. Rattlesnakes are very rarely seen in this region. We do not know anyone who has seen one, but the DEC says that they could exist there. Therefore, you should always sleep in a tent.

Campsites by the water have more problems with Black Flies and mosquitoes, but have better views and access to Trout Pond.

POND

The depth of Trout Pond is not known. Trout Pond has a man-made dam at the foot of the pond. It is a concrete foundation about 10 feet high. Water drains over the top of the dam.

PARKING

In the busy summer months, this region of the Delaware Wild Forest is very busy. And, you will likely have a problem finding a place to park your vehicle. With 20+ campsites in the region, you are likely to have a problem with parking. If your group can car pool, that would benefit you and others.

OTHER INFORMATION

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

DIRECTIONS to the Russell Brook Road Parking from Exit 19 (Kingston)

Russell Brook Road (DEC) - WGS84 (DEC): 41.9943, -74.94155 - Elevation is approximately 1,832'

Russell Brook Road (DEC) - Deg/Min/Sec: N41 59 39, W74 56 29 - Elevation is approximately 1,832'

Russell Brook Road (DEC) - GPS: N 41 59.658, W 74 56.493 - Elevation is approximately 1,832'

Russell Brook Road (DEC) - UTM: 18N 504841 4649145 - Elevation is approximately 1,832'

Get off New York State Thruway at Exit 19 (Kingston).

Take a RIGHT out of the NYS Thruway onto Route 28 West.

Go approximately 46.4 miles on Rt 28 West

Take a LEFT onto Rt 30

Go approximately 19.9 miles on Rt 30 around the Pepecton Reservoir

Take a LEFT onto Rt 206 (Cat Hollow Road)

Go approximately 2.8 miles on Rt 206

Take a RIGHT onto Jug Tavern Road

Go approximately 1.5 miles on Rt 206

Take a LEFT onto Campbell Mountain Road

Go approximately 0.4 miles on Campbell Mountain Road

Take a LEFT onto Morton Hill Road

Go approximately 2.7 miles on Morton Hill road

Take a RIGHT onto Russell Brook Road

Go approximately 1.7 miles on Russell Brook Road

Take a RIGHT into Russell Brook Parking Area (directly off road)

NOTE: There two other places to park along side Russell Brook Road

NOTE: In the Winter you can park on the corner of Morton Hill Road & Russell Brook

Camping & Hiking at Trout Pond

Trout Pond Region Campsites

This is Campsite #1. It is located directly off Morton Hill Road in a conifer forest. The parking area can hold 2-3 cars. Make SURE you get your vehicles completely off Morton Hill Road.

Trout Pond CAMPSITES

This is Campsite #2. It is located directly off Russell Brook Road on the right side of the road.

This is This is Campsite #3. This is a Handicap campsite. It is located directly off Russell Brook Road on the left side of the road.

This is This is Campsite #4. It is located on the Russell Brook Campsite Trail. It is located about just below the Handicap Campsite #3. You will need to hike to this campsite.

This is Campsite #5. It is located on the Russell Brook Campsite Trail. It is located about just below the Handicap Campsite #3. You will need to hike to this campsite.

This is Campsite #6. It is located on the Russell Brook Campsite Trail. It is located about just below the Handicap Campsite #3. You will need to hike to this campsite.

Trout Pond Region Waterfalls

This is the Lower Russell Brook Falls. It can be accessed from the beginning of Trout Pond Trail.

This is the Upper Russell Brook Falls. It is more difficult to access. It can be access left of the trail, or from Russell Brook Road. Both routes are dangerous, and falling can be fatal.

S E C T I O N S

W E A T H E R

O T H E R