Local Info
DIRT ROAD CAMP
Dine
O'Neill's Shire Pub
123 Main St, Delhi, NY 13752
607-746-8758
A cozy little pub serving up fine food and sturdy drinks, from great Irish Classics to pub must-haves, they have something to satisfy every palate! Regular events include trivia nights (Wednesdays) and live music (Fridays, Saturdays).
Hamden Inn & Lounge
35769 State Highway 10, Hamden, NY 13782
607-746-6677
The newly renovated Hamden Inn dates back to the early 1840s. Stop by for delicious food (sit down or pub menu), along with an extensive offering of cocktails and beverages that you can sip on the front porch while listening to the many live music events they host throughout the year. Definitely worth the 10 minute drive from camp! Right across the street is the Hamden General Store, where you can grab some fresh bread or local brews to bring back to camp.
Delhi Diner
95 Main St, Delhi, NY 13752
607-746-2207
Small town diner with a homey feel and delicious food made to order. Open Tuesday-Sunday.
Wayside Cider
55 Redden Lane, Andes, NY 13731
845-676-6002
A small-batch craft cidery based in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains. Along with cider, they offer hearty or light meals of locally farmed and foraged meats, fish, cheese and vegetables that change seasonally. Well behaved and leashed dogs are welcome in the courtyard.
Andes Hotel and Restaurant
110 Main St, Andes, NY 13731
845-676-3980
A cozy small-town hotel and restaurant featuring an outdoor food and beer garden. Offering a fully revamped menu of tavern classics with specials and guest chefs visiting regularly. Take out is available, along with online ordering via the hotel’s website. There are also two hotel rooms dedicated to pod dining where a single party of up to 8 people can enjoy their own exclusive dining experience. Live music and events hosted in the summer.
The above restaurants are within a 10/15 minute drive from DRC. Additional notable restaurants within a reasonable radius include: Peekamoose Restaurant & Tap Room (Big Indian), Table on Ten (Bloomville), The Ponds Restaurant (East Meredith), Brushland Eating House (Bovina).
Shop
Price Chopper Supermarket
3 Main St, Delhi, NY 13752
Website
A full-service supermarket for all of your grocery needs. Closest place to Dirt Road Camp to pick up ice, etc. and your best bet for campers driving to Dirt Road from the North and the West. You will also find a hardware store, pizzeria, smoke shop, Walgreens, etc. in this shopping plaza.
Freshtown Supermarket
36 Bridge St, Margaretville, NY 12455
Delhi Farmers' Market
Delhi American Legion, 41 Page Ave, Delhi, NY 13753
Stop by for fresh produce and local products straight from our neighborhood farms - great gift ideas!
Open every Wednesday from 10:00am to 2:00pm.
Catskill Outpost
13 Harper St, Stamford, NY 12167
607-214-4166
Catskill Outpost is here to outfit you with some quality apparel for your next getaway. Shop their webstore or visit their retail location in Stamford, NY which carries everything from camping & hiking to home goods, locally made provisions & art to vintage clothing.
Forever Wild
476 Main St, Margaretville, NY 12455
845-657-1979
Forever Wild is located in the heart of the Western Catskills. This naturalist shop was founded by Ashley O'Malley to shine a light on all the things we love here in Upstate New York. Foraging, gardening, medicine making, and homesteading all hold a place in the daily lives of our neighbors and community. Here you'll find an outlet to support local makers and farmers who share a bit of that magic with all who visit.
Hike
On-Site
One of our guests' favorite past times is to hike the grounds of Dirt Road Camp! Strap on your boots, grab a cold beverage, and wander into the great outdoors. Night hikes with a lantern are also lots of fun...no curfews here, so night owls rejoice.
In addition to hiking trails on our 45-acre campground, you may also explore several hundred acres of NYS land directly connected to camp. Note that the state land does not have marked trails, so bring your compass and sense of adventure!
Nearby
The Catskills are famous for their gorgeous hiking trails. Your options are endless, which sometimes makes it overwhelming to choose where to explore. The below hiking map shows several fun hikes in the Catskills. A yellow star marks your location at DRC, so you can plan driving distances accordingly.
Additional trails not listed on the hiking map include:
Delhi Trails (Mt. Crawford) - The Delhi Trails are a system of four trails on Mt. Crawford in the Village of Delhi, located approximately 10 minutes from camp. Built and maintained by the Catskill Mountain Club, the trails, two named for characters in the novel My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George and one in honor of the Delaware Academy mascot Bulldogs, together cover about 5.4 miles and offer the option of shorter hikes of varying degrees of difficulty. The longer Gribley Trail crosses the mountain ridge above the village in three miles. The Bulldog Run can be combined with a section of the Gribley to create a loop hike. The Frightful Falls Trail is a short connector, the steepness of which makes its name seem appropriate. And the Smith Pond Trail sits in the river valley on the west side of SR 28. Click here for maps and more information on these trails.
Palmer Hill Trail (Easy) - Palmer Hill Trail is a 3.3 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located at 11 Finkle Road, Andes, NY (about 20 mins from camp) that offers the chance to see wildlife and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is best used from April until November.
Bramley Mountain Trail (Moderate) - The Bramley Mountain Trail is the fifth addition to the hiking options in the Catskills designed and built by the Catskill Mountain Club. It is located about 15 minutes from camp on a NYC DEP parcel in the Towns of Delhi and Bovina, totaling about 4 miles in length. The complete loop visits the summit with its site of a former fire tower, a beautiful abandoned bluestone quarry, and the impressive cliffs and caves that lie between. The hike to the quarry is on a woods road with little elevation gain, making an easy hike of about .9 miles. After the quarry, the trail continues as a foot path designed to gradually ascend about 1.2 miles through mixed hardwoods while passing stone walls and many impressive rock outcroppings and cliffs, some with caves. The Summit Trail, a 1.8 mile long direct hike to the top, with its views to the west and to the southern high peaks, Mount Pisgah and the mountains of the western Pepacton Range that are traversed by the Finger Lakes Trail, has some steep pitches alternating with long gentle climbs. It is suggested that you hike the Quarry Trail to the top and descending on the Summit Trail to get the best views of all the sights this trail has to offer. The trailhead is located on Glen Bernie Road in Delhi, seven tenths of a mile from the intersection with County Rt 18, or 3.3 miles from the intersection with State Rt. 28.
Alder Lake to Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower (Hard) - Alder Lake to Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower is a 12.6 mile out and back trail located near Livingston Manor, New York (about an hour from camp) that features a lake and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and backpacking.
Fish
Spend a relaxing day fishing the rivers of the Catskills and bring your fresh catch back to camp to cook over the fire.
This year, NYS is offering "free fishing days" during which a license is not required (see dates below). On any other day of the year, all residents and non-residents 16 years of age or older must have a valid New York State fishing license.
NYS Free Fishing Days
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February 19-20, 2022
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June 25-26, 2022
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September 24, 2022
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November 11, 2022
Fishing License Information
An annual New York State fishing license is valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. Anglers may also purchase a 1-day or 7-day license. Lifetime licenses are also available to New York State residents.
Licenses may be purchased online here and by phone at 1-866-933-2257. Licenses may also be obtained at some major sporting goods and discount stores, tackle shops and many town clerks’ offices.
Where to Fish
Below are descriptions of the closest fishing locations to Dirt Road Camp:
Little Delaware River - The Little Delaware River flows for 16 miles before entering the West Branch of the Delaware River just west of the village of Delhi. The wild brown and brook trout populations are supplemented with the stocking of about 700 brown trout yearlings annually. These hatchery fish are stocked in a 0.8 mile reach at the mouth and a 1.2 mile reach downstream of the hamlet of Bovina Center. Brown trout are the dominant wild trout in the stream, but brook trout abundances increase upstream of Bovina Center. Click here for PDF map.
East Brook - The East Brook is a wild trout stream that flows into the West Branch of the Delaware River in the village of Walton. Brown and brook trout are both abundant throughout this 11 mile stream. The stream is lightly fished. Click here for PDF map.
West Branch Delaware River - The West Branch of the Delaware River is divided into two sections by the Cannonsville Reservoir. Downstream of the Cannonsville Reservoir, the West Branch is a tailwater fishery that supports excellent wild populations of brown, rainbow, and occasional brook trout (none are stocked); plus seasonal anadromous runs of American shad with reports of occasional striped bass. Upstream of the Cannonsville Reservoir (closest to Dirt Road Camp in Delancey), the river is stocked with over 14,000 brown trout by the DEC. In addition to the stocked fish, a wild brown trout population flourishes. Click here for PDF map.
Additional fishing locations and information may be found on New York State's DEC website here. Note that Dirt Road Camp is located in Region 4, Delaware County.
If driving to camp from NYC, Long Island, or New Jersey, you may want to stop in Roscoe, NY, famous for its fly fishing (also know as "Trout Town USA"). Roscoe is approximately 45 minutes from camp.
Bike
Dual-Sport and Adventure Motorcycles
North East Backcountry Discovery Route (NEBDR) - Crossing more state lines and covering more mileage than any other BDR makes the NEBDR one of the most diverse routes in the BDR series. Every state delivers a unique experience unto itself and while sections can be done over an extended weekend, riders who commit to the entire 1,300-mile route will truly feel as though they had an adventure of a lifetime. Click here for more information on this exciting new route!
Dirt Road Camp is the perfect stop for bikers finishing up Section One and/or beginning Section Two. We love our NEBDR guests and offer many camping options - from primitive camp sites for two-four bikers, a large group site in our Bluestone quarry for up to ten bikers, or our Outpost cabin with a full size bed inside, and two bunks in the Hobbit Hole below the cabin, there is something for everyone at DRC. All firewood and several gallons of water are included in the price of your camp site.
We are also happy to provide a cooler with ice and beverages of your choice to be set up at your site in advance. Just give us a call at 607-287-8148 and we can customize this add-on for you and your group.
Bicycling
Cruise around our mountain trails on-site, or head into town for some breathtaking bike routes. There's something for everyone in the Catskills. Our good friend Ed is an avid cyclist who used to call Dirt Road home - below are some recommendations from Ed for local bike routes surrounding camp:
Starting from Dirt Road, head down Terry Clove Road > jog left on Basin Clove > bear right Coles Clove to Reservoir Road. At the back of Reservoir Road you can either go right to Downsville or left towards Margaretville. If you want to circumnavigate the reservoir and come back to Dirt Road it'll be a little over 50 miles.
If you want a truly epic and beautiful Delaware county ride, Ed recommends starting in Andes, NY, head down to the reservoir on County Route 1 (one of the most beautiful cycling roads in the world), turn right on the back reservoir road to Downsville, take a left on Route 30 (it's a very short detour into town for refreshments) up to the Shavertown Bridge and back up Country Route 1 to Andes...or continue on Route 30 after crossing the bridge to Route 28 taking the first right to come back to the bridge on the other side of the reservoir and then back up Country Route 1. With detours to both Downsville and Margaretville it's 70 memorable miles.
Another option, somewhat less hilly but also very nice, is to go out one side of the West Branch from Delhi on Route 28 to Stamford and come back on the other side which is mostly identified as Country Route 18 but known locally as Back River Road. You have a number of choices here as well as you can cross the river at several points without going to Stamford. Starting and returning to DRC going to Stamford is just about 50 miles.
Swim
Nearby Swim Holes
The closest local swim hole to Dirt Road Camp is about a five minute drive away...make a left turn upon exiting camp onto Arbuckle Hollow. You'll hit a stop sign intersection, at which point you will make another left onto Scotch Mountain Road. Continue on this road until you come to a stop sign next to the Delhi Golf Course and make a right. Drive a few hundred feet and make a left towards the one lane bridge into the village of Delhi. There are parking spots on either side of Sherwood Road here (before you cross the bridge). Head down the marked trail to the water's edge to swim, fish, or boat.
Another fun option is the Hamden Covered Bridge located about 7 miles from camp. This restored historical bridge offers great kayak and inner tube launch points, along with a nice picnic area for a day of relaxation. The bridge can be seen from State Route 10 at the east end of the Village of Hamden, on the right while proceeding Northeast. (GPS coordinates: N42° 11.716′ W074° 59.287′)
If you're feeling adventurous, head about 20 miles from camp into Andes, NY to visit Tompkins Falls. Note there is no signage, just a small pullover on the side of the road. The walk to the falls only takes a few seconds. There are three drops to this waterfall which is surrounded by moss covered rock formations. Take a dip under the falls and enjoy sunning on the rocks.
Any swim hole list wouldn't be complete without Peekamoose Blue Hole. The Peekamoose Blue Hole is located in Sundown Wild Forest, set within the secluded wilderness of the Catskill Forest Preserve, about an hour and a half from camp. The Blue Hole is a depression in the streambed rock of the Rondout Creek, a unique natural feature formed by sand and swirling gravel in an ancient whirlpool. Because of its immense popularity with tourists, a permit is required to visit the Blue Hole. This permit must be obtained in advance - more information on planning your visit may be found here.
Hunt
On-Site
Guests of Dirt Road Camp may hunt on-site if you rent the mountain. The campground must be rented in its entirety in order to ensure the safety of our guests. You will have full access to hunt our 45-acre mountain, as well as several hundred acres of NY State land directly connected to camp. All hunters must have proper licensing per NY State regulations.
Click here for Hunting License Information
Click here for Hunting Seasons by Animal
For return guests of Dirt Road Camp, we may offer the ability to shoot targets atop the mountain. Please call us to discuss!
Nearby
The Oneonta Sportsman's Club, about a 40 minute drive from camp, is open to the public every Sunday starting at 8:30 AM – rain or shine – for Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays And 5-Stand. Note the rifle range is only open to club members.
Other
Nearby Attractions
The Ark Bowl & BBQ - The Ark Bowl & BBQ is an eclectic 120‐seat restored 1960’s era vintage 8 lane bowling alley, BBQ joint, saloon and music/entertainment venue in Arkville, NY. They feature a slow smoked and grilled BBQ menu. Click here for more information.
The College Golf Course at Delhi - The College Golf Course at Delhi is the area’s premier 18-hole public course and is only a five minute drive from camp. The course’s front nine is a classic 1960’s design renowned for its natural beauty and challenging, undulating greens. In fact, the 7th hole has been rated among the top 18 in the Southern Tier.
The back nine, which opened in June 1996, is routed through the rolling terrain of the surrounding mountains. It is a magnificent natural design developed with the input and support of national leaders in the golf industry. Special features include state-of-the-art grasses and irrigation, panoramic views, and tee options that make it challenging and fun for golfers of every ability.
Our practice facilities are among the best in the region. We offer an all-grass driving range and a large practice green which also includes a full chipping area and sand trap. There is also a full-service restaurant (Bluestone) on-site. Click here for more information.
John Burroughs Woodchuck Lodge - Visit Woodchuck Lodge, summer retreat of the famed naturalist John Burroughs, and then stop by Boyhood Rock where there is an exhibit on the life and works of John Burroughs as well as hiking trails and a picnic area. The Lodge is open for guided tours the first weekend of each month from May through October, Saturdays and Sundays, from 11 to 3. Click here for more information.
Unadilla Drive-In Movie Theater - Open seasonally from May through October, head over to Unadilla for some old-fashioned fun. Gates open at 7:00PM, movies begin at dusk, and a full-service snack bar is available on-site. Click here for more information.