Question on Harriman State Park

**LBSurfer** · 04-04-2016, 19:23

A few friends and I are looking to do an overnight in Harriman State Park (NYS). Looking to stay near the William Brien Memorial Shelter. Can anyone confirm there's any good places to hang around there?

**G.G.** · 04-04-2016, 19:36

Plenty.

FYI... Brien is a pit.

**themadindian** · 04-05-2016, 10:50

Dutch Doctor or Fingerboard or Bald Rocks shelters would be better choices and for the shortest hike in if you don't mind packing in all your water is Tom Jones.

**LBSurfer** · 04-05-2016, 10:55

Thanks for the heads up guys. Much appreciated. We're planning on doing a loop (http://media.backpacker.com/2007/rip...-path-loop.pdf) and it looks like Brien is roughly the halfway point. That being said, I'll at the other shelters areas themadindian mentioned and see if we want to alter our trip.

**Rain Man** · 04-05-2016, 15:59

I had no trouble hanging at Wm. Brien Shelter on an AT section hike year before last. Lots of trees.

**mrcheviot** · 04-05-2016, 18:53

I agree... lots of trees around Brien, but there are much better places to hang in Harriman. I don't think Dutch Doctor is good either. Some of the shelters in the NW part of the park are on granite hills and the trees can up there can be sparse, check the topo. You can usually find good campsites on the shore of every lake and pond though, really depends what you're after.

I discovered a magnificent grove of new hemlocks last year that's become my new favorite place.. well, next to a spot on Breakneck that I love but with the AMC camp being built that's becoming a higher traffic part of the park. It's a great park for hammocks, I actually wouldn't worry too much about where to sleep and just go with it - you'll find nice accommodations.

**njsurfer** · 04-07-2016, 06:03

Plenty of spots around the dutch doctor shelter. I hung there last year with my kids. Just an FYI, people stealth camp all over that place, not nessesarily near the shelters and don't seem to ever have an issue.

**themadindian** · 04-07-2016, 08:38

To me the downside of Dutch Doctor is whitebar trail is popular so parking can be a challenge on nice days in the cul-de-sac but there is no issue hanging, in fact there are at least 5 spots around the shelter that support everyone hanging in close proximity if you so desired. The short walk to the shelter is also advantageous to being able to bring my green comfy camp chair ;-)

This is from last month 9 of us went, 6 of us pictured *pay no attention to the ground dweller or our resident ultralighter attempting to demonstrate flight*

**mac5335** · 04-12-2016, 08:54

Originally Posted by LBSurfer

Thanks for the heads up guys. Much appreciated. We're planning on doing a loop (http://media.backpacker.com/2007/rip...-path-loop.pdf) and it looks like Brien is roughly the halfway point. That being said, I'll at the other shelters areas themadindian mentioned and see if we want to alter our trip.

How did you get the backpacker rip-n-go in pdf?
I'm trying to find some on their site with no success.

**Silent Bob** · 04-12-2016, 11:40

Originally Posted by LBSurfer

A few friends and I are looking to do an overnight in Harriman State Park (NYS). Looking to stay near the William Brien Memorial Shelter. Can anyone confirm there's any good places to hang around there?

This area has tons of sites to hang. The downside its a popular site on the weekends and the watering hole is usually dry.