Random list of free primitive camping in the Adirondacks
There are zillions of free primitive campsites throughout the Adirondacks and New York. As far as I can tell, no one keeps a list of them. I’ve asked at a couple of DEC ranger stations. Your best bet is to drive around hunks of state land and at access points see if you can find roads in. Look for the yellow CAMP HERE disks and follow the rules for staying on state land.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7872.html
In no particular order….
Lake Lila Primitive Area
http://tupperlake.net/lakelila1.htm
Coleman site http://www.coleman.com/coleman/travel/plannerdetail.asp?locid=NYCOHCIO*54538fa&last=NYCOHC&state=New%20York
Bog River
http://tupperlake.net/bogriver.htm
Streeter Lake/ALDRICH POND WILD FOREST, Fine, 16 sites, primitive, free, open spring to fall.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/39894.html
Cranberry Lake Wild Forest Off NYS Hwy 3., Cranberry Lake, operated by state, 41 sites, primitive, 265-3090
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/34715.html
Basket Factory Campsite
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/39865.html
Quite a few NYS primitive and accessible sites listed here…
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/34038.html
HIGH FALLS, Star Lake, primitive, summer only, operated by DEC, free, 46 sites.
HORSESHOE LAKE WILD FOREST, Piercefield, free, operated by DEC.
MASSAWEPIE EASEMENT, Clare, spring and fall only, 16 sites, 654-2522
Walter Pratt Memorial Park & Forest Massena, spring and fall, 17 sites
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/40809.html
Stillwater Reservoir
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/34382.html
Whittaker Falls
5836 Whittaker Park Rd
PO Box 345
Martinsburg, NY 13404
315/783-0534
Owned and operated by Town of Martinsburg. Campsites with nearby falls, tables, hot showers, beautiful view, swimming, picnic sites and two pavilions. No set charge for park use, donations gratefully accepted-used for park improvements.
Route containing dirt roads Powley-Piseco Road, Military Road, and Farr Road, North Lake Road (unpaved at north end). There are a bunch of primitive campsites around North Lake, and a little further up the road at South Lake. There are primitive campsites along Powley Piseco too.
Eastern Adirondacks/ Lake Champlain – Region 5
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7798.html
Moose River Recreation Area
http://activities.wildernet.com/pages/activity.cfm?actid=NYCOHCIO*54540fa&areaid=NY&rectype=Four-Wheel%20Driving&startrecord=1&fromPage=summary&cu_id=1
http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/statepark/ny/moose.htm
Saranac Lake Region
http://saranaclakefishandgameclub.net/SLFGC/canoeing.htm
Saint Regis Canoe Area
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Regis_Canoe_Area
Here is a blog post about 508 roadside campsites on Forest Preserve lands throughout the Park
http://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2010/09/phil-brown-are-car-camping-sites-legal.html
Free camping on state land in NY
http://www.livestrong.com/article/192985-free-camping-on-state-land-in-new-york/
Roadside campsites
http://andyarthur.org/fodder/roadside/
Adirondack Easements roadside camping
http://andyarthur.org/fodder/camping/roadcampease.html
thank you! thank you! thank you!
this is the best i found so far!
There’s also a handful of free sites around Mason Lake, between Speculator and Indian Lake on Rt. 30.
You might also note that in the Adirondacks, you can only stay in the same place for 3 days unless you have a permit – and DEC does check.
ever try swimming in mason lake? leeches?
Walter Pratt Memorial Park & Forest
This site is not in Massena NY it is in Brasher Falls, you can reach it by going through North Lawrence NY, heading north out of town. It is a nice place and cars are not allowed down near the water edge.
Im in Utica, NY, and Im just looking for a place fairly close, that I can just go for the weekend, and set up camp. Near water, would like to hike a bit, take some pics. Any ideas anyone?
http://www.nyscanals.gov/exvac/trail/campsites.html
http://www.swimmingholes.org/ny.html#POINT%20ROCK
I just went to sand lake falls lean-to which is off North Lake, about half an hour? North of Utica. The hike was 5 miles but it was mostly flat. It was also marshy on the way (we walked in water) and there were bear there. Otherwise it was a lovely spot by a small waterfalls.
does anyone know of free primitive spots in the wilmington area????
Hello – I have looked over your site often over the years and enjoyed it – I am a part timer – whenever I can I camp in or with my safari van. I am a member of the Vandweller’s Forum and joined Yahoo once but forgot my pass word etc. So My wife and I are going to be camp hosts at a small state park in Oct. I have an open invitation to all interested to join us for a weekend or however long they want – Oct 16the is the date of the “official” picnic More info at http://vandwellers2010.blogspot.com/
you would be a honored guest – and any one else for that matter – contact me thru the above email or at the blog above
VanDwellers used to be a big part of my life. I forgot all about it! Thanks for the info
Is there a free primitive campsite that is very close to some good mountain hiking?
Most of them…
Hi. This is a great site with lots of info. Almost overwhelming. I’m trying to find a good, wooded primitive area with very little people traffic. I want to take my son on his first camping trip and do some hiking and maybe some fishing. I don’t need cleared sites or any “amenities”. Just fresh air, scenic trails, and maybe a lake. Any suggestions?
Thanks for this post. I’m hoping to get away to these primitive campsite. I hate staying at public or State Parks and all the people. I like being able to see no one.
How are the primative spots on long lake? Are they far up from the so tip? are there any boat/canoe rentals available? Thx!
There are numerous lean-tos from the South end to the North end.Best time to go is before Memorial Day and after Labor Day.Too many motor boaters don’t realize that the lean-tos were built for paddlers and hikers!
Is anybody on this site interested in wilderness paddling camping trips.I have done a few trips but cannot find too many that want to.It would be nice to get a group together.
Looking for a nice free primative site Adirondack state park to camp right on the lake, with good fishing via kyayks. Also-1-2 hours from Amsterdam ny.
Hello, everybody seems to be mentioning tent sites. I have a trailer and would also like to do some secluded camping. Does anyone know of any sites close to Massena where a large camper can be set up. We are too old for tenting.
Thanks
Jay
Can someone tell me what the campsites are like, currently, on the North side of Stillwater Reservoir? Do they have latrines? Any suggestions for a good campsite for 2 people with a canoe. I just want to paddle 2-4 miles up from the boat dock. Good for me means: few other people camping nearby, good woods, chances to see/hear/smell wild creatures, maybe interesting bushwacks… I’m going in mid September (2weeks or so from today).
What a fantastically useful site!
Any word of the best sites closest to the city? Living in Brooklyn means a three-day weekend way upstate would dictate that half the trip be in the car.
Get on the Appalachian Trail where it goes through the NYC area and just keep walking…..or search for places in the Catskills.