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Activities

Free Camping Collection

Established Camping

East Otto State Forest

East Otto State Forest, near East Otto, New York, is a fantastic spot for those who crave a bit of solitude in nature. With designated sites that allow for primitive camping, it’s a great place to escape the hustle and bustle while enjoying the great outdoors.

Visitors often rave about the peacefulness of the area, with many noting that they felt completely secluded during their stay. One camper shared, “Absolutely perfect primitive camp site! I was the only person there, it was gorgeous and so peaceful.” The forest is surrounded by beautiful scenery, making it ideal for hiking and exploring, with nearby Zoar Valley offering additional outdoor adventures.

While the campground doesn’t have many amenities—no drinking water or electric hookups—this is part of its charm for those looking to disconnect. Campers appreciate the freedom to have campfires and the fact that it’s free to stay here. Just remember to pack out what you pack in, as some visitors have pointed out the need for better cleanliness in the area.

If you’re bringing your furry friends along, you’ll be glad to know that pets are welcome here. With a mix of tent and RV sites, East Otto State Forest is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a rustic camping experience without the frills. Whether you’re roasting marshmallows by the fire or soaking in the tranquility, this spot is sure to leave you feeling refreshed.

Description

Camping for more than three nights requires a permit from a Forest Ranger.

Camping is allowed at 14 designated tent sites along Kriedeman Forest Road that are available on a first come first serve basis and which are marked with a yellow camp disk (see picture at right). These sites are numbered and have a primitive fire ring. There are no out house facilities. The Kriedeman Forest Road area receives heavy camping activity during the summer months, so camping is allowed only at designated sites to reduce environmental impact to the area. Parking is allowed at the entrance to each site but not beyond that.

On other parts of the property, individuals may set up camp at any location which is at least 150 feet from water bodies, streams, roads or trails. Camping for more than three nights or in a group of ten or more requires a permit from a Forest Ranger.

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Location

East Otto State Forest is located in New York

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

42.43607023 N
78.78357167 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Fair
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Dispersed
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Firewood Available
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

FREE established camping

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if East Otto State Forest needs a permit.

Contact

General Info


Reviews

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10 Reviews

Reviewed Jul. 14, 2024

Great spot!

We went for a quick weekend trip with 3 people and 4 dogs. What a great spot! We were nice and secluded, which was great for the dogs to run around, be safe, and not bother other campers. It was relatively easy to find and the campsite is pretty close to Zoar Valley for a nice day trip! We will definitely be back :)

Site12
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of East Otto State Forest by Maddie C., July 14, 2024
  • Review photo of East Otto State Forest by Maddie C., July 14, 2024
Reviewed Apr. 12, 2023

Beautiful and quiet

Absolutely perfect primitive camp site! I was the only person there, it was gorgeous and so peaceful. Pro tip: dont be a dumb dumb like me. I used the Dyrt provided gps coordinates and was dropped into a residential area. Used the map on the parks website to get back on track and it was really simple. Also, it said there would be verizon cell service, there was absolutely nothin. I will absolutely be back!

SiteStayed in my camper van
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of East Otto State Forest by Courtney C., April 12, 2023
  • Review photo of East Otto State Forest by Courtney C., April 12, 2023
  • Review photo of East Otto State Forest by Courtney C., April 12, 2023
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Aug. 27, 2022

Best spot around (probably)

After sleeping in parking lots and rest stops, it is so nice to have a place where you don’t fear law enforcement knocking at your car/tent, and it’s FREE! There are 14 designated spots and I am unsure of the popularity of this place but it’s a Friday night and there were multiple open stops rolling in at 8 PM. We are currently sitting around a fire and are so grateful for the wonderful woods here we get to inhabit (for up to 3 days without asking for permission!)

Site9
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of East Otto State Forest by Aidan C., August 27, 2022
Reviewed Oct. 29, 2021

Nice sites pretty wet ground

This was a nice secluded feeling site, neighbors are pretty close by and you can hear them but a good amount of private space to yourself. Maybe non rainy season is better for this site, my boots became very muddy

Month of VisitNovember
Reviewed Jul. 9, 2020

Nice little escape

This was my first real camping trip since I was a boy, almost 30  years ago.

I was pleasantly surprised with the experience.  I'm not a big people person so I was worried it was going to be people on top of people, but it wasn't.  Sites were spaced out enough that you know someone was in the site next to you, but you couldn't see them.

The real drag was the cleanliness of the sites, we arrived on a Thursday and pretty much had our pick of sites out of 15.  I think we found the cleanest non occupied one by far, but there were others that it looked like a kegger was hosted there the night before.

Please practice carry in/carry out.

Each site had a clearing for at least 1 fairly sized tent, a ringed campfire and plenty of branches and sticks to get things going.

Some wildlife around, but for the most part it was you and nature.

There is a small town not 15 minutes away if you needed or forgot something and it was pretty simple to get there.

I think we have decided to go back again this year as it is close enough to Buffalo, NY that there isn't a lot of planning involved.

Site#5
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Aug. 11, 2019

Decent

Nice campground, free, fishing, secluded, everyone needs to start picking up their trash though

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the elevation of East Otto State Forest?

    East Otto State Forest is located at 1279 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at East Otto State Forest?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at East Otto State Forest, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Is there cell phone reception at East Otto State Forest?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is fair, and T-Mobile is unknown.