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Best Dispersed Camping near Ballston Lake, NY

45 Reviews

Several dispersed camping options exist within driving distance of Ballston Lake, New York. Ushers Road State Forest provides primitive camping with fire rings approximately 150 feet from the main trail. The area allows tent and RV camping with drive-in and walk-in access, though no drinking water, toilets, or other amenities are available. Pets are permitted. Nearby, Betty Brook Camp and Duck Pond Campsite offer similar primitive experiences, though Duck Pond requires vehicles with higher clearance as reviews note "the road in was pretty rough" with potentially hazardous driving conditions.

For those willing to venture into Vermont, George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed camping provides free sites with established fire pits. The forest roads are generally navigable, though one camper noted the area "had rained a lot prior to our arrival, and several sites were damp." NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot offers multiple free sites along Forest Road 273, with one review indicating "at least a dozen spots, some very spacious." Cell service is limited throughout these areas, and all require visitors to pack out trash and practice proper waste disposal.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Ballston Lake, New York (26)

    1. Ushers Road State Forest

    2 Reviews
    Round Lake, NY
    5 miles

    "This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails. I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side."

    2. Featherstonhaugh State Forest Site

    Be the first to review!
    Duanesburg, NY
    14 miles

    3. NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot

    6 Reviews
    Bennington, VT
    39 miles

    "A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well."

    "Went on a Wednesday night late October and had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot. After what was very quiet and a peaceful place to be."

    4. George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed

    8 Reviews
    Wilmington, VT
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 747-6700

    "The camp spots were all pretty spread out from each other and the road was easy to drive on. There were only about 10 spots along the access road."

    "Some sites were really wet but we found a nice dry place."

    5. Bear Slide in Lake George Wild Forest

    1 Review
    Stony Creek, NY
    34 miles

    "It was rocky getting there but super super remote - zero service. Great space for my jeep and honestly you could fit a LARGE RV. There is a bathroom at the entrance."

    6. Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail

    3 Reviews
    Fort Plain, NY
    38 miles

    "Continue driving past the original coordinates until you reach the dirt parking lot on the right. You’ll see signs that say “No Vehicles Past This Point” — those apply only to the grassy picnic area."

    "It offers sounds of the highway and freight trains going by, my wife and I love it. If you need quiet, keep on moving. There are grills in the grassy area for tent camping, also a potable water tap."

    7. Somerset Airfield

    6 Reviews
    West Dover, VT
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 388-4362

    "It has pit toilets. These sites are close together with little to no shade. Some sites have access to a stream that flows behind the park."

    "I arrived after the 4th of July and a neighbor said it was rowdy during the holiday with illegal fireworks set off every night over the dry forest. These pics are from a weekday morning."

    8. Duck Pond Campsite

    2 Reviews
    North Blenheim, NY
    42 miles

    "After driving unpaved dirt road for a while, we arrived a surprisingly well maintained beautiful campsites. The pond is small so the mosquitos were not too bad."

    "Intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving on these rough roads"

    9. Betty Brook Camp

    2 Reviews
    West Fulton, NY
    42 miles

    "I live near this campground. I'm about a mile away and I pass it every day. It is rather remote, but it is right along West kill road."

    "Remote. Sometimes you never see anyone. Sometimes you see some people. You camp on the stream. There is a couple of spots"

    10. NF 83 - riverside

    3 Reviews
    West Dover, VT
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 362-2307

    "This is a nice clearing near the river where the road used to cross."

    "The left side of the drive in is swampy so be sure to not drift to that side."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Ballston Lake, NY

42 Photos of 26 Ballston Lake Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Ballston Lake, NY

45 Reviews of 26 Ballston Lake Campgrounds

  • The L.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 8, 2025

    Ushers Road State Forest

    Trail head

    This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails. I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side. The terrain eventually transitions into a low-lying, swampy area, likely due to recent rainfall over the past week.

    About 500 feet down the right-hand trail, there is a smaller path branching off to the left. This leads to a previously used campsite, approximately 200 feet from the main trail. The site includes a stone fire ring, indicating prior use.

    Given that camping is permitted anywhere in the woods as long as it’s at least 150 feet off the trail, the surrounding area offers an abundance of potential camping spots.

  • Josie W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2024

    Cod Pond Dispersed Pull-Off

    Private Campsite

    Decent site right off of the “main” road. “Main” because it was quiet. Easy to access via a short dirt road, but also easy to miss. We only saw sites 3 and 6 marked and took #6. There was a fire ring and access to the river down a semi-steep bank. Beautiful to listen to at night. Site was big enough to pull our mid-size SUV down and unfold rooftop-tent, but we did have to back out in the morning; not enough room to turn around. Felt private despite the road.

  • Taylor A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2023

    Cod Pond Dispersed Pull-Off

    Adirondack Camping Trip

    Highly Reccomend! The directions in the app are accurate -but do keep in mind that the campsite is down a dirt road which is well hidden from the main road if you aren’t paying close attention. There is no service at all.

    This site is campsite 6 and very private (I believe there must be others located close by). The site has it’s own private road. A car is not reccomended. Possible to turn around but you definitley need a smaller suv. There is a firepit at the site and plenty of space for multiple tents, ground may look flat but when sleeping-definitely is not. Plenty of trees for hammocks etc. You can hear cars from the site but the cars can’t see you-loved this! The sound of the cars from the main highway is something I got used to quick. The site is mostly shaded-the sun shines through a bit but not much.

    There is a river down the hill from the campsite which helps keep it fairly cool at night. The bugs were terrible.

  • M.A.D. P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2023

    Somerset Airfield

    Small open park

    The Airfield Campground is a strip of land with several campsites and fire pits. It has pit toilets. These sites are close together with little to no shade. Some sites have access to a stream that flows behind the park. The real attraction is the huge Somerset Resevoir which is up the road. Plenty of fishing, paddling, hiking and picnicking opportunities. There are other dispersed sites down the road that are free

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2024

    Somerset Airfield

    Good stopover location

    Only the first section of the campground was open due to flooding. As a result, there were puddles everywhere.

    Campsites are listed as disbursed but there are only 7 trees to separate 9 camp sites. The campsites are all next to the road and have fire circles.

    There is a single pit toilet at the end of the camping area. No garbage service, no water, no cell service. Basically a camp site where you can share a fire with the neighbors.

  • Natasha T.
    Jun. 6, 2022

    NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot

    Nice wooded little campsite

    A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well. A few miles down the road there is another campsite that is more open and also has a fire pit with a lot less bugs flying around and more open space.

  • YThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2024

    Duck Pond Campsite

    Open quite campsites

    After driving unpaved dirt road for a while, we arrived a surprisingly well maintained beautiful campsites. The pond is small so the mosquitos were not too bad. So few people passed by and very unknown quite and we just loved the experience. Just be careful driving in the sometimes rough conditions.

  • c H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 13, 2023

    George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed

    Cool Spot!

    The camp spots were all pretty spread out from each other and the road was easy to drive on. There were only about 10 spots along the access road. Brewery, distillery, beautiful lakes and scenic towns all within 15 minutes of the sites.

  • The L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 10, 2025

    Duck Pond Campsite

    Small vehicle only

    The road in on old cemetery rd was pretty rough, so we decided to go out the other way, which was way worse. The site itself, was pretty nice, Fire pit, trickling stream, but the years taken off the life of my truck was not worth it. Intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving on these rough roads

Guide to Ballston Lake

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Ballston Lake, New York, where nature lovers can find serene spots away from the crowds. With a variety of locations to choose from, you can enjoy the great outdoors while embracing the freedom of camping without the constraints of traditional campgrounds.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Ballston Lake, New York

  • Many dispersed camping spots, like Featherstonhaugh State Forest Site, do not require permits, making it easy to set up camp without prior arrangements.
  • Access is typically drive-in, allowing for convenient transportation of gear and supplies, as seen at Ushers Road State Forest.
  • Be prepared for a more rustic experience; facilities are limited, so bring your own water and supplies when visiting places like Rensselaerville State Forest.

Scenic spots for nature lovers while free camping near Ballston Lake

  • The Bear Slide in Lake George Wild Forest offers a picturesque setting with hiking opportunities, perfect for those looking to explore the natural beauty of the area.
  • For a peaceful retreat, consider Duck Pond Campsite, where you can enjoy quiet surroundings and a small pond that enhances the tranquil atmosphere.
  • If you're seeking a more secluded experience, Rockwood State Forest provides ample space for privacy and relaxation amidst the trees.

Activities to enjoy while free camping near Ballston Lake

  • Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the trails available near George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed, where you can immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes of Vermont.
  • Fishing is a popular activity in the area, especially at NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot, where nearby waters provide opportunities to catch local fish.
  • For those who enjoy campfires, many spots, including Betty Brook Camp, allow fires, making it a great place to gather around and share stories under the stars.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Ballston Lake, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Ballston Lake, NY is Ushers Road State Forest with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Ballston Lake, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 26 dispersed camping locations near Ballston Lake, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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