Dispersed camping near Bemus Point, New York provides rustic outdoor accommodations in the surrounding forests and public lands. Most primitive sites are located within a 30-mile radius of Bemus Point in the western New York region known for its mixed hardwood forests and rolling terrain. Weather conditions vary seasonally with humid summers reaching the 80s and winters with significant snowfall that can impact road accessibility to remote camping areas.
What to do
Shooting sports access: FR437 dispersed campsite offers proximity to an informal shooting range. "Nice little hideaway, it is however right across from where people have made a make shift shooting rang, which I thought to be a bonus," notes a camper at FR437 dispersed campsite.
Hiking to waterfalls: Multiple trail options exist within a short drive from primitive campsites. "There is a really cool place called Hector Falls. The trailhead is about a mile down the road from this spot. It's about 3/4 a mile hike into the woods. The falls are really cool to look at, and has some cool rock formations," shares a visitor to Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite.
Creek camping: Several sites offer access to water features for fishing or cooling off. One camper at Camp Seneca reported, "We picked the biggest site next to the creek. The tree canopy over our site was dense enough that we did not get very wet when it rains."
What campers like
Isolation and quiet: The primitive sites around Bemus Point provide genuine seclusion. "We came into the area on a Monday and this camp was completely empty. We picked the biggest site next to the creek," writes a visitor to Camp Seneca.
Free accommodations: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the no-fee options. "This spot is a boondocker's delight! Big open spots with established fire rings. Quiet except for the distant rumble of a train passing the town down in the valley," shares an experienced camper at Forestry Road Dispersed.
Wildlife opportunities: Natural surroundings provide animal encounters. "There's black bears that live in the several caves in the area... The bears are skittish, but they will find you if there's food in you camp!" warns a camper about the Forestry Road area.
What you should know
Site cleanliness varies: Previous campers sometimes leave trash behind. "The site was fine, fire pit, primitive spot so no services. We arrived late at night so couldn't see so well but stopped in a clearing on the road toward the coordinates," reports a visitor to Warner Road Dispersed Camping.
Trail conditions fluctuate: Seasonal weather affects accessibility. "Trail was more of a stream than a trail. You'll spend more time beside the trail then actually on it," notes a hiker at Boyce State Forest.
Navigation challenges: Many campsites lack clear signage or directions. "A little hard to find, decided not to stay. On the same road as hector falls," comments a visitor about Forestry Road Dispersed campsite.
Tips for camping with families
Best portable toilet option: Camp Seneca stands out for families needing basic facilities. "There was a porti-poty on site that had plenty of paper and was pretty clean," shares one camper.
Bear safety precautions: Store all food properly when camping with children. "Definitely be sure to pack up all food and trash at night. The bears are skittish, but they will find you if there's food in your camp!" warns a visitor to forestry areas.
Winter considerations: Cold weather camping requires extra planning. "It was freezing, quite literally, with nights in the low teens. The melting and refreezing had made the roads and surrounding trails a little slippery so I would be cautious if traveling alone. I have stayed in the summer with my sons and it is better," advises a visitor to Salmon Creek Dispersed.
Tips from RVers
Road condition awareness: Check access routes before bringing larger vehicles. "Theres a few dispersed spots back here. Its pretty nice area. The road is out tho so dont take a big rig," warns a visitor about Salmon Creek Dispersed.
RV size limitations: Some forest roads accommodate modest rigs. "I have a 25 foot travel trailer. I found numerous spots on SF-160. It rains a lot so keep your slip-ons near the door. Great hiking/biking," shares an RVer about Forestry Road camping.
Electronic connectivity: Cell service exists at select locations. "The campsite next to the hiking trail has WiFi about 70% of the time. I managed to get an average of 3-4 bars of 5g every day," notes a camper describing Forestry Road Dispersed sites.
