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Best Tent Camping near Bemus Point, NY

395 Reviews

Dispersed tent campsites surround the Bemus Point area in western New York, with options ranging from state forest backcountry sites to established campgrounds. Warner Road Dispersed Camping in North Harmony State Forest offers primitive tent camping with no amenities, while Big Oak Hill provides a more established tent camping experience on a working hay farm. Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite, located in the nearby Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania, offers another option for primitive tent camping within driving distance.

Most tent camping areas near Bemus Point operate without drinking water or toilet facilities. Campers should bring all necessary supplies, including water and waste disposal equipment. North Harmony State Forest sites feature basic fire rings but reviews indicate some confusion about overnight camping regulations, with one visitor noting signs that say "Day Use Only." The dispersed campsites at Forestry Road have established fire rings but no other amenities. Some locations experience frequent rainfall, making waterproof gear essential. Big Oak Hill may require four-wheel drive access after rain, as the tent campsite sits atop a hill with potentially muddy terrain.

Tent campers seeking solitude will find quieter options in the surrounding forests compared to established campgrounds. The forest setting provides natural shade at most tent camping areas, though seasonal considerations affect the experience. In fall, the wooded areas display vibrant foliage, while summer brings thicker undergrowth. Wildlife encounters are possible, particularly at Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite where bears are known to inhabit nearby caves. According to one visitor, "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." Some primitive tent sites show evidence of previous use, with reviews mentioning litter problems at Warner Road, though the remote locations generally offer peaceful camping experiences.

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Best Tent Sites Near Bemus Point, New York (16)

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Showing results 1-10 of 16 campgrounds

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Bemus Point, NY

7 Photos of 16 Bemus Point Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Bemus Point, NY

395 Reviews of 16 Bemus Point Campgrounds

  • Britt B.
    Oct. 27, 2020

    Wolfkiel Run Shelters — Oil Creek State Park

    Best Hike-In Camp in PA

    Wolfkiel is one of two hike-in areas along the Gerard Hiking Trail, in the Oil Creek State Park. Wolfkiel is made up of six(6) Ariondack Shelters and a tent camping area. The Adirondack shelters are perfectly positioned to be private from one another, each looks out over the forest. They are a raised timber platform with a slanted roof and stone chimney with fireplace. There are two shelves and several hooks on the wall. Each shelter has a picnic table. The platform is large enough to sleep 4 people in sleeping bags or set up a two person tent. 

    The tent section is cleared and grassy with communal firepit and picnic table. Lots of trees to enable hammock set up. There is a supply of firewood in a covered shed for a small donation and two(2) drop toilets. Water is available in the summer months. The shelters are approx. 15min walk to the creek& Miller Farm Bridge, which joins the Oil Creek State Park trail. It’s a stunning walk with lots of small swimming spots along the way. 

    The shelters are approx. 10min drive from Titusville, PA. The walk-in from the carpark is approx. 15min– slight downhill on the way in.

  • Britt B.
    Mar. 1, 2021

    Wolfkiel Run Shelters — Oil Creek State Park

    Winter Camping at Wolfkiel Shelters

    This was our second time to the Wolfkiel Shelters in Oil Creek State Park. Wolfkiel is one of two hike-in camping areas which consists of six(6) Ariondack Shelters and a tent camping area. The road in was snow covered but easily navigated. The Shelter carpark is small and was almost full the day we arrived. The track from the carpark to the campground is beautifully graded making it easy to pull a sled in with extra supplies. The walk in is less than a mile(~15min). The drop toilets were open, but probably wise to BYO toilet tissue. The shelters have hooks that allow you to hang a tarpaulin to help keep the heat in your shelter, although not necessary, especially if the nights are still. Snow did blow into our Shelter in the morning but was minimal. There is a self-serve timber stack which was fully stocked. A donation is requested. It’s wise to bring your own kindling, or an axe to cut some from the larger pieces. The shelter fireplaces have hooks for hanging pots and pans over the flames. Even in Winter, the shelters positioned so you do not look at other shelters. They are a raised timber platform with a slanted roof and stone chimney with fireplace. There are two shelves and several hooks on the wall. Each shelter has a picnic table. The platform is large enough to sleep 4 people in sleeping bags or set up a two person tent. These shelters are very peaceful in the winter and would highly recommend them if you are keen for some“winter camping” but not keen to sleep in a tent or be completely exposed. The shelters are approx.15min walk to the creek& Miller Farm Bridge, which joins the Oil Creek State Park trail. The shelters are approx. 10min drive from Titusville, PA

  • Jennifer K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 14, 2022

    Hearts Content Recreation Area

    Great quiet little campground

    Very nice quiet small wooded campground. No hookups, about 3-4 fresh water spigots, 1 dump station and dumpster. Water pressure was very low and took a while to fill tank. 26 various sized sites, some large with plenty of space for our 22 foot tow behind and truck + some for extra vehicles. Other smaller sites for tents or vans. Self serve ice $2 wood $10. Vault toilets. Fire rings and picnic table at each site. AT&T spotty 0-1 bars. Host camper. Quiet time 10pm-6am. 1 Xlarge site for groups.

  • Bill G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 18, 2020

    Hearts Content Recreation Area

    Simple and serene

    Hearts Content is best described as a way station. The sites are nestled within a grove of immense pines. Some are large enough for large RV’s . There are no showers. Bathrooms are vault toilets. Two of the sites include Adirondack type shelters. A picnic table and fire ring are within each site. I used this site as a staging area to explore Allegheny National Forest for a week. Used a camp shower. The closest town is Warren, PA. Firewood is available at the camp host site. Across the road is an hiking area with picnic tables and the like.

  • Bill G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2020

    Willow Bay Recreation Area

    Quiet nights, Easy days

    Willow bay campground is run by the National Forest Service. The reservable lots are wide and numerous for a out of the way sight. The campground services tent sites, RV sites as well as small cabins with electricity. There is a central bathhouse near the oak loop. Closer to the boat ramp sites- most of which are tent ready, there are vault toilets. These sites are less than a mile from the North Country Trail. Other, smaller trails are here as well. The New York State lone is less than five miles away- providing access to Allegheny State Park. The closest town of note is Bradford, which is about 18 miles away. It has all you need to get your necessities. The cabins were small- one twin bed and a set of single bunks. You need to bring your own sheets. There is a small heater imbedded in the wall. It keeps things from getting too cold, as it was when I was there. Fire ring and picnic table provided. Charcoal grill as well. The only problem I had was with the wildlife. A mouse or something kep crawling in the space between the roof and ceiling. There is no cel service here, and you shouldn’t need it either. Places to visit are too numerous to mention, but I will give a shout out to the zippo case museum, absolutely a must.

  • Mary S.
    Sep. 24, 2018

    Quaker Area — Allegany State Park State Park

    This is a great vacation area.....spend a week!

    Did you know this is NY's largest state campground? We stopped here on a rainy night, but what we saw convinced me we need to return. I know this campground is a vacation destination for families in western NY.

    Cain Hollow is in the Quaker Run area which includes Quaker Lake. There is another campground in the Red House Area, and there are also lots of cabins. This is definitely a 4 seasons park - hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, snowmobiling, cross country skiing....

    I was able to take photos of a few sites the next morning. You can see that sites are private and you're definitely in the woods. There are food storage boxes at all campsites because you're in bear country.

  • Danielle S.
    Apr. 16, 2019

    Minister Creek Campground

    Small, rustic, gorgeous

    We stayed here July 2018 and found a quiet campsite by the creek. It had been quite rainy and some of the sites were wet and muddy, but for $12, I couldn't complain. While there is an outhouse, it is simply a couple of toilets (bring a lantern or wear a headlamp). Arrive early to get a prime spot, and take advantage of the hiking trails (a bug net for your head will help in the summer as the gnats and deer flies are distracting). Looking forward to staying again.

  • Bill G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2018

    Hearts Content Recreation Area

    Minimal offering for maximum relaxing

    This campground is within Allegheny National Forest near the town of Warren and Tidouette. The sites are few but spacious. Good for car camping, though I’m sure a smaller RVcould get by. Each site has a fire ring. Two sites have Adirondack type shelters. The night sky is promising but light pollution from Warren inhibits a truly awesome night sky. There is a vault toilet. No showers. No water either. Bring what you need! The closest town is about 30 minutes away. Lots of critter life. My dogs loved it here. We spent all days exploring the nearby trails and creeks. Price was cheap. No frills but a quiet respite for sure.

  • Travis S.
    Jun. 30, 2020

    Dewdrop

    Spacious

    Campsite layouts are non traditional with large driveways and often times the tables and fire rings are below the driveway.  With this layout you get more privacy with very few sites having and overlapping with other sites. Pitching a tent was easy on the driveway and fairly level. Some sites had large high sided fire rings which take away from the fireside relaxation of a shorter camp chair. 

    Bathrooms and shower house was below the standards of many of PA State Parks which we regard as the benchmark for campgrounds at reasonable prices. 

    Boating and biking all accessible from the grounds. No need to drive to the trails at Jakes Rocks.

Guide to Bemus Point

Tent camping options near Bemus Point, New York range from primitive forest sites to more established campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The region experiences frequent rainfall with summer highs averaging 80°F and winter lows reaching 20°F. Elevation varies between 1,300-2,000 feet across camping areas, creating different microclimates throughout the nearby Allegheny plateau.

What to do

Hiking to waterfalls: Visit Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite where a trailhead about a mile from camp leads to Hector Falls. "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. Be careful the cliffs are about a 20 ft straight drop," notes camper Bob J.

Trail exploration: The trail system throughout North Harmony State Forest connects to several camping areas. Ian B. from Streamside Eriegrove advises, "If you don't mind roughing it a bit, it's really quite nice. Some good exploring. Bring tick/bug spray. Found several on my boys and me."

Winter activities: Winter campers can enjoy snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Ian B. reports about Forestry Road, "Super peaceful. 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."

Wildlife observation: The forests contain diverse wildlife including black bears. According to Mystic S., "There's black bears that live in the several caves in the area. I was meditating in my car one evening and a bear stood up and pushed against my window."

What campers like

Peace and quiet: Many dispersed sites offer solitude despite variable conditions. Ian H. describes Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite as "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."

Scenic views: The Allegheny region provides natural vistas throughout the year. At Big Oak Hill, thomas B. notes, "The campsite is accessible by drive-in, but you may need a 4-wheel drive vehicle if there has been rain... The landscapes are wonderful."

Fall colors: Autumn transforms the forests with vibrant foliage. "Basically, Allegany has it all. Do not miss the thunder rocks, they're really, really enjoyable," recommends Emily S. regarding Bova Cottages in Allegany State Park.

Proximity to towns: Campers appreciate being close to supplies while enjoying nature. Mark M. mentions, "Howe's ace hardware is about 10 miles away with a dollar general across the street. The site seeing is second to none."

What you should know

Navigation challenges: Some sites can be difficult to locate. "A little hard to find, decided not to stay. On the same road as hector falls," reports evan about Forestry Road Dispersed camping.

Seasonal road conditions: Access varies by season and weather. At Big Oak Hill, "The campsite is accessible by drive-in, but you may need a 4-wheel drive vehicle if there has been rain."

Camping regulations: Check rules before setting up at state forests. Denise D. notes about Warner Road, "Like the other review, this site has a lot of litter. Clearly people are camping here at times but there are posted signs that say Day Use Only."

Cell service: Connectivity varies by location. Mystic S. reports, "There is spotty cell service through the forest, usually you can walk around for a couple minutes and find some. I managed to get an average of 3-4 bars of 5g every day."

Tips for camping with families

Cabin options: For families wanting more comfort, cabins provide structure while maintaining a camping experience. Harry H. describes Bova Cottages: "Cabins feel rustic but are new (2014?) and modern. Had everything we needed for a weekend with extended family, almost like a hotel in what they supply."

Food storage: Proper food management is essential in bear country. Kate W. warns, "Do not leave food out. The bears are very ambitious."

Weather preparation: The region experiences frequent rainfall. Mark M. advises, "It rains a lot so keep your slip-ons near the door."

Trash management: Pack out all waste as many sites lack facilities. Rose S. observed at Warner Road, "Kind of a gross site, the previous people who stayed at our site were messy and left litter, but it served its purpose as a free place to sleep along a longer trip."

Tips from RVers

RV site selection: Not all sites accommodate larger vehicles. Mark M. from Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite shares, "I have a 25 foot travel trailer. I found numerous spots on SF-160."

RV parking advice: Finding level ground for RVs can be challenging in dispersed areas. "Start looking for a site. The last site on SF 160 has weekend partiers. They knock off at 11pm and are far enough away from the next site that they aren't a nuisance," advises Mark M.

Utility considerations: Limited hookups exist in the area. For those needing electricity, Eliezera M. notes, "The campsite next to the hiking trail has WiFi about 70% of the time."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Bemus Point, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Bemus Point, NY is Warner Road Dispersed Camping in North Harmony State Forest with a 3-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Bemus Point, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Bemus Point, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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