Best Dispersed Camping near Big Flats, NY

Sugar Hill Recreation Area provides free dispersed camping in the Finger Lakes National Forest, approximately 20 minutes from Watkins Glen. The main camping area features designated sites with fire rings and picnic tables in a large clearing surrounded by forest. Sites can accommodate both tents and RVs, with gravel road access. The recreation area offers flush toilets, trash collection, and water access points throughout the grounds.

Several satellite camping locations extend throughout the forest on Tower Hill Road and surrounding areas. Foster Pond Camping Area offers more primitive options with no amenities but allows both tent and RV camping with drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in access. South Slope Trail Head Camp provides a single basic site near trails. A camper noted, "The sites were spacious. It was a cool and windy night, which made it perfect for sleeping." Cell service throughout the area is limited, typically 1-2 bars. The 14-day camping limit applies to all forest service road sites.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Big Flats, New York (7)

    1. Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    13 Reviews
    Tyrone, NY
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 622-8282

    "We used the map on the state forest website. But most spots have a privy/port o potty. We found the map on the website helpful because there are spots all over."

    "We stayed here for 2 nights car camping. quiet and clean. spots had fire rings and picnic tables. Bathrooms were clean and had potable water. There were lots of horses."

    2. Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping

    5 Reviews
    Tyrone, NY
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 622-8282

    "About half of them are in the sun and half get shade all day. I switched sites after a day to get some solar charging. Clean bathrooms with flush toilets. Sign in near bathrooms on arrival."

    "The coordinates are wrong. Search for sugar hill fire tower and you’ll find it. 42.3868868, -77.0025425)

    The place itself is really great."

    3. South Slope Trail Head Dispersed Camp

    1 Review
    Burdett, NY
    21 miles

    "There is one campsite near trail. There was more traffic than I expected. Also there is no cell service. No real tires"

    4. Foster Pond Camping Area

    1 Review
    Hector, NY
    24 miles

    "Right at the intersection of Potomac Road and Chicken Coop road in the Finger Lakes National Forest. If heading North on Potomac Road, turn left at the intersection and you’ll find a parking lot."

    5. Finger Lakes National Forest

    1 Review
    Hector, NY
    24 miles

    "The road in (a loop) is steep on both sides (a truck or vehicle with clearance would be helpful but you could also park at the bottom if you needed to)."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Big Flats, NY

8 Photos of 7 Big Flats Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Big Flats, NY

16 Reviews of 7 Big Flats Campgrounds


  • Jacob D.
    Sep. 13, 2024

    Foster Pond Camping Area

    Relaxed Free Dispersed Camping

    Right at the intersection of Potomac Road and Chicken Coop road in the Finger Lakes National Forest. If heading North on Potomac Road, turn left at the intersection and you’ll find a parking lot. Into the woods around the Lake you’ll find free dispersed camping.

    My mom and I stayed just in the parking lot and had no issues and weren’t bothered. NO AMENITIES

  • Lylah H.
    May. 17, 2024

    Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    Great spot, follow the map around

    I believe it’s still off season so the spot with all the facilities wasn’t open. We used the map on the state forest website. But most spots have a privy/port o potty. We found the map on the website helpful because there are spots all over. Site 28 did have a sign about not awaking “butch and big daddy” as two young women we decided we didn’t want to stick around and meet them. There was a privy at 35 which was nice. The site by the pond was really cute with a privy but a walk in (believe it was 37)!

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    Would Stay again

    We stayed here for 2 nights car camping. quiet and clean. spots had fire rings and picnic tables. Bathrooms were clean and had potable water. There were lots of horses. There are hiking trails right out of the site! would absolutely stay here again!

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    Free camping with amenities!

    26 camp sites with bathrooms! That flush! Very quiet and the sites aren’t on top of each other. People bring their horses. You can drive to to your site and tent camp or camper camp. I would come back!

  • Brittany S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 25, 2022

    Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    Great location

    We stayed here during an anniversary trip to the Finger Lakes. Easy proximity to Seneca Lake and Watkins Glen State Park. Nice wooded area kept us far enough away from other campers. Great location!

  • A
    Aug. 24, 2024

    Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    Excellent Free Site

    No show but decent bathrooms. I spent a night at Watkins Glen the only advantage was the shower. But you can wash up well here. You can stay horses here, each site has a fire pit and it feels safe.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2023

    Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    Well worth it

    I drove in from out of state and I absolutely adore this campground! Will be returning, I found a lovely spot tucked into a back corner and has the most relaxing weekend.

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 23, 2024

    Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    Amazing campsite!!

    Stopped in to "ride out a rain storm." After surviving the night, we discovered all the amenities. Free garbage service daily, Water faucets were placed all over the campground. There is a Forest Fire Lookout Tower next to the bathrooms.

    Camp sites are disbursed so you don't feel crowded or squeezed for space.

    Weekends are very busy but weekdays there were no more than 7 or 8 campsites occupied each night.

    The horse stalls were used regularly and seeing horses coming and going on trail rides is a daily occurrence.

  • Joel M.
    Jun. 26, 2025

    Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    Free campround with Toiletts

    This campground is basically a big field surrounded by the forest. The sites are really nice, each one has a table with benches and a fire place. You can drive your car in here (gravel road). It has a toilet house.


Guide to Big Flats

Sugar Hill Recreation Area provides free dispersed camping options near Big Flats, New York, within the Finger Lakes National Forest. The elevation ranges from 1,800 to 2,100 feet, creating temperature variations that campers should prepare for. Cell service throughout the forest is limited, with visitors typically reporting only 1-2 bars of service.

What to do

Hiking from campsite: Multiple trails connect directly to Sugar Hill camping areas. The South Slope Trail Head area provides convenient trail access with limited traffic. According to one camper, "There is one campsite near trail. There was more traffic than I expected. Also there is no cell service."

Explore nearby attractions: Watkins Glen State Park is approximately 15 minutes from Sugar Hill Recreation Area. One visitor noted, "Easy proximity to Seneca Lake and Watkins Glen State Park. Nice wooded area kept us far enough away from other campers. Great location!"

Horse riding opportunities: Sugar Hill is popular for equestrian activities. A visitor observed, "The horse stalls were used regularly and seeing horses coming and going on trail rides is a daily occurrence."

What campers like

Clean facilities: The main Sugar Hill area provides more amenities than typical dispersed camping. A camper reported, "26 camp sites with bathrooms! That flush! Very quiet and the sites aren't on top of each other. People bring their horses. You can drive to your site and tent camp or camper camp."

Quiet atmosphere: The recreation area remains peaceful even during peak seasons. One camper stated, "We stayed at Sugar Hill for about 10 days, arriving right after Memorial Day weekend. During our stay, the campsite never even got near half full, providing a peaceful and uncrowded experience."

Site variety: Campers appreciate different site options throughout the forest. A visitor explained, "For those seeking more privacy, there are numerous secluded spots along the side roads throughout the park."

What you should know

Access considerations: Some forest roads require appropriate vehicles. At one Finger Lakes National Forest site, a camper advised, "The road in (a loop) is steep on both sides (a truck or vehicle with clearance would be helpful but you could also park at the bottom if you needed to)."

Seasonal variables: Weekday camping typically offers more solitude. A camper at Sugar Hill noted, "Weekends are very busy but weekdays there were no more than 7 or 8 campsites occupied each night."

Registration process: Sign-in procedures exist at main camping areas. A visitor explained, "Register for overnight at bathroom building kiosk. Day visits just sign log."

Tips for camping with families

Site selection: Some areas provide more protection from elements. One family mentioned, "We pulled in just before dark to find 8 other campers already settled in. It was a cool and windy night, which made it perfect for sleeping."

Bathroom locations: Plan site selection around facilities if traveling with children. A camper observed, "Site 28 did have a sign about not awaking 'butch and big daddy'... There was a privy at 35 which was nice."

Water access points: Water sources are available at main recreation areas. A visitor noted, "Water faucets were placed all over the campground."

Tips from RVers

Site leveling: Sugar Hill's main camping area has some level spots suitable for RVs. A camper observed, "Very well maintained. Some sites are close and some are spread out. About half of them are in the sun and half get shade all day. I switched sites after a day to get some solar charging."

Arrival timing: Early arrival increases site selection options. A visitor to Foster Pond Camping Area explained, "Right at the intersection of Potomac Road and Chicken Coop road in the Finger Lakes National Forest. If heading North on Potomac Road, turn left at the intersection and you'll find a parking lot. Into the woods around the Lake you'll find free dispersed camping."

Overnight parking alternatives: Some locations permit vehicle camping in parking areas. A camper noted, "My mom and I stayed just in the parking lot and had no issues and weren't bothered. NO AMENITIES."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Big Flats, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Big Flats, NY is Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite with a 4.8-star rating from 13 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Big Flats, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 dispersed camping locations near Big Flats, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.