Best Dispersed Camping near Bloomingdale, NY
Several dispersed camping areas exist in the Adirondack region near Bloomingdale, New York. Little Green Pond offers 12 designated primitive sites under pine trees along the water. Nearby Polliwog Lake on Floodwood Road provides similar dispersed options without amenities. Other primitive camping locations include Ward Brook Campsite, Jones Pond, Mountain Pond Road, Horseshoe Lake, and Chapel Pond. Most sites are on state forest land with minimal to no facilities and operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Road access varies significantly across these primitive sites. Little Green Pond's access road becomes bumpy and muddy after rain, requiring careful navigation. Similarly, Crane Pond Road requires 4WD vehicles, with several reviewers noting it is unsuitable for RVs or low-clearance vehicles. Horseshoe Lake sites are accessible via County Road 421, described as "rough but easily doable if you take it slow." Most areas have no potable water, cell service, or sanitation facilities. Fires are permitted at some locations like Little Green Pond and Crane Pond, but prohibited at others, following standard Adirondack backcountry regulations.
These primitive camping areas provide genuine Adirondack wilderness experiences with varying levels of seclusion. The sites at Little Green Pond include a small beach for swimming, while Crane Pond features excellent fishing opportunities. A visitor noted Polliwog Lake offers complete digital disconnection: "Camped here for a few days, no cell, no internet." Sites are generally uncrowded and peaceful, especially during weekdays. Ward Brook Campsite provides additional amenities unusual for dispersed sites, with a review mentioning it has "a nice lean-to, fire pit, picnic table, and a privy." Horseshoe Lake's heavily forested sites may present challenges for solar power, with a camper reporting "the sites are pretty shaded, so solar and Starlink may present challenges." Wildlife viewing, paddling, and fishing opportunities are common across these primitive camping locations.
