Tent campgrounds surround Boonville, New York with several primitive options in nearby state forests and reservoirs. North Lake Reservoir Campground provides 32 tent sites around a pristine lake, some as walk-in sites directly on the water. Winona State Forest offers free dispersed tent camping with designated primitive sites marked by small black and yellow placards.
Most tent sites in the Boonville region operate on a first-come, first-served basis with limited or no facilities. North Lake Reservoir sites include fire pits, with restroom facilities available at some locations. Primitive camping at Winona State Forest features basic rock fire rings but no potable water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies. Hall Island State Forest offers tent sites within walking distance of Salmon River Reservoir, though they lack amenities such as running water or established facilities. Sites typically have enough space for multiple tents with natural forest ground surfaces.
The secluded nature of these tent campgrounds appeals to visitors seeking quieter experiences away from developed areas. Sites at North Lake Reservoir provide direct lake access, creating opportunities for swimming and paddling directly from camp. Seventh Lake primitive camping areas offer canoe access with a large sandbar within walking distance from the tent sites. A camper at Winona State Forest noted, "Overall a good free quiet place to camp." Hall Island State Forest camping puts tent campers within short walking distance of water views, though sites remain close enough to roads for easy access while maintaining a wilderness feel. Winter visitors should note that some areas like Winona State Forest transform into hubs for snowmobile, cross-country ski, and snowshoe trails.
"32 sites all around the lake. Some are walk in right on the lake. Quiet, peaceful, and clean."
"We got there after dark and it was beautiful to wake up to the view of the lake. Car camped, but there was enough room for a tent."
"I checked out primitive site on my own early in April it was cold snowing and raining. It didn’t take away from the campsite at all though."
"Great for swimming, kayaking, and a gorgeous place to wake up next to the water. There are two access points to the water, the more hidden point is where you hike in for camping."
"sites: boat only access. bring water. pack in/ pack out. lean to at sites. secluded. amenities: pit toilets. other attractions: hiking. theme park near (off island). I would go back again."
"It was a few days before 4th of July so it was a very busy time to be in 4th lake making the lake very choppy. A lot of our stuff got wet due to big waves from boats crashing into our kayaks."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $18 - $40 / night
"Beaver Camp (or, officially Adirondack Mennonite Camping Assoc.), is a classic summer youth sleep-away camp on Beaver Lake."
"We're so excited to have Julian's property on our platform. This property is rural and beautiful."
from $25 / night
"The only amenity was a fire ring made of rocks. The campsite appears to be the trailhead for a man-made trail. It rained while we were here but overall the campsite was quiet and peaceful."
"The primitive campsite was a little difficult to find there’s a tiny black and yellow placard that shows you where you can camp. There were some firewood set out except it was wet."
"We happened upon it on our way to the seventh lake campground and ended up staying for two nights. We accessed the sites by water on a canoe trip."
RangerStopped here on my way from Maine to Ohio. I booked via Harvest Hosts and chose to boondock since they had a market (pay for food instead of a booking fee) and I was pleasantly surprised with the overall location. The entire farm is in great condition, the roads are marked well, there are several trails, plenty of wildlife, and just a generally pleasant experience. Loaded up on some goods at the market.
GuideThe MWR shop was excellent to work with!
The sites, under 15, are pull through and full hookups. They are spaced fast enough apart that privacy is a plus consideration!
Check in at front gate was courteous and quick!
TravelerSpaces were easy in/out. Mature trees between sites. Pool, office, pickleball, k9kamp, bathrooms were all nice.
ScoutI would never return to this campground. We rented a golf cart, and while going downhill, the rear wheel came completely off because the lug nuts were not secured. My 1-year-old and 6-year-old were on the cart, and we were extremely fortunate that no one was injured. When I expressed how serious and upsetting this was and how close my children were to being injured the owner’s response was,“But were they?” When I explained that my children were thankfully not injured but were shaken up by the incident, he sarcastically questioned whether my 1-year-old could be traumatized. They did provide us with another golf cart afterward, but I consider that the bare minimum after being given an unsafe rental. After the apparent lack of proper inspection of the cart and the ill-mannered response to such a serious safety issue, I would never recommend this campground.
LegendHad an overnight stay here and it was really peaceful. The reservoir had been drained but it was still lovely to look out across the property. You definitely can’t beat $30 for an electric site! Restrooms were a bit dated but clean. Staff was very friendly. Our site was spacious and next to a short walking trail through the trees.
TravelerClean, safe RV park off a small lake. Functioning electric and water hookups as well as sewage. Very kind and helpful owners and friendly campers.
ScoutAlways have a good time, staff is always friendly. Ive been coming here since i was a kid my grandparents always had a seasonal here.
GuideGot a super site almost level with the water. Went for a swim. Oddly, the lake has no plant life, but a sand bottom. Lots of ducks. Many people enjoying the shallow warm water on kayaks and such. Most sites level. The bathrooms did not offer hot water, or any way to dry your hands .They were clean, and enough to go around. The showers on the other hand were quite distant. A 5 minute walk . But clean, and plentiful. I guess better that than dirty and close by? No hiking trails is a letdown, but here its all about the lake.
RangerLarge sites, shade, beautiful beach,
Tent campsites near Boonville, New York occupy the western foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, typically situated between 1,200-1,800 feet elevation. The region experiences distinct seasons with heavy winter snowfall often exceeding 200 inches annually. Most primitive camping areas remain accessible from late April through October, with several forest locations transforming into snowmobile and cross-country ski destinations during winter months.
Fishing opportunities: Stoneys Pineville Campground provides direct river access for fishing enthusiasts. As camper Vito M. notes, it's a "great place on the river" that attracts many salmon fishing enthusiasts. The campground sees regular return visitors specifically for this activity.
Kayaking exploration: Francis Lake offers excellent paddling opportunities in a secluded setting. Elizabeth B. describes it as "totally gorgeous, perfectly clean, and quiet" with "great for swimming, kayaking, and a gorgeous place to wake up next to the water." The lake features two access points, with the more hidden point accessible via a hiking trail that follows a small stream under footbridges.
Winter recreation: While summer camping dominates the region, many Boonville area camping locations convert to winter recreation areas. Winona State Forest maintains an extensive network of groomed trails that become popular for snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing after the camping season ends.
Secluded waterfront sites: North Lake Reservoir Campground offers remote camping directly on the water. Camper Ashlee C. explains, "Very remote and secluded. We got there after dark and it was beautiful to wake up to the view of the lake. Car camped, but there was enough room for a tent."
Sandbar access: Seventh Lake Primitive Camping provides water-accessible sites perfect for canoe camping. According to Mary B., "There is a large sand bar within a very short walk which was a great place to hang out. Seventh lake is pretty quiet but there were a few boats there both days we visited."
Boat-only destinations: Alger Island Adirondack Preserve requires paddling to reach the campground, creating a unique island camping experience. Benjamin C. describes the appeal: "sites: boat only access. bring water. pack in/pack out. lean to at sites. secluded."
Limited facilities: Most primitive sites in the area provide minimal amenities. At Hall Island State Forest, camper Rachel P. explains, "There's not much to them, no facilities or running water, and certainly not as scenic as going up to the Adirondacks; but seemed a decent option for a quick weekend trip."
Site identification: Finding dispersed camping locations can be challenging. A reviewer at Winona State Forest notes, "The primitive campsite was a little difficult to find there's a tiny black and yellow placard that shows you where you can camp."
Water requirements: With most primitive sites lacking drinking water, campers must plan accordingly. Many sites require bringing all water for drinking, cooking and washing. Even campgrounds with limited facilities may not offer potable water sources.
Weather preparedness: The region experiences significant precipitation throughout camping season. As one camper at Winona State Forest reported, "It rained while we were here but overall the campsite was quiet and peaceful."
Youth camp options: For families seeking structured activities, Adirondack Mennonite Camping Associates offers programming beyond basic camping. Elizabeth B. describes it as "a classic summer youth sleep-away camp on Beaver Lake. Sleeping in cabins with bunk beds, swimming, canoes, and a high ropes course, gathering around the campfire to end the day."
Wildlife awareness: Duck populations frequent some waterfront sites. Prepare children for wildlife encounters and establish clear rules about feeding wildlife. One camper at Alger Island advises, "don't feed the ducks. They will never leave."
Boating safety: Lake sites with busy boat traffic can create safety concerns and noise. Sarah B. from Alger Island explains, "the lake was FILLED with boats" during holiday periods, creating choppy conditions that made paddling challenging.
Limited electrical hookups: Few tent campsites near Boonville offer electrical connections for RVs. Those requiring power should specifically seek campgrounds advertising electric hookups, as most primitive sites cannot accommodate power needs.
Site accessibility: Most state forest camping areas have unpaved access roads that may be difficult for larger RVs. Kevin C. at Winona State Forest notes campsites are often "just feet off of Bargy Road" with minimal turnaround space.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Boonville, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Boonville, NY is North Lake Reservoir Campground with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 15 tent camping locations near Boonville, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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