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Tent camping options near Cambridge, New York range from established campgrounds to primitive backcountry sites. Within driving distance, Camden Creek Farm and Carrie W's Land offer reservable tent sites with basic amenities like drinking water and designated areas for fires. Ushers Road State Forest provides dispersed tent camping opportunities with more primitive setups approximately 25 miles west of Cambridge.
Most tent sites in the region feature natural, ungraded terrain that varies from dirt to forest floor. Walk-in tent campsites are common, requiring campers to carry gear short distances from parking areas. Many locations permit fires in designated rings, though seasonal restrictions may apply during dry periods. Facilities are typically minimal, with some sites offering vault toilets while others require campers to follow Leave No Trace principles for waste disposal. At Ushers Road State Forest, a review notes, "Camping is permitted anywhere in the woods as long as it's at least 150 feet off the trail, offering an abundance of potential camping spots."
The primitive tent camping experience near Cambridge provides excellent access to hiking trails and natural features. Tent campers often enjoy greater flexibility in site selection compared to RV users, allowing for more secluded locations away from roads. Backcountry tent sites in nearby forests offer solitude and immersion in nature, while established campgrounds provide more structured environments with basic amenities. The surrounding Green Mountain National Forest and Adirondack foothills create scenic backdrops for tent camping experiences. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "The terrain eventually transitions into a low-lying, swampy area, likely due to recent rainfall," indicating the variable conditions tent campers may encounter.
"One of many locations along Forest rd 71, this spot was a good place to pitch a tent for the night while exploring the area even in the rain."
"We stayed at one near the creek just over a little bridge. Cute little site, nice fire pit, clean, perfect rock to put a big water jug on. The sound of running water was soothing."
from $100 - $300 / night
"This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails. I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side."
"Cold, Snow, Wind, full moon in the middle of the woods with only the people I hiked in with. It was great! The shelter is a 3.75mi hike from the nearest parking lot in winter. "
"While hiking the Long trail i stopped at the seth warner shetler for one night. Its .2 miles off the Lt/At and sleeps 6-7 people. There is a fire pit."
from $28 / night
Check Availability"There's a big 3-wall cabin with room for at least 12, several tent platforms, and there's even a composting privy (#2 only)!!"
from $5 / night
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TravelerCamp is pretty close together but most spots have a thick tree line between them which is nice. You still get a bit of road noise off the bridge and surrounding areas but it’s not to bad and the views at the boat launch on the Hudson are gorgeous
ScoutIt was dark. I arrived after 7p. There were 3 rv camps already going on. All 3 had camp fires. Many fire rings for many groups. No hassles at all. It's off the beaten path but worth it. The first 4 camp sites were open. Made a fire. Ate some food. I got a good night sleep. Nothing ate me or attacked me so that's 5 star in my book.
GuideThe park looks fantastic! Well maintained camp sites and beautiful river sceneries from the boat launch area!
Bathhouse is one of the best I have seen!
Check in was smooth. Everyone was courteous!
TravelerLots of beautiful spots to pick from but be careful some are a bit muddy. We brought our school bus down the dirt road just fine and backed right in. They also have fireplaces which was nice!
LegendMostly peaceful campground with nice spots, most of which offer some privacy. If you are bothered by trains, note that you will hear them in the background quite frequently from the railroad bridge that passes over the Hudson River. It's not loud by any means, but you can hear them.
The state park staff and the camp hosts were all very friendly, and it has some of the cleanest bathrooms I've ever seen in a state park.
Site 20 is a pull through site and it's huge, and while it is next to the shower building, it's far enough away that it really isn't a problem. Also, the field between you and the shower building is a fantastic spot to set up a Starlink dish.
GuideWonderful owners. A variety of sites to choose from in a relaxing setting. No waste hookups here, but they have a dump station. $51 per night with cash.
TravelerLaundry is clean, bathrooms are clean and showers are hot. Pool, dishwashing station, sometimes quite sometimes very active. Love this place! Wish it was open year round!
TravelerGreat little campground in Berkshire County. Mostly suited for tent camping or small RVs, although there are definitely sites for RVs to use. Call to get an idea of what’s available if you do plan on bringing your RV. The facilities were clean and the trails well marked.
LegendThis is a quiet campground in a quiet part of the state. The terrain is mountainous, and all of the sites are private. There are two loops, one for tents/RVs and one for lean-tos. We stayed in the Willow lean-to, and while our site didn't have a view, it was one of the most private sites we've stayed in and just a short walk to the bathhouse.
The campground was created by the CCC in the 1930s, and from what I've heard, it hasn't changed much since that time. While we were here, we visited the Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site (very cool), Long Trail Brewing, and the town of Woodstock. Great trip!
Tent camping near Cambridge, New York ranges from primitive backcountry sites to established campgrounds with basic amenities. The surrounding landscape features rolling hills with elevations between 500-1,000 feet, creating varied camping terrain throughout the seasons. Winter camping requires additional preparation with nighttime temperatures often dropping below freezing from November through March.
Paddling and swimming opportunities: At Long Island on Lake George, approximately 40 miles north of Cambridge, tent campers can enjoy water-based activities. "We had a great spot on Long Island! Beautiful view, chill atmosphere, easy boat parking on the slip," notes one visitor to this boat-access camping area.
Hiking the Long Trail: Seth Warner Shelter, located in southern Vermont about 25 miles east of Cambridge, offers access to the Long Trail. "While hiking the Long trail I stopped at the Seth Warner shelter for one night. Its .2 miles off the LT/AT and sleeps 6-7 people," shares a camper who recommends bringing proper shelter equipment.
Winter camping adventures: Stratton Pond Shelter in Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest provides year-round camping opportunities. A winter camper reports, "Spent the weekend here on the last weekend of Feb. 2024. Cold, Snow, Wind, full moon in the middle of the woods with only the people I hiked in with. It was great! The shelter is a 3.75mi hike from the nearest parking lot in winter."
Island camping experience: The Lake George Islands sites offer a unique camping setting. According to one visitor at Long Island Group, "Worth a trip from just about anywhere. Absolutely beautiful and you can't beat camping on an island."
Secluded pond settings: Little Rock Pond campsite in Vermont features tent platforms and cabin space in a serene setting. A camper describes it as "Easily my favorite campsite in the Northeast! Operated by the Green Mountain Club caretaker who lives onsite, this campsite costs only $5 per person per night."
Wildlife encounters: Many tent sites around Cambridge provide opportunities to observe local wildlife. Be prepared for potential animal visitors, as one camper at Long Island notes: "The raccoon situation was bad. We were literally bombarded with a group of raccoons each night."
Fire restrictions vary by site: Fire policies differ significantly between campgrounds near Cambridge. At Zoar Outdoor in Massachusetts, approximately 60 miles southeast, "They don't allow fires at the campsites though which is annoying and their quiet hours are quite oppressive," according to one reviewer.
Water availability limitations: Most primitive tent sites require carrying in water or filtering from natural sources. Established campgrounds like Camden Creek Farm and Zoar Outdoor provide drinking water, but dispersed camping areas typically have no potable water sources.
Seasonal maintenance issues: Site conditions can deteriorate seasonally. A Long Island Group camper notes, "There were no leveled space whatsoever (except for one platform per site...but where would a second tent go? On the horrible ground beside it. These sites have not been maintained in probably 20 years at least."
Check site accessibility: Some tent sites require significant hiking to reach. At Stratton Pond Shelter, the winter access requires a 3.75-mile hike from parking, which may be challenging for families with young children or substantial gear.
Look for sites with amenities: Zoar Outdoor offers more family-friendly facilities than primitive sites. A visitor notes, "Amenities are well maintained. Could use a refresh but overall great experience will be back."
Consider staff support: Campgrounds with attentive staff can enhance the family camping experience. One Zoar Outdoor camper shares, "This place is great. Everyone is so knowledgeable and helpful and kind. They really seem to care about what they do, and it shows."
Limited RV options near Cambridge: Most camping in the immediate Cambridge area focuses on tent camping with minimal RV facilities. The few campgrounds accepting RVs typically offer primitive sites without hookups.
Access challenges: When considering RV camping, note potential access restrictions. At Ushers Road State Forest, camping is limited to areas "at least 150 feet off the trail," which can create access challenges for larger vehicles on forest roads.
Alternative RV destinations: RVers seeking full hookups may need to venture farther from Cambridge. Long Island Group at Lake George offers electric, water and sewer hookups, though requires boat transportation to reach the island sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cambridge, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cambridge, NY is Dispersed site along Forest RD 71 with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Cambridge, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 tent camping locations near Cambridge, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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