Best Tent Camping near Camillus, NY
Tent campers near Camillus, New York have several primitive and established options within a short drive of town. Morgan Hill State Forest offers dispersed camping at the Onondaga Trailhead campground with tent sites adjacent to the trailhead parking circle. Spruce Pond Camping Area in the same forest provides pond-side tent camping with established sites maintained by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, approximately 15 miles southeast of Camillus.
Most primitive tent camping areas require self-sufficiency, as amenities are minimal. The Spruce Pond area includes fire grills and developed tent sites with some pond access points, and a newly constructed outhouse serves the area. Morgan Hill Forest campsites include two developed sites with cement pads, picnic tables and fire pits, though no water sources or restroom facilities are directly at the campground. Campers must bring their own water and be prepared to practice Leave No Trace principles. Many sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations required, though permits may be necessary for some locations.
Tent campers at these locations benefit from direct access to extensive trail networks. The Onondaga Trail branch of the North Country Scenic Trail connects directly to Morgan Hill Forest campground, providing hiking opportunities to nearby attractions like Tinker Falls. Spruce Pond sites provide peaceful settings with tent pads nestled in wooded areas and fishing access along the pond shoreline. Most campsites offer adequate shade and relative privacy from neighboring sites. A reviewer noted that the Spruce Pond area features "an amazing network of hiking and cross country ski trails along with mountain biking along the forest roads," making it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking multiple activities from a tent base camp. Wildlife activity is common near the ponds, with another camper mentioning "the animals at the pond are very active and made a lot of noise in the night."
