Best Dispersed Camping near Childwold, NY

Dispersed camping near Childwold, New York centers around several primitive sites in the Adirondack region, with options like Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites, Stillwater Reservoir, and Polliwog Lake offering free or low-cost camping experiences. Most sites are accessible by water or hiking trails rather than direct vehicle access, creating a true wilderness experience. The area includes both island camping opportunities and shoreline sites, with many requiring boats or kayaks to reach designated camping areas.

Access to many sites requires either hiking in or boat transportation, particularly at Cranberry Lake and Stillwater Reservoir where most campsites are designed for water access. Roads leading to launch points may be unpaved and potentially muddy after rain, especially at locations like Little Green Pond. Most sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation system. Camping is permitted for up to 14 days in most areas. Limited or no amenities exist at these locations—campers must pack in drinking water or bring filtration systems, as potable water is not available. Some sites feature basic privies, but visitors should be prepared with their own toilet paper and waste disposal plans.

The primitive camping experience in this region provides exceptional seclusion and natural beauty. Stillwater Reservoir sites offer waterfront locations with swimming opportunities and wildlife viewing. According to one visitor, "We saw Bald Eagles and Loons, enjoyed swimming, canoeing and paddleboarding with the family." Cell service is extremely limited or non-existent throughout the area. A camper at Stillwater noted, "Would recommend if you want to break away from technology because you get zero service out there." Several sites feature fire rings, though fire regulations vary seasonally and by location. The Cranberry Lake area provides opportunities for kayaking to hiking trailheads, with one review mentioning that "The Curtis Pond hike was our favorite and there are some incredible beaver dams along the way." Weather can change quickly, so adequate shelter and rain protection are essential.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Childwold, New York (18)

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Childwold, NY

17 Reviews of 18 Childwold Campgrounds


  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 28, 2018

    Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites

    Your Own Private Island for FREE!

    We spent 3 nights backcountry camping on Catamount Island in Cranberry Lake and absolutely loved it! The sunsets from the island were truly incredible. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Ours had an extensive pile of dry wood, too. There is a decent privy tucked back in the woods. Bring your own TP though! Also, you will either need to bring your own potable water or filter from the lake, so don’t forget your water filter.

    In addition to many cool places to kayak from the island, there are a few hiking trails where you can land your boat and hike for a few hours. The Curtis Pond hike was our favorite and there are some incredible beaver dams along the way. While the mosquitoes weren’t bad at the campsite itself or while kayaking, they are terrible on the trails this time of year; so bring your bug spray, or better yet, bug shirts! The millions upon millions of dragonflies help make up for the mosquitoes!

    The Village of Cranberry Lake (which is accessible from the lake) has some supplies, but not much except the very basics at the general store.  You’ll need to head to Star Lake or Tupper Lake for anything of significance.

    Backcountry camping is first come, first served…no reservations necessary or even possible. No permit is needed. The only fee is if you want to park your vehicle in the state park while you are camping on the island, it is $8 per day.

  • Geoff W.
    Aug. 16, 2017

    Stillwater Reservoir

    Another great trip

    This was my 3rd trip to Stillwater in 3 yrs and it gets better each time!

    Our first trip was an overnight to test some backpacking gear, it was September and the weather was perfect! We hiked into our site, not easy because almost everything is meant to be accessed by boat so we were guessing our course! Cooler weather meant no bugs to contend with

    Next year we took a canoe to our site, it was July, warm weather, warm water and the bugs were not terrible, we were at Site 1, secluded in a cove, not a lot of traffic but there is a hiking trailhead near the site so there is potential for visitors.

    Our latest trip was to site 10, an island site with a large sandy beachfront, we borrowed a motor boat to get there this year and brought plenty of gear for 4 days. Weather was great again, some rain each day but we had time to get setup and get shelters to keep dry.

    Camping if free here but it is first come first serve but with 40+ sites you can almost always get something. There is a small store at the boat launch to get provisions if you need, public restrooms and wifi. Very limited cell service.

    You should bring water or something to filter it from the reservoir. I believe all the site have privy boxes on them.

    There are opportunities for fishing, a few local attractions, a nice restaurant at the launch.

  • Mona M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 6, 2025

    Payne Lake Dispersed Site

    Beautiful Lake

    Public access boat ramp with limited parking available on both sides. No amenities on-site. I'm getting two bars of Verizon signal with the help of a WeBoost. Beautiful views, peaceful and quiet.

  • Elizabeth B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2020

    Blue Lagoon Primitive Dispersed Camping

    Dispersed camping on stillwater reservoir

    Primitive site on the beautiful south eastern end of Stillwater. A short hike in to a great beach for swimming or paddling.

    We’ve stayed here many times in tents and hammock tents. The swimming is fantastic- water is clean and clear.

    Because you can’t make a reservation here sometimes there’s competition for a spot. There is a good fire circle with space all around. The trail down to the beach is only about a hundred feet, but it is downhill.

    This site is close to the trailhead for the Stillwater firetower, an original Adirondack firetower.

  • Elizabeth B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2020

    Sunday Lake Dispersed Camping

    Primitive dispersed camping. 1/4 mile walk in, lovely quiet lake

    This is a small primitive site. No services, but a very beautiful spot. There’s a small fire ring, and access to the lake for swimming or fishing. 

    Sunday lake has always been lovely and quiet and a great place to take youth campers. 

    Take Stillwater rd. to McCarty road, the trail is 0.3 miles To Sunday lake. Space to park two cars or a small RV off the road.

  • MARY B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 22, 2021

    Seventh Lake Primitive Camping

    Canoe Camping at Its Best

    There are a few camping sites and one lean-to that I know of in this area. 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. 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.  There is a trail that connects the campsites to Seventh Lake Rd. and to the Bug Lake trail and we had some Hikers travel through the campsite. If you are looking for the site from the water, look for a HUGE rock and there will be a sign that reads camp here, there are two more campsites, one with a lean-to within a short walk as well.

  • Elizabeth B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 25, 2019

    Stillwater Reservoir

    Your own private adventure beach

    Even in cold rainy weather we had a phenomenal time at Stillwater. Our spot had gorgeous waterfront to it, a stone fire circle where someone had left extra fire wood, and ample trees. The season had had unusually low water all over and it left a really unusual landscape on the beach to explore. We can’t wait to come back!

  • Dane P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 10, 2024

    Stillwater Reservoir

    Excellent place! Went for Solar Eclipse

    a 20 mile ride of just woods on a bumpy road. Pretty cool! Surprisingly the place wasn't that populated as I expected it to be. I went to a accessible campsite near the dam so I can pull stuff i needed from my car. The restaurant in the town had great food, the staff were nice, and had two cute dogs!

  • sam T.
    Dec. 28, 2021

    Stillwater Reservoir

    Nice kayaking spot

    My wife and I kayaked to Long Island and stayed for a weekend. It was quiet and had the whole island to our self. Would recommend if you want to break away from technology because you get zero service out there


Guide to Childwold

Dispersed camping near Childwold, New York occurs primarily within the Five Ponds Wilderness Area of the Adirondack Park, featuring mixed northern hardwood and conifer forests at elevations between 1,500-2,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F days to 50-60°F nights, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Most primitive sites require detailed topographic maps and navigation skills as trail markers can be minimal or weathered in remote areas.

What to do

Paddle to remote islands: At Stillwater Reservoir, kayakers can access Long Island for complete isolation. "My wife and I kayaked to Long Island and stayed for a weekend. It was quiet and had the whole island to our self," reports one Stillwater Reservoir visitor.

Explore beaver dams: Multiple pond ecosystems created by beaver activity provide unique ecological viewing. A camper at Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites noted, "Beautiful campgrounds... clean.. friendly.. amazing lake for kayaking and boating."

Visit local fire towers: Hike to historic fire observation towers located near several camping areas. One camper mentioned, "This campsite is right down the road from the fire tower trail," when describing their stay at Stillwater Reservoir.

Fishing opportunities: Spring and fall offer optimal fishing conditions with brook and lake trout among common catches. During summer months, early morning and evening provide best results.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: The dispersed nature of camping areas ensures minimal noise from neighboring campers. At Little Green Pond, visitors appreciate the "12 designated camping spots. Some require driving down a bumpy access road that can be muddy after a rain. Sites are on the Pond."

Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse wildlife including loons, bald eagles, deer, and beaver. "The season had had unusually low water all over and it left a really unusual landscape on the beach to explore," reported one visitor about Stillwater Reservoir.

Swimming beaches: Several sites offer natural sand beaches for water access. According to a Little Green Pond visitor, "Pond has a small beach to swim. Tree covered sites."

No technology distractions: Nearly all locations lack cellular reception, creating true disconnection. At Polliwog Lake on Floodwood Road, one camper simply stated, "Camped here for a few days, no cell, no internet."

What you should know

Vehicle access limitations: Only specific sites permit drive-up access. One reviewer at Stillwater Reservoir cautioned, "I came here a couple days ago only to realize that all except one campsite needs a boat to be reached."

Weather preparedness: Rain protection is essential as summer thunderstorms develop quickly. "Even in cold rainy weather we had a phenomenal time at Stillwater. Our spot had gorgeous waterfront to it, a stone fire circle where someone had left extra fire wood, and ample trees," shared one camper.

Limited drinking water: No potable water exists at sites; all water must be carried in or filtered. Bring multiple filter options as beaver activity impacts water quality.

Navigation challenges: Forest roads to Horseshoe Lake require careful driving. "Road is rough but easily doable if you take it slow," notes one camper about accessing the designated sites.

Supply planning: Limited resupply options exist within 20 miles. Multiple campers mention bringing all necessary supplies for their entire stay.

Tips for camping with families

Best sites for children: Choose locations with sandy beaches and gradual water entry. A family at Stillwater Reservoir shared, "just returned from our annual week at the reservoir, such beauty! We saw Bald Eagles and Loons, enjoyed swimming, canoeing and paddleboarding with the family."

Distance considerations: With children, select sites requiring minimal hiking from parking areas. Most boat-access sites require paddling 1-3 miles.

Toilet facilities: Most backcountry sites feature basic privy boxes. At Ward Brook Campsite, a camper noted "Great campsite with a nice lean-to. Fire pit, picnic table, and a privy."

Group accommodations: Some locations accommodate larger family gatherings. One Stillwater Reservoir reviewer mentioned their "site #37 accommodating 20 members of the family plus 3 dogs!"

Tips from RVers

Solar power limitations: Dense tree cover affects solar charging systems. At Horseshoe Lake, a camper observed, "As it's a forest, the sites are pretty shaded, so solar and Starlink may present challenges."

Access road conditions: Road quality varies seasonally with spring thaw creating challenging conditions. "a 20 mile ride of just woods on a bumpy road. Pretty cool!" reported one Stillwater Reservoir visitor.

Size restrictions: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller RVs under 25 feet. Larger rigs should consider established campgrounds instead.

Cell signal for emergencies: Limited reception exists at select locations. "Slight AT&T at earlier sites," notes one Horseshoe Lake visitor regarding connectivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Childwold, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Childwold, NY is Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 18 dispersed camping locations near Childwold, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.