Dispersed camping near Colonie, New York offers primitive sites with minimal facilities throughout surrounding state forests and wilderness areas. Most locations sit between 30-60 miles from town at elevations ranging from 1,200-1,800 feet, creating varied seasonal conditions. Access roads frequently deteriorate during spring thaw and after heavy rainfall, requiring vehicles with adequate ground clearance.
What to do
Kayaking at Somerset Reservoir: Located about 60 miles from Colonie, this large body of water provides excellent paddling opportunities with minimal crowds. "The real attraction is the huge Somerset Reservoir which is up the road. Plenty of fishing, paddling, hiking and picnicking opportunities," notes one Somerset Airfield visitor.
Hiking access points: Many rustic camping spots near Colonie serve as trailheads to wilderness areas. At Ushers Road State Forest, "This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails. I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side. The terrain eventually transitions into a low-lying, swampy area."
Fishing spots: Several primitive sites offer direct water access. Duck Pond campsites provide stream fishing options, though road conditions can be challenging. One camper reports: "After driving unpaved dirt road for a while, we arrived at surprisingly well maintained beautiful campsites. The pond is small so the mosquitos were not too bad."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Unlike developed campgrounds, dispersed camping around Colonie offers isolation. At George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed, "The camp spots were all pretty spread out from each other and the road was easy to drive on. There were only about 10 spots along the access road."
Stream sounds: Water features rank high with campers seeking natural ambiance. "You camp on the stream. There is a couple of spots," explains one regular at Betty Brook Camp, who adds "Love to camp here all year long have been coming to the area for a couple of decades now. Remote. Sometimes you never see anyone."
Wildlife viewing: The undeveloped nature of dispersed sites means more animal sightings. At Duck Pond Campsite, "The site itself was pretty nice, Fire pit, trickling stream," though one camper noted "the years taken off the life of my truck was not worth it" due to rough access roads.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Most remote camping areas have patchy or no coverage. One camper at Duck Pond Campsite reported "Intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving on these rough roads."
Variable site quality: Conditions change throughout the season. Somerset Airfield campers found "puddles everywhere" after flooding, noting "Only the first section of the campground was open due to flooding."
Sanitation concerns: Without facilities, improper waste disposal becomes a problem. One visitor to George D Aiken reported: "Site was littered with places previous campers had left human excrement. While not in the site directly, it was all around it."
Fire ring availability: Most sites include established fire rings but quality varies. At Westkill Camp, one camper found "Nice and quiet. There is enough room for 2 to 3 campers. Parking across the street if it's wet."
Tips for camping with families
Proximity to amenities: Choose sites closer to small towns for emergency supplies. "I would not recommend this for large trailers. The site is fairly small, but it's in state park, and there's tons of walking that can be done," notes a local resident about Betty Brook Camp.
Low-traffic areas: For safer family camping, seek sites away from busy roads. At NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot, "Peaceful and quiet dispersed camping spot. Large enough for 2-3 vehicles or one large rig/RV. Very few vehicles pass, some days none."
Site layout considerations: Some locations offer better family configurations. "At least a dozen spots, some very spacious. Only crashed for 1 night but will be coming back to spend a few, this area was excellent!" reports a camper at NFR 273.
Tips from RVers
Parking surface quality: Check recent reviews for ground conditions. At Fort Plain Lock 15, "The parking lot is large, rocky, and uneven, situated right on the Mohawk River."
Water access: Few dispersed sites offer potable water. Fort Plain Lock stands out with "potable water available on the side of the building as you enter."
Size limitations: Many forest roads cannot accommodate larger rigs. Somerset Airfield offers more room but less privacy: "It is probably good for people who camp with RVs or Trailers that can't get into smaller sites, but if you can I would go some where else."
Seasonal considerations: Winter camping requires extra preparation. As one Somerset camper experienced: "Everything crusted over with a good inch of ice. I have never endured such winds camping, I was sure camp was going to be blown apart."
