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Best Dispersed Camping near Colton, NY

16 Reviews

The Adirondack region surrounding Colton, New York features numerous dispersed camping opportunities centered around lakes and reservoirs. Stillwater Reservoir stands out with its highly-rated free sites, many accessible only by boat, while Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites offer island camping experiences on Catamount Island. Other options include Polliwog Lake on Floodwood Road, Payne Lake Dispersed Site, and Sunday Lake Dispersed Camping, all within a 30-mile radius of Colton. Most sites are primitive with minimal amenities, though some include basic facilities like fire rings and picnic tables. The area's camping landscape is characterized by waterfront locations that provide opportunities for paddling, swimming, and fishing.

Access to many sites requires careful planning, particularly for water-based camping. As one camper noted about Stillwater Reservoir, "Almost everything is meant to be accessed by boat," with only one car-accessible site available. Most locations operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations possible. Cell service is extremely limited throughout the region, with one visitor reporting, "Zero service out there" at Stillwater. Weather conditions vary seasonally, with summer bringing warmer temperatures and increased insect activity, while September offers cooler temperatures with fewer bugs. Many sites require visitors to bring or filter their own water, as potable water sources are scarce.

Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors, with multiple reviewers highlighting the peaceful seclusion. Island camping on Stillwater Reservoir and Cranberry Lake provides exceptional privacy, with one camper describing "having the whole island to ourselves." Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with reports of bald eagles and loons. Visitors frequently mention the pristine swimming conditions, with one noting that "the swimming is fantastic, water is clean and clear" at Blue Lagoon Primitive Dispersed Camping. Hiking trails connect to many sites, including the Stillwater Firetower trail. Amenities vary significantly between locations, with some sites featuring privies and fire rings while others offer no facilities whatsoever. The common thread among visitor experiences is the sense of disconnection from everyday life, with one camper summarizing Stillwater as "a wonderful place to get lost, voluntarily at least."

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Colton, New York (13)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Colton, NY

25 Photos of 13 Colton Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Colton, NY

16 Reviews of 13 Colton 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.

  • 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

  • K
    Aug. 4, 2021

    Stillwater Reservoir

    Need a boat

    I came here a couple days ago only to realize that all except one campsite needs a boat to be reached. It's first come first serve so best to find another place if you intend to drive up to your campsite. The drive up campsite had an outhouse though so that was nice

Guide to Colton

Dispersed camping near Colton, New York concentrates primarily in the western Adirondack region where elevations range from 1,500 to 2,500 feet. The terrain consists of mixed northern hardwood forests interspersed with numerous small lakes and ponds. Most primitive sites have limited or no facilities and require campers to pack in essentials including water and waste disposal equipment.

What to do

Paddling exploration: Stillwater Reservoir offers extensive water recreation opportunities with 20+ miles of navigable water. "We saw Bald Eagles and Loons, enjoyed swimming, canoeing and paddleboarding with the family," reports Christie M., highlighting the wildlife viewing potential.

Beach relaxation: Several sites feature sandy shorelines for swimming and lounging. At Stillwater Reservoir, one visitor described finding "a large sandy beachfront" on their island site, while another noted that even in "cold rainy weather we had a phenomenal time" with "gorgeous waterfront" access.

Hiking options: Trail access varies by location, with some sites connecting directly to established paths. The Ward Brook Campsite serves as a basecamp for Seymour Mountain climbing, with one camper noting it has "a nice lean-to, fire pit, picnic table, and a privy" with "plenty of water around."

What campers like

Isolation factor: Many sites offer significant privacy, particularly those requiring boat access. A visitor to Sunday Lake Dispersed Camping described it as "a small primitive site. No services, but a very beautiful spot" that has "always been lovely and quiet and a great place to take youth campers."

Technology disconnect: The remote nature forces disconnection from digital life. At Stillwater Reservoir, one camper reported, "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."

Wildlife encounters: The relative isolation creates opportunities to observe native species. Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites feature "amazing lake for kayaking and boating" with "sites not crowded together," according to one visitor, while another mentioned "millions upon millions of dragonflies" during summer months.

What you should know

Water access requirements: Many sites require watercraft to reach. A camper at Stillwater Reservoir noted, "I came here a couple days ago only to realize that all except one campsite needs a boat to be reached. It's first come first serve so best to find another place if you intend to drive up to your campsite."

Road conditions: Access roads to primitive sites can be challenging. At Horseshoe Lake, a visitor reported, "Road is rough but easily doable if you take it slow" and noted there are "10-11 designated campsites. Most have fire pits."

Water management: Potable water availability is limited or nonexistent at most locations. Visitors to Cranberry Lake advised to "bring your own potable water or filter from the lake, so don't forget your water filter."

Supply planning: Limited resupply options exist near most sites. A Cranberry Lake camper noted, "The Village of Cranberry 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."

Tips for camping with families

Water safety preparations: With most sites near water bodies, proper safety equipment is essential. At Sunday Lake, a visitor recommended it as "a great place to take youth campers" but noted the quarter-mile walk-in access requires planning for gear transport.

Site selection timing: First-come basis means planning arrival times strategically. One Stillwater visitor mentioned arriving after "a 20 mile ride of just woods on a bumpy road" and being surprised that "the place wasn't that populated as I expected it to be."

Alternative activities: Weather contingencies should be considered. At Little Green Pond, a camper noted the "12 designated camping spots" are "tree covered sites" that provide shelter during rain, and the "pond has a small beach to swim."

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Most primitive sites accommodate smaller rigs only. At Payne Lake Dispersed Site, a visitor observed "limited parking available on both sides" at the "public access boat ramp" area, restricting larger vehicles.

Signal considerations: Communication capabilities vary significantly by location. A Payne Lake camper reported "getting two bars of Verizon signal with the help of a WeBoost" while another camper at Polliwog Lake specifically mentioned "no cell, no internet" during their stay.

Specialized equipment: Some sites require additional equipment for comfortable stays. At Horseshoe Lake, a visitor cautioned that "as it's a forest, the sites are pretty shaded, so solar and Starlink may present challenges" with only "slight AT&T at earlier sites."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Colton, 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 Colton, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 13 dispersed camping locations near Colton, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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