Best Tent Camping near Cortland, NY
State forests surrounding Cortland, New York provide numerous primitive tent camping opportunities with varied amenities and access types. Morgan Hill State Forest offers the Onondaga Trailhead campground with developed campsites featuring cement pads, picnic tables, and fire pits accessible directly from the parking area. Spruce Pond Camping Area in the same forest provides ten established tent sites along the pond with fishing opportunities and access to hiking trails, while Long Pond Campground offers dispersed tent camping with sites positioned along the shoreline.
Tent campers should come prepared with their own water supply as most primitive sites lack potable water sources. Morgan Hill Forest's tent sites require visitors to practice leave-no-trace principles since no toilet facilities exist at the immediate campground. Spruce Pond recently added an accessible outhouse with wide doorways, though facilities remain basic. Long Pond provides a porta-potty near the entrance, but otherwise follows dispersed camping protocols. State forest camping generally allows stays up to 14 days, and many areas require permits that must be obtained in advance, particularly for the Jackson Pond and Pharsalia Y Pond tent sites.
Sites throughout these forests provide excellent tree cover for natural shade and hammock setup opportunities. Several locations offer direct water access, with tent sites positioned near ponds and fishing opportunities. A review for Spruce Pond noted, "Lots of fisherman frequent the pond. The first few campsites are the best—the further down you go the worse the sites get for tent setup. Smaller tents would be best here. Great trees for hammock camping though." The primitive nature of these campsites appeals to hikers seeking connection with trail systems, particularly the Finger Lakes Trail, which passes through multiple camping areas. At Pharsalia Woods, tent campers can access the Adirondack-style lean-to maintained by the local Bullthistle Hikers Club, offering an alternative shelter option within a backcountry setting.
