Charles E. Baker State Forest provides primitive camping opportunities near Westernville, New York. The forest features a single designated campsite with a fire pit and picnic table, but allows dispersed camping throughout its boundaries. Located in the western Adirondack foothills, this area sits at moderate elevation with mixed hardwood forests and access to small ponds. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing with significant snowfall, while summer brings warm days and cool nights.
What to do
Trail exploration: Charles E. Baker State Forest contains miles of marked trails suitable for day hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing. "Beautiful forest with miles of trails. I found this spot passing through on my bike and had no problem pitching a tent in a secluded spot in the woods," notes Matt A. from Charles E. Baker State Forest.
Paddle the lake: Limekiln Lake offers excellent paddling opportunities with clean, clear water. "The lake is beautiful and quiet, very very clean water you can see the bottom. I have been to multiple lakes in Adirondack, you may confirm one of the cleanests," writes Murat H. from Limekiln Lake Campground.
Night sky viewing: The limited light pollution in the area provides excellent stargazing conditions. "We loved our stay at Limekiln Lake! We had site 270, which was close enough to walk down to the boat launch at night to look at the stars (and the Milky Way!)," reports Lena L.
What campers like
Access to water: Campers appreciate sites with proximity to lakes and ponds. "If your lucky enough to get a water site it's even better. We camp here for two weeks every year in July," says Kim M. about her experiences at Limekiln Lake.
Privacy between sites: The natural spacing between campsites creates a secluded feel. "Dense woods between campsites," notes Dani T., highlighting the privacy at Limekiln Lake. Similarly at Charles E. Baker, campers mention finding "secluded spot in the woods" for pitching tents.
Rental equipment availability: On-site boat rentals eliminate the need to transport personal watercraft. "The campground management provides kayak and canoes with reasonable prices and very laidback about it which is kinda nice, you pay at the enterance and go to the beach and grab your kayak, self service," explains a visitor to Limekiln Lake.
What you should know
Bear awareness: Local black bears require proper food storage. "There is a box to keep your garbage or food from the black bears which was nice," reports Murat H. Another camper at Limekiln mentions, "Enjoyed 3 nights here with no complaints. There is a minor bear problem but they didn't do much besides sniff around. Rangers were always right on top of things when one would wonder around and sure to chance them off."
Seasonal insect conditions: Late spring brings significant insect activity. "The flies are actually pretty horrible—not sure if it's a late year for them or if they're just particularly bad this year, but they were relentless," warns Lena L. from The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone.
Limited facilities: Most primitive sites lack standard amenities. "Only giving 4 stars because the best free sites have water pumps and vault toilets, but this is a great camping experience," explains Cameron from Charles E. Baker State Forest.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly bike routes: Several campgrounds feature safe cycling paths. "Really nice park kids got to ride their bikes everywhere with minimal traffic," shares Jynee Z. about Limekiln Lake.
Beach access: Swimming areas provide summer recreation for children. "Nice camping spot to bring the family beach was nice water was a little cold," notes a Limekiln Lake visitor.
Playground options: Some sites offer dedicated play areas. "For activities, there are some great hikes around the campground, as well as excellent playgrounds, fishing, an awesome pool, and of course, free shuttle rides to the Turning Stone Casino right up the street," explains Michael O. about The Villages RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: For those seeking amenities, select parks offer complete services. "Spacious FHU sites. Pull thru and back ins," notes Boomer B. about The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone.
Accessibility concerns: Some forest roads may challenge larger vehicles. Cameron notes about Charles E. Baker, "Access at the end of a long, but well maintained, dirt road," which may present challenges for larger RVs without four-wheel drive.
Site selection guidance: Research specific site characteristics before booking. "We scheduled a pull through for 1 night last minute due to an unexpected change in plans. We are a full-time traveling family (2 kids - 8 & 13) and 2 English Bulldogs. We have a Class A motorhome and flat tow a Jeep. The campground was beautiful and easy to get in and out of. The sites were level and great size with nice spacing in between," shares Jen O.
