Best Dispersed Camping near Fultonville, NY
State forests and dispersed camping areas surround Fultonville, New York, offering primarily primitive camping experiences within the Mohawk Valley region. Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail provides accessible waterfront camping along the Mohawk River with basic amenities including potable water, pit toilets, and trash disposal. Other nearby options include Betty Brook Camp, Duck Pond Campsite, and Burnt Rossman State Forest, all offering dispersed camping with varying levels of remoteness. Most sites in the region accommodate both tent and small RV camping, with many situated near streams, ponds, or lakes that enhance the camping experience.
Road conditions to many sites require careful navigation, particularly after rain events. As one camper noted about Duck Pond Campsite, "The road in on old cemetery rd was pretty rough, so we decided to go out the other way, which was way worse." Many dispersed sites have limited turnaround space, making smaller vehicles preferable. Cell service varies significantly throughout the region, with many remote areas having intermittent or no coverage. State forest camping typically follows New York's 150-foot rule, allowing camping anywhere at least 150 feet from trails, roads, or water sources. Winter camping is possible at some locations, with a visitor to Burnt Rossman State Forest noting it was "a great location for winter camping."
Waterfront access represents a common feature at highly-rated sites in the area. North Lake Reservoir Campground receives consistent praise for its lakeside setting, with one visitor describing it as having "32 sites all around the lake. Some are walk in right on the lake. Quiet, peaceful, and clean." Fort Plain Lock 15 offers a different waterfront experience, with one camper describing it as "simply a parking lot with a view. The parking area is right on the water. It offers sounds of the highway and freight trains going by." Many sites feature established fire rings and some level of privacy despite proximity to roads. Visitors frequently mention the solitude available at these locations, with one regular at Betty Brook Camp noting, "Sometimes you never see anyone. Sometimes you see some people. You camp on the stream."
