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Dispersed camping near Gansevoort, New York centers primarily around state forests and wilderness areas in both New York and nearby Vermont. Ushers Road State Forest offers primitive camping opportunities with established trails that lead to potential camping spots at least 150 feet from main paths. The Lake George Wild Forest and Crane Mountain areas provide additional backcountry options for those willing to hike in. Across the border in Vermont, the George D. Aiken Wilderness and Green Mountain National Forest feature multiple free dispersed sites along forest roads, particularly on Forest Roads 71, 273, and 83.
Access to many dispersed sites requires careful navigation of unpaved roads that may become challenging after rainfall. Several locations, such as Cod Pond Dispersed Pull-Off, feature dirt roads that can be difficult to spot from main routes and may require higher-clearance vehicles. As one camper noted, "The entrance to the road had a sign that said 'road closed ahead'. We chanced it and was able to find a really nice open spot right before the road closure." Most sites offer only basic fire rings with no amenities such as drinking water, toilets, or trash service. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, though fires are generally permitted in established rings.
These primitive camping areas provide varying levels of privacy and natural settings. The Somerset Airfield area features sites along a river with access to Somerset Reservoir for fishing and paddling, though some visitors report it can become crowded on holidays and weekends. Crane Mountain Pond Campsite offers more seclusion with "gorgeous sunset views" according to visitor feedback. Many Vermont sites along forest roads provide quiet experiences with limited cell service. Campers at George D. Aiken Wilderness describe the experience as "beautiful, quiet and restful," though site conditions can vary significantly with weather. Winter camping is possible at some locations but requires appropriate gear and experience, as temperatures can drop dramatically and access becomes more challenging.
"It was rocky getting there but super super remote - zero service. Great space for my jeep and honestly you could fit a LARGE RV. There is a bathroom at the entrance."
"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 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."
"We brought our school bus down the dirt road just fine and backed right in. They also have fireplaces which was nice!"
"A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well."
"Went on a Wednesday night late October and had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot. After what was very quiet and a peaceful place to be."
"It has pit toilets. These sites are close together with little to no shade. Some sites have access to a stream that flows behind the park."
"I arrived after the 4th of July and a neighbor said it was rowdy during the holiday with illegal fireworks set off every night over the dry forest. These pics are from a weekday morning."
"After a short hike up steep crane mountain we watched the beautiful sun set. One of the nicest places I’ve camped at."
"We stayed at one near the creek just over a little bridge. Cute little site, nice fire pit, clean, perfect rock to put a big water jug on. The sound of running water was soothing."
"One of many locations along Forest rd 71, this spot was a good place to pitch a tent for the night while exploring the area even in the rain."
"Easy access to an open circle, capable of handling multiple rigs for a large gathering. Stone fire ring in the center. We had this all to ourselves in our Bean teardrop. "
"The site was very flat and could accommodate several small campers. It was quiet during our overnight stay other than a car or two on Stratton-Arlington Rd. There weren't many mosquitoes either. "
"No public bathrooms, no hookups, I personally didn’t have service."
"This is a nice clearing near the river where the road used to cross."
"The left side of the drive in is swampy so be sure to not drift to that side."
ScoutIt was dark. I arrived after 7p. There were 3 rv camps already going on. All 3 had camp fires. Many fire rings for many groups. No hassles at all. It's off the beaten path but worth it. The first 4 camp sites were open. Made a fire. Ate some food. I got a good night sleep. Nothing ate me or attacked me so that's 5 star in my book.
TravelerLots of beautiful spots to pick from but be careful some are a bit muddy. We brought our school bus down the dirt road just fine and backed right in. They also have fireplaces which was nice!
GuideWent with a friend on an impromptu last minute camping trip up in the NF and hoped we could find a spot on a Friday night. Quite a few spots were taken but there were still some free ones. We stayed at one near the creek just over a little bridge. Cute little site, nice fire pit, clean, perfect rock to put a big water jug on. The sound of running water was soothing. In the morning, adorable little red squirrels with big personalities made themselves known and there were wildflowers blooming all over with hummingbirds going about their business. This is dispersed camping so there’s no rest rooms, running water, etc. The particular site we stayed at did have another site on the other side of the creek and we could hear the family during the day and see them as they walked past, so it wasn’t as isolated as some of the other sites. It was a cute spot and I’ll def be back.
TravelerThis is a good spot if you don’t mind being social. The main camping area is a large grassy opening where multiple people park and camp together, and there is a bathroom, but there isn’t much privacy between sites. If you continue farther down the forest road, there are several smaller pull-offs with much more private dispersed camping spots. I’d recommend checking those out if you’re looking for a quieter experience.
TravelerMy 2008 Prius handled the road with ease. Sites were spaced out. There was hiking at the end of the road but not too much space to wander around from the sites given the road’s high speed limit. Sites had fire pits and that was it. Very quiet and fairly accessible from society. Given the lack of free camping in the southern northeast this spot is a gem!
GuideI selected a semi shaded site about 25 feet off the road about 2 miles in. There are many sites but you may have to look as a lot are overgrown. I am glad I selected the site I did as it stayed “dry” through 48 hrs of torrential downpours. I had very few problems with the bugs: have a nice smoky fire…best repellant out there!
GuideSo peaceful and serene
GuideI had many sites to choose from. Definitely remote and private.
ScoutOnly about 7-8 spots to camp but super spread out down a gravel road. I pulled in at 8 ish and grabbed the last or one of the last spots. Super quiet and out of the way
Dispersed camping near Gansevoort, New York offers primitive sites within the mixed hardwood forests of northeastern New York and nearby Vermont. The region sits where the Adirondack foothills meet the upper Hudson Valley, with elevations ranging from 400 to 1,500 feet. Winter temperatures frequently drop below zero, while summer nights rarely exceed 70°F, making proper gear essential for overnight stays regardless of season.
Fishing access points: Somerset Reservoir provides fishing opportunities near Somerset Airfield dispersed camping areas. "The real attraction is the huge Somerset Reservoir which is up the road. Plenty of fishing, paddling, hiking and picnicking opportunities," notes one camper who appreciated the recreational options beyond the campsite.
Hiking nearby trails: The free dispersed sites along Forest Road 71 offer hiking opportunities to nearby natural features. A camper at Statton Pond Camp mentions, "Good hiking access to Stratton Pond, to Branch Pond, to Grout Pond Recreation Area, to the AT/LT." These trails connect to both the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail systems.
Water activities: Many dispersed sites provide river access for swimming or paddling during summer months. One visitor to the riverside spots at NF 83 describes the area as "Peacefully placed along the bends of the river is a large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit!" This makes it ideal for water-based recreation when weather permits.
Privacy levels: The degree of seclusion varies significantly between dispersed camping areas near Gansevoort. At NFR 273 Dispersed Camping, one visitor noted, "Quaint 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."
Fire rings: Many campsites feature established fire pits, which save campers time and effort. A visitor to Branch Pond mentioned, "Tons of different styles of camping spots (if you get there while its still sunlight you can pick a spot by a flowing stream/river)... with fire pits!" These pre-built rings reduce impact and provide safer fire management options.
Seasonal beauty: Winter camping provides a completely different experience from summer visits. At NF 83 - riverside, a winter camper observed, "I've looked at this spot a few times and it is normally way to wet to camp at, but this time it was frozen. This is a nice clearing near the river where the road used to cross." The frozen landscape transforms typically wet areas into accessible camping spots.
Road conditions: Access to many sites requires navigating unpaved forest roads that vary in quality. At George D Aiken Wilderness, one camper reported, "Large, well organized camping spots along the road. The spot I chose had a beautifully built fire pit. It was a little muddy from rain." Conditions can change rapidly after precipitation.
Site availability: Popular areas fill quickly on weekends and holidays. One camper at NFR 273 noted, "Went on a Wednesday night late October and had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot. After what was very quiet and a peaceful place to be." Weekday visits may provide better options for solitude.
Winter challenges: Extreme winter conditions require specialized gear and preparation. A Somerset Airfield visitor recounted, "We endured Snow and mid 20s Friday night with 8" of fresh snow to wake up to Saturday, and our main Roadhouse down from the weight of the snow. The stakes didn't hold in the frozen ground." Winter camping requires securing gear against both snow load and wind.
Site selection: Choose larger, more open sites when camping with children. Near Statton Pond Camp, one family found "Easy access to an open circle, capable of handling multiple rigs for a large gathering. Stone fire ring in the center." This configuration allows better supervision of younger campers.
Bathroom planning: Most dispersed sites lack toilet facilities, requiring advance planning for family needs. At Somerset Airfield, a camper noted, "There is a single pit toilet at the end of the camping area. No garbage service, no water, no cell service." Other sites have no facilities whatsoever.
Weather considerations: Seasonal conditions affect site usability for families. One camper at Ushers Road State Forest observed, "The terrain eventually transitions into a low-lying, swampy area, likely due to recent rainfall over the past week." Spring camping with children requires careful site selection to avoid muddy conditions.
Site dimensions: Many forest road pullouts accommodate smaller RVs but have size limitations. At Bear Slide in Lake George Wild Forest, a camper with a Jeep found, "It was rocky getting there but super super remote - zero service. Great space for my jeep and honestly you could fit a LARGE RV."
Leveling challenges: Uneven terrain requires leveling blocks or careful site selection. One NFR 273 visitor mentioned, "The entrance to the road had a sign that said 'road closed ahead'. We chanced it and was able to find a really nice open spot right before the road closure." Checking for flat spots before committing to a site saves considerable setup time.
Clearance considerations: Forest roads often have rough sections requiring higher clearance. At NF 83, a camper warned, "The beginning of the little driveway is quite rough with some bigger rocks we have substantial ground clearance so no issues there but smaller ground clearances may feel a bump or two!" Smaller RVs with better clearance generally access more remote free camping near Gansevoort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Gansevoort, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Gansevoort, NY is Bear Slide in Lake George Wild Forest with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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