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Best Dispersed Camping near Hammond, NY

13 Reviews

Several dispersed camping options exist within driving distance of Hammond, New York. Payne Lake Dispersed Site offers free primitive camping with drive-in access for tents and RVs. The site features a public boat ramp with limited parking available on both sides, but no amenities or facilities. Stillwater Reservoir, about 30 miles south, provides numerous free dispersed sites, most requiring boat access. A camper noted, "All except one campsite needs a boat to be reached. It's first come first serve." The reservoir's sites feature fire rings, and some include privies, though campers should bring their own drinking water or filtration systems.

Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites, located to the east, offer free dispersed camping accessible by hiking in. These sites include picnic tables, fire rings, and basic toilet facilities. According to a visitor, "Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. There is a decent privy tucked back in the woods. Bring your own TP though." The standard 14-day camping limit applies to most dispersed sites in the region. Fire restrictions may be in effect seasonally, particularly during dry summer months, so campers should check current regulations before planning trips.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Hammond, New York (5)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Hammond, NY

23 Photos of 5 Hammond Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Hammond, NY

13 Reviews of 5 Hammond 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
    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

  • Debbie T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 11, 2024

    Stillwater Reservoir

    Camped overnight

    Took me five hours to drive there but finally made it. It was nice and peaceful. I will go there again

Guide to Hammond

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Hammond, New York, where nature lovers can find serene spots to unwind and connect with the outdoors. This area offers a variety of locations that cater to different camping styles, from peaceful lakesides to secluded forest settings.

Scenic Lakeside Retreats for Dispersed Campers

  • The Stillwater Reservoir is a fantastic choice for those seeking a tranquil environment, with opportunities for kayaking and enjoying stunning sunsets.
  • Campers can enjoy the peaceful surroundings at the Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites, where each site offers a picnic table and fire ring, perfect for evening gatherings.
  • For a more primitive experience, the Blue Lagoon Primitive Dispersed Camping provides access to a beautiful beach, ideal for swimming and relaxing by the water.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Hammond, New York

  • Always remember to bring your own water or a filtration system, especially when camping at the Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites, as potable water is not provided.
  • Be prepared for a hike when visiting the Blue Lagoon Primitive Dispersed Camping, as access requires a short walk to reach the stunning beach area.
  • Since many spots are first-come, first-served, arriving early can help secure a prime location, particularly at the well-reviewed Stillwater Reservoir.

Top Activities While Free Camping Near Hammond

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Hammond, NY is Payne Lake Dispersed Site with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Hammond, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 5 dispersed camping locations near Hammond, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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