Top Free Dispersed Camping near Hancock, NY
Looking for the best dispersed camping near Hancock? Dispersed camping is the perfect way to get off the grid. Find the perfect dispersed campsite for your next adventure.
Best Dispersed Sites Near Hancock, NY (10)
1. Hickok Brook
2 Reviews•18 Photos•21 Saves- Dispersed
- Picnic Table
2. Long Pond Campground
4 Reviews•68 Photos•15 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
3. Beals Pond State Forest
Be the first to review!•1 Save- Tents
- Dispersed
6. Denning Trailhead Peekamoose Primitive Camping
1 Review•2 Photos•76 SavesDescription Permits for Peekamoose Blue Hole are only necessary on weekends and holidays from mid-May through mid-September of each year. Permits are available as late as a day in advance, but no more than 7 days in advance. There is a limit of 25 permits issued per day. The Blue Hole is a day-use area and is part of the Rondout Creek, which flows through the Peekamoose Valley to the Rondout Reservoir. The reservoir provides almost half of the drinking water for more than 9 million people in the New York City metropolitan area. Help us protect the area - and your drinking water - by observing these regulations: Use the portable toilets for all human waste. If you carry it in, carry it out - use the dumpsters. Camping, fires and portable generators are allowed only at designated campsites downstream of the Blue Hole. No radios and other audio devices. No glass containers. Except for the designated camping sites, the Peekamoose Corridor is open to the public from onehalf hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
7. Whaupaunaucau State Forest
1 Review•14 Photos•30 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
8. Balsam Swamp State Forest
1 Review•31 Photos•41 SavesCamping primitive camping General information on primitive camping includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules & regulations At large primitive camping is allowed. Campsites must be at least 150 feet away from the nearest road, trail, or body of water. Camping for more than three nights or in groups of ten or more requires a permit from a Forest Ranger. A small rustic camp ground is also located at Balsam Pond. Camping spaces are available at no cost on a first-come, first-serve basis and there is no running water or electricity. A fire ring, outhouse, and picnic table are provided for each camping space.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Dispersed
- Picnic Table
9. Rider Hollow Dispersed Camping
Be the first to review!•25 SavesMap: https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/recmapbiwa.pdf
There are five lean-tos located trailside throughout the area, each supported by a seasonal water source and pit privy. Other designated campsites are marked with a yellow "Camp Here" disc. In addition, primitive camping is allowed. Campsites must be at least 150 feet away from the nearest road, trail, or body of water. Camping for more than three nights or in groups of ten or more requires a permit from a Forest Ranger.
State law also prohibits camping above 3500 feet in elevation from March 22nd to December 21st each year. In a Wilderness Area, group size is limited to a maximum of 12. Larger groups may be accommodated in any of the Forest Preserve's Wild Forest areas such as nearby Balsam Lake Mountain or Willowemoc Wild Forests.
Water is relatively scarce in the Catskills. It is not unusual for the springs and streams in this area to run dry during the summer months. The department cannot ensure the purity of any water source. Boil all water for 2 minutes, filter or treat chemically.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
10. Allaben Primitive Campsites
Be the first to review!•21 SavesThere are 8 designated campsites, but at-large primitive camping is allowed. Campsites must be at least 150 feet away from the nearest road, trail, or body of water. Camping for more than three nights or in groups of ten or more requires a permit from a Forest Range
Recent Dispersed Reviews In Hancock
5 Reviews of 10 Hancock Campgrounds
- GGregg T.
Guide
Hickok Brook
Small, don't blink you'll miss it.
There are only 3 spots where we are. No motor vehicles beyond where I'm camping. Bring everything with you. It's a hike back to town... there is a small town 10 minutes away. Eldred, NY. Really is a nice quiet place. It's Labor Day weekend, see how many people try to cram in to the very limited camping area. Where I originally camped was not a spot, according to Ranger. Had to move next to the lake. Need a permit on NY state land. Contact Rangers office of whatever county.
Corey
ScoutHickok Brook
Beautiful but buggy lakeside tent sites
I drove in thinking that there would be flat places to park a very rugged camper in my full ton diesel pickup. The road is very rough with huge potholes so good clearance is a must. It's not a good spot for car camping but you could conceivably drive up to the spots and pull off the road to put up a small tent somewhere. Very gorgeous but not rv friendly.
Ali B.
Traveler
Denning Trailhead Peekamoose Primitive Camping
Dispersed primitive camping
Great camping spots about 1.5 mile hike in from Denning Trailhead. A lot of spots right by the river. Great spot to camp and then wake up to hike to tabletop/ peekamoose mountain. (near the top of tabletop there is also a lean-to for camping).
Janet R.
Legend
Whaupaunaucau State Forest
Hidden gem in Chenango County
You have to work a bit to find info on the Whaupaunaucau state forest as a camping destination, but for primitive campers that is part of the appeal! This is a relatively unknown oasis outside of the county, but this state forest has a network of miles of trails for both hiking and criss country skiing. There is an offifical lean-to shelter and developed campsite on trail 20 (see map) but there are several primitive sites with tent site and stine fireplace, plus dispersed leave-no-trace camping is allowed anywhere in the state forest, and the possibilities are endless. Lovely hilly vistas, pondside glens, and lots of clearings near clear streams deep in this old stately forest. A great place to get away from it all for hiking and camping but it is also a fantastic place to go if you enjoy botanizing or birding, lots of unusual species to see. Just beware of ticks, they are invading the region
- Janet R.Legend
Balsam Swamp State Forest
Balsam Pond campsites
Update: since my original visit, there have been some good upgrades including new portapotty. Some of the campsites are still in need of some TLC. The location is beautiful, but the campground seems to get heavy use and has some wear and tear. Balsam Pond has a reputation as a good local fishing spot featuring trout, bass, and even tiger muskies. The pond itself is beautiful and Is one of the larger state forest ponds in the area preserved in a natural state with no shoreline development other than the small campground and the public boat launch. If you are coming for a good fishing or boating experience, you wont be disappointed as the newly built boat launch can accommodate trailers for easy access and also has a well built handicapped accessible fishing pier. Once out on the water you will enjoy good fishing or wildlife watching or paddling.
However, if you are coming here primarily for the camping experience you may be disappointed. Though the natural setting is picturesque and secluded, the campground is not well maintained. Some of the sites have new picnic tables, some have old tables that are falling apart, and some have none at all. Some have official steel fire rings, some have stone fire rings that are crumbling. All are drive in sites, some meant for trailers and others with green space for tents. A few sites are much too close to the entrance road, most are set back further in the woods, and a few are right by the lake. Unfortunately, when we were there, previous campers had strewn garbage around most of the sites; it seemed to have been there for a while so it seems there is not regular maintanence by the DEC. There is also supposed to be an outhouse at the campground, but there isnt one now. Hence my low ranking of the campground despite its nice setting.
if you would like to camp at Balsam Pond but prefer a better option than the campground, there is one paddle-in site set away from the campground where you can Leave No Trace and hopefully other like-minded campers have done the same. You are also allowed to make your own dispersed campsite at any location of your choice within the Balsam Swamp State Firest, as long as you are more than 150 feet from the lakeshore.
Guide to Hancock
Camping near Hancock, New York, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
What to do:
- Hiking: Explore the trails around Tobyhanna State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "The 5-mile hike around the lake was very pretty with the trees just starting to come into full summer bloom."
- Fishing: Enjoy fishing at Keen Lake Resort Campground. A visitor shared, "Beautiful lake, great fishing. Activities all day long for the children."
- Kayaking: Rent kayaks at Glimmerglass State Park Campground. One camper noted, "You can also hike, or take a day trip into Cooperstown, especially for museums and all things baseball."
What campers like:
- Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Kenneth L Wilson Campground. A reviewer said, "The bathrooms were very clean and new and the showers were free and temperature controlled to perfectly warm!!"
- Friendly Staff: Many visitors enjoy the helpful staff at Chenango Valley State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "The staff was friendly and helpful."
- Spacious Sites: Campers love the roomy sites at Pickerel Point Campground — Promised Land State Park. A visitor noted, "Camp sites are generously sized, good spacing between sites and heavily treed."
What you should know:
- Noise Levels: Be mindful of noise at High Point State Park Campground. One camper shared a frustrating experience: "We received complaints about the volume of our music and karaoke around 7 pm."
- Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Woodland Valley Campground - DEC, may have limited amenities. A visitor mentioned, "Half the bathrooms don’t work, no firewood for sale."
- Cell Service: Expect limited cell service in many areas. A camper at Kenneth L Wilson Campground noted, "I had basically no cell service with Verizon."
Tips for camping with families:
- Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with activities for children, like Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Gardiner. One parent said, "This campground has a lot of activities and has kids of all ages galore."
- Choose Spacious Sites: Opt for campgrounds with larger sites, such as Keen Lake Resort Campground. A visitor mentioned, "The sites are average in size, but we had enough room to enjoy our site."
- Plan for Quiet Time: Make sure to have quiet hours in mind, especially at busier campgrounds like High Point State Park Campground. One camper noted, "Despite being nearly filled to capacity, the park was quiet each night."
Tips from RVers:
- Check Site Access: Before booking, check the access to your site, especially at Stokes State Forest. One reviewer said, "I had to park in a small lot above my campsite and carry my belongings down a short slope."
- Look for Full Hookups: Choose campgrounds with full hookups, like Keen Lake Resort Campground. A camper mentioned, "We had full hookups."
- Be Prepared for Tight Spaces: Some sites may be tight, so be ready to maneuver your RV. A visitor at Glimmerglass State Park Campground noted, "The sites are pretty close together."
Camping near Hancock, New York, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Hancock, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Hancock, NY is Hickok Brook with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Hancock, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 dispersed camping locations near Hancock, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.