Tent campsites near Greenfield, New York range from dispersed forest camping to established island sites on Lake George. Ushers Road State Forest offers primitive tent camping in a natural setting with access to bicycle-friendly nature trails and multiple potential sites located at least 150 feet from the main paths. Murphy Lake Leanto provides a secluded backcountry option requiring a hike in, while several Lake George Islands offer unique tent camping experiences accessible only by boat.
Most primitive tent sites require campers to be self-sufficient, as amenities are minimal or nonexistent. Ushers Road State Forest features no drinking water, toilets, or trash facilities, though fires are permitted with proper safety precautions. Sites typically consist of ungraded forest floor with pine needles and natural ground cover. Walk-in tent sites at Murphy Lake Leanto are free and include a fire pit, but access requires navigating technical trails through rocky, rooted terrain. A recent reviewer described the Murphy Lake trail as "a technical challenge to hike or bike in" with campers needing to "go over downfalls" along the route.
Lake George Islands offer a completely different tent camping experience with established sites requiring boat transportation. Long Island and Glen Island groups provide scenic tent platforms with picnic tables and fire rings, creating level surfaces for tent setup not found at more primitive locations. Reservations are essential for these popular island tent sites, especially during peak summer months. Island camping provides unique advantages for tent campers, including relative privacy despite proximity to other sites. A visitor commented, "We rented kayaks and actually reserved a spot on our own private island. It was little, slightly wooded, and private. Nothing beats being alone and hearing only the tide crashing next to you all night."
"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 Murphy Bennett Trails is a technical challenge to hike, or bike in on. And be prepared to go over downfalls. The area is maintained, but windhappens in the old growth forest."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $28 / night
"When camping on lake George, staying on an island to camp is a must-do. We rented kayaks and actually reserved a spot on our own private island. It was little, slightly wooded, and private."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $28 / night
"This was a perfect location for the first 2 days of our vacation. Steve and Michelle were incredibly accommodating and wonderful hosts! We truly enjoyed our stay and will definitely return!"
from $130 / night
"This site is campsite 6 and very private (I believe there must be others located close by). The site has it’s own private road. A car is not reccomended."
"DEC has designated and constructed 12 camp sites in areas around Shelving Rock Road and Dacy Clearing Road."
"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."
"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."
TravelerCamp is pretty close together but most spots have a thick tree line between them which is nice. You still get a bit of road noise off the bridge and surrounding areas but it’s not to bad and the views at the boat launch on the Hudson are gorgeous
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.
GuideThe park looks fantastic! Well maintained camp sites and beautiful river sceneries from the boat launch area!
Bathhouse is one of the best I have seen!
Check in was smooth. Everyone was courteous!
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!
LegendMostly peaceful campground with nice spots, most of which offer some privacy. If you are bothered by trains, note that you will hear them in the background quite frequently from the railroad bridge that passes over the Hudson River. It's not loud by any means, but you can hear them.
The state park staff and the camp hosts were all very friendly, and it has some of the cleanest bathrooms I've ever seen in a state park.
Site 20 is a pull through site and it's huge, and while it is next to the shower building, it's far enough away that it really isn't a problem. Also, the field between you and the shower building is a fantastic spot to set up a Starlink dish.
GuideWonderful owners. A variety of sites to choose from in a relaxing setting. No waste hookups here, but they have a dump station. $51 per night with cash.
TravelerGreat little campground in Berkshire County. Mostly suited for tent camping or small RVs, although there are definitely sites for RVs to use. Call to get an idea of what’s available if you do plan on bringing your RV. The facilities were clean and the trails well marked.
LegendWhat an amazing find! This was a perfect location for the first 2 days of our vacation. Steve and Michelle were incredibly accommodating and wonderful hosts! We truly enjoyed our stay and will definitely return!
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.
Dispersed camping options near Greenfield, New York offer access to the southern Adirondack region, where camping on state forest land provides a more primitive experience than established campgrounds. The area features a mix of hardwood forests and wetlands at elevations ranging from 600-1,200 feet. Winter camping requires additional preparation due to temperatures that regularly drop below freezing from November through March.
Hiking and biking trails: Ushers Road State Forest provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails that transition into wetland areas. According to one visitor, "I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side. The terrain eventually transitions into a low-lying, swampy area, likely due to recent rainfall over the past week."
Island camping experiences: For a unique water-based adventure, Lake George Islands offers camping spots accessible only by boat. "Worth a trip from just about anywhere. Absolutely beautiful and you can't beat camping on an island," notes one camper who visited Long Island on Lake George.
Fishing opportunities: The waterways around Glen Island Group provide excellent fishing conditions. One camper reports, "Great fishing, lots of fun to be had on the water and quiet peaceful evening by the campfire."
Private waterfront sites: The dispersed camping at Cod Pond offers secluded sites with natural water features. A camper notes, "There is a river down the hill from the campsite which helps keep it fairly cool at night. The site was mostly shaded-the sun shines through a bit but not much."
Family-friendly atmosphere: Stony Creek Family Campground maintains a welcoming environment for family camping trips. One regular visitor mentioned, "It's a nice family ran campground. We plan to come back!"
Waterfront views: Camping on Long Island in Lake George provides exceptional scenery. "We had a great spot on Long Island! Beautiful view, chill atmosphere, easy boat parking on the slip," reports one satisfied camper.
Access challenges: Some sites require significant effort to reach. At Murphy Lake Leanto, "This leanto is worth the effort it takes to get there. And you have to earn it on foot, bike or other. A two hour bike ride with a couple of breaks."
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for raccoons and other wildlife, especially on the islands. One camper at Long Island Group warned, "We were literally bombarded with a group of raccoons each night. It was bad."
Remote camping preparations: When tent camping near Greenfield, New York at dispersed sites, bring everything you need. As one camper advised, "TAKE EVERYTHING you need including extra ice. Once there, settle in & relax, you aren't going anywhere."
Hidden site access: Watch carefully for unmarked roads leading to campsites. A camper at Cod Pond noted, "The directions in the app are accurate - but do keep in mind that the campsite is down a dirt road which is well hidden from the main road if you aren't paying close attention."
Terrain considerations: Check site conditions before setting up tents. One camper observed, "Ground may look flat but when sleeping-definitely is not. Plenty of trees for hammocks etc."
Vehicle requirements: Some dispersed camping access roads require appropriate vehicles. At Narrow Island Group, "You must have a power boat ride out there or be up for a long paddle."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Greenfield, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Greenfield, NY is Ushers Road State Forest with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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TheDyrt.com has all 26 tent camping locations near Greenfield, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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