Best Dispersed Camping near Hornell, NY

Want to go dispersed camping near Hornell? Dispersed camping gets you off the grid so you can disconnect from the hecticness of everyday life. Search nearby dispersed campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Hornell, NY (11)

    Camper-submitted photo from Palmers Pond State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Palmers Pond State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Palmers Pond State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Palmers Pond State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Palmers Pond State Forest
    Camper-submitted photo from Palmers Pond State Forest

    1. Palmers Pond State Forest

    7 Reviews
    10 Photos
    190 Saves
    Alfred, New York

    Palmer's Pond State Forest totals 3,645 acres. This area provides opportunities for outdoor recreational activities like snowshoeing, hiking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, camping, hunting, fishing, bird watching, and nature photography.

    The state forest is also a source of raw material for New York's forest products industry which provides employment and income for many New Yorkers and provides various habitats for many wildlife species such as deer, rabbit, grouse, and turkey.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • ADA Access
    • Dispersed
    • Picnic Table
    • Alcohol
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    2. Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    9 Reviews
    39 Photos
    107 Saves
    Tyrone, New York

    Starting May 17, 2021 the Sugar Hill Fire Tower Recreation Area has been re-opened for camping and day use. In an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 camping is limited to 26 designated sites. A self-issued permit must be filled out when you arrive. There is no reservation system, if you arrive and all campsites are full you will have to find another location to camp.

    The Sugar Hill Recreation Area, located off of Tower Hill Rd, is the largest designated camping area on Sugar Hill State Forest. Available on a first-come first-serve basis, the area is a nine-acre open field for camping, with a limited number of fire rings and picnic tables. New for 2021 (in order to limit the spread of COVID-19) 26 campsites have been designated in the open field area. Upon arrival, campers must fill out a self-issued camping permit. There is no reservation system, if you arrive and it is full you will have to find another location to camp.

    Other facilities in the Rec Area include; a picnic area with picnic tables and pavilion, an accessible horse-mounting platform, open horse stalls, during summer months a restroom with potable water are available, and access to the Six Nations Trail System, as well as the Sugar Hill Fire Tower. The gate is opened to vehicle traffic, and the water turned on, from the 3rd Monday in May through the 3rd Monday in October of each year.

    Individual campsites are located throughout the State Forest. These 19 additional primitive designated camping sites are semi-flat spots, some are graveled parking areas, others are small openings set back in the woods on topsoil, most with no other facilities provided.

    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. No trash pickup is provided. These are carry-in, carry-out facilities.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • ADA Access
    • Dispersed
    • Trash
    • No image available
      Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping
      Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping
      Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping
      Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping
      Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping
      Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping

      4. Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping

      4 Reviews
      21 Photos
      123 Saves
      Tyrone, New York

      The Sugar Hill Recreation Area, located at 3360 Tower Hill Rd, Watkins Glen, NY, is the largest designated camping area on Sugar Hill State Forest. Available on a first-come first-serve basis, the area is a nine-acre open field for camping, with a limited number of fire rings and picnic tables. New for 2021 (in order to limit the spread of COVID-19) 26 campsites have been designated in the open field area. Upon arrival, campers must fill out a self-issued camping permit. There is no reservation system, if you arrive and it is full you will have to find another location to camp.

      Other facilities in the Rec Area include; a picnic area with picnic tables and pavilion, an accessible horse-mounting platform, open horse stalls, during summer months a restroom with potable water are available, and access to the Six Nations Trail System, as well as the Sugar Hill Fire Tower. The gate is opened to vehicle traffic, and the water turned on, from the 3rd Monday in May through the 3rd Monday in October of each year.

      The Lower Evergreen Parking Lot, located off of Evergreen Hill Rd, is smaller and has picnic tables, fire rings, open horse stalls and a pit privy. New for 2021, three campsites have been designated. No trash pickup is provided. This is a carry in-carry out facility.

      Individual campsites are located throughout the State Forest. These 19 additional primitive designated camping sites are semi-flat spots, some are graveled parking areas, others are small openings set back in the woods on topsoil, most with no other facilities provided.

      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. No trash pickup is provided. These are carry-in, carry-out facilities.

      Lean To: Lean-to in the trees, benches and fire ring in front. Buck Settlement Lean-to

      Lean-to Camping :There are five Adirondack-style lean-tos at four different locations. Lean-tos must be shared to their capacity on a first-come, first-use basis, with no exclusive reservation allowed.

      Buck Settlement Lean-to on the Finger Lakes Trail north of Templar Road and near Glen Creek;
      Parks Hollow Lean-to on Mohawk Trail, north of Sugar Hill Road;
      the Twin Lean-to's (Sugar Hill Lean-to #1 and #2) - on Seneca Trail, south of the Sugar Hill Rec Area;
      and VanZandt Lean-to - on Seneca Trail, east of Tower Hill Road.
      September 14, 2021 to September 23, 2021 the VanZandt Lean-to will be undergoing maintenance, please plan accordingly.

      No trash pickup is provided. These are a carry in-carry out facilities.

      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Phone Service
      • ADA Access
      • RVs
      • Tents
      • No image available
        • No image available
          • No image available
            • No image available
              Camper-submitted photo from Boyce State Forest
              Camper-submitted photo from Boyce State Forest
              Camper-submitted photo from Boyce State Forest

              9. Boyce State Forest

              2 Reviews
              3 Photos
              43 Saves
              Franklinville, New York
              • Pets
              • Fires
              • Phone Service
              • Dispersed
              • Picnic Table
              • Toilets
              Camper-submitted photo from Foster Pond Camping Area
              Camper-submitted photo from Foster Pond Camping Area
              Camper-submitted photo from Foster Pond Camping Area
              Camper-submitted photo from Foster Pond Camping Area
            Showing results 1-10 of 11 campgrounds

            Recent Dispersed Reviews in Hornell

            18 Reviews of 11 Hornell Campgrounds


            • AThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
              Aug. 24, 2024

              Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

              Excellent Free Site

              No show but decent bathrooms. I spent a night at Watkins Glen the only advantage was the shower. But you can wash up well here. You can stay horses here, each site has a fire pit and it feels safe.

            • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
              Jul. 23, 2024

              Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

              Amazing campsite!!

              Stopped in to "ride out a rain storm." After surviving the night, we discovered all the amenities. Free garbage service daily, Water faucets were placed all over the campground. There is a Forest Fire Lookout Tower next to the bathrooms.

              Camp sites are disbursed so you don't feel crowded or squeezed for space.

              Weekends are very busy but weekdays there were no more than 7 or 8 campsites occupied each night.

              The horse stalls were used regularly and seeing horses coming and going on trail rides is a daily occurrence.

            • CThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Palmers Pond State Forest
              Jul. 7, 2024

              Palmers Pond State Forest

              Quiet and beautiful

              The written directions from other reviews were easy to follow. The road was gravel but pretty easy to drive. I found one of the first spots and was very comfortable. Beautiful space, some people drove past but not much noise aside from that. Loved this spot!

            • Lylah H.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
              May. 17, 2024

              Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

              Great spot, follow the map around

              I believe it’s still off season so the spot with all the facilities wasn’t open. We used the map on the state forest website. But most spots have a privy/port o potty. We found the map on the website helpful because there are spots all over. Site 28 did have a sign about not awaking “butch and big daddy” as two young women we decided we didn’t want to stick around and meet them. There was a privy at 35 which was nice. The site by the pond was really cute with a privy but a walk in (believe it was 37)!

            • Zack B.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Boyce State Forest
              Apr. 8, 2024

              Boyce State Forest

              Wet n wild

              Trail was more of a stream than a trail. You’ll spend more time beside the trail then actually on it. The campsite was a shelter off the side of the trail. It came with some firewood and cardboard to burn as well as some emergency water. Campsite was clean and came with an “air conditioned loo”. Lots of room for tents, however, most sites are not flat. Would recommend to come in dryer season or to bring rubber boots.

            • DThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
              Sep. 26, 2023

              Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

              Perfect Reprieve

              We pulled in just before dark to find 8 other campers already settled in. The sites were spacious. It was a cool and windy night, which made it perfect for sleeping. Highly recommend!

            • TThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
              Sep. 9, 2023

              Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

              Well worth it

              I drove in from out of state and I absolutely adore this campground! Will be returning, I found a lovely spot tucked into a back corner and has the most relaxing weekend.

            • A
              Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
              Oct. 22, 2022

              Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

              Awesome!

              This site is great! There are only a few sites on the road but they have picnic tables, fire rings and lots of space! They are also free! We just pulled up and parked in an empty spot. We visited here in Oct 2022 so it was pretty empty. Great spot if you are passing through!

            • Sydney M.
              Camper-submitted photo from Palmers Pond State Forest
              Oct. 22, 2022

              Palmers Pond State Forest

              Pretty but hard to find

              The directions took us to a dead end like the other reviews stated. Do not take Palmers pond road. When you get off of Interstate 86 you will want to take turnpike rd to south road. There are not any lights to show the sign so it’s kinda hard to find. The pond was dried up when we got there so that sad kind of a bummer. Lots of camping along the road and around the pond. Nice quiet spot

            • Cam F.
              Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
              Aug. 23, 2022

              Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

              Great quiet camping spot

              Lovely campground in a lush green clearing with plenty of bird life. Good facilities with flushing toilets and trash and recycling on site.

              The view from the tower is pretty nice too!

            • Brittany S.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
              Apr. 25, 2022

              Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

              Great location

              We stayed here during an anniversary trip to the Finger Lakes. Easy proximity to Seneca Lake and Watkins Glen State Park. Nice wooded area kept us far enough away from other campers. Great location!

            • Lizzy K.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Palmers Pond State Forest
              Oct. 29, 2021

              Palmers Pond State Forest

              Love this place!

              Beautiful grassy spots around the pond and along the road in. Google maps directed us to a dead end, go in through the north entrance and you’ll be good!

            • Mitch P.
              Camper-submitted photo from Palmers Pond State Forest
              Sep. 28, 2020

              Palmers Pond State Forest

              Incredible mornings

              Place was incredible! I drove out from Wisconsin and was the only on there. Threw up the tentsile tent over looking the pond on the south side. What a wonderful way to wake up..

              ⚠️Side note TAKE WEST ALMOND road as the other road is blocked off⚠️

            • M
              Camper-submitted photo from Palmers Pond State Forest
              Sep. 3, 2020

              Palmers Pond State Forest

              Perfect campsite

              Abundant flat and grassy terrain under pines near a beautiful lake. Fire pits, a table, and parking area are in place but nothing else. Lots of beavers to watch throughout the day.

            • AThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Boyce State Forest
              May. 12, 2019

              Boyce State Forest

              If roughing it is your thing

              If roughing it is your thing this is primitive tent sites on a small pond.located on the Finger Lake Trail. If you walk/hike 1/2 mile you will find a lean-to with fire pit and privy.



            Frequently Asked Questions

            • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Hornell, NY?

              According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Hornell, NY is Palmers Pond State Forest with a 4.9-star rating from 7 reviews.

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

              TheDyrt.com has all 11 dispersed camping locations near Hornell, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.