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Best Dispersed Camping near Inlet, NY

23 Reviews

Several dispersed camping options surround Stillwater Reservoir north of Inlet, with most sites requiring boat access. The reservoir features over 40 free primitive sites, including islands and shoreline locations. Only one car-accessible site exists near the dam, while the others must be reached by canoe, kayak, or motorboat. Sites typically include fire rings but no other amenities.

The Seventh Lake Primitive area offers canoe-in camping with a few sites and one lean-to accessible by water. A large sandbar is within walking distance of these sites, which can also be reached via a trail connecting to Seventh Lake Road. North Lake Reservoir provides 32 dispersed sites around the lake perimeter, including walk-in spots directly on the water. Most sites in the region are first-come, first-served with no reservations possible. A camper wrote, "There is zero Verizon cell service in the whole area, so plan accordingly." Fire restrictions vary seasonally across the Adirondack backcountry, and campers must pack out all waste.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Inlet, New York (18)

    1. Stillwater Reservoir

    9 Reviews
    Old Forge, NY
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 785-2239

    "We hiked into our site, not easy because almost everything is meant to be accessed by boat so we were guessing our course!"

    "Our spot had gorgeous waterfront to it, a stone fire circle where someone had left extra fire wood, and ample trees."

    2. Seventh Lake Primitive Camping

    1 Review
    Inlet, NY
    3 miles

    "We happened upon it on our way to the seventh lake campground and ended up staying for two nights. We accessed the sites by water on a canoe trip."

    3. North Lake Reservoir Campground

    2 Reviews
    Otter Lake, NY
    18 miles

    "Very remote and secluded. We got there after dark and it was beautiful to wake up to the view of the lake. Car camped, but there was enough room for a tent."

    "32 sites all around the lake. Some are walk in right on the lake. Quiet, peaceful, and clean."

    4. Sunday Lake Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Thendara, NY
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 376-3521

    "There’s a small fire ring, and access to the lake for swimming or fishing.  Sunday lake has always been lovely and quiet and a great place to take youth campers. "

    5. Blue Lagoon Primitive Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Old Forge, NY
    18 miles

    6. Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites

    2 Reviews
    Cranberry Lake, NY
    29 miles
    Website

    "Ours had an extensive pile of dry wood, too. There is a decent privy tucked back in the woods. Bring your own TP though! "

    "amazing lake for kayaking and boating. sites not crowded together."

    7. Horseshoe Lake

    1 Review
    Tupper Lake, NY
    28 miles

    "Along Co 421, by Horseshoe Lake, there are 10-11 designated campsites. Most have fire pits. Road is rough but easily doable if you take it slow."

    8. Lake Durant off Old Route 28

    Be the first to review!
    Blue Mountain Lake, NY
    21 miles

    9. Powley Road in Ferris Wild Forest

    2 Reviews
    Piseco, NY
    31 miles
    Website

    "Site 4 is magical, it is road side, but the view, and access to the river is great. There is a path right from the site."

    "The road is in good condition. No AT&T cell service in this area."

    10. Cod Pond Dispersed Pull-Off

    2 Reviews
    Bakers Mills, NY
    36 miles

    "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."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Inlet, NY

29 Photos of 18 Inlet Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Inlet, NY

23 Reviews of 18 Inlet 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.

  • Josie W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2024

    Cod Pond Dispersed Pull-Off

    Private Campsite

    Decent site right off of the “main” road. “Main” because it was quiet. Easy to access via a short dirt road, but also easy to miss. We only saw sites 3 and 6 marked and took #6. There was a fire ring and access to the river down a semi-steep bank. Beautiful to listen to at night. Site was big enough to pull our mid-size SUV down and unfold rooftop-tent, but we did have to back out in the morning; not enough room to turn around. Felt private despite the road.

  • 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.

  • Taylor A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2023

    Cod Pond Dispersed Pull-Off

    Adirondack Camping Trip

    Highly Reccomend! 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. There is no service at all.

    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. Possible to turn around but you definitley need a smaller suv. There is a firepit at the site and plenty of space for multiple tents, ground may look flat but when sleeping-definitely is not. Plenty of trees for hammocks etc. You can hear cars from the site but the cars can’t see you-loved this! The sound of the cars from the main highway is something I got used to quick. The site is mostly shaded-the sun shines through a bit but not much.

    There is a river down the hill from the campsite which helps keep it fairly cool at night. The bugs were terrible.

  • Ashlee C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2024

    North Lake Reservoir Campground

    Beautiful spot!

    Very remote and secluded. We got there after dark and it was beautiful to wake up to the view of the lake. Car camped, but there was enough room for a tent. Fire pit at the site and a bathroom across the way from the first site.

  • J B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2023

    North Lake Reservoir Campground

    Pristine lake

    32 sites all around the lake. Some are walk in right on the lake. Quiet, peaceful, and clean. Make sure to take a left at the start of the lake, the right is all private road and you will have to turn around.

  • The L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Powley Road in Ferris Wild Forest

    Site 4

    Site 4 is magical, it is road side, but the view, and access to the river is great. There is a path right from the site. Occasionally you will get the yahoo that speeds by and makes a dust cloud but otherwise it’s great. There is zero Verizon cell service in the whole area. So plan accordingly,

  • 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.

  • T K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 28, 2022

    Crane Mountain Pond Campsite

    Gorgeous sunset views

    After a short hike up steep crane mountain we watched the beautiful sun set. One of the nicest places I’ve camped at.

Guide to Inlet

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Inlet, New York, where nature's tranquility awaits. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, outdoor enthusiasts can find the perfect spot to unwind and connect with the wilderness.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Inlet, New York

  • Many dispersed camping spots, like Stillwater Reservoir, allow campfires, making it easy to enjoy evenings under the stars.
  • Be prepared for a lack of amenities; for instance, Forked Lake Adirondack Preserve does not provide drinking water or toilets, so bring your own supplies.
  • Arrive early to secure a good spot, especially at popular locations like North Lake Reservoir Campground, where the serene environment attracts many campers.

Dispersed campers should check out Forked Lake

  • The Forked Lake Adirondack Preserve offers a picturesque setting with ample opportunities for kayaking and fishing.
  • This area is known for its spacious sites, allowing for a comfortable camping experience, especially for families or groups.
  • Wildlife enthusiasts will appreciate the chance to spot various animals while exploring the surrounding woods and waters.

Enjoy kayaking and fishing while free camping near Inlet

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the inlet dispersed camping areas located?

Inlet dispersed camping areas are located throughout the Adirondack region of New York State. Stillwater Reservoir offers remote sites primarily accessible by boat in a pristine wilderness setting. North Lake Reservoir Campground features 32 sites surrounding the lake, with some walk-in spots directly on the water. Many sites are secluded within forested areas, providing privacy and natural surroundings while offering lake access for paddling and fishing.

Is a permit required for dispersed camping at Inlet?

Permits are generally not required for most Inlet area dispersed camping, but regulations may vary by specific location. At Cod Pond Dispersed Pull-Off, campers can access sites without permits on a first-come, first-served basis. Similarly, Powley Road in Ferris Wild Forest offers permit-free roadside camping. However, it's always recommended to check current regulations with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation before your trip, as permit requirements can change seasonally or for specific wilderness areas.

What amenities are available at Inlet dispersed camping sites?

Inlet dispersed camping sites typically offer minimal amenities. Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites provides basic facilities including picnic tables, fire rings, and primitive privies tucked in the woods. Horseshoe Lake features 10-11 designated sites, most with fire pits, along County Road 421. These dispersed sites generally don't offer running water, electricity, or shower facilities, so campers should be prepared to bring everything they need, including water for drinking and cooking.

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