Best Dispersed Camping near Keuka Park, NY
Looking for the best dispersed camping near Keuka Park? Dispersed camping is an excellent way to get away from it all and to disconnect. Find the perfect dispersed campsite for your next adventure.
Best Dispersed Sites Near Keuka Park, NY (10)
1. Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
Tyrone, New York9 Reviews•39 Photos•107 SavesStarting 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
2. Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping
Tyrone, New York4 Reviews•21 Photos•123 SavesThe 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
4. Palmers Pond State Forest
Alfred, New York7 Reviews•10 Photos•190 SavesPalmer'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
6. Ossian State Forest on Scoville Road
Dansville, New York2 Reviews•4 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
Recent Dispersed Reviews in Keuka Park
16 Reviews of 10 Keuka Park Campgrounds
Meghan B.
Ranger
Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
Nice, quiet stay. Third time staying here over the last decade when passing through the area and it's been great every time.
- AAdam P.
ScoutSugar 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.RangerSugar 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.
- CCaitlyn R.
Guide
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.ScoutSugar 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)!
Marjoe M.ScoutPalmers Pond State Forest
May 5th
The site was very nice. Clean and well maintained. I was able to set up next to the water with no problem. Definitely will be back.
- DDavid G.Guide
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!
- TTobi R.Scout
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.
- AAnnie J.Scout
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.Scout
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.ScoutSugar 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.Guide
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.GuidePalmers 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.Scout
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⚠️
- MMatt M.
TravelerPalmers 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.
- CCasaundra H.Scout
Palmers Pond State Forest
Favorite place to camp
No electricity or water hook ups, very secluded, has a pond to fish in, by far my most favorite place to camp
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Keuka Park, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Keuka Park, NY is Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite with a 4.7-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Keuka Park, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 dispersed camping locations near Keuka Park, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.