SUMMER SALE 50% off The Dyrt PRO — just $2.49/moGet now
SALE: PRO just $2.49/mo

Tent Camping near Lacona, NY

13 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

Search destinations
    Add dates

    Tent campsites in the Lacona area of New York include several primitive options in nearby state forests. Winona State Forest offers free, primitive tent camping with minimal facilities, while Hall Island State Forest provides tent sites along the Salmon River Reservoir. Both locations feature quiet, natural settings ideal for backcountry tent camping experiences without the amenities of developed campgrounds.

    Most tent camping areas near Lacona require self-sufficiency as facilities are limited. Winona State Forest campsites are marked by small black and yellow placards and typically include only basic rock fire rings. Hall Island State Forest sites are first-come, first-served with no reservation system, running water, or permanent facilities. Campers must pack in all necessary supplies including drinking water. A review mentioned that "the primitive campsite was a little difficult to find" at Winona State Forest, but provided "a good free quiet place to camp." Fire restrictions may apply seasonally, so checking current regulations is advised before setting up at these tent campgrounds.

    Tent campers visiting the Lacona region often appreciate the secluded nature of these sites. The camping areas in Winona State Forest serve as access points to trail networks, making them convenient bases for hiking and exploring. According to one camper, "the campsite was quiet and peaceful" despite occasional rain. Hall Island State Forest offers water views with sites positioned near the reservoir, providing scenic vistas and water access. During weekdays, tent campgrounds near Lacona typically see fewer visitors, offering more solitude. Winter visitors should note that Winona Forest also serves as a hub for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing trails, which may impact campsite availability and atmosphere during snow seasons.

    Shenandoah National Park Camping Guide - The Complete Guide

    Get the guide now

    View Guide

    Best Tent Campgrounds near Lacona (13)

      1. Stoneys Pineville Campground

      5.0(3)8mi from LaconaTents, Cabins

      2. Winona State Forest

      4.5(2)6mi from LaconaTents

      "The only amenity was a fire ring made of rocks. The campsite appears to be the trailhead for a man-made trail. It rained while we were here but overall the campsite was quiet and peaceful."

      "The primitive campsite was a little difficult to find there’s a tiny black and yellow placard that shows you where you can camp. There were some firewood set out except it was wet."

      3. Winona Forest CCC Camp

      4.0(1)7mi from LaconaTents

      "This is a hub for several snow mobile, cross country ski, and snow shoe trails. Several folks visited on Saturday and Sunday to enjoy the last bit of the snow."

      4. Hall Island State Forest

      3.5(2)15mi from LaconaTents

      "I checked out primitive site on my own early in April it was cold snowing and raining. It didn’t take away from the campsite at all though."

      5. Brenda's Motel & Campground

      Be the first to review7mi from LaconaTents

      6. Robert G Wehle State Park — Robert Wehle State Park

      Be the first to review19mi from Lacona2 sitesTents, Cabins

      from $88 - $357 / night

      Check Availability

      7. Shangri-La Marina Campground & Restaurant

      Be the first to review26mi from LaconaRVs, Tents

      8. Della Terra

      5.0(1)37mi from Lacona1 siteTents

      "We're so excited to have Julian's property on our platform. This property is rural and beautiful."

      from $25 / night

      Check Availability

      9. Cross Lake Park Campgrounds

      4.0(1)40mi from LaconaTents

      "Access to water and swimming. Nice playgrounds. We kayaked in the lake it was a lot of fun."

      10. Francis Lake

      5.0(1)47mi from LaconaTents, Glamping

      "Great for swimming, kayaking, and a gorgeous place to wake up next to the water. There are two access points to the water, the more hidden point is where you hike in for camping."

    2026 Explorer Giveaway

    Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

    Enter to Win

    Drive Time


    Tent Camping Reviews near Lacona, NY

    284 Reviews of 13 Lacona Campgrounds


    • K
      Jun. 29, 2021

      Sterling Creek Campground

      Nice tent spot, quiet, nice owner

      We stayed on a Monday night and it was very quiet. A lot of empty spaces. And a lot of seasonal campers were gone for the week. The owner was super nice and it was close enough to the State Park to run over to the beach. Nice large, flat spot with full shade. Maybe I'm still on Midwest pricing, but I get annoyed when I have to pay for a shower when I've played $25 for a non-electric and no water tent site. The bathrooms were clean.

    • Elizabeth B.The Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 29, 2020

      Soft Maple Campground

      Small and completely gorgeous! Beach, wooded sites, great for everyone.

      Soft Maple is a truly gorgeous small campground. Only about a dozen sites or so, first come first serve. Level sites for RVs or tent or hammock camping. Each site has a nice space with fire ring and picnic table. The beach is lovely and clean. There’s boat access for canoes and kayaks as this is part of the Beaver River route. 

      The entire campground is accessible, with gravel pack paths, and level sites.  

      Charlie is the caretaker here and everyone says he is the nicest person you’ll meet.  You can’t beat site number 11 for the perfect mix of treelined and water view!

      There is space for RVs and a dump station but the sites do not have power or hookups. 

      If you come in to the campground from “number 4 road” (aka state rt. 26) it’s exactly five miles from the Left turn on to Soft Maple rd. If you have time, stop halfway- the 2.5 mile mark will bring you to the entrance for Eagle falls, a short hike with a fantastic reveal.

    • Thomas E.
      Apr. 4, 2025

      Hall Island State Forest

      Quiet View

      I checked out primitive site on my own early in April it was cold snowing and raining. It didn’t take away from the campsite at all though. There were fire ring set up a view of the water and for enable body person just a short walk up the path. Where you drive in and park your car can also be used as a campsite but that’s right off the road. Speaking of you can’t hear the cars at night but you’re not too far from the road maybe half a mile. I like this place enough space to set up a few tents of kitchen whatever else you really wanted.

    • Mary S.
      Oct. 27, 2018

      Burnham Point State Park Campground

      Good overnight stop; bring a boat if you stay longer

      This is a good stopping point, but there isn't much to do unless you bring a boat. Or you could use it as a base for exploring other areas in the Thousand Islands. It's only about 10 miles from Clayton.

      We stayed here on a bicycle trip from Rochester to the Thousand Islands at the end of a 63 mile day. Don't let anyone tell you it's not a hilly trip coming up along Lake Ontario to the Thousand Islands! There will be hills! The good news is there are NY state parks along the way.

      Burnham Point is a small (less than 50 sites) campground on the St. Lawrence River. It was a good stopping point after seeing the lighthouse in Cape Vincent on our way. There are sites by the river that are tent only but we pitched our tent up above. The tent sites were rather difficult to get to with our bikes. There wasn't much shade where we settled, but the sun was not intense as we arrived in the early evening and left the next morning. Unfortunately, I have no site photos and only have a photo of the sunset...but it's a beautiful view.

      Restrooms/showers were clean, and there was electricity at the site. Unfortunately, the bugs were bad but that's just a summertime hazard in the Northeast.

    • R
      Jul. 21, 2021

      Wellesley Island State Park Campground

      Nice State park

      We camped in loop F site 43 with full hookups, nice asphalt pad picnic table and fire ring. Our site is located adjacent to a mowed grass path that leads to the main road, close to the camp store. Beautiful area, lots of hiking and biking trails and swim area.

    • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
      Nov. 18, 2017

      Green Lakes State Park Campground

      Green Lakes is a model state park

      This is a great example of what a state park should be. It not only preserves a place of unique biological diversity and geologic interest, it is also well set up and well maintained to maximize low impact outdoor recreation and environmental education. A new state of the art regional environmental education center is being built now that will open in spring, as well as new handicapped access kayaking docks that complement Accessible trails and campsites throughout the park. This is a great destination for families, handicapped campers, and natural history enthusiasts. There are several campgrounds, one is large and open and meant for large RVs, others are drive-in forested tent sites or trailer sites with hookups, and several walkin sites. There is also a colony of rustic camper cabins. The campgrounds have brand new restroom facilities and playgrounds, and the main lake has a new beach house. The lake is a fascinating meromictic lake with clear calcium-rich waters that are not only pristine and beautiful to look at, but also great for swimming and snorkeling as the waters are crystal clear and very deep. There are hiking trails, paved bike trails, a nature preserve for bird watching at Round Lake, a golf course, and great kayaking or canoeing. It is also located right next door to the Erie Canal State Park for those who want to hike or bike the historic Erie Canal. Though you might expect a park like this to be in a remote location, it is actually just a short distance east of the suburbs of the Syracuse metro area, so it is an easy park to get to, plus staying there also provides easy access to stores for supplies, or access to local cultural activities or restaurants for those who want that. One of my favorite state parks in New York!

    • k
      Jun. 30, 2016

      Keewaydin State Park Campground

      Keewaydin

      Great campsite, but very crowded. The staff was very kind and always checks in. The restrooms and showers is very clean. There are fire rings and picnic tables

    • r
      Aug. 12, 2018

      Shady Pines Camp at CBG Farm - CLOSED

      Rustic and beautiful

      After meeting up with the owner we went down to the parking area. A dirt trail and park on the side in the grass. You have to walk in about 2 minutes on a trail. The owner has a golf cart with a small wagon and transported our stuff to the campsite and back when we left…he was really nice and very helpful.the trail opened to open grassy areas with surrounding trees where we pitched our tent…a small table and fire ring w grate provided. Also firewood.you get water back up at the barn but the owner was nice and brought us a 5 gal. Jug. Pond stocked with fish…catch and release. We caught some nice bass and bullhead…kids had a blast. Past the pond is the cabin with sitting spots and an open cement fire stove and oven also a fire pit. Theres an outhouse behind the cabin w a seat over a bucket w chemicals…papertowels tp hand sanitizer and disenfectant wipes nicely provided. We did have cellphone signals. Overall a really nice spot to relax and commune w nature.

    • Sara H.
      Aug. 7, 2019

      Keewaydin State Park Campground

      No hookup

      When we got there there was no one in the sign in station. No electricity or water hookups. We reserved online and there was a mix up. We reserved 3 days got there and found out there was no hookups we were told if we cancelled we would only get a few dollars back. Pool looked nice


    Guide to Lacona

    Tent camping options near Lacona, New York include several primitive sites within nearby state forests. Winona State Forest offers free tent camping with minimal amenities and peaceful surroundings, though the primitive campsites can be difficult to locate with only small black and yellow placards marking designated areas. Hall Island State Forest provides primitive tent sites along the Salmon River Reservoir, offering water views and a secluded camping experience despite being relatively close to roadways.

    Most tent campgrounds in the Lacona region feature basic amenities such as fire rings, but campers should plan to be self-sufficient. Water sources are limited at most sites, particularly in Winona State Forest where no drinking water is available. Hall Island State Forest similarly lacks facilities, with no running water or toilets at the campsite. Visitors to Winona Forest CCC Camp can access an outhouse and porta-potty but should bring their own water. Tent pads are generally unimproved, with natural surfaces that may become muddy during wet weather.

    Tent campers frequently find these areas provide quiet, uncrowded experiences even during peak seasons. "The campsite was quiet and peaceful," noted one visitor to Winona State Forest, highlighting the solitude available at these primitive backcountry tent camping locations. Francis Lake, about 30 miles from Lacona, offers a more secluded tent camping experience with "room for two or three tents, two fire circles and has an outhouse," according to reviews on The Dyrt. These backcountry tent camping areas typically allow campfires, which creates opportunities for traditional camping experiences. Many sites are situated to provide scenic views, particularly those along waterways like the Salmon River Reservoir at Hall Island State Forest, where tent campers can enjoy direct water access for swimming and fishing.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lacona, NY?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lacona, NY is Stoneys Pineville Campground with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.

    What is the best site to find tent camping near Lacona, NY?

    TheDyrt.com has all 13 tent camping locations near Lacona, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.