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Best Dispersed Camping near Lake Luzerne, NY

31 Reviews

Numerous dispersed camping areas dot the terrain around Lake Luzerne, New York, with several free sites located within Adirondack Wild Forest lands. Crane Mountain Pond Campsite offers hike-in primitive camping near Lake Luzerne, while Crane Pond Dispersed Site provides multiple boat-in and drive-in options about 30 miles northeast. Other nearby options include Cod Pond Dispersed Pull-Off, a drive-in tent camping area with designated sites, and Ushers Road State Forest, which permits tent and RV camping with drive-in access. Lake George also features boat-in dispersed sites on designated islands, allowing campers to experience backcountry conditions without venturing far from civilization.

Access conditions vary significantly between sites. Crane Pond requires high-clearance 4WD vehicles to navigate the unmaintained road, with several campers reporting rocky terrain that may damage lower vehicles. Cod Pond Pull-Off features dirt road access that can be easily missed from the main road, with sites marked by numbers (reviewers mention sites #3 and #6). Most areas have established fire rings but lack amenities such as drinking water, toilets, or trash service. Campers should bring all necessary supplies and follow standard leave-no-trace practices. Cell service is unreliable throughout most dispersed areas, with multiple reviewers noting "no service at all" at several sites.

The dispersed sites around Lake Luzerne provide varying levels of privacy and natural features. Crane Pond offers waterfront camping with excellent fishing opportunities and swimming from rock outcroppings. Cod Pond sites include river access down steep banks, creating a peaceful sound backdrop at night. Some sites like Ushers Road State Forest feature trail access for hiking and biking. Reviews indicate that while some areas remain quiet, others can become surprisingly busy during peak seasons and holidays. "The site has its own private road. A car is not recommended. Possible to turn around but you definitely need a smaller SUV," noted one camper about Cod Pond. Another visitor to Crane Pond remarked, "There is a stone cliff near it that goes down about 12 feet and is great for fishing or jumping off of."

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Lake Luzerne, New York (26)

    1. Crane Mountain Pond Campsite

    1 Review
    Thurman, NY
    17 miles
    Website

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

    2. Bear Slide in Lake George Wild Forest

    Be the first to review!
    Stony Creek, NY
    6 miles

    3. Cod Pond Dispersed Pull-Off

    2 Reviews
    Bakers Mills, NY
    22 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."

    4. Ushers Road State Forest

    2 Reviews
    Round Lake, NY
    28 miles

    "This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails. I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side."

    5. Lake George

    Be the first to review!
    Bolton Landing, NY
    21 miles

    6. NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot

    6 Reviews
    Bennington, VT
    49 miles

    "A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well."

    "Went on a Wednesday night late October and had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot. After what was very quiet and a peaceful place to be."

    7. Crane Pond Dispersed Site

    1 Review
    Paradox, NY
    38 miles

    "Please note Crane Pond Road from the lower parking lot to the pond itself is NOT maintained and often gets very muddy. 4WD is required, if you go back there without it your day is gonna suck."

    8. Somerset Airfield

    6 Reviews
    West Dover, VT
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 388-4362

    "It has pit toilets. These sites are close together with little to no shade. Some sites have access to a stream that flows behind the park."

    "I arrived after the 4th of July and a neighbor said it was rowdy during the holiday with illegal fireworks set off every night over the dry forest. These pics are from a weekday morning."

    9. Powley Road in Ferris Wild Forest

    2 Reviews
    Piseco, NY
    41 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. Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail

    3 Reviews
    Fort Plain, NY
    48 miles

    "Continue driving past the original coordinates until you reach the dirt parking lot on the right. You’ll see signs that say “No Vehicles Past This Point” — those apply only to the grassy picnic area."

    "It offers sounds of the highway and freight trains going by, my wife and I love it. If you need quiet, keep on moving. There are grills in the grassy area for tent camping, also a potable water tap."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Lake Luzerne, NY

45 Photos of 26 Lake Luzerne Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Lake Luzerne, NY

31 Reviews of 26 Lake Luzerne Campgrounds

  • 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.

  • The L.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 8, 2025

    Ushers Road State Forest

    Trail head

    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 terrain eventually transitions into a low-lying, swampy area, likely due to recent rainfall over the past week.

    About 500 feet down the right-hand trail, there is a smaller path branching off to the left. This leads to a previously used campsite, approximately 200 feet from the main trail. The site includes a stone fire ring, indicating prior use.

    Given that camping is permitted anywhere in the woods as long as it’s at least 150 feet off the trail, the surrounding area offers an abundance of potential camping spots.

  • 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.

  • M.A.D. P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2023

    Somerset Airfield

    Small open park

    The Airfield Campground is a strip of land with several campsites and fire pits. It has pit toilets. These sites are close together with little to no shade. Some sites have access to a stream that flows behind the park. The real attraction is the huge Somerset Resevoir which is up the road. Plenty of fishing, paddling, hiking and picnicking opportunities. There are other dispersed sites down the road that are free

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2024

    Somerset Airfield

    Good stopover location

    Only the first section of the campground was open due to flooding. As a result, there were puddles everywhere.

    Campsites are listed as disbursed but there are only 7 trees to separate 9 camp sites. The campsites are all next to the road and have fire circles.

    There is a single pit toilet at the end of the camping area. No garbage service, no water, no cell service. Basically a camp site where you can share a fire with the neighbors.

  • Natasha T.
    Jun. 6, 2022

    NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot

    Nice wooded little campsite

    A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well. A few miles down the road there is another campsite that is more open and also has a fire pit with a lot less bugs flying around and more open space.

  • SJ W.
    Nov. 1, 2024

    NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot

    Beautiful but surprisingly crowded

    Went on a Wednesday night late October and had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot. After what was very quiet and a peaceful place to be. Many pull offs but a lot were too wet for my van and I was afraid of getting stuck. The road itself was in great condition though.

  • Mona M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 16, 2025

    Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail

    Just Passed Lock 15

    Continue driving past the original coordinates until you reach the dirt parking lot on the right. You’ll see signs that say “No Vehicles Past This Point” — those apply only to the grassy picnic area. The parking lot is large, rocky, and uneven, situated right on the Mohawk River. It's a great spot for wildlife viewing and fishing (with a valid license). Verizon cell service is good here. At the lock parking area, you'll find pit toilets, a dumpster, and potable water available on the side of the building as you enter.

  • licia S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Somerset Airfield

    No Wifi, Resevoir Beautiful

    Enjoyed the stunning babbling brook and resevoir- saw happy people swimming, kayaking, and camping. It's been quiet and peaceful and sometimes generators running all night. I arrived after the 4th of July and a neighbor said it was rowdy during the holiday with illegal fireworks set off every night over the dry forest. These pics are from a weekday morning. It's great to see families camping. There are pit toilets. AT.T service at bridge prior to camp- short walk. SOS only in camp. Another camper told me Starlink works here.

Guide to Lake Luzerne

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Lake Luzerne, New York, where nature enthusiasts can enjoy serene landscapes and a sense of adventure. With various options available, campers can find the perfect spot to unwind and connect with the great outdoors.

Dispersed campers should check out Cod Pond Dispersed Pull-Off

  • This site offers a peaceful retreat right off a quiet road, making it easy to access while still feeling secluded.
  • Campers can enjoy a fire ring and the soothing sounds of the nearby river, perfect for a relaxing evening under the stars.
  • Keep in mind that the site is not big rig friendly, so a mid-size SUV is recommended for access to Cod Pond Dispersed Pull-Off.

Top activities while free camping near Lake Luzerne

Scenic attractions for dispersed campers

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Bear Slide dispersed camping in Lake Luzerne located?

Bear Slide dispersed camping is located in the Lake George Wild Forest area near Lake Luzerne. It's a hike-in site, so you'll need to park and carry your gear to your camping spot. While not directly on Lake Luzerne, it's part of the broader Adirondack region. For an alternative dispersed option with easier access, Cod Pond Dispersed Pull-Off is located off a main road, though it can be easy to miss. Look for marked sites (like #3 and #6) along a short dirt road that provides access to riverside camping spots.

What amenities are available at dispersed camping sites near Lake Luzerne?

Dispersed camping sites near Lake Luzerne are typically primitive with minimal amenities. Somerset Airfield offers basic facilities including fire pits, pit toilets, and access to a stream behind some sites. The main attraction is proximity to Somerset Reservoir nearby. Other dispersed sites like Ushers Road State Forest provide access to bicycle-friendly nature trails but lack developed facilities. Most dispersed sites in the region feature established fire rings and natural surroundings, but you should plan to bring your own water, pack out trash, and be prepared for no cell service in many locations.

Are permits required for dispersed camping at Lake Luzerne?

Dispersed camping in the Lake Luzerne area typically doesn't require advance permits, but regulations may vary by specific location. NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot and similar sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis without formal permit systems. However, you should always follow Forest Service guidelines which may include camping restrictions during fire season, maximum stay limits (typically 14 days), and maintaining proper distance from water sources. For the most current information, check with the local Adirondack Park Agency or Department of Environmental Conservation office before your trip, as regulations can change seasonally.

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