Best Dispersed Camping near Lima, NY

Several free dispersed camping options exist near Lima, New York, primarily in state forest lands within a 40-minute drive. Palmer's Pond State Forest offers the highest-rated primitive sites, featuring flat grassy terrain under pine trees adjacent to a small pond. The area provides basic fire pits and picnic tables but no utilities or services. Access requires careful navigation, as multiple reviews note Google Maps directions often lead to dead ends. "Take West Almond road as the other road is blocked off," advises one camper.

Sugar Hill Recreation Area and Fire Tower Campsite provide additional dispersed camping opportunities approximately 50 minutes southeast of Lima. These sites include more amenities than typical primitive camping, with flush toilets, trash service, and water faucets available. Each site features a fire ring and picnic table. The campground layout offers good privacy with both sunny and shaded options. Ossian State Forest has limited camping options, with recent reviews indicating access issues due to fallen trees and unmaintained trails.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Lima, New York (8)

Show More
Showing results 1-8 of 8 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Lima, NY

12 Photos of 8 Lima Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Lima, NY

21 Reviews of 8 Lima Campgrounds


  • Lylah H.
    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)!

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2019

    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

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    Would Stay again

    We stayed here for 2 nights car camping. quiet and clean. spots had fire rings and picnic tables. Bathrooms were clean and had potable water. There were lots of horses. There are hiking trails right out of the site! would absolutely stay here again!

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    Free camping with amenities!

    26 camp sites with bathrooms! That flush! Very quiet and the sites aren’t on top of each other. People bring their horses. You can drive to to your site and tent camp or camper camp. I would come back!

  • Brittany S.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.
    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!

  • M
    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.

  • Roger V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Palmers Pond State Forest

    beautiful spots near pond or in woods

    if the lake spots are busy check the woods, there are a bunch more nice spots. dispersed free LNT style. no services. would stay here again.

  • A
    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.


Guide to Lima

Dispersed camping options near Lima, New York exist primarily within state forests, situated in the western Finger Lakes region at elevations of 500-2,000 feet. The area features rolling hills, mixed hardwood forests, and small glacial ponds. Seasonal considerations significantly impact access, with spring mud and winter snow often limiting vehicle entry to primitive camping areas.

What to do

Horseback riding trails: Sugar Hill Recreation Area features extensive equestrian trails that connect to the surrounding forest. "You can drive your car in here (gravel road). It has a toilet house," notes Joel M., who gave the area a 5-star rating. Horses are a common sight at this campground.

Fishing opportunities: Palmer's Pond provides fishing access in a secluded setting. "Lots of beavers to watch throughout the day," reports Matt M. The small pond attracts wildlife and offers peaceful shoreline fishing.

Hiking nearby: Sugar Hill offers several trail options directly from campsites. "There are hiking trails right out of the site! Would absolutely stay here again," writes Karen M. The area includes connections to longer regional trails through state forest lands.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: At Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite, the layout provides good separation. "Very quiet and the sites aren't on top of each other. People bring their horses. You can drive to your site and tent camp or camper camp," explains Hannah G., who enjoyed the campground's spacious arrangement.

Free camping with facilities: Unlike many primitive sites, Sugar Hill Recreation Area offers basic amenities. "Free garbage service daily, Water faucets were placed all over the campground. There is a Forest Fire Lookout Tower next to the bathrooms," shares Kevin C., noting weekdays have significantly lower occupancy than weekends.

Level terrain: Palmers Pond State Forest features flat camping areas that make setup easy. "The site was very nice. Clean and well maintained. I was able to set up next to the water with no problem," reports Marjoe M., who plans to return in the future.

What you should know

Navigation challenges: Google Maps directions often fail for these dispersed sites. "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!" advises Lizzy K. at Palmers Pond.

Variable site availability: Weekday visits provide better options than weekends. "We stayed at Sugar Hill for about 10 days, arriving right after Memorial Day weekend... During our stay, the campsite never even got near half full, providing a peaceful and uncrowded experience," reports Paulina B.

Limited connectivity: Cell service is minimal throughout these areas. "WiFi and phone service are pretty limited, typically ranging between 1-2 bars," notes Paulina B. about Sugar Hill Recreation Area. Plan accordingly for emergency communications.

Tips for camping with families

Bathroom facilities: Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping offers better amenities than typical primitive sites. "Clean bathrooms with flush toilets. Sign in near bathrooms on arrival. Dogs must be on a leash," explains Andrew S., noting that sites vary in sun exposure.

Site selection considerations: Some areas offer more shade than others. "About half of them are in the sun and half get shade all day. I switched sites after a day to get some solar charging," continues Andrew S., who found the campground well-maintained.

Designated sites vs. dispersed: Look for established areas with flat terrain. "Arrived early evening and found a clear, level designated site right off Tower Hill Rd... Clean vault toilet. Nice hiking trails at the moment (pretty close to overgrown at this point in the season)," reports Ann M.

Tips from RVers

Road condition awareness: Forest roads accessing primitive camping near Lima vary considerably by season. "The written directions from other reviews were easy to follow. The road was gravel but pretty easy to drive," notes Caitlyn R. about her experience at Palmers Pond.

Site length limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller rigs only. "If the lake spots are busy check the woods, there are a bunch more nice spots. Dispersed free LNT style. No services," advises Roger V., recommending multiple site options at Palmers Pond.

Weather-dependent access: Spring conditions can limit accessibility. "The directions took us to a dead end like the other reviews stated... 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," explains Sydney M., who still found numerous camping options despite seasonal changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Lima, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Lima, NY is Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite with a 4.8-star rating from 13 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 8 dispersed camping locations near Lima, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.