Top Free Dispersed Camping near Marcellus, NY

Best Dispersed Sites Near Marcellus, NY (11)

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   Morgan Hill State Forest Dispersed

   1 Review

   39 Photos

   18 Saves

   Apulia Station, New York

   This location is the parking area for the dispersed hike-in and backpacking camping; the established primitive campgrounds are elsewhere in the forest, at Spruce Pond and adjacent to the North Country Scenic Trail access for the trail to Tinkers Falls.

   Two additional drive-up, accessible camping sites are available on a first come, first served basis. The sites are located off of Morgan Hill Road, in close proximity to the forest's accessible trail. See map above and directions below.

   The Spruce Pond camping area and the two drive-up accessible camping sites are located on seasonal roads with no winter maintenance or available parking nearby. Accessing these sites from November through March is not recommended.

   Primitive camping is welcomed year-round throughout the forest, where safe and authorized access and parking allows. 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.

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Dispersed
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   Morgan Hill Forest—Onondaga Trailhead campground

   1 Review

   37 Photos

   1 Save

   Truxton, New York

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • ADA Access
   • Tents
   • Group
   • Standard (Tent/RV)
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   Bucks Brook State Forest Primitive Tent Site

   1 Review

   10 Photos

   32 Saves

   DeRuyter, New York

   Bucks Brook State Forest consists of 2,178 acres located between State highway 26 and County Highway 13 in the northwest corner of Chenango County. Popular recreational uses of this forest are hiking, nature observation and hunting.

   Camping At-large 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.

   Hiking General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules & regulations.

   A portion of the Finger Lakes Trail (leaves DEC website) traverses the forest. The trail enters the forest on the northwest side along Ratville Road and traverses east and then south to where it exits the forest on Bucks Brook Road near its junction with Rt. 26

   Fishing General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and links to seasons, rules & regulations.

   The Otselic River, which runs along Rt. 26, offers nearby trout fishing opportunities and is easily accessible due to the numerous DEC parking areas.

   Fishing Access information is available. Fishing Easement information is available.

   Hunting & Trapping General Information on hunting and general information on trapping includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules & regulations.

   Cross-country Skiing & Snowshoeing General information on cross-country skiing and snowshoeing includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules & regulations.

   Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are permitted on all hiking trails.

   Wildlife General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Dispersed
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   4.

   Towsley Road Dispersed Camping

   1 Review

   13 Saves

   Richland, New York

   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.

   • RVs
   • Tents
   • Standard (Tent/RV)
   • Dispersed
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   5.

   Bear Wallow Pond Dispersed Campsite in Pharsalia Woods

   1 Review

   25 Photos

   South Plymouth, New York

   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. More details here: https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/41282.html

   Primitive camping is allowed on many DEC lands, including Forest Preserve lands in the Catskills and Adirondacks, as well as on State Forest lands outside the Preserve. Primitive camping is prohibited on Unique Areas, Wildlife Management Areas, and a few other categories of state land.

   Where to Set Up Camp The best place to camp is at designated primitive tent sites. These sites are typically flatter than other areas and have deeper, harder soils more resistant to heavy use and erosion, minimizing the impacts of camping. Many sites have nearby pit privies and rock fire rings.

   Yellow and black camp here marker attached to a tree "Camp Here" marker Campers are encouraged to use designated tent sites. They are often close to trails and provide views of ponds, lakes, streams or rivers. These can be a source of water when properly treated.

   All designated primitive tent sites have yellow and black "Camp Here" markers. Many sites on lakes and ponds are identified by a yellow number against a dark brown wooden plaque typically attached to a tree near the water's edge.

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Tents
   • Dispersed
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   Pharsalia Woods State Forest Dispersed

   1 Review

   19 Photos

   1 Save

   South Plymouth, New York

   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. More details here: https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/41282.html

   Primitive camping is allowed on many DEC lands, including Forest Preserve lands in the Catskills and Adirondacks, as well as on State Forest lands outside the Preserve. Primitive camping is prohibited on Unique Areas, Wildlife Management Areas, and a few other categories of state land.

   Where to Set Up Camp The best place to camp is at designated primitive tent sites. These sites are typically flatter than other areas and have deeper, harder soils more resistant to heavy use and erosion, minimizing the impacts of camping. Many sites have nearby pit privies and rock fire rings.

   Yellow and black camp here marker attached to a tree "Camp Here" marker Campers are encouraged to use designated tent sites. They are often close to trails and provide views of ponds, lakes, streams or rivers. These can be a source of water when properly treated.

   All designated primitive tent sites have yellow and black "Camp Here" markers. Many sites on lakes and ponds are identified by a yellow number against a dark brown wooden plaque typically attached to a tree near the water's edge.

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Tents
   • Dispersed
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   7.

   Balsam Swamp State Forest

   1 Review

   31 Photos

   40 Saves

   Cincinnatus, New York

   Camping primitive camping

   General information on primitive camping includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules & regulations

   At large 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.

   A small rustic camp ground is also located at Balsam Pond. Camping spaces are available at no cost on a first-come, first-serve basis and there is no running water or electricity. A fire ring, outhouse, and picnic table are provided for each camping space.

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Dispersed
   • Picnic Table
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   Long Pond Campground

   1 Review

   46 Photos

   8 Saves

   Georgetown, New York

   • Pets
   • Fires
   • Reservable
   • Tents
   • Standard (Tent/RV)
   • Picnic Table
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   Roadside Parking on Route 20

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   6 Saves

   Bouckville, New York
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    Salmon River in Altmar State Forest

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    2 Saves

    Richland, New York