The Ushers Road State Forest area provides several dispersed camping options near Mechanicville, New York. The forest landscape features mixed hardwoods with elevations ranging from 300-500 feet. Seasonal access varies, with forest roads sometimes closed during spring mud season. Some sites require careful navigation after rainfall.
What to do
Hiking to ponds: Follow trails near Statton Pond Camp on Forest Road 71 where campers have good access to multiple water features. One visitor noted, "Good hiking access to Stratton Pond, to Branch Pond, to Grout Pond Recreation Area, to the AT/LT."
Winter adventures: Experience snow camping at Somerset Airfield when conditions permit. A winter camper shared, "We endured Snow and mid 20s Friday night with 8" of fresh snow to wake up to Saturday, and our main Roadhouse down from the weight of the snow."
Wildlife watching: Keep your distance but watch for wildlife in the Green Mountain National Forest. At Statton Pond Camp, a camper reported, "I did see a huge blackbear." Proper food storage in bear country is essential.
What campers like
Private riverside spots: The NF 83 riverside location offers water access with natural sound barriers. A camper described it as "Peacefully placed along the bends of the river is a large open grassy area with a sizable fire pit!"
Large gathering spaces: Some sites accommodate group camping. At Dispersed site along Forest RD 71, visitors find "Easy access to an open circle, capable of handling multiple rigs for a large gathering. Stone fire ring in the center."
Cell service availability: Connectivity varies by location. At Statton Pond Camp, a reviewer mentioned having "2 bars of USCellular LTE," while Somerset Airfield has spotty coverage with a camper noting "ATT service at bridge prior to camp- short walk. SOS only in camp."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to some sites require careful driving. At NF 83 riverside, a camper warned, "The beginning of the little driveway is quite rough with some bigger rocks we have substantial ground clearance so no issues there but smaller ground clearances may feel a bump or two!"
Site maintenance concerns: Pack extra trash bags as some sites need cleaning. At Dispersed site along Forest RD 71, a regular visitor shared, "I would have given 5 stars except for the unfortunate fact that 2 years in a row my husband and I had to spend over an hour cleaning the site from the people before us."
Seasonal wetness: Many sites become muddy during rain or spring thaw. One camper at George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed observed, "It had rained a lot prior to our arrival, and several sites were damp. We found a perfect site off the road on the right side."
Tips for camping with families
Look for larger sites: Families need more space for tents and activities. At George D Aiken Wilderness, "The camp spots were all pretty spread out from each other and the road was easy to drive on. There were only about 10 spots along the access road."
Bug preparation: Bring proper repellent as insects can be problematic. One camper at dispersed sites reported, "A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well."
Weekend planning: Arrive early on weekends to secure a spot. A Somerset Airfield visitor warned, "Many other sites further south on 71 were filled and some were just TTs holding the space for the upcoming weekend."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for clearance: Choose sites with adequate vehicle clearance. At Bear Slide in Lake George Wild Forest, a Jeep camper shared, "It was rocky getting there but super super remote - zero service. Great space for my jeep and honestly you could fit a LARGE RV."
Flooding awareness: During wet seasons, check site conditions before arrival. At Somerset Airfield, an RVer noted, "Only the first section of the campground was open due to flooding. As a result, there were puddles everywhere."
Pull-off availability: Some forest roads have limited pull-offs for larger vehicles. Along Green Mountain National Forest roads, campers sometimes report, "Had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot."
