Top Free Dispersed Camping near Minerva, NY

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Minerva, NY (17)

Showing results 1-10 of 17 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews In Minerva

12 Reviews of 17 Minerva Campgrounds


  • Josie W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cod Pond Dispersed Pull-Off
    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.

  • Meghan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Powley Road in Ferris Wild Forest
    Oct. 19, 2023

    Powley Road in Ferris Wild Forest

    Powley Road

    Had a quiet and peaceful stay. Must camp at a numbered site. Most sites are right along the road, but I was lucky enough to snag one deeper in the woods. Some of the sites even have an outhouse. Stayed in October, so when I left early the next morning, I passed a lot of hunters that had camped along the road, too. The road is in good condition. No AT&T cell service in this area.

  • Alex R.
    Camper-submitted photo from Ward Brook Campsite
    Oct. 1, 2023

    Ward Brook Campsite

    Great campsite at the bottom of Seymour mountain

    Great campsite with a nice lean-to. 

    Fire pit, picnic table, and a privy. 

    A bit further you will find some tent spots too. 

    Plenty of water around.

  • Noah D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Forked Lake Adirondack Preserve
    Sep. 26, 2023

    Forked Lake Adirondack Preserve

    Truck camping heaven

    we came here for a night and stayed at the camp 76 by the lake. it was beautiful. definitely top 5 best campgrounds we have ever been to. they had a picnic bench and an outhouse in good condition. great visibility at night and of the lake

  • Taylor A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cod Pond Dispersed Pull-Off
    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.

  • T K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Crane Mountain Pond Campsite
    Apr. 28, 2022

    Crane Mountain Pond Campsite

    Gorgeous sunset views

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

  • MARY B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Seventh Lake Primitive Camping
    Jan. 22, 2021

    Seventh Lake Primitive Camping

    Canoe Camping at Its Best

    There are a few camping sites and one lean-to that I know of in this area. We happened upon it on our way to the seventh lake campground and ended up staying for two nights. We accessed the sites by water on a canoe trip. There is a large sand bar within a very short walk which was a great place to hang out. Seventh lake is pretty quiet but there were a few boats there both days we visited.  There is a trail that connects the campsites to Seventh Lake Rd. and to the Bug Lake trail and we had some Hikers travel through the campsite. If you are looking for the site from the water, look for a HUGE rock and there will be a sign that reads camp here, there are two more campsites, one with a lean-to within a short walk as well.

  • Karolee G.
    Camper-submitted photo from Forked Lake Adirondack Preserve
    Sep. 8, 2020

    Forked Lake Adirondack Preserve

    Best Primative Camping

    We were unfortunately able to get a spot on the lake, also due to us having dogs that aren’t fond of riding in kayaks yet. We ended up camping out right past spot 6 on North Point Road. Loved it. Us and the dogs. Primitive camping at Forked Lake is always the best.

  • C
    Camper-submitted photo from Forked Lake Adirondack Preserve
    Apr. 27, 2019

    Forked Lake Adirondack Preserve

    Wild

    This campground was beautiful. We boated in to our site with a kayak and a canoe with our supplies. We went during peak black fly season and got eaten alive though and decided to pack it up early. There was a bear den close to our site that was pretty cool.

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites
    Jun. 28, 2018

    Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites

    Your Own Private Island for FREE!

    We spent 3 nights backcountry camping on Catamount Island in Cranberry Lake and absolutely loved it! The sunsets from the island were truly incredible. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Ours had an extensive pile of dry wood, too. There is a decent privy tucked back in the woods. Bring your own TP though! Also, you will either need to bring your own potable water or filter from the lake, so don’t forget your water filter.

    In addition to many cool places to kayak from the island, there are a few hiking trails where you can land your boat and hike for a few hours. The Curtis Pond hike was our favorite and there are some incredible beaver dams along the way. While the mosquitoes weren’t bad at the campsite itself or while kayaking, they are terrible on the trails this time of year; so bring your bug spray, or better yet, bug shirts! The millions upon millions of dragonflies help make up for the mosquitoes!

    The Village of Cranberry Lake (which is accessible from the lake) has some supplies, but not much except the very basics at the general store.  You’ll need to head to Star Lake or Tupper Lake for anything of significance.

    Backcountry camping is first come, first served…no reservations necessary or even possible. No permit is needed. The only fee is if you want to park your vehicle in the state park while you are camping on the island, it is $8 per day.



Guide to Minerva

Camping near Minerva, New York, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and various campgrounds that cater to different preferences. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there's something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Explore the outdoors: The area is perfect for hiking and enjoying nature. Many campers appreciate the scenic views and trails. One visitor noted, “The beach is beautiful; the sites are a decent size and staff is always friendly” at Moffitt Beach Campground.
  • Water activities: Kayaking and canoeing are popular here. A reviewer mentioned, “We could launch directly from our site” at Golden Beach Campground, making it easy to enjoy the water.
  • Family-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer themed activities for kids. One camper shared, “There is a FULL schedule of themed activities for the kiddos, weekly” at Moose Hillock Camping Resorts.

What campers like:

  • Spacious sites: Campers often appreciate the roomy and private sites. A review highlighted, “For a private campground, the sites are large and well spaced out” at Moose Hillock Camping Resorts.
  • Clean facilities: Many visitors comment on the cleanliness of the campgrounds. One camper noted, “The bathrooms and showers were well kept” at Lake George RV Park.
  • Dog-friendly options: If you’re bringing your furry friend, you’ll find great dog parks. A happy camper said, “This is our top pick. Great sites, customer service & the best part is the dog park” at Lake George RV Park.

What you should know:

  • Noise levels: Some campgrounds can get noisy, especially during busy weekends. One visitor warned, “If you enjoy staying up until sunrise, underage drinking, staff that don’t give AF, and rules that don’t matter, then this is the state park for you!” about Rogers Rock Campground.
  • Limited amenities: Not all campgrounds have extensive facilities. A reviewer mentioned, “There are not many amenities or services for the phones” at Rogers Rock Campground.
  • Site selection matters: Choosing the right site can make a big difference. One camper advised, “The further back from the lake, the more of a camping-in-the-deep-woods vibe” at Golden Beach Campground.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Check for activities: Look for campgrounds with scheduled events for kids. A camper mentioned, “There are tons of activities, lots of families and ‘stuff’ going on all the time” at Lake George Escape Campground.
  • Safety first: Be mindful of traffic if your kids are biking. One parent expressed concern, “I was a little nervous for the kids riding bikes because of all the traffic” at Lake George Escape Campground.
  • Plan for bugs: Depending on the season, bugs can be an issue. A visitor noted, “There were quite a few bugs. Mostly mosquitoes that were quite pesky” at Moose Hillock Camping Resorts.

Tips from RVers:

  • Road navigation: Some campgrounds have confusing layouts. One RVer mentioned, “The roads in the park are confusing because none are parallel or perpendicular” at Moose Hillock Camping Resorts.
  • Site size: Make sure your site can accommodate your RV. A camper shared, “Some campsites were pretty small and would not fit large RVs” at Moose Hillock Camping Resorts.
  • Amenities check: Look for campgrounds with full hookups and good facilities. One reviewer said, “The campground is pretty clean and we didn’t see any trash laying around” at Lake George RV Park.

Camping around Minerva, New York, has its perks and quirks. With the right preparation, you can enjoy a great outdoor experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Minerva, NY?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Minerva, NY is Forked Lake Adirondack Preserve with a 4.8-star rating from 4 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 17 dispersed camping locations near Minerva, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.