Best Dispersed Camping near Montour Falls, NY

Are you planning a dispersed camping trip to Montour Falls? We've got you covered. Find everything from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking with The Dyrt. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your New York excursion.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Montour Falls, NY (4)

    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    1. Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    9 Reviews
    39 Photos
    107 Saves
    Tyrone, New York

    Starting May 17, 2021 the Sugar Hill Fire Tower Recreation Area has been re-opened for camping and day use. In an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 camping is limited to 26 designated sites. A self-issued permit must be filled out when you arrive. There is no reservation system, if you arrive and all campsites are full you will have to find another location to camp.

    The Sugar Hill Recreation Area, located off of Tower Hill Rd, is the largest designated camping area on Sugar Hill State Forest. Available on a first-come first-serve basis, the area is a nine-acre open field for camping, with a limited number of fire rings and picnic tables. New for 2021 (in order to limit the spread of COVID-19) 26 campsites have been designated in the open field area. Upon arrival, campers must fill out a self-issued camping permit. There is no reservation system, if you arrive and it is full you will have to find another location to camp.

    Other facilities in the Rec Area include; a picnic area with picnic tables and pavilion, an accessible horse-mounting platform, open horse stalls, during summer months a restroom with potable water are available, and access to the Six Nations Trail System, as well as the Sugar Hill Fire Tower. The gate is opened to vehicle traffic, and the water turned on, from the 3rd Monday in May through the 3rd Monday in October of each year.

    Individual campsites are located throughout the State Forest. These 19 additional primitive designated camping sites are semi-flat spots, some are graveled parking areas, others are small openings set back in the woods on topsoil, most with no other facilities provided.

    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. No trash pickup is provided. These are carry-in, carry-out facilities.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • ADA Access
    • Dispersed
    • Trash
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping

    2. Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping

    4 Reviews
    21 Photos
    123 Saves
    Tyrone, New York

    The Sugar Hill Recreation Area, located at 3360 Tower Hill Rd, Watkins Glen, NY, is the largest designated camping area on Sugar Hill State Forest. Available on a first-come first-serve basis, the area is a nine-acre open field for camping, with a limited number of fire rings and picnic tables. New for 2021 (in order to limit the spread of COVID-19) 26 campsites have been designated in the open field area. Upon arrival, campers must fill out a self-issued camping permit. There is no reservation system, if you arrive and it is full you will have to find another location to camp.

    Other facilities in the Rec Area include; a picnic area with picnic tables and pavilion, an accessible horse-mounting platform, open horse stalls, during summer months a restroom with potable water are available, and access to the Six Nations Trail System, as well as the Sugar Hill Fire Tower. The gate is opened to vehicle traffic, and the water turned on, from the 3rd Monday in May through the 3rd Monday in October of each year.

    The Lower Evergreen Parking Lot, located off of Evergreen Hill Rd, is smaller and has picnic tables, fire rings, open horse stalls and a pit privy. New for 2021, three campsites have been designated. No trash pickup is provided. This is a carry in-carry out facility.

    Individual campsites are located throughout the State Forest. These 19 additional primitive designated camping sites are semi-flat spots, some are graveled parking areas, others are small openings set back in the woods on topsoil, most with no other facilities provided.

    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. No trash pickup is provided. These are carry-in, carry-out facilities.

    Lean To: Lean-to in the trees, benches and fire ring in front. Buck Settlement Lean-to

    Lean-to Camping :There are five Adirondack-style lean-tos at four different locations. Lean-tos must be shared to their capacity on a first-come, first-use basis, with no exclusive reservation allowed.

    Buck Settlement Lean-to on the Finger Lakes Trail north of Templar Road and near Glen Creek;
    Parks Hollow Lean-to on Mohawk Trail, north of Sugar Hill Road;
    the Twin Lean-to's (Sugar Hill Lean-to #1 and #2) - on Seneca Trail, south of the Sugar Hill Rec Area;
    and VanZandt Lean-to - on Seneca Trail, east of Tower Hill Road.
    September 14, 2021 to September 23, 2021 the VanZandt Lean-to will be undergoing maintenance, please plan accordingly.

    No trash pickup is provided. These are a carry in-carry out facilities.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • ADA Access
    • RVs
    • Tents
    Camper-submitted photo from Foster Pond Camping Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Foster Pond Camping Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Foster Pond Camping Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Foster Pond Camping Area
    • No image available

    Recent Dispersed Reviews in Montour Falls

    9 Reviews of 4 Montour Falls Campgrounds


    • AThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
      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.

    • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
      Jul. 23, 2024

      Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

      Amazing campsite!!

      Stopped in to "ride out a rain storm." After surviving the night, we discovered all the amenities. Free garbage service daily, Water faucets were placed all over the campground. There is a Forest Fire Lookout Tower next to the bathrooms.

      Camp sites are disbursed so you don't feel crowded or squeezed for space.

      Weekends are very busy but weekdays there were no more than 7 or 8 campsites occupied each night.

      The horse stalls were used regularly and seeing horses coming and going on trail rides is a daily occurrence.

    • Lylah H.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
      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)!

    • DThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
      Sep. 26, 2023

      Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

      Perfect Reprieve

      We pulled in just before dark to find 8 other campers already settled in. The sites were spacious. It was a cool and windy night, which made it perfect for sleeping. Highly recommend!

    • T
      Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
      Sep. 9, 2023

      Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

      Well worth it

      I drove in from out of state and I absolutely adore this campground! Will be returning, I found a lovely spot tucked into a back corner and has the most relaxing weekend.

    • A
      Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
      Oct. 22, 2022

      Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

      Awesome!

      This site is great! There are only a few sites on the road but they have picnic tables, fire rings and lots of space! They are also free! We just pulled up and parked in an empty spot. We visited here in Oct 2022 so it was pretty empty. Great spot if you are passing through!

    • Cam F.
      Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
      Aug. 23, 2022

      Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

      Great quiet camping spot

      Lovely campground in a lush green clearing with plenty of bird life. Good facilities with flushing toilets and trash and recycling on site.

      The view from the tower is pretty nice too!

    • Brittany S.
      Camper-submitted photo from Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite
      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!



    Frequently Asked Questions

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

      According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Montour Falls, NY is Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite with a 4.7-star rating from 9 reviews.

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

      TheDyrt.com has all 4 dispersed camping locations near Montour Falls, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.