Best Dispersed Camping near New Berlin, NY
Several state forests surrounding New Berlin, New York offer primitive dispersed camping opportunities on public land. The Whaupaunaucau State Forest, Pharsalia Woods State Forest, Balsam Swamp State Forest, and Bucks Brook State Forest all permit free backcountry camping with no reservation requirements. These areas include designated primitive tent sites along with true dispersed camping options where visitors can select their own sites following Leave No Trace principles. Most locations require campers to set up at least 150 feet from water bodies and away from official trailheads.
Access roads to many dispersed camping areas require careful navigation, particularly in wet conditions. Grover Brown Road leading to Pharsalia Woods sites is described as "in pretty rough shape" and designated as a "low maintenance road." Similarly, Beals Pond State Forest becomes difficult to access in winter when roads are not maintained. Most sites lack amenities—no drinking water, toilets, or trash service is available. Campers must pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Fire rings are present at some locations, and fires are permitted except during dry season bans. A recent review noted, "You need to bring your own water, there is none provided here, and be prepared to pack out your own garbage."
These primitive camping areas feature diverse natural settings including forests, ponds, and streams. Bear Wallow Pond in Pharsalia Woods offers "a primitive undeveloped campsite adjacent to a small parking area and fishing access on a really beautiful pond." Round Pond provides opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing, with a reviewer highlighting "a beautiful and accessible raised boardwalk to a unique overlook that has a beautiful vista over the bog and is an amazing place for birdwatching." Bucks Brook State Forest features a stream that "carves a beautiful gorge" with "several very primitive tent sites." Cell service varies significantly across these locations—while some areas maintain coverage, others have no signal, which a camper warned "was frightening while driving on these rough roads."