Crane Pond Dispersed Site offers free primitive campsites near New Russia, featuring nine sites, most accessible only by boat except for one site near the parking lot. The access road to Crane Pond requires four-wheel drive vehicles with good clearance, as it is unmaintained and frequently muddy with protruding rocks. Reviews note this site is not suitable for RVs. The shoreline site includes a stone fireplace, fishing access, and swimming opportunities from a 12-foot stone cliff.
Chapel Pond and Ward Brook provide additional dispersed camping options in the area. Ward Brook Campsite, accessible only by hiking in, features a lean-to, fire pit, picnic table, and privy. The site sits at the base of Seymour Mountain with reliable water sources nearby. Though Chapel Pond Camping is listed as free, it does not permit fires, alcohol, or pets. All dispersed sites in the region adhere to the standard 14-day camping limit and require visitors to pack out all waste.
"Please note Crane Pond Road from the lower parking lot to the pond itself is NOT maintained and often gets very muddy. 4WD is required, if you go back there without it your day is gonna suck."
"The past reviews are correct with a lifted four wheel drive vehicle being needed for this drive in if you plan on getting paddled boats/kayaks in the water."
"Multiple small fire ring, camping spots with an outhouse down a trail by site 3."
"Able to see sunrise/sunset/moonrise over the surrounding rolling hills and crests. Upper meadows accessible with 4WD / high clearance vehicles."
"Public Lands with about 8 semi private sites, each with nice views west or easterly. It's a large meadow and with a breeze, it will keep bugs away. Lacking a breeze, it is tough but still beautiful"
"When driving in on the right there’s a culdesac type set up of sites. Pretty sure these sites all have river access. Road is short dead ends with a decent amount of turn around space."
"Great location, easy access, on a nice brook. Fire ring only, no facilities and minimal parking."
"Main lot has plenty of parking, perfect for car camping. Pull through the trees has some spots for tents and smaller setups."
"Free dispersed camping right off of the road. Includes picnic tables and a fire ring. It is located in the mountains of Vermont and right next to a beautiful river."
"Down off this back road in VT you can find some beautiful secluded campsites - Yards away from gorgeous running water. No trash or restrooms - Primitive for sure. Prepare for bugs as well."
"I would want some clearance for a vehicle. Our Toyota Highlander made it easily. We found 2 campsites with fire pits right off the end of FR 291. Easy stroll to a clean brook for filtering water."
"Beautiful sites on the River but with the wet summer, we just couldn’t dry out. Make sure to lock you valuables. Our Jackery, Solar panels & toilet were stolen."
"All the sites were full when I visited (6 to 8 sites, approximately, but i didn't go down a couple little gravel paths to check each spot as you couldn't turn around easily) , so I didn't get to camp there"
"There seems to be a little confusion about where restricted day use ends and overnight dispersed sites begin. Some folks were camping in the picnic area."
"A little more than half of the sites can be driven to and others require a very short walk (50 ft?). "
TravelerPrivate, large site. This was the first site in the road. We have a low clearance car and it was a bit bumpy. This site was amazing, clean and easy pull in pull out.
TravelerMy partner and I went on 4th of July weekend for the first time and was greeted by a man in the parking lot who had been coming there for 40 years. The site was gorgeous with 10 different campsites to choose from. The past reviews are correct with a lifted four wheel drive vehicle being needed for this drive in if you plan on getting paddled boats/kayaks in the water. Our plan was to go in and out to explore but decided to hunker down once we took the road in to avoid driving it multiple times. There are four hike-in camps from the parking lot. All campsites are marked on AllTrails. We stayed on the East side camp, #10, which after setting up and visiting the rest of the sites, had the least views from camp of the water but was the most secluded. Many sites have a privy or a box with a hole and a lid. There were a total of four trucks/jeeps in the lot all weekend and only a few camps being used. The black flies and mosquitos were bad given the time of the year so be prepared if you come during the same time. There are some beautiful trails that connect to the parking lot that lead to other hike-in camps at other small ponds/lakes.
There are green tags on the trees marked next to the water where the camp sites are. We made the mistake of setting up our tent at a makeshift campsite someone made and found the "no camping" sign after and ended up moving. There are beaver, ducks, and loons living at the pond.
GuideRight along the road (so if anything happens you can get help) also has wifi signal. It’s right along a creek that’s clean and beautiful. Crisp air and calming flowing river noises all night made it so I slept like a baby!
GuideDrove all the way here just to pull in and see signs that say “no overnight camping”
ScoutPublic Lands with about 8 semi private sites, each with nice views west or easterly. It's a large meadow and with a breeze, it will keep bugs away. Lacking a breeze, it is tough but still beautiful
ScoutAs noted by others, most of the sites have a fire ring and nothing more. A little more than half of the sites can be driven to and others require a very short walk (50 ft?). The toilets mentioned are at Texas falls area and are not a practical walk from most of the campsites.
There are no showers.
Aside from the loop trail at the falls there are also a couple of snowmobile trails that cross the area.
RangerWe loved camping at Crane Pond. It was a little over 3 miles to hike into the waterfront sites. There is an outhouse nearby, several campsites, fire pits, and we went for a swim in the pond. Overall great experience!
TravelerFree dispersed camping right off of the road. Includes picnic tables and a fire ring. It is located in the mountains of Vermont and right next to a beautiful river. The only con was the highway noise since it's pretty close to the road. But, it's free, and in the beautiful mountains of vermont so cant really complain.
ScoutEasy to find, quiet & scenic with the river
Dispersed camping options near New Russia, New York provide primitive outdoor experiences in the Adirondacks. The area sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation with mountainous terrain surrounding several remote ponds and waterways. Most rustic sites throughout this region maintain minimal development, requiring campers to bring all supplies and practice Leave No Trace principles.
Water activities: Swimming and fishing at Green Mountain National Forest FR207 offer opportunities for cooling off. "There were many spots on open fields with beautiful scenic views of the mountains. If we go and stay up there again we will definitely be staying at one of these," notes Amanda.
Hiking trails: Seymour Mountain access from nearby primitive sites. At Ward Brook Campsite, "Great campsite at the bottom of Seymour mountain" with "plenty of water around," according to Alex R., making it an excellent basecamp for hikers.
Winter recreation: Snow activities available seasonally. "My first time winter camping and had the entire area to myself. Beautiful sunsets, night skies and scenery. Extremely calm and peaceful. Woke up to two moose nearby the morning I was leaving," writes Phil J. about winter camping at Green Mountain National Forest FR207.
Riverside locations: Stream access at multiple sites for natural ambient sounds. At Patterson Brookside camp, "Mountain road lingers along the river. There's quite a few sites along the road. Be sure to camp at spots with established fire rings! There is no services of any sorts at this location," advises Thomas and James S.
Secluded spots: Privacy options among dispersed sites. In Lincoln Dispersed Camping, "Down off this back road in VT you can find some beautiful secluded campsites - Yards away from gorgeous running water. No trash or restrooms - Primitive for sure," reports Mike B., highlighting the isolation factor.
Established fire pits: Ready-made campfire spots at many primitive sites. "This site had great tree coverage to easily set up a tarp. It even had a premade firepit! Make sure to bring your own trash bag and water," notes a camper about Green Mountain Forest areas.
Road conditions: High-clearance vehicles needed for many access roads. For Crane Pond Dispersed Site, "if your vehicle isn't lifted you may come out with a ding or two from rocks and other things jutting out of the ground. Not fit for an RV in any capacity."
Seasonal closures: Winter access limitations to certain areas. "This area is closed in the winter due to snow, by the GMNF," notes Miccal M. about some brookside camping areas.
Environmental regulations: Camping restrictions at some day-use areas. Near Green Mountain National Forest Texas Falls, "There seems to be a little confusion about where restricted day use ends and overnight dispersed sites begin. Some folks were camping in the picnic area," warns J W., highlighting potential confusion.
Water source considerations: Stream filtering required at primitive sites. "Brook water filtered fine and was tasty. Relatively short walk to waterless toilets was welcome," shares J W., noting the practical aspects of water access with family members.
Site selection: Level ground options vary by location. One camper notes, "We found 2 campsites with fire pits right off the end of FR 291. Easy stroll to a clean brook for filtering water. Very quiet, though we could hear the occasional dog barking from houses."
Swimming spots: Natural water features suitable for various ages. At Austin Brook, "There's a few sites here! All pretty much have access to the streams. Nice fire rings," reports Thomas and James S., making this area good for family water play.
Size restrictions: No full-size RVs allowed at most rustic sites near New Russia. Reviews consistently mention "NO big-rig-friendly" conditions, with many sites requiring "4WD" and featuring "primitive" conditions that make RV access impossible.
Turnaround limitations: Space constraints for larger vehicles. At Green Mountain National Forest sites, Phil J. notes that "the top end of the road has a few mud pits and may require some ground clearance from rocks," creating challenges for RV maneuvering.
Overflow parking: Limited options for extra vehicles. "The parking lot at the end of Crane Pond Road is relatively small but can fit at least 6 vehicles," which means RVers with tow vehicles may struggle with parking limitations at more remote sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near New Russia, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near New Russia, NY is Chapel Pond Camping with a 3-star rating from 1 review.
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