Dann D.
Scout
ScoutCamp Emerald Acres
Rest & Relaxation
Love it here. It's away from city life in the heart of nature. Very family-friendly!!! A place to go!!! Check them out!!
Top-Rated Campgrounds near Otto, New York
Camping near Otto, NY ranges from free primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV campgrounds, offering options for nearly every style and budget. East Otto State Forest provides free primitive tent camping with 14 designated sites in a forested setting about 15 miles from Otto, New York. The surrounding area includes developed options like Allegany State Park with its Quaker and Red House camping areas, offering more amenities including electric hookups, showers, and cabin rentals. Camp Seneca provides another dispersed camping option with basic facilities, while private campgrounds like Triple R Camping Resort accommodate both tent and RV campers with full hookup sites.
Seasonal conditions significantly impact camping experiences in the region. East Otto State Forest and other primitive sites may become muddy after rainfall, making access challenging. As one camper noted, "Maybe non rainy season is better for this site, my boots became very muddy." Most developed campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically from May through October, with only a few facilities remaining open year-round. Allegany State Park's Red House Area maintains camping availability throughout the winter months, while others like Triple R Camping Resort close from mid-October to mid-April.
Campers consistently rate the privacy and seclusion of East Otto State Forest as major highlights. "We were nice and secluded, which was great for the dogs to run around, be safe, and not bother other campers," reported one visitor. Sites are generally spaced far enough apart to provide privacy while still being accessible by vehicle. The forest's proximity to Zoar Valley offers additional recreational opportunities for day trips. More developed campgrounds in the region feature amenities like swimming pools, fishing ponds, and organized activities, particularly at family-oriented resorts like Triple R Camping Resort. Campers should note that East Otto sites operate on a carry-in, carry-out basis with no trash service, and several reviews mention occasional issues with previous campers leaving sites untidy.
Best Camping Sites Near Otto, New York (134)
1. East Otto State Forest
11 ReviewsCollins Center, NY6 milesWebsite+1 (716) 372-0645"This was a nice secluded feeling site, neighbors are pretty close by and you can hear them but a good amount of private space to yourself."
"Google map directions end at a house but keep driving straight and you’ll see the sign of the park and directions to campground.-easy to find. I got to use my generator and was not too busy."
2. Quaker Area — Allegany State Park State Park
28 ReviewsSteamburg, NY22 milesWebsite+1 (716) 354-2182"great New York state park. stayed here for 2 nights and I will be back. the park is so big I only got to do some of the hiking. very nice."
"There office/store is not located in the loop we parked in but it was an easy in and out with our 45’ motorhome and tow car."
3. Red House Area — Allegany State Park State Park
13 ReviewsSalamanca, NY19 milesWebsite+1 (716) 354-9121"Cabins are pretty large and have some great surounding areas, like creeks right next to the cabins. Great place for family camping with tons of different activites offered around the park."
"We've been coming to this campground since I was a kid, and love the fact that you can have the amenities of home away from home."
4. Allegany Mountain Members Resort
1 ReviewEllicottville, NY7 milesWebsite+1 (716) 699-2352"This place has larger sites and a nice size lake to fish I. Along with a few other small stocked ponds. Plenty of stuff for kids to do including 2 outdoor pools and an indoor pool."
5. Evangola State Park Campground
17 ReviewsIrving, NY22 milesWebsite+1 (716) 549-1760$17 - $112 / night
"Sites are electric only, with a dump station available at the entrance and one in the campground loop."
"Sites are electric only, with a dump station available at the entrance and one in the campground loop."
6. Camp Seneca
1 ReviewGreat Valley, NY11 miles"We picked the biggest site next to the creek. The tree canopy over our site was dense enough that w3 did not get very wet when it rains."
7. Sprague Brook Park
7 ReviewsHolland, NY19 milesWebsite+1 (716) 592-2804"Well maintained park the campground is full of hiking trails and areas to fish on multiple ponds the sites are your average size and are kept clean."
"There is a play area for kids every time you turn around and a nice little pond for fishing. For what it is, it's a very nice spot if you're looking for a less wild camping experience."
8. Triple R Camping Resort and Trailer Sales
4 ReviewsFranklinville, NY17 milesWebsite+1 (716) 676-3856"There’s definitely something for everyone here; pool, splash park, hiking trails, playgrounds, & activities for all ages are just some of the things. Highly recommend!"
9. POPE HAVEN
2 ReviewsSteamburg, NY13 milesWebsite+1 (716) 358-4900$50 - $75 / night
"The layout is great for walking and there are so many beautiful sites from the seasonal campers. Dogs are welcome so we brought our two. We will definitely come back."
10. Bova Cottages — Allegany State Park
4 ReviewsSalamanca, NY18 milesWebsite+1 (716) 354-9121$229 / night
"Allegany State Park is nearby for hiking, snowshoeing, XC skiing, leaf peeping,etc."
"After the last bad winter storm we had (2/2018) trees fell all over the park, including on my favorite hiking trails."
Recent Camping Photos near Otto, NY
132 Photos of 134 Otto Campgrounds
Backpacken P.
East Otto State Forest
Kevin C.
Camp Seneca
Jennifer T.
Triple R Camping Resort and Trailer Sales
Erik E.
Red House Area — Allegany State Park State Park
Duncan G.
Woodside Campsites
Casey L.
Cain hollow campground
Sara V.
Quaker Area — Allegany State Park State Park
Nate & His Reina Puertorriqueña H.
Colden Lakes Resort & Restaurant
Tara S.
Evangola State Park Campground
Kristine B.
Three Valley Resort
emma
Willow Bay Recreation Area
MsTrailBlazer 🏔.
Red Oak Campground
Recent Reviews near Otto, NY
500 Reviews of 134 Otto Campgrounds
- Dann D.Scout
Camp Emerald Acres
A Must See and Stay
The campground is amazing! So peaceful and relaxing! Away from the city life and hearing nature makes you at ease.
The owner is a sweet and kind woman. Just learned she's owned it for the last 20 years! Here's to another 20 more! Great job!
We will be returning annually!!!
Charles S.
GuideRed Bridge Campground
Hidden Treasure
Medium sized campground. All the sites are large and private ish. Not a bad or uneven site anywhere. Showers and bathrooms are clean. Ice and firewood available at the host. Easy access to the shoreline for fishing or boating. Their are 2 trading posts 1.6 miles outside the campground going towards Kane, PA. They are well stocked and have everything you forgot plus live bait.
- Charles S.Guide
Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite
Great Free Boondocking
If your coming here off of Rt. 666 the access gate is closed and has been for years. Continue to Crary Ave. Rt.6 in Sheffield and head East. About 6 miles ahead turn right onto Mill Ln., then Right on Curtis Rd., left onto Curtis Road extended, then turn right onto Forestry Rd. There are posted private property signs everywhere, just keep going as this is the only access to this area. I asked the locals and it is fine. Do not come here if you have a car or low riding vehicle. SUV, Jeeps, and trucks only. The access road is fine, but getting to campsite takes a higher frame vehicle. It is a perfect place for peaceful Boondocking. This area can accommodate 2 camp sights. Maybe 3.
Ilce H.GuideEast Otto State Forest
Good and Free
I stayed for one night on my way to Niagara Falls. Google map directions end at a house but keep driving straight and you’ll see the sign of the park and directions to campground.-easy to find. I got to use my generator and was not too busy. I did notice a camper that belonged to someone that was living in it full time but parked away from it. I have a 16 ft long travel trailer and worked great. It gets very muddy after rain (just saying)
- Ilce H.Guide
Chautauqua Gorge State Forest Campground
Great Free spot
I would 100% stay here again. Hubby & i enjoyed it and was not busy at all. A family friendly place. I have a 16 ft long travel trailer and was great but i would not recommend anything bigger. There’s only 2 spots for travel trailers, camper van’s and the rest of the 6 spots are for tents. First come first serve. You can only stay here 3 nights max
Marlena R.
TravelerWindfall Ponds
Calm, peaceful and out of the way
This place is beautiful and secluded. We stayed 2 nights caught in some storm weather but the storm barely shook us. There are 2 ponds with room for large tents near them and plenty of wood around. The nearest stores are at the rez, and the people who work there are delightful.
Site conditions: not trashed, but littered with spent ammunition and some trees are damaged. A little bit of broken glass around some boulders. We picked up what we could fit in the trash.
Signal notes: 0/5 for AT&T. You have to go up the road a bit to call out.
Wildlife notes: signs of deer, raccoon and wild dog. We saw falcons, frogs, a skunk and red eft newts. In the pond are bluegill and red efts. !!! RED EFTS !!! (Eastern Newts) do secrete toxin so DO NOT TOUCH. Pests: ticks, mayfly, mosquitos
Ashlee C.TravelerPalmers Pond State Forest
Beautiful spot!
Will absolutely be back here. Easy to find with multiple spots around the pond. Stayed in the furthest spot, just past the parking lot. Fire pit and pond access. Cleaned up a bunch of diapers and some socks though (shame!). Please leave it better than you found it.
Janet R.
LegendKellog's Alpaca Farm Campsites
Camping onsite with Amazing Alpacas
If you are interested in camping in the beautiful southern tier of NY, but want a quieter remote location than you get at a campground, why not try an alpaca farm? Robyn Kellog and family not only raise alpacas and run a fiber arts business on their farm, but they have developed a few campsites to provide a camping/glamping opportunity that comes with an upstate NY alpaca experience. Located just outside the quaint town of Scio, NY, and within range of Letchworth State Park, the farm is tucked away on a wooded hillside that provides a perfect home away from home for campers. I came for the first time just before they listed campsites on Hipcamp, through which you now can reserve, and I was very impressed.It would be worth staying for several days at least, because you can do plenty on the farm if you want to learn all about alpacas and maybe even take a fiber lesson or two; or you can use your farm camp as a base from which to explore all around the countryside nearby. The farm has one RV site tucked into a nice shady wooded spot just uphill from the alpaca corral and gift shop, and it is a nice spot but note that it does not have any hook-ups and you will need to be self-contained in that regard. There is also a lovely camper cabin further back in the woods, accessed by a short trail over a footbridge by a stream. There are also walk-in tent camping sites in an open meadow area near the alpacas. A porta-potty is available on site for campers, but you can also access a regular flush toiler during the day when the gift shop is open. This is a perfect camping opportunity for those inclined to fiber arts, fram stays and other novel camping experiences. Highly recommended!
Guide to Otto
East Otto State Forest offers primitive camping near Otto, New York with campsites accessible by vehicle. The forest region receives approximately 47 inches of precipitation annually, making seasonal timing important for camping trips. Weather patterns can significantly impact accessibility, especially during spring thaw and after heavy rainfall.
What to do
Hiking at Zoar Valley: Take a short trip from East Otto State Forest for a day hike. "We were nice and secluded, which was great for the dogs to run around, be safe, and not bother other campers. It was relatively easy to find and the campsite is pretty close to Zoar Valley for a nice day trip!" reports a visitor to East Otto State Forest.
Creek exploration: Camp Seneca provides access to a creek for cooling off during summer months. "We picked the biggest site next to the creek. The tree canopy over our site was dense enough that we did not get very wet when it rains," notes one camper at Camp Seneca.
Fishing in stocked ponds: Multiple fishing spots available at Allegany Mountain Members Resort during warmer months. "This place has larger sites and a nice size lake to fish in along with a few other small stocked ponds," mentions a visitor who toured the resort.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Sprague Brook Park offers spacious campsites with good separation. "Most campsites are a decent size and have electric hook ups. There is a playground for the kiddos and a pond to fish in... There is a creek that runs through the state park which was nice for the kids to splash around in," shares a camper at Sprague Brook Park.
Secure, free primitive camping: East Otto provides a safe option for primitive camping without fees. "After sleeping in parking lots and rest stops, it is so nice to have a place where you don't fear law enforcement knocking at your car/tent, and it's FREE! There are 14 designated spots and I am unsure of the popularity of this place but it's a Friday night and there were multiple open stops rolling in at 8 PM."
Easy site identification: Finding designated camping areas isn't difficult at campgrounds near Otto. "The designated spots were easy to find. Spacious and clean," notes a recent visitor to East Otto State Forest.
What you should know
Cell phone coverage limitations: Expect limited connectivity in more remote areas. "It said there would be verizon cell service, there was absolutely nothin. I will absolutely be back!" mentions a camper at East Otto State Forest.
Firewood purchasing strategy: Plan for campfire needs with budget in mind near Allegany State Park. "The park service asks you not to transport fire wood. We understand why, my problem is when you get to the park the small bundles way over priced 35$ lasted for a night. The next day we found camp wood 32"x60" rack for 15$ that lasted us 2 days. Buy firewood outside the park save yourself some cash."
GPS coordinates reliability: Double-check directions before heading to campsites. "Pro tip: dont be a dumb dumb like me. I used the Dyrt provided gps coordinates and was dropped into a residential area. Used the map on the parks website to get back on track and it was really simple."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Triple R Camping Resort offers numerous facilities for children. "The campground has so many fun things for kids. Just got the pop up this year and have already done 4 trips this was by far the best. So much for the kids to do with splash pad, pool, playground and Rec room. Worth every penny," reports a visitor to Triple R Camping Resort.
Social opportunities: Some campgrounds facilitate interaction between children. "We stayed at site 131. It was nice and clean. We were not far from the bathrooms. But this area, all of the camp sites are right on top of each other. It was great for the kids because they were able to find instant friends and ride their bikes around."
Winter cabin options: Consider year-round cabin rentals for family trips during colder months. "The cabins are awesome all year round. The park has a lot to do in the summer but a group can still have a blast in the winter," notes an Allegany State Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
Pet-friendly RV sites: Pope Haven Campground accommodates dogs with spacious wooded sites. "The owners are very friendly and we felt welcomed. The layout is great for walking and there are so many beautiful sites from the seasonal campers. Dogs are welcome so we brought our two. We will definitely come back. Our RV site was very large and wooded," shares a camper at Pope Haven.
Loop selection at established campgrounds: Different camping areas offer varied experiences and hookup options. "This campground has three loops. One has 30 amp power, one has 50 amp power (with a 30 amp outlet on the same pedestal) and the third loop is for tent camping. There are several places to get water in the camp, so be sure to fill up your tanks before you park."
Seasonal closures: Most RV campgrounds in the region operate May through October. Triple R Camping Resort runs from April 15 to October 15, while Pope Haven operates May 8 to October 12, making advance planning essential for RV trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Otto, NY?
What camping is available near Otto, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Otto, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 134 campgrounds and RV parks near Otto, NY and 10 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Otto, NY?
Which is the most popular campground near Otto, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Otto, NY is East Otto State Forest with a 4.4-star rating from 11 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Otto, NY?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Otto, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 free dispersed camping spots near Otto, NY.
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