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Best Dispersed Camping near Panama, NY

25 Reviews

Dispersed camping near Panama, New York centers on several primitive sites in the surrounding state forests and public lands. Warner Road Dispersed Camping in North Harmony State Forest provides basic tent camping opportunities with drive-in access. Several Pennsylvania options are within reasonable driving distance, including FR437 dispersed campsite, Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite, and Loleta Road Dispersed Campsite. Camp Seneca in New York offers more established primitive camping with basic facilities. These sites generally allow fires and permit pets, though amenities are minimal to nonexistent.

Road access varies significantly across these dispersed camping areas. Most sites feature dirt or gravel forest roads that may become challenging during wet weather. Warner Road has drive-in access but no drinking water or toilets. Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite accommodates both tents and RVs with big-rig friendly access. Camp Seneca provides toilets and picnic tables but lacks water hookups or showers. Visitors should pack out all trash and bring their own water, as none of these sites offer potable water. Signs at Warner Road indicate it may be day-use only despite established camping use.

The dispersed sites provide varying levels of seclusion and natural surroundings. Forestry Road campsites feature proximity to hiking trails including Hector Falls, approximately a 3/4 mile hike from the road. Some campers report encountering black bears in the area, particularly near the caves. "Sometimes I read other people's reviews, and I just don't understand how we went to the same spot. This place is fine. Easy enough to find," noted one visitor about Forestry Road. Warner Road campsites have received mixed reviews regarding cleanliness, with some visitors mentioning litter problems. Loleta Road sites provide moderate privacy despite proximity to the road, with one camper noting "We spent the night during a tropical storm and got the pleasure of hearing the rain on the tent out in this peaceful spot!"

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Panama, New York (8)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Panama, NY

6 Photos of 8 Panama Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Panama, NY

25 Reviews of 8 Panama Campgrounds

  • Aliza N.
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite

    Free dispersed camping in the Allegheny

    We camp in a lot of primitive dispersed camping, but finding a spot like this in the east is challenging! So for that…YAY, we love it. But, it’s not perfect. The road is behind the town of Ludlow (or Sheffield depending on which direction you are coming from). From Ludlow take the “Scenic Dr” and it turns into the forestry road. Lots of pull offs off this main road and you could prob find some more private ones if you explored the smaller dirt roads off the main forestry road. No services here obvi since it’s primitive camping. Road is in good condition and most any car would have no problem driving down it.

  • Ian B.
    Aug. 26, 2024

    Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite

    Nice, peaceful and free

    If you don’t mind roughing it a bit, it’s really quite nice. Sites are first come first serve and there is a bit of day traffic to get to Hector Falls. Which is a nice little 2 mile hike. Some good exploring. Bring tick/bug spray. Found several on my boys and me.

  • Ian H.
    May. 23, 2022

    Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite

    A slice of Allegheny Heaven

    This spot is a boondocker’s delight! Big open spots with established fire rings. Quiet except for the distant rumble of a train passing the town down in the valley. The road is definitely hidden behind the town of Ludlow but we were able to find it at 2am after a long drive from cape cod.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2020

    Loleta Road Dispersed Campsite

    Good spot

    I believe there are several dispersed spots along this road. This one was close enough to the road to feel safe but far enough away to have privacy.

  • Bob J.
    Sep. 1, 2021

    Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite

    Comes as advertised! Really nice spot!

    The spot I stayed is right on the marker.  There are multiple spots along the main forest road. Some you can drive your car in and tuck it back. Other spots you cant take your car at all.   There are tons of logging roads that split off the main forest road. They mostly have gates that say "Logging road, no public motor vehicles allowed" but they also say "Foot travel is welcome" I went down a few of these roads and almost always found a few spots that would be great places to set up camp if you are willing to walk a little bit from your car. There is a really cool place called Hector Falls. The trailhead is about a mile down the road from this spot. It's about 3/4 a mile hike into the woods. The falls are really cool to look at, and has some cool rock formations. Be careful the cliffs are about a 20 ft straight drop. Other than that this spot is not a bad spot at all. Fire wood can be found all around.

  • Rose S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 7, 2024

    Warner Road Dispersed Camping in North Harmony State Forest

    fine site, messy

    The site was fine, fire pit, primitive spot so no services. We arrived late at night so couldn’t see so well but stopped in a clearing on the road toward the coordinates.

    Kind of a gross site, the previous people who stayed at our site were messy and left litter, but it served its purpose as a free place to sleep along a longer trip.

  • Todd H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2024

    Loleta Road Dispersed Campsite

    Dispersed with a vehicle

    This is my first time dispersed camping and the spot is nice for a first go. Was able to drive in which I why I chose this area. Currently finish up the night and once the fire dies down I’ll head to bed. As some one has mentioned the only real downside is the road near by, but the traffic is at a minimum.

  • derek O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2023

    Loleta Road Dispersed Campsite

    Of the gridish

    Love it. I pulled off about a half mile past the noted google maps pinpoint. Great time for the dogs and I.

  • Mystic S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 16, 2023

    Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite

    Pretty goof spot! Easy to find

    Sometimes I read other people's reviews, and I just don't understand how we went to the same spot. This place is fine. Easy enough to find (found it first try without ever once wondering where am i).

    Apparently the entire area is a natural gas reserve, so there are these blue and orange posts signifying gas lines, those are actually the hiking trails. They don't look like normal trail heads. There is spotty cell service through the forest, usually you can walk around for a couple minutes and find some. I managed to get an average of 3-4 bars of 5g every day.

    So!! My car battery died while I was out there, the company that helped me jump start found me with no problems, they do it a lot. So that's cool!

    Also... there's black bears that live in the several caves in the area. I was meditating in my car one evening and a bear stood up and pushed against my window. Definitely be sure to pack up all food and trash at night. The bears are skittish, but they will find you if there's food in you camp!!

Guide to Panama

Dispersed camping options around Panama, New York include several primitive sites in state forests and nearby Pennsylvania wilderness areas. Most locations sit at elevations between 1,400-1,800 feet in the rolling Allegheny Plateau region. Winter camping is possible but challenging due to snow accumulation and temperatures that regularly drop below freezing from November through March. Several sites offer stream access with seasonal fishing opportunities.

What to do

Hiking to waterfalls: Hector Falls is accessible from Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite via a moderately challenging 3/4 mile trail. "The falls are really cool to look at, and has some cool rock formations. Be careful the cliffs are about a 20 ft straight drop," notes visitor Bob J.

Wildlife observation: The region supports diverse wildlife including black bears. "There's black bears that live in the several caves in the area. I was meditating in my car one evening and a bear stood up and pushed against my window," warns a camper at Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite. Bears are generally skittish but attracted to food.

Seasonal exploration: Winter camping presents unique challenges but rewards adventurous campers. "It was freezing, quite literally, with nights in the low teens. The melting and refreezing had made the roads and surrounding trails a little slippery so I would be cautious if traveling alone," shares Ian B. from his winter experience at Forestry Road.

What campers like

Roadside convenience: Some sites provide easy access while still offering privacy. "This one was close enough to the road to feel safe but far enough away to have privacy," mentions a visitor about Loleta Road Dispersed Campsite.

Creek access: Waterside sites are particularly valued. "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," reports Kevin C. about his stay at Camp Seneca.

Quiet atmosphere: The remote nature appeals to those seeking solitude. "Great little roadside campsite to get away. We spent the night during a tropical storm and got the pleasure of hearing the rain on the tent out in this peaceful spot!" describes Brittney W. about her experience at Loleta Road.

What you should know

Navigation challenges: Finding some sites requires persistence. "A little hard to find, decided not to stay. On the same road as hector falls," notes evan about their attempted visit to Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite.

Seasonal road conditions: Logging roads and forest access routes deteriorate seasonally. "The road is out tho so dont take a big rig," warns Scott C. regarding Salmon Creek Dispersed.

Site maintenance varies: Some areas experience littering issues. "The site was fine, fire pit, primitive spot so no services. We arrived late at night so couldn't see so well but stopped in a clearing on the road toward the coordinates. Kind of a gross site, the previous people who stayed at our site were messy and left litter," reports Rose S. about Warner Road.

Tips for camping with families

Insect preparation: Ticks are prevalent in warmer months. "Sites are first come first serve and there is a bit of day traffic to get to Hector Falls. Which is a nice little 2 mile hike. Some good exploring. Bring tick/bug spray. Found several on my boys and me," advises Ian B.

Ground conditions: Spring camping often means muddy sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Panama, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Panama, NY is Warner Road Dispersed Camping in North Harmony State Forest with a 3-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 8 dispersed camping locations near Panama, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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