Dispersed camping opportunities near Pittstown, New York extend beyond nearby state forests into several backcountry areas with unique terrain features. Campsites range from high-elevation mountain shelters to waterfront locations on Lake George islands. Winter camping options become available at several locations between November and March, though access roads may be unplowed during snowy conditions.
What to do
Winter exploration: Stratton Pond Shelter remains accessible during colder months, requiring a 3.75-mile winter hike from the nearest parking area. A visitor reported, "Spent the weekend here on the last weekend of Feb. 2024. Cold, Snow, Wind, full moon in the middle of the woods with only the people I hiked in with."
Water activities: Zoar Outdoor campground connects to river recreation options approximately 45 miles east of Pittstown. One camper noted, "The campground is connected to an adventure/outing company that provides white water rafting, tubing and other water activities on a nearby river."
Trail intersection camping: Stratton Pond Shelter offers tent platforms at the junction of several major trails. According to a visitor, "The shelter is a 3.75mi hike from the nearest parking lot in winter. There are 2 tent platforms, 2 outhouses and at least 16 bunk spaces in the shelter."
What campers like
Island camping: Long Island Group — Lake George Islands provides boat-access camping with waterfront views. One visitor shared, "We had a great spot on Long Island! Beautiful view, chill atmosphere, easy boat parking on the slip."
Wilderness solitude: Some dispersed sites offer complete isolation with minimal amenities. At Ushers Road State Forest, a camper discovered, "About 500 feet down the right-hand trail, there is a smaller path branching off to the left. This leads to a previously used campsite, approximately 200 feet from the main trail."
Staff assistance: Service-oriented campgrounds balance the primitive experience with helpful personnel. A Zoar Outdoor visitor remarked, "Staff was awesome, went out of their way to take care of our group from camping to rafting. Amenities are well maintained."
What you should know
Wildlife concerns: Island camping locations require proper food storage due to animal activity. A Long Island Group camper warned, "We were literally bombarded with a group of raccoons each night. It was bad."
Fire restrictions: Seth Warner Shelter permits fires but requires caution during certain conditions. A hiker advised, "The long trail is a very wet nasty trail but it can be dry so be careful having a fire. Hang your food! Watch for bears and coons."
Terrain challenges: Many backcountry sites lack flat, smooth surfaces for comfortable tent placement. A Lake George Islands visitor observed, "There were no leveled space whatsoever (except for one platform per site...but where would a second tent go? On the horrible ground beside it."
Tips for camping with families
Activity packages: Family-friendly options include campgrounds with organized recreation programs. A Zoar visitor shared, "This place is great. Everyone is so knowledgeable and helpful and kind. They really seem to care about what they do, and it shows."
Trail difficulty assessment: When tent camping with children near Pittstown, evaluate hiking distances to backcountry sites. Seth Warner Shelter requires moderate hiking effort, with one visitor noting it "sleeps 6-7 people" and is "about 6 miles from the nearest town."
Bathroom facilities: Consider availability of toilets when camping with younger children. Camp MoonChild provides trash service but no toilet facilities, while Cherry Plain Sanctuary Farm offers four tent sites with toilet access.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: RV camping near Pittstown typically requires self-containment. For campers seeking electric hookups, Long Island Group offers limited electric, water, and sewer connections for RVs that can access the island by boat.
Dispersed alternatives: Ushers Road State Forest permits both tent and RV camping with drive-in access, though without hookups or facilities. The forest features bicycle-friendly nature trails and multiple potential camping locations.
Seasonal considerations: Campers reported most RV-accessible sites in the region operate seasonally, with Long Island Group operating from "May 19 to September 4" and many other locations limiting RV access during winter months.
