Best Campgrounds near Pompey, NY
Camping options near Pompey, New York range from primitive dispersed sites to developed campgrounds with modern amenities. Green Lakes State Park Campground, located in Fayetteville, serves as a primary destination with tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping accommodations. Morgan Hill State Forest provides several dispersed camping opportunities with free primitive sites at Spruce Pond Camping Area and the Onondaga Trailhead campground. The region includes additional options at Nature Lover's Paradise, a secluded tent-only site, and Oneida Shores County Park, which offers waterfront camping approximately 20 miles north of Pompey.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with Green Lakes State Park typically open from May through early October. Morgan Hill State Forest offers year-round dispersed camping, though amenities are minimal. Permits are required for camping at Spruce Pond, which features ten established primitive sites with fire grills and designated tent areas. Several sites provide pond access, including one that is handicapped accessible with fishing access. Campers should be prepared for varying conditions, as facilities differ significantly across locations. One visitor noted, "Although dispersed primitive camping is allowed elsewhere throughout the state forest, this is a group of ten established and well maintained primitive campsites right on Spruce Pond with fishing available and an amazing network of hiking and cross country ski trails."
The standout feature of Green Lakes State Park is its unique meromictic lake with clear, blue-green waters ideal for swimming and recreation. Reviews consistently highlight the park's hiking trails, beach area, and modern facilities. A camper described it as "a great example of what a state park should be. It not only preserves a place of unique biological diversity and geologic interest, it is also well set up and well maintained." For more secluded experiences, Morgan Hill Forest offers quiet camping with access to extensive trail networks, including the Onondaga Trail branch of the National North Country scenic trail. Wildlife encounters are common throughout the region, with one visitor at Spruce Pond mentioning that "the animals at the pond are very active and made a lot of noise in the night."
