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Best Dispersed Camping near Port Henry, NY

42 Reviews

Dispersed camping near Port Henry, New York centers primarily around Crane Pond in the Adirondack region, where primitive sites offer free camping options with minimal amenities. Several sites at Crane Pond are only accessible by boat, though one site can be reached by foot from the small parking area at the end of Crane Pond Road. The Green Mountain National Forest across Lake Champlain in Vermont provides additional dispersed camping opportunities along forest roads and near water features.

Access to Crane Pond requires navigation of unmaintained roads that frequently become muddy and demand high-clearance 4WD vehicles. According to reviews, "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." Standard passenger cars and RVs cannot safely reach most sites. Most dispersed locations feature established fire rings but lack facilities such as toilets, running water, or trash service. Campers must pack out all waste and bring their own water supplies.

The camping experience at Crane Pond includes scenic water views, swimming opportunities, and fishing access. The stone cliff near one site provides both fishing spots and jumping points into the water. Wildlife viewing is common, with loons frequently spotted and heard in the area. The natural setting offers solitude despite limited camping options. One visitor noted that "The view right there is beautiful and at night you can hear the loons (visible during the day as well)." For those willing to venture to Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest, multiple sites along forest roads provide additional options with varying degrees of accessibility and mountain views.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Port Henry, New York (30)

    1. Crane Pond Dispersed Site

    1 Review
    Paradox, NY
    17 miles

    "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."

    2. Green Mountain National Forest FR207

    8 Reviews
    Granville, VT
    29 miles
    Website

    "Able to see sunrise/sunset/moonrise over the surrounding rolling hills and crests.  Upper meadows accessible with 4WD / high clearance vehicles."

    "About 12 sites off National Forest Road 71. Beautiful area and very secluded. All have fire rings but that’s about it."

    3. Austin Brook

    7 Reviews
    Warren, VT
    30 miles
    Website

    "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."

    4. Lincoln Dispersed Camping

    2 Reviews
    Lincoln, VT
    25 miles

    "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."

    5. Chapel Pond Camping

    Be the first to review!
    Keene Valley, NY
    16 miles

    6. Green Mountain National Forest Texas Falls Primative campsites

    2 Reviews
    Hancock, VT
    28 miles
    Website

    "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."

    7. Green Mountain National Forest FR25 - Dispersed Camping

    4 Reviews
    Warren, VT
    30 miles
    Website

    "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"

    8. Route 100 Dispersed Camping

    5 Reviews
    Warren, VT
    30 miles

    "Main lot has plenty of parking, perfect for car camping. Pull through the trees has some spots for tents and smaller setups."

    "This is right next to Mad River with a area to walk down into a swimming hole. Great place."

    9. Patterson Brookside camp on West Hill Road

    2 Reviews
    Granville, VT
    30 miles

    "The dirt road along the river is an easy drive, though it is single lane in a few locations, so be aware of oncoming traffic. "

    "There is no services of any sorts at this location. Mostly local traffic. Peaceful! Gorgeous rock river 💜"

    10. Green Mountain Camp on Town Road 11

    2 Reviews
    Granville, VT
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 362-2307

    "It is old Vermont farm land that the team of the US National Forest must manage. They have kept the clearing clear and access is pretty good."

    "There are no amenities at this campground. It is an open field on the left side of the road with two or three sites on the right side of the road that are walk in sites."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Port Henry, NY

29 Photos of 30 Port Henry Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Port Henry, NY

42 Reviews of 30 Port Henry Campgrounds

  • Miccal M.
    Sep. 24, 2024

    Patterson Brookside camp on West Hill Road

    This is a wonderful place to camp

    There are a handful of sites to camp at along the river here, each offering a slightly different experience.  The dirt road along the river is an easy drive, though it is single lane in a few locations, so be aware of oncoming traffic.  Some of the sites are drive in, some are walk in, but all are primitive. 

    There is no electricity, no cell coverage, not outhouses in this area.  Be prepared to pack out everything you bring in.

    This area is being heavily use and some spots are being shut down from abuse, please be aware that you have a lot of impact, and that impact can be positive or negative. Choose Positive!

    This area is closed in the winter due to snow, by the GMNF

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 26, 2023

    Green Mountain National Forest FR207

    NFR 207 Meadows, with great views!

    In the first large meadow, multiple fire rings / sites. Able to see sunrise/sunset/moonrise over the surrounding rolling hills and crests. 

    Upper meadows accessible with 4WD / high clearance vehicles.
    Nearby Clark Brook Trail is a 3 mile hike connecting with the AT/LT.
    2 bars USCellular LTE.

  • Josie W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2024

    Cod Pond Dispersed Pull-Off

    Private Campsite

    Decent site right off of the “main” road. “Main” because it was quiet. Easy to access via a short dirt road, but also easy to miss. We only saw sites 3 and 6 marked and took #6. There was a fire ring and access to the river down a semi-steep bank. Beautiful to listen to at night. Site was big enough to pull our mid-size SUV down and unfold rooftop-tent, but we did have to back out in the morning; not enough room to turn around. Felt private despite the road.

  • Taylor A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2023

    Cod Pond Dispersed Pull-Off

    Adirondack Camping Trip

    Highly Reccomend! The directions in the app are accurate -but do keep in mind that the campsite is down a dirt road which is well hidden from the main road if you aren’t paying close attention. There is no service at all.

    This site is campsite 6 and very private (I believe there must be others located close by). The site has it’s own private road. A car is not reccomended. Possible to turn around but you definitley need a smaller suv. There is a firepit at the site and plenty of space for multiple tents, ground may look flat but when sleeping-definitely is not. Plenty of trees for hammocks etc. You can hear cars from the site but the cars can’t see you-loved this! The sound of the cars from the main highway is something I got used to quick. The site is mostly shaded-the sun shines through a bit but not much.

    There is a river down the hill from the campsite which helps keep it fairly cool at night. The bugs were terrible.

  • Thomas and James S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 18, 2024

    Austin Brook

    Nice sites

    Smaller area roughly 1-6 sites. 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.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2024

    Green Mountain National Forest Texas Falls Primative campsites

    Nice setting, simple fire pit only sites

    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. Past the gate at the end of the Texas Falls recreation area we found several sites with only a fire pit along the brook. They were well used with some litter. We packed out what we could find. There are posted signs on the opposite bank so we stayed on our side. Brook water filtered fine and was tasty. Relatively short walk to waterless toilets was welcome. Very pretty area.

  • Chris D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 10, 2024

    Route 100 Dispersed Camping

    Great little spot right off RT-100

    I was looking for the Austin Brook campsite north of this one, but someone on here gave directions to this site, which turns out has its own page on here. Right off the road, a small handful of camp sites, some picnic tables, presumably some fire rings although with snow coverage I didn’t see any. Main lot has plenty of parking, perfect for car camping. Pull through the trees has some spots for tents and smaller setups. Entrance and exit are a little steep and tricky in the winter, lot wasn’t plowed so AWD/4x4 and good ground clearance are recommended.

  • Joann&WellsThePup I.
    Jul. 9, 2021

    Green Mountain National Forest FR207

    NF-71

    About 12 sites off National Forest Road 71. Beautiful area and very secluded. All have fire rings but that’s about it. Make sure to have a backup plan during the mud season and treat your skin and clothes during black fly season

  • Miccal M.
    Jun. 2, 2021

    Austin Brook

    Great Primative Location

    I didn't get the chance to camp here, it was full when I drove through looking for a place. So I came back later in the weekend for pictures. Great location, easy access, on a nice brook. Fire ring only, no facilities and minimal parking.

Guide to Port Henry

Dispersed camping near Port Henry, New York extends beyond Crane Pond to include several lesser-known options across Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest. At elevations ranging from 500 to 2,500 feet, these sites offer varied terrain from riverside spots to mountain meadows. Weather conditions shift dramatically with seasons, bringing summer temperatures averaging 75°F and winter lows often below freezing with significant snowfall accumulation.

What to do

Water recreation: Several campsites at Crane Pond Dispersed Site provide direct water access. The site features a stone cliff that serves as both a fishing spot and swimming area with approximately 12-foot drops into the water for jumping.

Hiking opportunities: The Pharaoh Mountain Trail is accessible via a footbridge near the small parking area at Crane Pond. For Vermont options, Lincoln Dispersed Camping offers hiking trails in the foothills west of Mt. Ellen, with "a trail up 500 feet or so of elevation" according to J W., who noted there were "lots of mushrooms" along the path.

Wildlife viewing: Beyond Crane Pond's loons, the Green Mountain sites offer diverse wildlife viewing. At Green Mountain National Forest FR207, Phil J. reported: "Woke up to two moose nearby the morning I was leaving" during winter camping, demonstrating year-round wildlife opportunities.

What campers like

Secluded riverside sites: At Austin Brook, Thomas and James S. note: "There's a few sites here! All pretty much have access to the streams. Nice fire rings. Keep it clean!" The riverside locations provide natural white noise and cooling during summer months.

Mountain vistas: The open meadow sites at Green Mountain National Forest FR207 offer panoramic views. Tim M. describes: "In the first large meadow, multiple fire rings/sites. Able to see sunrise/sunset/moonrise over the surrounding rolling hills and crests."

Natural swimming holes: Many dispersed sites feature swimming areas in natural waterways. At Green Mountain National Forest Texas Falls Primative campsites, J W. notes: "Brook water filtered fine and was tasty" and mentions the "very pretty area" with sites positioned along the water.

What you should know

Vehicle requirements: Many access roads require high-clearance vehicles. At Green Mountain National Forest FR207, Miccal M. advises: "This is not a place to go without at least 9" of ground clearance." During spring thaw, Joann&WellsThePup I. suggests: "Make sure to have a backup plan during the mud season."

Site selection timing: Free camping spots fill quickly on weekends. J W. noted at Green Mountain National Forest FR25 that "Friday night had the whole place to ourselves. Saturday night all spots filled."

Seasonal considerations: Bug activity intensifies in late spring through summer. At Lincoln Dispersed Camping, Joann&WellsThePup I. advises: "Treat your skin and clothes during black fly season" to protect against insect bites.

Tips for camping with families

Site spacing: At Patterson Brookside camp on West Hill Road, Thomas and James S. notes: "Mountain road lingers along the river. There's quite a few sites along the road," allowing families to find spots with appropriate privacy and space.

Water safety: With multiple sites featuring water access, caution is needed. The stone cliff at Crane Pond drops approximately 12 feet to water below, requiring supervision for younger children.

Supply preparation: No services exist at most sites. Miccal M. emphasizes at Patterson Brookside: "There is no electricity, no cell coverage, no outhouses in this area. Be prepared to pack out everything you bring in."

Tips from RVers

Access limitations: Most dispersed sites cannot accommodate large RVs. Small campervans and truck campers fare better, but confirm access before attempting. Phil J. notes about Green Mountain National Forest FR207: "The top end of the road has a few mud pits and may require some ground clearance from rocks."

Alternative options: For RVs seeking free camping near Port Henry, New York, Green Mountain Camp on Town Road 11 may be suitable for smaller recreational vehicles. David W. reports: "Access is pretty good" compared to other dispersed locations in the area.

Elevation considerations: Higher elevation sites experience temperature drops at night. When parking an RV, level spots can be limited. Kevin C. notes Green Mountain Camp on Town Road 11 is "an open field on the left side of the road" that provides more level parking than forested sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Port Henry, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Port Henry, NY is Crane Pond Dispersed Site with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 30 dispersed camping locations near Port Henry, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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