Primitive camping near Porter Corners, New York offers backcountry experiences in the southeastern Adirondacks region. The area sits at elevations ranging from 900-1,300 feet with rugged forest terrain characterized by mixed hardwoods and evergreens. After rainfall, low-lying areas throughout these forests can become saturated and swampy, requiring careful site selection on higher ground.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Powley Road in Ferris Wild Forest, campers can access nearby rivers directly from their sites. "Site 4 is magical, it is road side, but the view, and access to the river is great. There is a path right from the site," notes one visitor who appreciated the river access.
Biking the backcountry: The region features multiple bicycle-friendly nature trails through state forests. Roads through George D Aiken Wilderness provide various riding options. One camper reported, "Road was quite good. I believe I have the last of 4 sites. Nice camp fire area."
Water recreation: Somerset Reservoir near Somerset Airfield offers paddling and swimming. "Enjoyed the stunning babbling brook and reservoir - saw happy people swimming, kayaking, and camping," shares a recent visitor who spent time at this location during summer.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Cod Pond Dispersed Pull-Off sites offer seclusion despite proximity to forest roads. As one camper notes: "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... Felt private despite the road."
Fire rings: Many dispersed sites feature established fire rings. At NFR 273 Dispersed Camping, one visitor found "a beautifully built fire pit" at their chosen site. Another camper at George D Aiken Wilderness mentioned appreciating the "nice camp fire area" at their location.
Wildlife viewing: The parking area at Fort Plain Lock 15 offers riverside views. One camper reported: "The parking lot is large, rocky, and uneven, situated right on the Mohawk River. It's a great spot for wildlife viewing and fishing (with a valid license)."
What you should know
Vehicle requirements: Many primitive camping areas near Porter Corners require appropriate vehicles. At George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed, conditions vary seasonally: "It had rained a lot prior to our arrival, and several sites were damp. We found a perfect site off the road on the right side."
Cell service limitations: Most dispersed camping areas have limited or no coverage. At Powley Road, "There is zero Verizon cell service in the whole area. So plan accordingly," warns one camper. Similarly, NFR 273 sites have spotty coverage depending on location.
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather can change rapidly. Winter campers at Somerset Airfield experienced challenging conditions: "We endured Snow and mid 20s Friday night with 8" of fresh snow to wake up to Saturday, and our main Roadhouse down from the weight of the snow."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection: Choose sites with flat terrain for comfortable sleeping. A NFR 273 visitor mentioned: "Large, well organized camping spots along the road. The spot I chose had a beautifully built fire pit. It was a little muddy from rain."
Bug management: Wooded areas can have significant insect activity. One camper at NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot warned: "A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well."
Basic facilities: NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot lacks amenities. "Peaceful and quiet dispersed camping spot. Large enough for 2-3 vehicles or one large rig/RV. Very few vehicles pass, some days none. Two fire rings set up: a large one and a small cooking one," reports a visitor.
Tips from RVers
Access roads: Forest service roads vary in quality and width. For Fort Plain Lock 15, a visitor noted: "Simply it's a parking lot with a view. The parking area is right on the water. It offers sounds of the highway and freight trains going by."
Site dimensions: At Cod Pond Dispersed Pull-Off, "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," shared one camper regarding maneuverability.
Overnight regulations: At Fort Plain Lock 15, RVers noted police presence without issues: "There was a police officer that drove through the lot and drove around my campervan and continued on his way so I know that it is okay to overnight there."
