Charles E. Baker State Forest offers primitive camping near Richfield Springs, New York. The forest features free designated campsites with fire pits and picnic tables, plus space for dispersed camping. Located at the end of a maintained dirt road, campers can access water at a nearby pond. The forest has miles of trails suitable for hiking and exploration without modern facilities.
What to do
Horseback riding trails: Equestrian camping near Richfield Springs provides extensive trail riding opportunities. At Betty Brook Camp, campers appreciate the natural stream access for horses. Robert B. notes, "Love to camp here all year long have been coming to the area for a couple of decades now. Remote. Sometimes you never see anyone."
Hiking forest paths: The state forests surrounding Richfield Springs offer numerous hiking options. At Charles E. Baker State Forest, visitors enjoy miles of trails through wooded terrain. Matt A. shares, "Beautiful forest with miles of trails. I found this spot passing through on my bike and had no problem pitching a tent in a secluded spot in the woods."
Casino entertainment: For campers seeking evening activities, The Villages RV Park provides shuttle service to gaming facilities. Jessica D. remarks, "One of my favorite campgrounds in NY. Its so peaceful at night. My favorite time to come is August during the meteor showers."
What campers like
Secluded camping spots: The area offers quieter camping experiences away from crowds. At Charles E. Baker State Forest, Cameron mentions, "Only found one designated campsite, which was available, but there's a lot of good space for dispersed camping right nearby. Access at the end of a long, but well maintained, dirt road."
Well-maintained facilities: The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone receives praise for its upkeep and amenities. Frank M. notes, "Very pleasant and knowledgeable staff, well maintained and pleasantly arranged spaces. There were a lot of campers set up when we were there but we never felt crowded."
Natural water features: Stream-side camping enhances the experience for many visitors. Peter, who lives near Betty Brook Camp, points out, "There's a stream alongside it, a fire pit, and a town about 8 mi away. It's a small town, with just a gas station store."
What you should know
Horse-friendly options: Several campgrounds near Richfield Springs cater specifically to equestrians. Arcadian Pastures Equine provides drive-in access for horse trailers with fire rings and trash disposal services, though campers need to bring their own water supply.
Seasonal considerations: Weather conditions vary significantly throughout the year in this region of New York. Carl G. shares about Turning Stone: "Memorial day weekend the weather is beautiful spring weather. All full hook up sites from full sun to full shade. Been coming here for 25+ years."
Water availability: Most primitive sites lack drinking water facilities. At Charles E. Baker State Forest, Cameron advises, "Water access at a lovely nearby pond. Highly recommended. Only giving 4 stars because the best free sites have water pumps and vault toilets, but this is a great camping experience."
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Families can enjoy various recreation options beyond horseback riding. Jen O. reports from The Villages RV Park: "We are a full-time traveling family (2 kids - 8 & 13) and 2 English Bulldogs. The campground was beautiful and easy to get in and out of. We also took a drive to the University of Syracuse to tour the campus."
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds provide specific facilities for children. April L. mentions that The Villages offers "a pool, playground, hiking trail, fishing pond, paddleboat rentals, camp store, very clean bath houses throughout, maintained sites, fire rings at each site."
Proximity to services: Artisan Hill Farm & Studio provides amenities like toilets and showers that primitive campgrounds lack, making it suitable for families who need basic facilities while still enjoying a rural setting.
Tips from RVers
Site specifications: RV campers should check site dimensions before booking. Boomer B. notes about The Villages, "Spacious FHU sites. Pull thru and back ins," while Keri adds that "Sites are spacious, lots to do for kids, facilities are new and clean."
Limited options for large rigs: Not all campgrounds accommodate substantial RVs. Peter warns about Betty Brook Camp, "I would not recommend this for large trailers. The site is fairly small, but it's in state park, and there's tons of walking that can be done."
Hookup availability: Full hookup sites are limited to specific campgrounds. Frank M. shares about The Villages, "We had no problem getting a nice paved spot for our 34' class A, and they even provided a small treat for our Schnauzer."
