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Best Dispersed Camping near St. Bonaventure, NY

27 Reviews

Several free dispersed camping options exist within a 30-mile radius of St. Bonaventure, New York, with Palmer's Pond State Forest being the most highly rated. This location offers grassy terrain under pine trees near a pond, with established fire rings and parking areas but no facilities. A camper wrote, "Abundant flat and grassy terrain under pines near a beautiful lake." Access requires care as some navigation apps lead to closed roads. Take West Almond Road to reach the site, as Palmer's Pond Road often ends in a dead end.

Boyce State Forest provides hiking-accessible primitive sites with a lean-to shelter located half a mile in on the Finger Lakes Trail. Camp Seneca offers several designated sites with fire rings, picnic tables, and a portable toilet. For those willing to venture into Pennsylvania, Forestry Road dispersed sites in Allegheny National Forest provide additional options about an hour south. These sites feature established fire rings and access to hiking trails, including the nearby Hector Falls trail. No drinking water, electric hookups, or sanitation facilities exist at any of these locations, so campers must pack in all supplies and practice Leave No Trace principles.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near St. Bonaventure, New York (13)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near St. Bonaventure, NY

7 Photos of 13 St. Bonaventure Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near St. Bonaventure, NY

27 Reviews of 13 St. Bonaventure Campgrounds

  • Mieszko M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2023

    Red Mill Pond

    Good place for one night

    Been there with camper van No facilities, only some fireplaces. Good for a short stay, quiet

  • Matt J.
    Aug. 20, 2021

    Red Mill Pond

    Dispersed, remote...and ill-kept

    Missed the words "dispersed" and "no facilities" on the USFS website... Fire circles are falling apart, there's effectively no signage, and I had the bad luck to show up after a substantial rainstorm rolled through, and both ground and grass were soaked. I bailed on this camp. If your liking for EXTREMELY rustic car camping, there's a mood for it, but it doesn't seem to be worth backpacking in, and I wouldn't recommend car camping under most circumstances. The fishing looks pretty good, but i don't fish.

  • Aliza N.
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite

    Free dispersed camping in the Allegheny

    We camp in a lot of primitive dispersed camping, but finding a spot like this in the east is challenging! So for that…YAY, we love it. But, it’s not perfect. The road is behind the town of Ludlow (or Sheffield depending on which direction you are coming from). From Ludlow take the “Scenic Dr” and it turns into the forestry road. Lots of pull offs off this main road and you could prob find some more private ones if you explored the smaller dirt roads off the main forestry road. No services here obvi since it’s primitive camping. Road is in good condition and most any car would have no problem driving down it.

  • Zack B.
    Apr. 8, 2024

    Boyce State Forest

    Wet n wild

    Trail was more of a stream than a trail. You’ll spend more time beside the trail then actually on it. The campsite was a shelter off the side of the trail. It came with some firewood and cardboard to burn as well as some emergency water. Campsite was clean and came with an “air conditioned loo”. Lots of room for tents, however, most sites are not flat. Would recommend to come in dryer season or to bring rubber boots.

  • Ian B.
    Aug. 26, 2024

    Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite

    Nice, peaceful and free

    If you don’t mind roughing it a bit, it’s really quite nice. Sites are first come first serve and there is a bit of day traffic to get to Hector Falls. Which is a nice little 2 mile hike. Some good exploring. Bring tick/bug spray. Found several on my boys and me.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2019

    Palmers Pond State Forest

    Favorite place to camp

    No electricity or water hook ups, very secluded, has a pond to fish in, by far my most favorite place to camp

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2023

    Red Mill Pond

    Plenty of space for a van

    Pro: There was a pond, campfire rings, and a big spot to maneuver a van. Neutral: No amenities Con: the road in was bumpy with a lot of pot holes

  • Ian H.
    May. 23, 2022

    Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite

    A slice of Allegheny Heaven

    This spot is a boondocker’s delight! Big open spots with established fire rings. Quiet except for the distant rumble of a train passing the town down in the valley. The road is definitely hidden behind the town of Ludlow but we were able to find it at 2am after a long drive from cape cod.

  • Bob J.
    Sep. 1, 2021

    Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite

    Comes as advertised! Really nice spot!

    The spot I stayed is right on the marker.  There are multiple spots along the main forest road. Some you can drive your car in and tuck it back. Other spots you cant take your car at all.   There are tons of logging roads that split off the main forest road. They mostly have gates that say "Logging road, no public motor vehicles allowed" but they also say "Foot travel is welcome" I went down a few of these roads and almost always found a few spots that would be great places to set up camp if you are willing to walk a little bit from your car. There is a really cool place called Hector Falls. The trailhead is about a mile down the road from this spot. It's about 3/4 a mile hike into the woods. The falls are really cool to look at, and has some cool rock formations. Be careful the cliffs are about a 20 ft straight drop. Other than that this spot is not a bad spot at all. Fire wood can be found all around.

Guide to St. Bonaventure

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near St. Bonaventure, New York, where nature lovers can enjoy serene landscapes and a sense of adventure. With various options available, you can find the perfect spot to unwind and connect with the great outdoors.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near St. Bonaventure, New York

  • When visiting Boyce State Forest, be prepared for primitive conditions, as there are no amenities like drinking water or electric hookups available.
  • It's advisable to visit during drier seasons, as some trails can become quite muddy, making it challenging to navigate, especially at Camp Seneca.
  • Always pack out what you pack in, as many dispersed sites, such as Palmers Pond State Forest, do not have trash disposal facilities.

Top activities while free camping near St. Bonaventure

  • Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the trails around McCarthy Hills Forest, which offer a chance to explore the natural beauty of the area.
  • Fishing opportunities abound at Windfall Ponds, where you can enjoy a peaceful day by the water.
  • For those who enjoy wildlife watching, Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite is a great spot to observe local fauna in their natural habitat.

Scenic spots for dispersed campers

  • The picturesque setting of Palmers Pond State Forest provides a tranquil backdrop for camping, with grassy areas perfect for setting up tents.
  • If you're looking for a secluded experience, Camp Seneca offers designated sites near a creek, surrounded by a dense tree canopy that keeps you dry during rain.
  • For a unique experience, consider Stewart Road Horse Camp, which caters to equestrian campers and provides access to scenic trails for horseback riding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near St. Bonaventure, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near St. Bonaventure, NY is Camp Seneca with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near St. Bonaventure, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 13 dispersed camping locations near St. Bonaventure, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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