Dispersed camping near Savona, New York offers primarily primitive sites on state forest lands at elevations between 1,500-2,000 feet. The camping season typically runs from May through October, with July and August being the busiest months. Winter accessibility is limited due to seasonal road closures and unplowed forest roads.
What to do
Horseback riding trails: Sugar Hill Recreation Area features designated horse trails connecting to a larger network. Visitors note that "People bring their horses. You can drive to to your site and tent camp or camper camp" and "seeing horses coming and going on trail rides is a daily occurrence."
Fire tower climbing: Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite provides access to a historic fire lookout tower. One camper mentioned, "There is a Forest Fire Lookout Tower next to the bathrooms," offering panoramic views of surrounding forests.
Fishing opportunities: Palmers Pond State Forest provides freshwater fishing access with no license required for children under 16. A visitor observed, "Lots of beavers to watch throughout the day," making it ideal for wildlife photography.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Vault toilets at Sugar Hill are consistently maintained. One reviewer commented, "Bathrooms were clean and had potable water. There were lots of horses." Another mentioned, "Clean vault toilet. Nice hiking trails at the moment."
Privacy between sites: Foster Pond Camping Area offers secluded camping spots. A camper explained, "Into the woods around the Lake you'll find free dispersed camping. My mom and I stayed just in the parking lot and had no issues and weren't bothered."
Grassy terrain: Several campsites feature level, grassy areas. One Palmers Pond visitor described, "Abundant flat and grassy terrain under pines near a beautiful lake. Fire pits, a table, and parking area are in place but nothing else."
What you should know
Navigation challenges: GPS systems often provide incorrect directions. A Palmers Pond visitor advised, "Google maps directed us to a dead end, go in through the north entrance and you'll be good!" Another noted, "Do not take Palmers pond road. When you get off of Interstate 86 you will want to take turnpike rd to south road."
Limited connectivity: South Slope Trail Head Dispersed Camp and surrounding areas have minimal phone service. A camper warned, "There is one campsite near trail. There was more traffic than I expected. Also there is no cell service."
Weekday availability: Mid-week visits offer better site selection. Sugar Hill Fire Tower typically shows "Weekends are very busy but weekdays there were no more than 7 or 8 campsites occupied each night."
Tips for camping with families
Restroom access: Select sites near toilet facilities for convenience with children. A Sugar Hill visitor noted, "26 camp sites with bathrooms! That flush! Very quiet and the sites aren't on top of each other."
Water availability: Finger Lakes National Forest sites require bringing all water. A camper described one area as "Quiet site near a small pond. The road in (a loop) is steep on both sides (a truck or vehicle with clearance would be helpful but you could also park at the bottom if you needed to)."
Animal watching opportunities: Schedule early morning wildlife viewing sessions. One camper at Palmers Pond shared, "Threw up the tentsile tent over looking the pond on the south side. What a wonderful way to wake up."
Tips from RVers
Road conditions: Access roads to dispersed camping areas vary in quality. One visitor noted, "The roads are a little rough also. Hopefully it will get some attention in the near future."
Site selection for larger vehicles: Choose sites along main forest roads rather than spur trails. At Sugar Hill Recreation Area, "The campground offers a variety of great options for various rig sizes, accommodating different needs comfortably."
Solar considerations: Select open sites for solar charging. One RVer mentioned, "Some sites are close and some a spread out. About half of them are in the sun and half get shade all day. I switched sites after a day to get some solar charging."
