Best Tent Camping near Sherburne, NY
Several tent campgrounds dot the forests and public lands surrounding Sherburne, New York, offering primitive camping experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. Charles E. Baker State Forest provides free tent camping with designated sites featuring fire pits and picnic tables. Pharsalia Woods State Forest offers multiple tent camping options including the Pharsalia Woods Lean-To Campsite and dispersed camping areas near Bear Wallow Pond, all within a short drive of Sherburne.
Most tent sites in the area are primitive with minimal amenities. Charles E. Baker State Forest has fire pits and picnic tables but no toilets or running water. Campers should bring all necessary water and supplies, as most locations follow leave-no-trace principles. The Pharsalia Y Pond site requires a camping permit from the DEC regional office, with applications needing about one week for processing. Access varies from drive-in sites at Long Pond Campground to hike-in only locations along the Finger Lakes Trail, where backpackers can find secluded tent spots.
Tent campers in the Sherburne area enjoy peaceful forest settings with good shade coverage and access to fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The Pharsalia Woods Lean-To Campsite offers a maintained Adirondack-style shelter with picnic tables and fire rings, making it suitable for group camping or through-hikers on the Finger Lakes Trail. Bear Wallow Pond provides opportunities for kayaking and fishing directly from camp. One camper noted that Charles E. Baker State Forest offers "a great camping experience" despite lacking water pumps and vault toilets. Long Pond Campground features "large and level spots all located beneath the tree canopy" with sites "disbursed enough to provide a modest level of privacy."