Tent campsites around Shushan, New York include both established and dispersed options across New York and nearby Vermont. Camden Creek Farm and Carrie W's Land offer tent-only accommodations with walk-in access, while Ushers Road State Forest provides primitive dispersed camping approximately 27 miles west of Shushan. Stratton Pond Shelter in Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest is accessible via a 3.75-mile hike from the nearest parking area.
Most primitive tent sites in the region have minimal amenities. Ushers Road State Forest permits camping anywhere in the woods as long as sites are at least 150 feet from trails, with no designated tent pads or facilities available. One camper noted, "About 500 feet down the right-hand trail, there is a smaller path branching off to the left leading to a previously used campsite with a stone fire ring." Areas like Stratton Pond Shelter provide more structure with tent platforms, outhouses, and bunk spaces. Water availability varies significantly across locations - Camden Creek Farm and Carrie W's Land offer drinking water, while forest service sites generally require campers to bring their own or filter from natural sources.
The tent camping experience near Shushan offers varied terrain and solitude opportunities. Sites at higher elevations, like Stratton Pond Shelter, experience colder temperatures and snow well into spring. A visitor camping there in late February reported "Cold, Snow, Wind, full moon in the middle of the woods with only the people I hiked in with." For warmer weather camping, the established tent sites at Camden Creek Farm and Carrie W's Land provide more accessible options with better protection from elements. Walk-in tent sites throughout the area tend to offer more privacy than drive-up locations. Most primitive camping areas require proper food storage due to wildlife activity, with several review mentions of raccoons being particularly active at lake and pond-adjacent sites.
"One of many locations along Forest rd 71, this spot was a good place to pitch a tent for the night while exploring the area even in the rain."
"We stayed at one near the creek just over a little bridge. Cute little site, nice fire pit, clean, perfect rock to put a big water jug on. The sound of running water was soothing."
from $100 - $300 / night
"Cold, Snow, Wind, full moon in the middle of the woods with only the people I hiked in with. It was great! The shelter is a 3.75mi hike from the nearest parking lot in winter. "
"This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails. I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side."
"While hiking the Long trail i stopped at the seth warner shetler for one night. Its .2 miles off the Lt/At and sleeps 6-7 people. There is a fire pit."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $28 / night
"There's a big 3-wall cabin with room for at least 12, several tent platforms, and there's even a composting privy (#2 only)!!"
from $5 / night
"DEC has designated and constructed 12 camp sites in areas around Shelving Rock Road and Dacy Clearing Road."
TravelerCamp is pretty close together but most spots have a thick tree line between them which is nice. You still get a bit of road noise off the bridge and surrounding areas but it’s not to bad and the views at the boat launch on the Hudson are gorgeous
ScoutIt was dark. I arrived after 7p. There were 3 rv camps already going on. All 3 had camp fires. Many fire rings for many groups. No hassles at all. It's off the beaten path but worth it. The first 4 camp sites were open. Made a fire. Ate some food. I got a good night sleep. Nothing ate me or attacked me so that's 5 star in my book.
GuideNice campground near Killington, VT. Water and dump station. Not for big rigs we have a 21 ft TT. Things were tight but doable. One of the few Vermont state campgrounds that is still open. Most close from second Monday in October until Memorial Day.
GuideThe park looks fantastic! Well maintained camp sites and beautiful river sceneries from the boat launch area!
Bathhouse is one of the best I have seen!
Check in was smooth. Everyone was courteous!
TravelerLots of beautiful spots to pick from but be careful some are a bit muddy. We brought our school bus down the dirt road just fine and backed right in. They also have fireplaces which was nice!
LegendMostly peaceful campground with nice spots, most of which offer some privacy. If you are bothered by trains, note that you will hear them in the background quite frequently from the railroad bridge that passes over the Hudson River. It's not loud by any means, but you can hear them.
The state park staff and the camp hosts were all very friendly, and it has some of the cleanest bathrooms I've ever seen in a state park.
Site 20 is a pull through site and it's huge, and while it is next to the shower building, it's far enough away that it really isn't a problem. Also, the field between you and the shower building is a fantastic spot to set up a Starlink dish.
GuideWonderful owners. A variety of sites to choose from in a relaxing setting. No waste hookups here, but they have a dump station. $51 per night with cash.
TravelerLaundry is clean, bathrooms are clean and showers are hot. Pool, dishwashing station, sometimes quite sometimes very active. Love this place! Wish it was open year round!
TravelerGreat little campground in Berkshire County. Mostly suited for tent camping or small RVs, although there are definitely sites for RVs to use. Call to get an idea of what’s available if you do plan on bringing your RV. The facilities were clean and the trails well marked.
Tent campsites near Shushan, New York sit in the transition zone between the Taconic Mountains and the Vermont Valley. The region features elevations ranging from 500 to 2,500 feet, creating distinct microclimates across camping areas. Summer temperatures typically range from 55-85°F, with higher elevations often 5-10 degrees cooler than valley locations.
Boat camping options: Lake George Islands offers secluded waterfront sites accessible only by boat. At Glen Island Group, campers find a unique island experience. "We rented kayaks and actually reserved a spot on our own private island. It was little, slightly wooded, and private," notes Erin H. Multiple islands feature different site configurations, from group areas to completely private spots.
Water activities: The Deerfield River provides rafting and tubing opportunities near Zoar Outdoor campground. One visitor reports, "The campground is connected to an adventure/outing company that provides white water rafting, tubing and other water activities on a nearby river." Local swimming holes include spots where "locals jump off outcrops into the lazy river and hang out on the river side."
Hiking access: The Long Trail and Appalachian Trail intersect near many camping locations. Little Rock Pond's trail system provides moderate day hikes with elevation gains of 500-1,000 feet. According to Meredith C., "The pond is surprisingly warm for its altitude and it's home to two Common Loons. There's a huge jumping rock on the far side of the pond."
Island camping privacy: Waterfront sites on Lake George islands provide seclusion with water views. Justin B. at Glen Island Group says, "Me the wife and our 3 children had an amazing time on our three night stay. Definitely no amenities other than an outhouse but spectacular views and pristine waters. Great fishing, lots of fun to be had on the water and quiet peaceful evening by the campfire."
Mountain pond access: The Green Mountain National Forest offers several pond-adjacent sites with swimming options. At Little Rock Pond, campers appreciate the surprising warmth of the water despite the elevation. "Operated by the Green Mountain Club caretaker who lives onsite, this campsite costs only $5 per person per night. There's a big 3-wall cabin with room for at least 12, several tent platforms, and there's even a composting privy."
Trail access: Many camping spots provide direct access to major trail systems. Seth Warner Shelter sits just 0.2 miles off the Long Trail/Appalachian Trail. Daniel S. notes, "While hiking the Long trail I stopped at the Seth Warner shelter for one night. Its .2 miles off the Lt/At and sleeps 6-7 people. There is a fire pit."
Fire restrictions vary significantly: Some campgrounds prohibit fires entirely. At Zoar Outdoor, Seth K. points out, "They don't allow fired at the campsites though which is annoying and their quiet hours are quite oppressive." Other locations permit fires in established fire rings only, requiring advance verification of current restrictions.
Wildlife awareness required: Food storage needs to be taken seriously at most sites. Daniel S. warns about Seth Warner Shelter, "Hang your food! Watch for bears and coons." At Long Island Lake George, Ryan mentions, "We were literally bombarded with a group of raccoons each night. It was bad."
Reservation policies: Some campgrounds enforce strict booking timelines. Andie M. found this challenging at Zoar Outdoor: "I'm writing this mid-October from western MA. In between homes and looked forward to staying another night, but can not because of a 12 hour advance policy."
Boat access considerations: When planning island camping with children, boat requirements become crucial. For Long Island Group, Justin B. advises, "Definitely need a decent sized boat with a gas outboard to get there." Families should factor in extra time for loading gear and children into watercraft, with some sites requiring 20-30 minutes of travel time from boat launches.
Site terrain assessment: Family groups need to evaluate site conditions carefully. Ryan points out challenges at Long Island: "There were no leveled space whatsoever (except for one platform per site...but where would a second tent go? On the horrible ground beside it." Call ahead to confirm site sizes when bringing multiple tents.
Seasonal planning: Weather windows vary significantly by elevation and location. For mountain sites, late May through early September offers most reliable conditions for families with young children. Sites along water may experience extended seasons, with Richard T. noting that Lake George offers "Great island camping with amazing views" well into fall.
Primitive access limitations: Most dispersed camping near Shushan presents challenges for RVs due to narrow access roads and limited turnaround space. The Looker at Ushers Road State Forest notes, "This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails. The terrain eventually transitions into a low-lying, swampy area, likely due to recent rainfall over the past week." RVs should scout locations before attempting access, particularly after wet weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Shushan, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Shushan, NY is Dispersed site along Forest RD 71 with a 4-star rating from 4 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 28 tent camping locations near Shushan, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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