Best Dispersed Camping near Star Lake, NY
Searching for a dispersed campsite near Star Lake? Dispersed camping is the perfect way to get off the grid. Each dispersed site offers quick access to one or more of Star Lake's most popular destinations.
Best Dispersed Sites Near Star Lake, NY (14)
1. Stillwater Reservoir
Old Forge, New York9 Reviews•75 Photos•268 SavesThe 6,700-acre Stillwater Reservoir is located in the western Adirondacks, and provides undeveloped, remote camping on both islands and along the shoreline. The Reservoir offers a multitude of recreational possibilities including remote wilderness camping, canoeing, boating, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. The area receives considerable use during each of the four seasons.
During recent years, popularity of the Stillwater Reservoir has greatly increased. In an effort to alleviate some of the problems and preserve remote camping opportunities, campers are now required to use only designated sites, along the shoreline or to camp at least 150 feet inland from high-water mark. The high-water mark is generally that point where the sand beaches end and the forested or vegetative area begins.
Camping on sand beaches is no longer permitted. Camping within 150 feet of the high-water mark is limited to 46 sites designated and marked by the department. Camping beyond the 150 feet limit, as in past years, is relatively unrestricted. The intention here is to move camper use back from the water's edge to less fragile sites. The only exception is to the north of the Reservoir, which is in the Five Ponds Wilderness, where group sizes are limited to nine people or less.
Camping beyond the 150-foot perimeter remains relatively unrestricted, except for five Ponds Wilderness. That is, persons may use any site or open area for camping, provided it is more than 150 feet from the high-water mark, roads, trails or any other body of water. Furthermore, campers must comply with department regulations governing the use of state lands. These regulations will be posted at the registration booth at the Forest Ranger Headquarters and may also be found on the reverse side of the Interior Use Camping Permit. As the designated sites become filled, users are urged to camp within the Independence River Wild Forest Area on the south.
Campfires are allowed, but only dead and downed fuel may be used. The use of trail stoves is encouraged because of limited supplies of wood.
- Fires
- RVs
- Tents
- Group
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
2. Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites
Cranberry Lake, New York2 Reviews•15 Photos•102 Saves- Primitive tent sites and lean-tos are available on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved. If you find a tent site or lean-to with no people or gear, then you can camp there.
- If not using a designated primitive tent site, your tent must be at least 150 feet from a water body, road, or trail. Do not camp in areas posted with "Camping Prohibited."
- Camping for more than three nights or with 10 or more people requires a permit from a Forest Ranger. Call 518-897-1300 to get the name and contact information for the local ranger. Please observe all State Land Camping and Hiking Rules.
- Black bears are present throughout the Adirondacks and Catskills. Campers should store all food, garbage and toiletries in a bear-resistant canister or food hang. Bear-resistant canisters are required in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Dispersed
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
3. Forked Lake Adirondack Preserve
Long Lake, New York4 Reviews•10 Photos•76 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Dispersed
- Firewood Available
$18 - $23 / night
4. Sunday Lake Dispersed Camping
Thendara, New York1 Review•5 Photos•41 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
5. Blue Lagoon Primitive Dispersed Camping
Old Forge, New York1 Review•7 Photos•11 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
7. North Lake Reservoir Campground
Otter Lake, New York2 Reviews•2 Photos•8 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Toilets
Recent Dispersed Reviews in Star Lake
19 Reviews of 14 Star Lake Campgrounds
Debbie T.
Scout
Stillwater Reservoir
Camped overnight
Took me five hours to drive there but finally made it. It was nice and peaceful. I will go there again
Dane P.ScoutStillwater Reservoir
Excellent place! Went for Solar Eclipse
a 20 mile ride of just woods on a bumpy road. Pretty cool! Surprisingly the place wasn't that populated as I expected it to be. I went to a accessible campsite near the dam so I can pull stuff i needed from my car. The restaurant in the town had great food, the staff were nice, and had two cute dogs!
Alex R.
Guide
Ward Brook Campsite
Great campsite at the bottom of Seymour mountain
Great campsite with a nice lean-to.
Fire pit, picnic table, and a privy.
A bit further you will find some tent spots too.
Plenty of water around.
Noah D.
Traveler
Forked Lake Adirondack Preserve
Truck camping heaven
we came here for a night and stayed at the camp 76 by the lake. it was beautiful. definitely top 5 best campgrounds we have ever been to. they had a picnic bench and an outhouse in good condition. great visibility at night and of the lake
- JJoseph S.Traveler
Stillwater Reservoir
An island paradise
Having both camped, and trained with my SAR Unit, on Stillwater Reserve, I must say it's a wonderful place to "get lost" (voluntarily at least)!
sam T.GuideStillwater Reservoir
Only car accessible campsite
Was a great camp site very big and had a trail that lead down to the water. This campsite is right down the road from the fire tower trail.
- sam T.Guide
Stillwater Reservoir
Nice kayaking spot
My wife and I kayaked to Long Island and stayed for a weekend. It was quiet and had the whole island to our self. Would recommend if you want to break away from technology because you get zero service out there
- KKaneScout
Stillwater Reservoir
Need a boat
I came here a couple days ago only to realize that all except one campsite needs a boat to be reached. It's first come first serve so best to find another place if you intend to drive up to your campsite. The drive up campsite had an outhouse though so that was nice
MARY B.Scout
Seventh Lake Primitive Camping
Canoe Camping at Its Best
There are a few camping sites and one lean-to that I know of in this area. We happened upon it on our way to the seventh lake campground and ended up staying for two nights. We accessed the sites by water on a canoe trip. There is a large sand bar within a very short walk which was a great place to hang out. Seventh lake is pretty quiet but there were a few boats there both days we visited. There is a trail that connects the campsites to Seventh Lake Rd. and to the Bug Lake trail and we had some Hikers travel through the campsite. If you are looking for the site from the water, look for a HUGE rock and there will be a sign that reads camp here, there are two more campsites, one with a lean-to within a short walk as well.
- Elizabeth B.
Ranger
Blue Lagoon Primitive Dispersed Camping
Dispersed camping on stillwater reservoir
Primitive site on the beautiful south eastern end of Stillwater. A short hike in to a great beach for swimming or paddling.
We’ve stayed here many times in tents and hammock tents. The swimming is fantastic- water is clean and clear.
Because you can’t make a reservation here sometimes there’s competition for a spot. There is a good fire circle with space all around. The trail down to the beach is only about a hundred feet, but it is downhill.
This site is close to the trailhead for the Stillwater firetower, an original Adirondack firetower.
- Elizabeth B.Ranger
Sunday Lake Dispersed Camping
Primitive dispersed camping. 1/4 mile walk in, lovely quiet lake
This is a small primitive site. No services, but a very beautiful spot. There’s a small fire ring, and access to the lake for swimming or fishing.
Sunday lake has always been lovely and quiet and a great place to take youth campers.
Take Stillwater rd. to McCarty road, the trail is 0.3 miles To Sunday lake. Space to park two cars or a small RV off the road.
- Karolee G.Scout
Forked Lake Adirondack Preserve
Best Primative Camping
We were unfortunately able to get a spot on the lake, also due to us having dogs that aren’t fond of riding in kayaks yet. We ended up camping out right past spot 6 on North Point Road. Loved it. Us and the dogs. Primitive camping at Forked Lake is always the best.
- CCaitie S.Guide
Forked Lake Adirondack Preserve
Wild
This campground was beautiful. We boated in to our site with a kayak and a canoe with our supplies. We went during peak black fly season and got eaten alive though and decided to pack it up early. There was a bear den close to our site that was pretty cool.
- Kristal Ann F.Traveler
Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites
Beautiful Adirondack camping
Beautiful campgrounds... clean.. friendly..
amazing lake for kayaking and boating.
sites not crowded together.
- Elizabeth B.Ranger
Stillwater Reservoir
Your own private adventure beach
Even in cold rainy weather we had a phenomenal time at Stillwater. Our spot had gorgeous waterfront to it, a stone fire circle where someone had left extra fire wood, and ample trees. The season had had unusually low water all over and it left a really unusual landscape on the beach to explore. We can’t wait to come back!
- Christie M.Traveler
Stillwater Reservoir
Unplugged but recharged!
just returned from our annual week at the reservoir, such beauty! We saw Bald Eagles and Loons, enjoyed swimming, canoing and paddleboarding with the family. It was so peaceful with our site #37 accomodating 20 members of tge family plus 3 dogs!
Shari G.
LegendCranberry Lake Backcountry Sites
Your Own Private Island for FREE!
We spent 3 nights backcountry camping on Catamount Island in Cranberry Lake and absolutely loved it! The sunsets from the island were truly incredible. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Ours had an extensive pile of dry wood, too. There is a decent privy tucked back in the woods. Bring your own TP though! Also, you will either need to bring your own potable water or filter from the lake, so don’t forget your water filter.
In addition to many cool places to kayak from the island, there are a few hiking trails where you can land your boat and hike for a few hours. The Curtis Pond hike was our favorite and there are some incredible beaver dams along the way. While the mosquitoes weren’t bad at the campsite itself or while kayaking, they are terrible on the trails this time of year; so bring your bug spray, or better yet, bug shirts! The millions upon millions of dragonflies help make up for the mosquitoes!
The Village of Cranberry Lake (which is accessible from the lake) has some supplies, but not much except the very basics at the general store. You’ll need to head to Star Lake or Tupper Lake for anything of significance.
Backcountry camping is first come, first served…no reservations necessary or even possible. No permit is needed. The only fee is if you want to park your vehicle in the state park while you are camping on the island, it is $8 per day.
Geoff W.GuideStillwater Reservoir
Another great trip
This was my 3rd trip to Stillwater in 3 yrs and it gets better each time!
Our first trip was an overnight to test some backpacking gear, it was September and the weather was perfect! We hiked into our site, not easy because almost everything is meant to be accessed by boat so we were guessing our course! Cooler weather meant no bugs to contend with
Next year we took a canoe to our site, it was July, warm weather, warm water and the bugs were not terrible, we were at Site 1, secluded in a cove, not a lot of traffic but there is a hiking trailhead near the site so there is potential for visitors.
Our latest trip was to site 10, an island site with a large sandy beachfront, we borrowed a motor boat to get there this year and brought plenty of gear for 4 days. Weather was great again, some rain each day but we had time to get setup and get shelters to keep dry.
Camping if free here but it is first come first serve but with 40+ sites you can almost always get something. There is a small store at the boat launch to get provisions if you need, public restrooms and wifi. Very limited cell service.
You should bring water or something to filter it from the reservoir. I believe all the site have privy boxes on them.
There are opportunities for fishing, a few local attractions, a nice restaurant at the launch.
Sylvia V.ScoutForked Lake Adirondack Preserve
Island camping at its best, Staff is friendly and helpful.
Camped over many times and paddle the lake every chance I get!
Guide to Star Lake
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Star Lake, New York, where nature enthusiasts can enjoy serene landscapes and a sense of adventure. With a variety of options available, campers can find the perfect spot to unwind and connect with the great outdoors.
Dispersed campers should check out Stillwater Reservoir
- Located in a peaceful setting, Stillwater Reservoir offers a tranquil escape for those looking to immerse themselves in nature without the crowds.
- Campers can enjoy activities like kayaking and fishing, making it an ideal spot for water lovers seeking a quiet retreat.
- The area allows for campfires, enhancing the experience of stargazing and storytelling around the fire after a day of exploration.
Tips for free and dispersed camping near Star Lake, New York
- When visiting Cranberry Lake Backcountry Sites, remember to bring your own water or a filtration system, as potable water is not available on-site.
- This area is perfect for those who enjoy hiking, with trails leading to stunning views and secluded spots for relaxation.
- Be prepared for a first-come, first-served camping experience, as reservations are not required, allowing for spontaneous adventures.
Enjoy kayaking while free camping near Star Lake
- For a unique experience, consider Sunday Lake Dispersed Camping, where you can paddle out to explore the calm waters and enjoy fishing or swimming.
- The site is a short hike from the parking area, providing a sense of seclusion while still being accessible for families and groups.
- With no amenities available, this location is perfect for those looking to disconnect from technology and embrace the simplicity of nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Star Lake, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Star Lake, NY is Stillwater Reservoir with a 4.9-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Star Lake, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 dispersed camping locations near Star Lake, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.