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Best Dispersed Camping near Troy, NY

47 Reviews

Several free dispersed camping options exist in national forests near Troy, New York, with most quality sites located 30-45 miles east in Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest. Ushers Road State Forest offers primitive camping within New York state borders, with sites located at least 150 feet from hiking trails. The area includes established fire rings and bicycle-friendly nature trails, though parts become swampy after rainfall.

The George D Aiken Wilderness area in Vermont provides multiple dispersed sites with large, flat camping spots and established fire rings. Forest Road 273 features numerous pull-off camping locations, some spacious enough for RVs. A recent review noted these sites are "spread out from each other and the road was easy to drive on." Access roads are generally maintained but can become muddy after rain. Somerset Airfield area offers additional camping with pit toilets, though sites are closer together with less privacy. Most dispersed camping in this region follows the standard 14-day stay limit, and campers must pack out all waste as most areas lack facilities.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Troy, New York (26)

    1. Ushers Road State Forest

    2 Reviews
    Round Lake, NY
    13 miles

    "This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails. I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side."

    2. NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot

    6 Reviews
    Bennington, VT
    31 miles

    "A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well."

    "Went on a Wednesday night late October and had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot. After what was very quiet and a peaceful place to be."

    3. George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed

    8 Reviews
    Wilmington, VT
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 747-6700

    "The camp spots were all pretty spread out from each other and the road was easy to drive on. There were only about 10 spots along the access road."

    "Some sites were really wet but we found a nice dry place."

    4. Somerset Airfield

    6 Reviews
    West Dover, VT
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 388-4362

    "It has pit toilets. These sites are close together with little to no shade. Some sites have access to a stream that flows behind the park."

    "I arrived after the 4th of July and a neighbor said it was rowdy during the holiday with illegal fireworks set off every night over the dry forest. These pics are from a weekday morning."

    5. Featherstonhaugh State Forest Site

    Be the first to review!
    Duanesburg, NY
    23 miles

    6. NF 83 - riverside

    3 Reviews
    West Dover, VT
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 362-2307

    "This is a nice clearing near the river where the road used to cross."

    "The left side of the drive in is swampy so be sure to not drift to that side."

    7. Statton Pond Camp on Forest Road 71

    3 Reviews
    Sunderland, VT
    41 miles

    "Easy access to an open circle, capable of handling multiple rigs for a large gathering. Stone fire ring in the center. We had this all to ourselves in our Bean teardrop. "

    "The site was very flat and could accommodate several small campers.  It was quiet during our overnight stay other than a car or two on Stratton-Arlington Rd.  There weren't many mosquitoes either. "

    8. Dispersed site along Forest RD 71

    3 Reviews
    Sunderland, VT
    40 miles

    "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."

    "There are a few spots around you can park at. I chose a more sunny and open spot with less trees. So there's more options. It's very quiet definitely check it out."

    9. Green Mountain National Forest FR71

    1 Review
    West Dover, VT
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (802) 747-6700

    "Free camping"

    10. Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail

    4 Reviews
    Fort Plain, NY
    50 miles

    "Continue driving past the original coordinates until you reach the dirt parking lot on the right. You’ll see signs that say “No Vehicles Past This Point” — those apply only to the grassy picnic area."

    "It offers sounds of the highway and freight trains going by, my wife and I love it. If you need quiet, keep on moving. There are grills in the grassy area for tent camping, also a potable water tap."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Troy, NY

41 Photos of 26 Troy Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Troy, NY

47 Reviews of 26 Troy Campgrounds

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2021

    Echo Lake

    Lovely Camping in the Catskills

    This campground was my first backpacking trip and it was perfect!  There are tent sites around the whole lake with fire pits and 1 lean-to site at the end of the trail when you first arrive at the lake.  The sites are relatively flat and well shaded with trees.  Note, it can get swampy near the edge of the lake so you may want to bring bug spray.  Make sure you practice leave no trace principles and pack out what you bring in!  It does get a little crowded later in the day so you may have to share space with others and it can be a little noisy at night.

  • The L.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 8, 2025

    Ushers Road State Forest

    Trail head

    This trailhead provides access to bicycle-friendly nature trails. I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side. The terrain eventually transitions into a low-lying, swampy area, likely due to recent rainfall over the past week.

    About 500 feet down the right-hand trail, there is a smaller path branching off to the left. This leads to a previously used campsite, approximately 200 feet from the main trail. The site includes a stone fire ring, indicating prior use.

    Given that camping is permitted anywhere in the woods as long as it’s at least 150 feet off the trail, the surrounding area offers an abundance of potential camping spots.

  • M.A.D. P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2023

    Somerset Airfield

    Small open park

    The Airfield Campground is a strip of land with several campsites and fire pits. It has pit toilets. These sites are close together with little to no shade. Some sites have access to a stream that flows behind the park. The real attraction is the huge Somerset Resevoir which is up the road. Plenty of fishing, paddling, hiking and picnicking opportunities. There are other dispersed sites down the road that are free

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2024

    Somerset Airfield

    Good stopover location

    Only the first section of the campground was open due to flooding. As a result, there were puddles everywhere.

    Campsites are listed as disbursed but there are only 7 trees to separate 9 camp sites. The campsites are all next to the road and have fire circles.

    There is a single pit toilet at the end of the camping area. No garbage service, no water, no cell service. Basically a camp site where you can share a fire with the neighbors.

  • Natasha T.
    Jun. 6, 2022

    NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot

    Nice wooded little campsite

    A LOT of bugs due to dense wooded surroundings. The bugs seems to be unbothered by the bug spray as well. A few miles down the road there is another campsite that is more open and also has a fire pit with a lot less bugs flying around and more open space.

  • c H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 13, 2023

    George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed

    Cool Spot!

    The camp spots were all pretty spread out from each other and the road was easy to drive on. There were only about 10 spots along the access road. Brewery, distillery, beautiful lakes and scenic towns all within 15 minutes of the sites.

  • YThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2024

    Duck Pond Campsite

    Open quite campsites

    After driving unpaved dirt road for a while, we arrived a surprisingly well maintained beautiful campsites. The pond is small so the mosquitos were not too bad. So few people passed by and very unknown quite and we just loved the experience. Just be careful driving in the sometimes rough conditions.

  • The L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 10, 2025

    Duck Pond Campsite

    Small vehicle only

    The road in on old cemetery rd was pretty rough, so we decided to go out the other way, which was way worse. The site itself, was pretty nice, Fire pit, trickling stream, but the years taken off the life of my truck was not worth it. Intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving on these rough roads

  • SJ W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2024

    NFR 273 Dispersed Camping Spot

    Beautiful but surprisingly crowded

    Went on a Wednesday night late October and had to drive about 4 miles down the dirt road to find a suitable spot. After what was very quiet and a peaceful place to be. Many pull offs but a lot were too wet for my van and I was afraid of getting stuck. The road itself was in great condition though.

Guide to Troy

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Troy, New York, where nature enthusiasts can find serene spots away from the crowds. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, it's the perfect way to immerse yourself in the great outdoors.

Scenic Spots for Dispersed Campers

  • The Featherstonhaugh State Forest Site offers a peaceful environment with no permit required, making it an ideal choice for spontaneous trips.
  • At Ushers Road State Forest, you can enjoy a drive-in access that leads to beautiful natural surroundings, perfect for a weekend getaway.
  • For those seeking a more rugged experience, the Rensselaerville State Forest provides a remote setting where you can truly disconnect from the hustle and bustle.

Top Activities While Free Camping Near Troy

Dispersed Campers Should Check Out the Green Mountain National Forest

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Troy, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Troy, NY is Ushers Road State Forest with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Troy, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 26 dispersed camping locations near Troy, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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