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Established Camping

Pharsalia Y Pond

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Pharsalia Y Pond is located near a pond in New York, surrounded by forested terrain. The area experiences temperatures ranging from the 20s in winter to the 80s in summer. Campers can explore Bowman Lake State Park and the Finger Lakes Trail, both offering outdoor activities and natural scenery.

Description

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation

Pharsalia Wma

The primary purposes of Pharsalia Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This WMA is 4,689 acres in size and is located in the northwest portion of Chenango County, approximately 10 miles southwest of Sherburne. Pharsalia generally has flat or gently sloping terrain.

In 1926 Pharsalia became the first State Game Refuge purchased with Conservation Fund monies. Thousands of trees and shrubs were planted for reforestation and wildlife purposes. A 200-man Civilian Conservation Corp camp accomplished much of the work and also constructed several small ponds for waterfowl use.

Reservation Info

Ordinarily there is no dispersed camping allowed in a WMA, even though it is allowed in the surrounding state forest. However, there are a few designated campsites within the WMA at which camping is allowed but ONLY with a permit from the regional DEC office. Permits must be obtained whether this site is used as a destination campsite, or as an overnight site for through hikers on the Finger Lakes Trail. To obtain a permit, contact: DEC Region 7 Cortland Office (M-F, 8:30AM - 4:45PM), (607) 753-3095; Info.R7@dec.ny.gov

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Location

Pharsalia Y Pond is located in New York

Directions

New York Route 23 borders part of the west and south sides of the WMA and provides access to a system of town and maintenance roads traversing the WMA. Head west out of Norwich on Route 23 to the town of Pharsalia. The WMA is on your right. All Google links leave DEC website. • Elmer Jackson Road (42.6268997°N,-75.7157974°W) • John Smith Road (42.6180992°N,-75.7303009°W) • John Smith Road (42.6213989°N,-75.7300034°W) • John Smith Road (42.6234016°N,-75.729599°W) • Elmer Jackson Road (42.6300011°N,-75.7151031°W) • Cole Hill Road (42.6391983°N,-75.6774979°W) • Johnson Street (42.6399002°N,-75.6901016°W) • Johnson Street (42.6385994°N,-75.694603°W) • Mud Lane Road to Bear Wallow (42.6450996°N,-75.6968994°W) • Johnson Street (42.6313019°N,-75.7279968°W) • Grover Brown Road (42.6181984°N,-75.6949005°W)

Coordinates

42.6257259 N
75.7148254 W

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Access

Hike-In
Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Unknown
AT&T
Good
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites

Features

For Campers

Reservable
Pets
Fires

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.

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Contact

General Info

Drive Time

45 min from Binghamton
58 min from Syracuse
1 hr 2 min from Ithaca
1 hr 5 min from Utica

Janet R.

Legend

Reviewed Dec. 2, 2017

Pharsalia Y Pond primitive campsite

This campsite is a hike in stop on the Finger Lakes Trail, but can also be accessed by a short walk-in from Elmer Jackson Rd, or by paddling in from the parking area in the west side of the pond. The pond is deep and clear and stocked with brook trout, and the campsite on the east side of the pond is in an idyllic setting with good camping, fishing (canoe or kayak only), and day hikes on the Finger Lakes Trail. You can also walk or drive along various state forest riads to several other pinds in the Wildlife Management area for good birdwatching. From the south end if the pond is a cascade into a gorge which is the beginnings if Canasawacta Creek, which eventually flows to Norwich and the Chenango River.

This is a primitive canpsite, no shelter or latrine but there are several fire rings and good tent sites as well as a gentle water access right on the shore. This would be a nice family friendly weekend destination, as well a a great stop fir through hikers. Previous campers have left the site in great shape.

Camping in this DEC Wildlife Management Area campsite is limited, and requires a permit. Visit the regional DEC office at 1285 Fisher Ave., Cortland NY or call 607-753-3095, or email at Info.R7@dec.ny.gov ; allow one week for permit to be processed.

More info about the WMA can be found here: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/63889.html or http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/70693.html

An interactive map for hiking in the area can be found here: https://fltconference.org/trails/P/TrailConditionMaps/Interactive/Seg_Cat.html?Vifw#"

For more info and local area map, see page 15 and map E04 in the Finger Lakes Trail East passport guide:

http://www.fltconference.org/trail/files/3814/0154/4940/Passport_East_View.pdf

Month of VisitAugust