Morgan Hill State Forest, managed by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, holds ten established primitive campsites at Spruce Pond Camping Area, a compact waterfront setup that draws anglers, hikers, and hammock campers to the hills of central New York. The sites sit directly on Spruce Pond, with several offering their own pond access and one designed to meet ADA standards, including an accessible fishing landing and a wide-doorway outhouse close to the parking lot. Campers looking at campgrounds near Morgan Hill State Forest will find this one of the few with direct pond frontage.
Site quality varies noticeably across the campground. The sites closest to the parking area tend to be the most level and easiest to set up, while those farther in become progressively more overgrown and difficult to work with for larger tents. Site 5, for instance, has been noted as heavily overgrown, while site 6 provides a flat, pine-needle floor but lacks a clearly marked fire ring. Hammock camping works well throughout, given the density of mature trees. Frogs and waterfowl on the pond are active at night, so light sleepers may want earplugs.
The access road is rough, and arriving after dark makes finding individual sites genuinely difficult. A DEC campsite map is available online and worth downloading before arrival. A short hike from the campground reaches the Labrador Hollow hang glider launch, which gives open sightlines over the Labrador Valley. AT&T users have reported spotty but mostly functional cell coverage. Nearby, Morgan Hill State Forest Dispersed provides an alternative for those who prefer backcountry camping without designated sites. Spruce Pond Camping Area is a good match for anglers, paddlers, and hikers who can plan ahead and travel light.
Description
From the Spruce Pond Camping Area, wheelchair accessible features include the:
Primitive campsite (Site 1); and
Portable toilet (seasonal)
The campsite is approx. 75 feet from the parking area.
Primitive camping at Spruce Pond, from May 1 through September 30, requires a permit from the Lands and Forests office. Please call (607) 674-4036 ext. 600, M-F 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM to obtain a permit. For the remainder of the year, sites are available on a first come, first served basis.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsSpruce Pond Camping Area is located in New York near Apulia Station
Public CampgroundCoordinates
42.79923707730575 N
76.02564099255696 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Phone Service
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
Drive Time
- 21 min from Syracuse, NY
- 51 min from Ithaca, NY
- 52 min from Binghamton, NY
- 1 hr 4 min from Utica, NY
