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Dispersed Camping

Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping

Description

The Sugar Hill Recreation Area, located at 3360 Tower Hill Rd, Watkins Glen, NY, is the largest designated camping area on Sugar Hill State Forest. Available on a first-come first-serve basis, the area is a nine-acre open field for camping, with a limited number of fire rings and picnic tables. New for 2021 (in order to limit the spread of COVID-19) 26 campsites have been designated in the open field area. Upon arrival, campers must fill out a self-issued camping permit. There is no reservation system, if you arrive and it is full you will have to find another location to camp.

Other facilities in the Rec Area include; a picnic area with picnic tables and pavilion, an accessible horse-mounting platform, open horse stalls, during summer months a restroom with potable water are available, and access to the Six Nations Trail System, as well as the Sugar Hill Fire Tower. The gate is opened to vehicle traffic, and the water turned on, from the 3rd Monday in May through the 3rd Monday in October of each year.

The Lower Evergreen Parking Lot, located off of Evergreen Hill Rd, is smaller and has picnic tables, fire rings, open horse stalls and a pit privy. New for 2021, three campsites have been designated. No trash pickup is provided. This is a carry in-carry out facility.

Individual campsites are located throughout the State Forest. These 19 additional primitive designated camping sites are semi-flat spots, some are graveled parking areas, others are small openings set back in the woods on topsoil, most with no other facilities provided.

Primitive camping is allowed. Campsites must be at least 150 feet away from the nearest road, trail, or body of water.

Camping for more than three nights or in groups of ten or more requires a permit from a Forest Ranger. No trash pickup is provided. These are carry-in, carry-out facilities.

Lean To: Lean-to in the trees, benches and fire ring in front. Buck Settlement Lean-to

Lean-to Camping :There are five Adirondack-style lean-tos at four different locations. Lean-tos must be shared to their capacity on a first-come, first-use basis, with no exclusive reservation allowed.

Buck Settlement Lean-to on the Finger Lakes Trail north of Templar Road and near Glen Creek;
Parks Hollow Lean-to on Mohawk Trail, north of Sugar Hill Road;
the Twin Lean-to's (Sugar Hill Lean-to #1 and #2) - on Seneca Trail, south of the Sugar Hill Rec Area;
and VanZandt Lean-to - on Seneca Trail, east of Tower Hill Road.
September 14, 2021 to September 23, 2021 the VanZandt Lean-to will be undergoing maintenance, please plan accordingly.

No trash pickup is provided. These are a carry in-carry out facilities.

Fee Info

FREE

Reservation Info

Upon arrival, campers must fill out a self-issued camping permit. There is no reservation system, if you arrive and it is full you will have to find another location to camp.

Camping for more than three nights or in groups of ten or more requires a permit from a Forest Ranger. No trash pickup is provided. These are carry-in, carry-out facilities.

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Location

Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping is located in New York

Detail location of campground

Directions

3360 Tower Hill Rd, Watkins Glen, NY

Coordinates

42.39555836267425 N
77.0094267445525 W

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Connectivity

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    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Good Coverage

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Detours Nearby

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Drive Time

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Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Good Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Showers
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping needs a permit.


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Reviews

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5 Reviews

Reviewed Jun. 26, 2025

Location is Wrong

The coordinates are wrong. Search for sugar hill fire tower and you’ll find it. (42.3868868, -77.0025425)

The place itself is really great.

Site5
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Oct. 1, 2024

Amazing campground

Very well maintained. Some sites are close and some a spread out. About half of them are in the sun and half get shade all day. I switched sites after a day to get some solar charging. Clean bathrooms with flush toilets. Sign in near bathrooms on arrival. Dogs must be on a leash but I found a spot down the hill to the south where there are no campsites to let them play fetch for a bit.

Site14/15
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping by Andrew S., October 1, 2024
  • Review photo of Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping by Andrew S., October 1, 2024
  • Review photo of Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping by Andrew S., October 1, 2024
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Jun. 7, 2024

Dog Friendly Retreat near Watkins Glen

We stayed at Sugar Hill for about 10 days, arriving right after Memorial Day weekend. The campground offers a variety of great options for various rig sizes, accommodating different needs comfortably. Its location is convenient, just a 15-minute drive from Watkins Glen, making it an ideal base for exploring the area.

During our stay, the campsite never even got near half full, providing a peaceful and uncrowded experience. For those seeking more privacy, there are numerous secluded spots along the side roads throughout the park.

However, it's worth noting that WiFi and phone service are pretty limited, typically ranging between 1-2 bars. Despite this minor inconvenience, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would recommend Sugar Hill for its tranquility and proximity to local attractions.

Site9
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping by Paulina B., June 7, 2024
  • Review photo of Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping by Paulina B., June 7, 2024
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Aug. 9, 2022

First State Park

We found a site right away. Ranger is super friendly. Our area was slightly isolated but a trail was next to it so horseback riders just appear occasionally to bright your day

Site27
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Jun. 11, 2022

Designated Dispersed Sites

Arrived early evening and found a clear, level designated site right off Tower Hill Rd. Camped for one night. Moderate traffic on road at night. Clean vault toilet. Nice hiking trails at the moment (pretty close to overgrown at this point in the season). Great free location between destinations.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping by Ann M., June 11, 2022

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you camp near the Sugar Hill Fire Tower?

Yes, camping is available near the Sugar Hill Fire Tower. You can find clear, level designated sites right off Tower Hill Road in proximity to the tower. These sites provide convenient access for those wanting to visit the fire tower as part of their camping experience. The tower area serves as a landmark for locating the campground, with coordinates 42.3868868, -77.0025425 helpful for navigation. While the road experiences moderate traffic at night, the camping locations remain relatively peaceful and serve as excellent free accommodation between destinations.

What outdoor activities can you do in Sugar Hill State Forest?

Sugar Hill State Forest offers excellent hiking trails that wind through the property, though they can become somewhat overgrown during peak summer months. Horseback riding is popular, with riders occasionally passing through on designated trails. The area serves as a perfect base for exploring nearby attractions, including Watkins Glen. The diverse terrain provides opportunities for nature observation, photography, and peaceful woodland walks. Dogs are permitted but must remain on leash in most areas, with some designated spaces where they can roam more freely.

What camping facilities are available at Sugar Hill State Forest?

Sugar Hill Recreation Area offers designated camping sites with varying levels of privacy and sun exposure. The campground features clean vault toilets and flush toilets in the bathroom facilities. Sites are suitable for different rig sizes, making it versatile for various camping styles. There's a ranger presence, and a sign-in process is available near the bathrooms upon arrival. Many sites are level and clear, providing comfortable spaces for setting up camp. The campground includes a mix of sunny and shaded sites, allowing campers to choose based on their preferences or solar charging needs.

Where is the Sugar Hill Recreation Area located?

Sugar Hill Recreation Area is conveniently located about 15 minutes from Watkins Glen, making it an excellent base for exploring the region. The recreation area can be found off Tower Hill Road. For precise navigation, the coordinates are approximately 42.3868868, -77.0025425 (near the Sugar Hill Fire Tower). Its strategic position provides access to the broader Sugar Hill State Forest while remaining close enough to town amenities.