Rough access roads lead into Sugar Hill Recreation Area, where dispersed camping spreads across both forested and open terrain within Sugar Hill State Forest. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation manages this free camping area, which accommodates various rig sizes through designated sites and secluded spots along side roads.
Campers find a mix of sunny and shaded sites, with about half receiving full shade throughout the day. Andrew S. notes the area has "clean bathrooms with flush toilets" and campers sign in near the restrooms upon arrival. Cell service remains limited to 1-2 bars throughout most of the area. The campground rarely reaches half capacity, even during busy periods, providing ample space between groups.
Located 15 minutes from Watkins Glen, the area serves as a practical base for regional exploration. Hiking trails wind through the property, though they can become overgrown during peak growing season. Dogs must remain leashed in the main camping areas, but open space exists downhill to the south for off-leash exercise. Moderate road traffic passes nearby sites along Tower Hill Road during evening hours.
The combination of free camping, flush toilets, and proximity to Finger Lakes attractions makes this area well-suited for budget-conscious campers who don't mind limited connectivity and can handle rough access conditions.
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.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsSugar Hill Recreation Area Camping is located in New York near Tyrone
Directions
3360 Tower Hill Rd, Watkins Glen, NY
Coordinates
42.39555836267425 N
77.0094267445525 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GGood Coverage
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/10/26- AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 3/9/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 5/10/26
- AT&T5GGood CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 3/9/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark 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.
Drive Time
- 37 min from Elmira, NY
- 39 min from Ithaca, NY
- 1 hr 25 min from Binghamton, NY
- 1 hr 34 min from Syracuse, NY
