Best Dispersed Camping near Shinglehouse, PA

Dispersed camping near Shinglehouse, Pennsylvania centers primarily around state forests in both Pennsylvania and nearby New York. The Allegheny National Forest region provides several free primitive camping options, with Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite offering accessible sites approximately 30 miles northwest of Shinglehouse. Additional dispersed camping can be found at Palmer's Pond State Forest and Boyce State Forest across the New York border, where public land permits primitive camping without developed facilities.

Access to most dispersed sites requires navigation on unpaved forest roads that may become challenging after rain. Many campers report difficulty finding the correct access roads, particularly at Palmer's Pond where Google Maps directions often lead to dead ends. Forestry Road sites feature established fire rings but minimal other infrastructure. Most locations allow pets and campfires when no burn bans are in effect. None of these areas provide drinking water, toilets, or trash collection, requiring campers to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. As one camper noted, "If roughing it is your thing, this is primitive tent sites on a small pond." Another mentioned that "Apple Maps brings you way far away, follow the pin and it will bring you."

These primitive camping areas typically provide solitude and natural settings as their primary appeal. Palmer's Pond State Forest receives consistently positive reviews for its "quiet and beautiful" setting with "flat and grassy terrain under pines near a beautiful lake." Some sites feature opportunities for wildlife viewing, with one camper mentioning "lots of beavers to watch throughout the day." Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite provides access to hiking trails, including a trail to Hector Falls approximately one mile from camping areas. Weather conditions vary significantly by season, with one reviewer warning, "It rains a lot so keep your slip-ons near the door." During winter months, roads may become icy and difficult to navigate, with temperatures dropping into the low teens.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Shinglehouse, Pennsylvania (12)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Shinglehouse, PA

7 Photos of 12 Shinglehouse Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Shinglehouse, PA

26 Reviews of 12 Shinglehouse Campgrounds


  • Mieszko M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2023

    Red Mill Pond

    Good place for one night

    Been there with camper van No facilities, only some fireplaces. Good for a short stay, quiet

  • Matt J.
    Aug. 20, 2021

    Red Mill Pond

    Dispersed, remote...and ill-kept

    Missed the words "dispersed" and "no facilities" on the USFS website... Fire circles are falling apart, there's effectively no signage, and I had the bad luck to show up after a substantial rainstorm rolled through, and both ground and grass were soaked. I bailed on this camp. If your liking for EXTREMELY rustic car camping, there's a mood for it, but it doesn't seem to be worth backpacking in, and I wouldn't recommend car camping under most circumstances. The fishing looks pretty good, but i don't fish.

  • Aliza  N.
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite

    Free dispersed camping in the Allegheny

    We camp in a lot of primitive dispersed camping, but finding a spot like this in the east is challenging! So for that…YAY, we love it. But, it’s not perfect. The road is behind the town of Ludlow (or Sheffield depending on which direction you are coming from). From Ludlow take the “Scenic Dr” and it turns into the forestry road. Lots of pull offs off this main road and you could prob find some more private ones if you explored the smaller dirt roads off the main forestry road. No services here obvi since it’s primitive camping. Road is in good condition and most any car would have no problem driving down it.

  • Zack B.
    Apr. 8, 2024

    Boyce State Forest

    Wet n wild

    Trail was more of a stream than a trail. You’ll spend more time beside the trail then actually on it. The campsite was a shelter off the side of the trail. It came with some firewood and cardboard to burn as well as some emergency water. Campsite was clean and came with an “air conditioned loo”. Lots of room for tents, however, most sites are not flat. Would recommend to come in dryer season or to bring rubber boots.

  • Ian B.
    Aug. 26, 2024

    Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite

    Nice, peaceful and free

    If you don’t mind roughing it a bit, it’s really quite nice. Sites are first come first serve and there is a bit of day traffic to get to Hector Falls. Which is a nice little 2 mile hike. Some good exploring. Bring tick/bug spray. Found several on my boys and me.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2019

    Palmers Pond State Forest

    Favorite place to camp

    No electricity or water hook ups, very secluded, has a pond to fish in, by far my most favorite place to camp

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2023

    Red Mill Pond

    Plenty of space for a van

    Pro: There was a pond, campfire rings, and a big spot to maneuver a van. Neutral: No amenities Con: the road in was bumpy with a lot of pot holes

  • Ian H.
    May. 23, 2022

    Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite

    A slice of Allegheny Heaven

    This spot is a boondocker’s delight! Big open spots with established fire rings. Quiet except for the distant rumble of a train passing the town down in the valley. The road is definitely hidden behind the town of Ludlow but we were able to find it at 2am after a long drive from cape cod.

  • Bob J.
    Sep. 1, 2021

    Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite

    Comes as advertised! Really nice spot!

    The spot I stayed is right on the marker.  There are multiple spots along the main forest road. Some you can drive your car in and tuck it back. Other spots you cant take your car at all.   There are tons of logging roads that split off the main forest road. They mostly have gates that say "Logging road, no public motor vehicles allowed" but they also say "Foot travel is welcome" I went down a few of these roads and almost always found a few spots that would be great places to set up camp if you are willing to walk a little bit from your car. There is a really cool place called Hector Falls. The trailhead is about a mile down the road from this spot. It's about 3/4 a mile hike into the woods. The falls are really cool to look at, and has some cool rock formations. Be careful the cliffs are about a 20 ft straight drop. Other than that this spot is not a bad spot at all. Fire wood can be found all around.


Guide to Shinglehouse

Dispersed camping near Shinglehouse, Pennsylvania provides access to multiple primitive sites across state forest lands at elevations between 1,500-2,000 feet. Winter temperatures regularly drop to the low teens while summer brings frequent thunderstorms to this Allegheny region. Forest service roads in this area typically require higher clearance vehicles, especially during spring thaw when mud conditions worsen.

What to do

Hike to Hector Falls: Located about a mile from Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite, this waterfall destination makes a perfect day trip. "There is a really cool place called Hector Falls. The trailhead is about a mile down the road from this spot. It's about 3/4 a mile hike into the woods. The falls are really cool to look at, and has some cool rock formations," notes Bob J.

Beaver watching: Morning and evening wildlife viewing opportunities abound at Palmers Pond State Forest. "Threw up the tentsile tent over looking the pond on the south side. What a wonderful way to wake up," shares Mitch P. The pond area is especially productive for wildlife sightings during dawn hours.

Forest exploration: Many primitive sites feature unmarked hiking opportunities on old logging roads. "There are tons of logging roads that split off the main forest road. They mostly have gates that say 'Logging road, no public motor vehicles allowed' but they also say 'Foot travel is welcome,'" explains one camper who discovered additional secluded spots.

What campers like

Secluded waterfront sites: Campers consistently praise the lakeside spots at Palmer's Pond. "The site was very nice. Clean and well maintained. I was able to set up next to the water with no problem," writes Marjoe M. Sites along the water tend to fill first during summer weekends.

Established fire rings: Despite the primitive nature of these sites, most locations feature fire rings. "Big open spots with established fire rings. Quiet except for the distant rumble of a train passing the town down in the valley," reports Ian H. about Red Mill Pond.

Tree canopy protection: The dense forest provides natural shelter during rain showers at many sites. "The tree canopy over our site was dense enough that w3 did not get very wet when it rains," notes Kevin C. about Camp Seneca, where most sites have both a fire ring and picnic table.

What you should know

Directional challenges: GPS services frequently provide incorrect directions to dispersed camping areas. "The directions took us to a dead end like the other reviews stated. Do not take Palmers pond road. When you get off of Interstate 86 you will want to take turnpike rd to south road," advises Sydney M.

Wildlife safety: Black bears inhabit the region and require appropriate food storage. "There's black bears that live in the several caves in the area. I was meditating in my car one evening and a bear stood up and pushed against my window. Definitely be sure to pack up all food and trash at night," warns a camper at Forestry Road.

Road conditions: Many access roads deteriorate quickly after rain. "The road in was bumpy with a lot of pot holes," reports Georgia R. This becomes especially problematic during spring thaw when many forest roads become temporarily impassable.

Service availability: Cell service varies dramatically across sites. "The campsite next to the hiking trail has WiFi about 70% of the time," notes a reviewer about specific spots at Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite where patchy service exists.

Tips for camping with families

Site selection priorities: For family camping, choose sites with more established facilities. "This campground had several designated sites and most have a fire ring and picnic table. There was a porti-poty on site that had plenty of paper was pretty clean," recommends Kevin C.

Bug preparation: Tick prevention becomes essential during family outings. "Bring tick/bug spray. Found several on my boys and me," cautions Ian B. who camped at Forestry Road with children.

Explore wooded alternatives: When waterfront sites are occupied, check nearby forest locations. "If the lake spots are busy check the woods, there are a bunch more nice spots," suggests Roger V. about Palmers Pond.

Tips from RVers

Length restrictions: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller RVs but present challenges for larger rigs. "I have a 25 foot travel trailer. I found numerous spots on SF-160," shares Mark M., noting the need to watch for rain accumulation around campsites.

Navigation challenges: RVers should scout locations before attempting access. "I have a 25-foot travel trailer and found several suitable spots on SF-160," reports another camper, emphasizing the importance of matching vehicle size to specific sites.

Weekend timing: Weekend visitors should arrive by Thursday or early Friday. "The last site on SF 160 has weekend partiers. They knock off at 11pm and are far enough away from the next site that they aren't a nuisance," explains a reviewer who found quieter weekday camping preferable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Shinglehouse, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Shinglehouse, PA is Palmers Pond State Forest with a 4.9-star rating from 8 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Shinglehouse, PA?

TheDyrt.com has all 12 dispersed camping locations near Shinglehouse, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.