

If you plan to build a fire, you need to get your firewood within 50 miles of your destination. Make sure you stock up with a couple of days’ worth of food and water, warm clothes, and flashlights. When preparing for your boondocking trip, be sure to do your research to find state lands with primitive campsites. You will find the most attractive camping areas in the northern part of the state, especially to the west in the more rural area. You also need to be at least 150 feet away from any bodies of water. You should make camp at least 150 feet away from any nearby roads or hiking trails. Many state forests allow boondocking, but they do have a few guidelines to follow. Upstate New York has many spectacular areas for boondocking where you can enjoy the natural beauty and wildlife. There are three designated sites in this area ― two at Thorpe Hollow Road and one at the Windfall Pines. The best fishing will be found at Twin Ponds or in some of the streams. Hunting and trapping are allowed on this property that will require some hiking through rough terrain. Windfall Ponds are located in the Windfall Creek State Forest near Carrollton. If you want to enjoy some good fishing while you are there, check out Stickney Pond on that same road.

There are 14 sites located along Kriedeman Forest Road that are numbered with a yellow camp disk, and they are given out on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no formal trails here, but you can follow old skid roads and farm roads for a good hike. You will find a good mix of sizes and species of trees, as well as some manmade ponds and wetlands. This forest covers 1,354 acres and is popular especially for camping, hunting, and fishing. The East Otto State Forest Campground is located near the town of East Otto. Be sure to keep an eye out for the many bird species that roam here, including the state-endangered Henslow’s sparrows. This is also a spectacular area to spot wildlife like black bears, white-tailed deer, beaver, and mink. This is one of the last fire towers accessible to the public in New York you can see about 15 miles from up there. The tower cabin is open during part of the year, and the stairs are always open to climb at your own risk. It was built in 1941, and it stands 75 feet tall.
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The Sugar Hill Fire Tower is near Watkins Glen and is open year round with free camping. There are eight designated primitive campsites along Hannon Road where you can spend the night. When the leaves are sparse, you can even catch sight of the gorge. Two stopping places give you the opportunity to rest and to observe the scenery. The day-use area has fire rings, picnic tables, and outhouses, along with a nice quarter-mile loop trail that is a great way to stretch your legs. The Chautauqua Gorge State Forest covers 538 acres near Chautauqua and is a great place for fishing and hiking. You can camp at one of the sites marked by a yellow camp disk located along the Wiltsie Marsh Area, Jasper Park Area, and Snake Forest Road. This forest serves as the home for a variety of wildlife, including deer, rabbit, turkey, and grouse.
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This state forest is a gorgeous area for free camping in New York, and it is a terrific option for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hunting, and hiking.

The forest covers 2,561 acres and has up to five free sites available. The North Harmony State Forest is a charming park near Panama in the southwest corner of the state.

Boondocking Sites in New York North Harmony State Forest There are plenty of great spots from the Catskills of the southeast to the Adirondacks in the north area of the state if you know where to look. You can camp in a land-designated Forest Preserve, but it is not allowed in Wildlife Management Areas. Boondocking in New York can make for a challenging adventure, but it is especially fun if you are traveling when the weather is mild.
