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NYS Roadside and Primitive Backcountry Campsites and Lean-Tos

Here is a Leaflet/KML/Google Maps overview of Lean-tos and Primitive Campsites in an interactive map for NYS DEC Lands and Finger Lakes National Forest Lean-To data and many of campsites come from the NYS DEC, while additional data has been heads-up digitized based on my own exploration.

Google Sheets with Coordinates: Campsites and Lean-Tos

Helpful Hints: In the upper right corner, use the layer button to switch to US Forest Service Maps for more detail on forest service lands, or use the US Topographic Map DRGs to get traditional topographic maps from the USGS.

Updated on 5/13/2021 Moved Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Vermont campsites to a separate maps.

Updated on 3/14/2021 Incorporated additional data found on DEC ARC Map Server at gisservices.dec.ny.gov, adding 81 additional NY State campsites not found on this map.

Updated on 1/31/2021 Fixed overlaps between NYS DEC data and heads up-digitized campsites by myself. Also, re-created all the points in Speculator Tree Farm/Perkins Clearing by geo-referencing and plotting the official map to add campsites to correct locations.

Note: This was not available for a number of years due to the limitations of Google Maps, however since switching to Leaflet, it has made it possible to load in a larger number of points.

Here are the primitive campsites dataset broken into KML files πŸ• that are less then 1,000 points per file that are more friendly with Google Earth and similar services:

Catskills, Central NY, Western NY - generally campsites South of the Mohawk River / Erie / Barge Canal, extended east by an imaginary line to the Vermont - Massachusetts border.

Southern Adirondacks and Tug Hill - generally campsites North of the Mohawk River / Erie / Barge Canal but South of NY 177 (Tug Hill) to NY 26 to Moose River Road to NY 28 to NY 28N to Blue Ridge Road to Johnson Pond Road to NY 74 to Ticonderoga. Includes Tug Hill, Black River WF, Moose River Plains, Wilcox Lake WF, Hammond Pond WF, Vanderwhacker, Cheney Pond, and Pharaoh Lake WF.

North Adirondacks and Tug Hill - generally campsites North of NY 177 (Tug Hill) to NY 26 to Moose River Road to NY 28 to NY 28N to Blue Ridge Road to Johnson Pond Road to NY 74 to Ticonderoga. Includes White Hill SF, Grass River, Pigeon Lake, Ha-De-Ron-Dah, Sargent Ponds, Blue Lake, High Peaks, Five Ponds, Watsons Triangle, St. Regis Canoe, McKenzie, Debar Mnt, Taylor Pond, Valcour Island, Deer River, Brasher Falls, Hammond Pond WF (North of NY 78)

Lean-Tos - DEC lean-tos are in a separate file.

Here are the primitive campsites dataset broken into KML files πŸ• that are less then 1,000 points per file that are more friendly with Google Earth and similar services:

Here are the primitive campsites dataset broken into KML files πŸ• that are less then 1,000 points per file that are more friendly with Google Earth and similar services:

Catskills, Central NY, Western NY – generally campsites South of the Mohawk River / Erie / Barge Canal, extended east by an imaginary line to the Vermont – Massachusetts border.

Southern Adirondacks and Tug Hill – generally campsites North of the Mohawk River / Erie / Barge Canal but South of NY 177 (Tug Hill) to NY 26 to Moose River Road to NY 28 to NY 28N to Blue Ridge Road to Johnson Pond Road to NY 74 to Ticonderoga. Includes Tug Hill, Black River WF, Moose River Plains, Wilcox Lake WF, Hammond Pond WF, Vanderwhacker, Cheney Pond, and Pharaoh Lake WF.

North Adirondacks and Tug Hill – generally campsites North of NY 177 (Tug Hill) to NY 26 to Moose River Road to NY 28 to NY 28N to Blue Ridge Road to Johnson Pond Road to NY 74 to Ticonderoga. Includes White Hill SF, Grass River, Pigeon Lake, Ha-De-Ron-Dah, Sargent Ponds, Blue Lake, High Peaks, Five Ponds, Watsons Triangle, St. Regis Canoe, McKenzie, Debar Mnt, Taylor Pond, Valcour Island, Deer River, Brasher Falls, Hammond Pond WF (North of NY 78)

Lean-Tos DEC lean-tos are in a separate file.

See the full Interactive Map of NY Campsites.

Map and Coordinates List for NYS DEC Firetowers πŸ—Ό

Discover a wealth of information on this page about fire towers situated on state lands, accessible through invigorating hikes that lead to panoramic vistas. Interactive maps guide your exploration, offering insights into the locations and trails leading to these towering viewpoints. Additionally, find convenient links to other pages that delve deeper into fire towers across the entirety of New York State. Embark on a journey that combines outdoor adventure with breathtaking scenery, as you navigate the trails and pathways leading to these historic landmarks that have stood as guardians of the landscape. This resource opens doors to captivating experiences that allow you to savor the beauty of nature from elevated perspectives while providing avenues for further exploration of New York’s fire tower heritage.

Here is a list of Fire Towers on NYS DEC lands. You can get this also on Google Sheets. Does not include the Dickinson Hill Fire Tower in Grafton, which is part of the Grafton Lakes State Park. You might also be interested in nearby camping opportunities.

TowerState LandNotesCoordinates
Azure Mtn. Fire TowerDebar Mountain Wild ForestRelatively short hike.44.5412601955876,
-74.5007131438668
Balsam Lake MountainBalsam Lake Mountain Wild ForestLonger hike along old road.42.0453530369935,
-74.5943882522534
Belfry Mountain Fire TowerHammond Pond Wild ForestVery short hike up dirt road.44.0977783227959,
-73.5480575565177
Berry Hill FiretowerMcdonough State ForestOnly up to second level is open, no upper level access.42.5498033738312,
-75.6903147862666
Black Mountain Fire TowerLake George Wild ForestLonger hike up a snowmobile trail.43.6068253423597,
-73.5315598873687
Blue Mountain Fire TowerBlue Mountain Wild ForestVery popular, worn-down trail.43.8722986188442,
-74.4007350580445
Lowville Demostration Area
Fire Tower
Lowville Demonstration AreaNo access to tower, part of demonstration forest.43.8093267984132,
-75.4730800808841
Goodnow Mountain Fire TowerSuny Esf LandsOpen to public, SUNY ESF Lands43.9598725064095,
-74.2096091339017
Hadley Mountain Fire TowerWilcox Lake Wild ForestPopular hike in Southern Adirondacks.43.3769100935034,
-73.9709647959219
Hunter Mountain Fire TowerHunter-West Kill WildernessMultiple approaches to this fire tower offer different hikes with different amounts of work.42.1779299997605,
-74.2297619994181
Hurricane Mountain FiretowerHurricane Mountain Primitive AreaThe only fire tower remaining in the Adirondack High Peaks.44.2352949729449,
-73.7101070215222
Kane MountainShaker Mountain Wild ForestShort hike near Caroga Lake.43.1810788942093,
-74.5151618559196
Beebe Hill Fire TowerBeebe Hill State ForestShorter hike near Austerlitz and Massachussetts border.42.3361525194561,
-73.4862760091067
Leonard Hill Fire TowerLeonard Hill State ForestYou can drive to this tower. Bottom floors removed, no access to tower.42.4510039574136,
-74.3529141572996
Lyon Mountain Fire TowerChazy Highlands Wild ForestLonger hike, new trail avoids severely erroded old trail44.7048354583899,
-73.8627762019644
Mount Adam Fire TowerHigh Peaks WildernessJust south of main high peaks area.44.0874829962416,
-74.0228637207712
Mount Nimham Fire TowerNimham Mountain MuaNear Beacon41.4611546516545,
-73.72510657899
Mount TremperPhoenicia – Mt. Tobias Wild ForestFollow an old woods road to summit.42.0739476727477,
-74.2781528438603
Mt Arab Fire TowerHorseshoe Lake Wild ForestRelatively short hike outside of Tupper Lake.44.2046152316571,
-74.5879293129745
Overlook MountainOverlook Mountain Wild ForestPopular hike outside of Woodstock, follows a gated road.42.085023587202,
-74.0933592964641
Owls Head FiretowerSargent Ponds Wild ForestModerate hike outside of Long Lake.43.9542904615568,
-74.4984616500416
Pillsbury Mountain Fire TowerJessup River Wild ForestMile long hike to a firetower with views over Perkins Clearing and areas around Spectulator43.5807556043109,
-74.5118079500206
Poke-O-Moonshine Fire TowerTaylor Pond Wild ForestNew trail is less steep and follows old woods road.44.4019104158425,
-73.5130620065356
Red Hill Fire TowerSundown Wild Forest1 mile hike to a fairly remote firetower.41.9238122519417,
-74.5170620256067
Rondaxe Fire TowerFulton Chain Wild ForestQuick hike outside of Old Forge that is very popular.43.7385880495938,
-74.9129188420394
Roosa Gap FiretowerRoosa Gap State ForestFiretower on the Long Path in the Shawgunks.41.6176280752519,
-74.4267422878805
Snowy MtJessup River Wild ForestPopular hike, one of the more difficult towers to access.43.7003213769888,
-74.3866001142199
Spruce Mountain Fire TowerWilcox Lake Wild ForestTrail crosses private land, closed during hunting season.43.2163188109202,
-73.9061192265182
St. Regis Mtn. Fire TowerSaint Regis Canoe AreaCurrently closed to public use.44.4085838385311,
-74.3296128971506
Stillwater Mountain Fire TowerIndependence River Wild ForestNear the Stillwater Reservior.43.8618343053993,
-75.033327606033
Sugar Hill Fire TowerSugar Hill State ForestObservation tower in Finger Lakes, during summer months you can drive to it, part of Six Nations Horse Cap.42.3871467022238,
-77.0025364212371
Vanderwhacker Mountain Fire TowerVanderwhacker Mountain Wild ForestRough seasonal road then 2 Β½ mile hike.43.8982271055416,
-74.0959123515681
Wakely Mountain Fire TowerWakely Mountain Primitive AreaNear Cedar River Flow at Moose River Plains. Seasonal use road to access.43.7358887903725,
-74.515229327937
Woodhull Mountain Fire TowerBlack River Wild ForestOne of the longer hikes, part of the trail is an old railroad grade until you climb the peak.43.6230161401271,
-74.9615452951445

Fire Tower

Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest

The Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest Unit Management Plan mentions the following about Roadside Camping in the area…

“The area has a diverse mix of camping options available to visitors. There are designated interior camping facilities at Stony Pond, Cheney Pond, 29th Pond, and Newcomb Lake. There are also many Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest roadside locations used seasonally by hunters and during the summer by others along the Northwoods Club Road, the Moose Pond Road, State Route 28N and at other locations. There is generally an increasing in camping in VMWF during the regular big game season.”

— NYSDEC Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest UMP.

Current Campsites Map.

Vanderwhacker Wild Forest

Roadside Campsites Designated in UMP.

Road Number of Campsites
Boreas Road 1
Moose Pond Road 3
North Woods Road 3
NY 28N at Boreas River 1

More Resources…

Ferris Lake Designated Roadside Campsites

The most popular area in Ferris Lake Wild Forest is to camp along the 20-mile long Piseco-Powley, a spectacular seasonally-gated, state truck trail. Other roads in area provide more remote roadside camping opporunities and are listed below.

Campsite North of Powley Place

The Ferris Lake Wild Forest Unit Management Plan mentions the following about Roadside Camping in the area…

“The FLWF provides a variety of different camping opportunities. The interior portion of the unit contains numerous primitive tent sites that are located along the shores of the more popular lakes. These sites are designated with a yellow camping disk and often contain a fire ring. There are also a number of car accessible sites located along secondary access roads, such as the Powley-Piseco Road, G Lake Road, Mountain Home Road Extension and Edick Road. Most of these sites can accommodate small camper trailers. There are no lean-tos within the unit.”

— NYSDEC Ferris Lake Wild Forest UMP.

Roadside Campsites Designated in UMP.

Road Number of Campsites
Edick Road 2
G-Lake Road 3
Jerseyfield Road 2
Mountain Home Road Extension (Rough Truck Trail Past the Floe) 6
Powley-Piesco Road (Open Late Spring-December)
Northern Hardwoods Section Near Mud Pond
Central Section Near Marshlands of Powley Place
Southern Section Near Potholers
Total: 22
5
10
7

More Resources…

Location of Roads with Camping in Ferris Lake UMP.

Designated Campsites Along Edick Road.

This map is from the Ferris Lake Wild Forest UMP.

East

Designated Campsites Along G Lake Road.

Please note that the roadside campsites are noted by “GLR”. The “GL” sites are traditional primative tent sites, beyond the gated end of G Lake Road, that you have to backpack into. This map is from the Ferris Lake Wild Forest UMP.

Designated Campsites Along Piseco-Powley Road.

These maps are from the Ferris Lake Wild Forest UMP.

 Cascade Lake

Strawberry Moon

Renters vs Population Density - NY Census Tracts

Designated Campsites Along Mountain Home.

This map is from the Ferris Lake Wild Forest UMP.

Betty Brook Road

Plains of East Canada Creek

Campsite Set Back Off the Road

North Up to Piseco-Powley


Camping Areas in Central Adirondacks β›Ί

Cascade Lake – Scenic lake known for Cascade Falls, about a 1/4 mile north of the lake outside of Big Moose and Inlet. Tent campsites that are about a mile back from the road.

Eatonville Road and Otter Creek Area – Otter Creek State Forest and the portion of Independence River Wild Forest that is home to Confusion Flats, is a popular place for equestrians, but the Eatonville Road area is set aside for those who don’t have horses but want to explore the mix of sandy hills that make up the Western Adirondacks.

Francis Lake – If your looking for a campsite you can paddle to on a lake that isn’t so choppy or large near Stillwater Reservoir, consider camping at Francis Lake. Parking is on the shoulder of Number 4 Road outside of Lowville, there also is two designated handicap sites here.

Lester Flow and Cheney Pond – Scenic lake that is popular for paddling. The 1/2 mile road down from Boreas Road as of June 2020 is closed due to washouts. Tent sites exist along the lake, along with one drive-to site on the road down there. No cell service.

Independence River Wild Forest – Not only is there dozens of boat-only sites along Stillwater Reservoir, consider camping on Smith Road or Basket Factory Road which have numerous sites. Cell services is limited, good at certain sites, especially Smith Road Number 1 (Old Firetower Site).

Mason Lake – Small lake located about 10 miles north of Speculator and 5 miles south of Lewey Lake that has several tent and drive-in campsites along it’s shore. Good to fair cell service here. Nice to hear loons, one of the best bass ponds in the area.

Moss Lake – Scenic sandy lake outside of Big Moose/Inlet in the Western Adirondacks. The lake is ringed by an old carriageway and is a popular place to camp and paddle. There is a sign in / peg board when you get to the lake’s parking area to know which sites are available.

Moose River Plains – The state’s largest wilderness drive-to camping area, with over 150 campsites spread out over 35 miles of dirt road.

Northwood Club Road – In Minerva, this road crosses the Boreas River and has several roadside campsites, and passes by Huntley Pond, the NL Tahawus Railroad (which can be hiked to the Boreas River at Hudson River), and the Blue Ledges on the Hudson trailhead. No cell service.

Vanderwhacker Road -Five or six campsites exist along Vanderwhacker Road, which can be muddy in the spring and icy in late autumn. Additional designates campsites exist near where NY 28N crosses the Vanderwhacker River. Near the trail to the Vanderwhacker Firetower, No cell service.

Woodhull Lake Reservoir – Off of NY 28 in McKeevers, about 10 miles south of Old Forge. Not only is this beautiful reservoir to paddle, there are some campsites along the shore, with drive-to campsites along Wolf Lake Landing Road which leads to it. Part of Wolf Lake Landing Road is erroded, but other parts are fresh stone-dust. It’s remote wilderness but there good cell service in mcuh of the area.