Madison County, NY 📍

Madison County, situated in central New York State, is home to a population of 73,442 as per the 2010 census. This county is a pivotal part of the Syracuse, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area. Positioned east of Syracuse, slightly north of Binghamton, and west of Albany, Madison County holds the honor of housing the state’s geographic center in Pratts Hollow, within the Town of Eaton. With Oneida Lake and Oneida Creek framing part of its northern border and Chittenango Creek defining the western boundary, Madison County boasts picturesque landscapes.

This page focuses on free camping opportunities on state land within Madison County, extending an invitation for outdoor enthusiasts to explore the region’s diverse offerings, including hiking, biking, kayaking, and various outdoor pursuits.

🖼️ Photos 📽️ Videos

December 23, 2021 – Looking Ahead This Week

Cold but clear morning. 🌅 

I am going to take camp down in a bit then I think explore Glimmerglass before heading home. I could stay one more night but I think I’d rather head home while the sun is shining as I think the snow may stick around for a while on the roads tomorrow morning. It’s been a nice three nights in the woods and I want to see family on Christmas Eve. 

Today.
Cold !

Slight Chance of Snow Showers then Partly Sunny

A slight chance of snow showers before 9am. Partly sunny.

Northwest wind 5 to 7 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

and

26 degrees , 6 max wind chill, 4:31
sunset.
Tonight.
Feels like …
December 17th.

Snow is likely

Snow likely, mainly between 8pm and 5am. Cloudy.

South wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of around 2 inches.

and

22 degrees , 7:30
sunrise.
Friday.
Feels like …
December 22nd.

Chance of Snow then Partly Sunny

A chance of snow, mainly before 7am. Mostly cloudy.

South wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

and

36 degrees , 4:32
sunset.
Friday Night.
Feels like …
November 23rd.

Chance of Wintry Mix then Wintry Mix

Freezing rain, possibly mixed with snow and sleet before 5am, then rain and freezing rain likely, possibly mixed with snow and sleet. Low around 29. Southeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

and

29 degrees , 7:30
sunrise.
Christmas Day.
Feels like …
December 18th.

Rain is likely

Rain likely, mainly after 1pm. Cloudy.

South wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

and

37 degrees , 4:33
sunset.
Saturday Night.
Feels like …
November 17th.

Chance of Rain/Snow

A chance of rain before 10pm, then a chance of rain and snow. Cloudy.

Chance of precipitation is 50%.

and

31 degrees , 7:31
sunrise.
Sunday.
Feels like …
January 5th.

Chance of Wintry Mix then Chance of Snow

A chance of freezing rain before 9am, then a chance of snow between 9am and 1pm. Mostly cloudy.

Chance of precipitation is 30%.

and

33 degrees , 4:33
sunset.
Sunday Night.
Feels like …
December 17th.

Mostly Cloudy then Chance of Snow

A chance of snow after 1am. Mostly cloudy.

Chance of precipitation is 30%.

and

22 degrees , 7:31
sunrise.
Monday.
Feels like …
January 5th.

Chance of Snow

A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy.

Chance of precipitation is 50%.

and

33 degrees , 4:34
sunset.
Monday Night.
Feels like …
December 14th.

Mostly Cloudy

Mostly cloudy.

 

and

23 degrees , 7:31
sunrise.
Tuesday.
Feels like …
December 18th.

Mostly Cloudy then Chance of Rain/Snow

A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy.

Chance of precipitation is 40%.

and

37 degrees , 4:35
sunset.
Tuesday Night.
Feels like …
November 30th.

Chance of Snow

A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy.

Chance of precipitation is 40%.

and

27 degrees , 7:31
sunrise.
Wednesday.
Feels like …
December 6th.

Chance of Rain/Snow then Chance of Rain

A chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy.

Chance of precipitation is 30%.

and

41 degrees , 4:35
sunset.

Ferry Now, Bridge Later

Map: Rensselaerville State Forest - Hillcross Parcel
Map: Rensselaerville State Forest - Hillcross Parcel - Ortho

Good Morning – December 23, 2021

Good morning! Happy Festivus 🍖 ! The holiday for the rest of us.

Celebrating it out in the wilds of Madison County. One last day, I plan to head home before the snow later today. 🌨.

Mostly clear, a moon lit morning 16 degrees at the Moscow Hill Camping Area. 🌕 There is a west-northwest breeze at 10 mph. 🍃. The current wind chill is 4. Things will start to thaw out at tomorrow around noontime. 🌡️

I got away for three days, so I can’t complain. ☺ Last night was a bit cold with the wind but it was a pretty moon lit morning, though I think it’s going to snow shortly before sunrise. 🌅 So I’ll probably hang out at camp for a while, maybe go back to bed or maybe a hike.

Eggs 🥚 and sausage for breakfast today. 🍳 I first had a few cups of coffee ☕ and have been listening to the news. 📰 Since having unlimited data, I’ve been using my phone a lot more for streaming radio 📻. It’s kind of nice.

Weather Update – December 22, 2021

Definitely looks like it will be cold later ❄

I think I want to camp one more night. I haven’t decided if I will stay here or head back east to Brookfield for the horse 🐴 camp that is more protected from the wind tough I won’t have cell reception there which is nice for passing the time in the cold. Supposed to be real windy later.

Today I plan to hike 🚶 around Stoney Pond and some of the Chenango Canal. 🦆 Should be interesting to see how it looks in the winter compared to the summer.

Then tomorrow I want to go to Glimmerglass ☃️ and explore the lake and the park. Then head home, before dark. The weekend looks rather stormy and I want to join the folks for Christmas 🤶🏻 dinner.

Today.
Feels like …
January 5th.

Chance of Snow Showers and Breezy

A slight chance of snow showers before noon, then a chance of snow showers after 2pm. Cloudy.

Breezy, with a west wind 9 to 14 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 41 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

and

33 degrees , 12 max wind chill, 4:32
sunset.
Tonight.
Feels like …
December 29th.

Snow Showers is likely and Breezy

Snow showers likely, mainly before 10pm. Mostly cloudy.

Breezy, with a northwest wind 13 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

and

19 degrees , 7 max wind chill, 7:31
sunrise.
Thursday.
Cold !

Slight Chance of Snow Showers then Mostly Cloudy

A slight chance of snow showers before 9am. Mostly cloudy.

West wind 7 to 9 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

and

29 degrees , 7 max wind chill, 4:33
sunset.
Thursday Night.
Feels like …
December 17th.

Snow Showers is likely

Snow showers likely, mainly before 1am. Cloudy.

South wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of around 2 inches.

and

22 degrees , 13 max wind chill, 7:31
sunrise.
Friday.
Feels like …
December 26th.

Slight Chance of Snow Showers then Mostly Cloudy

Scattered flurries with a slight chance of snow showers before 10am, then scattered flurries between 10am and noon. Mostly cloudy.

Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

and

35 degrees , 4:33
sunset.
Friday Night.
Feels like …
November 26th.

Chance of Snow then Wintry Mix

A chance of snow before 1am, then snow, possibly mixed with freezing rain. Low around 28. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

and

28 degrees , 7:32
sunrise.
Christmas Day.
Feels like …
December 18th.

Chance of Wintry Mix then Chance of Rain

A chance of snow and freezing rain before 9am, then a chance of rain. Cloudy.

Chance of precipitation is 50%.

and

37 degrees , 4:34
sunset.
Saturday Night.
Feels like …
November 30th.

Chance of Snow

A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy.

Chance of precipitation is 50%.

and

27 degrees , 7:32
sunrise.
Sunday.
Feels like …
December 26th.

Chance of Rain/Snow

A chance of snow, mixing with rain after 9am, then gradually ending. Mostly cloudy.

Chance of precipitation is 30%.

and

35 degrees , 4:34
sunset.
Sunday Night.
Feels like …
December 25th.

Mostly Cloudy then Chance of Snow

A chance of snow after 1am. Mostly cloudy.

Chance of precipitation is 30%.

and

20 degrees , 11 max wind chill, 7:32
sunrise.
Monday.
Feels like …
January 15th.

Chance of Snow

A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy.

Chance of precipitation is 40%.

and

32 degrees , 13 max wind chill, 4:35
sunset.
Monday Night.
Feels like …
December 14th.

Chance of Snow

A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy.

Chance of precipitation is 30%.

and

23 degrees , 7:33
sunrise.
Tuesday.
Feels like …
January 15th.

Mostly Cloudy then Chance of Snow

A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy.

Chance of precipitation is 30%.

and

32 degrees , 4:36
sunset.
Map: Empire State Topography
Map: Empire State Color Relief