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.

Good Morning – December 21, 2021

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Good morning! Happy First Day of Winter ☃️ !

Kind of a cool and gray winter day out here in Central NY. Warm enough things are kind of foggy from the ice and snow melt from the past weekend. A very typical day for December when there isn’t snow in Upstate NY.

Mostly cloudy and 29 degrees at the Stoney Pond State Forest. ☁ There is a northwest breeze at 8 mph. 🍃. Things will start to thaw out at around noontime. 🌡️

I was hoping for better weather for today but December can be tough. 😕 When it’s not super cold and snowy, it tends to be cloudy. But I’m glad to at least get away for a few more days before the year is done. 🥧

It’s just nice to be away, 🚜 see some of the rural and wild country of Madison County even if it’s damp, gray muddy and smells like cow manure. 🐮

Today I want to run to Cazenovia and get some isopropyl alcohol and q tips to try to clean the heater a bit better. ♨ Then do some hiking around the village and maybe some of that great rail trail before heading back to camp ⛺.

It’s the first day of winter 🌨 so I don’t necessarily have a lot of time to dilly-dally around. But I’ll make the most of it. Hopefully it will clear out this afternoon and be fairly decent.

Sunset Times …

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Sunset Times …

  • Albany – 4:24 pm
  • Allegheny National Forest – 4:47 pm, 23 minutes later then Albany
  • Blenheim, NY – 4:27 pm, 3 minutes later then Albany
  • Dolly Sods, WV – 4:58 pm, 34 minutes later then Albany
  • Fox Lair – 4:22 pm, 2 minutes earlier then Albany
  • Kelly Stand, VT – 4:15 pm, 9 minutes earlier then Albany
  • Massena – 4:20 pm, 4 minutes earlier then Albany
  • Moose River Plains – 4:24 pm
  • Montauk – 4:22 pm, 2 minutes earlier then Albany
  • Jamestown – 4:47 pm, 24 minutes later then Albany
  • Staten Island – 4:32 pm, 8 minutes later then Albany
  • Syracuse – 4:32 pm, 8 minutes later then Albany

Good Evening – December 20, 2021

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Good evening! Out in Madison County for the next few days. ⛺

Nice evening not too cold for winter camping. Tonight is beautiful with a lot of stars ✨ and the full cold moon 🌕.

Mostly clear and 28 degrees at the Stoney Pond State Forest. There is a south-southwest breeze at 9 mph. 🍃. Things will start to thaw out at Wednesday around 10 am. 🌡️

I am off this week from work 🏡 as I needed to either use the time or loose it at the end of the year. ⏳ I wasn’t sure what my plans were but for a while I was having problems with both the camp stove and the heater – ran some bad fuel or more likely dirt through them. Warmed both up inside, cleaned various parts using soap and water and been running both hard trying to burn off the carbon/propane gelling.

Driving out to Madison County I was a bit concerned with all the ice on the trees 🎄 but it was mostly just a dusting of snow 🌨 and a little ice as I got past Sangerfield. The road to camp has a dusting of snow and maybe some light icing but not too bad. The hill isn’t that steep on the road.

I don’t really have a big set plan 📜, I can stay here until Thursday without a permit but I might drive home on Wednesday depending on how cold and snowy it turns out to be.

Also depends on how reliable the heater and stove turn out to be, ♨ though things are definitely getting better after running them and cleaning them. I hate to waste propane – at $4 a gallon – but I’d rather get my equipment running good again and running it hot and long seems to be burning out the clogs. But it might use up my propane early.