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ErinFM's avatar
ErinFM
Explorer
Jun 13, 2015

Central New York Boondocking & Campsites

I know zero about the area and am looking for advice on where to boondock. Any places to get lost in the woods, maybe do some good fishing? Campsites are a backup plan for me, so a nudge in the right direction there would be great, too. Thanks!

--Erin
  • A good place to start
    http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/camping.html
  • The size and type of your rig could be important for folks to make suggestions - where you can boondock with a 20ft class B is usually not going to be the same as where you can boondock with a 40ft combination (truck & trailer or MH & toad).
  • Thanks, everyone! Class C, maybe towing a truck but not necessarily. And my vision of CNY is the Utica/Rome/Oneida area, within 25 miles or so, maybe up to 50 for something that blows my skirt up.
  • Nick's Lake, Old Forge, NY about 50 miles north of Utica

    8th Lake Campground, Inlet - about 65 miles north of Utica

    Golden Beach, Raquette Lake - about 90 miles north of Utica

    All are NYS campgrounds, no electric, sewers or water....
  • Fair Haven state park. great beach on Lake Ontario and camping. Close to Syracuse. Google it. Boondocking areas are kind of slim. Finger Lakes National Forest between Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake is great for boondocking. Miles of hiking trails.
  • I know there are pull-off, no-pay, non-reserveable campsites in some areas of the Adirondacks. We've found even those can be full in the summer.
  • Lake Delta state park and Pixley Falls state park both north of Rome on 46.

    You didn't say what type of fishing. For boat fishing for perch, bass, walleye go to Oneida Lake. Lots of campgrounds east of Sylvan Beach, or Verona Beach state park. For trout, check NYS fishing access sites and try West Branch of the Mohawk, Pine Creek, Salmon River, Moose River.
  • bukhrn's avatar
    bukhrn
    Explorer III
    2hams wrote:
    Lake Delta state park and Pixley Falls state park both north of Rome on 46.

    You didn't say what type of fishing. For boat fishing for perch, bass, walleye go to Oneida Lake. Lots of campgrounds east of Sylvan Beach, or Verona Beach state park. For trout, check NYS fishing access sites and try West Branch of the Mohawk, Pine Creek, Salmon River, Moose River.
    I don't think Pixley Falls is open to camping anymore.
    Lot of suggestions for Dry Camping at State Parks, but I don't know anywhere you can actually "boondock".

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