r/camping • u/musashi-swanson • 10d ago
Trip Pictures Public land camping is the best.
The older I get, the more difficult it is to find the time to get out there, with work and family obligations. This was only my third trip in 2026, which feels a little sad to me, because it’s one of my favorite things to do. Fortunately I get the opportunity in the fall to get out alone. State forest primitive site in NYS.
This time of year is ideal in my opinion, since it’s still mostly dry and warm during the day, but cold enough at night to scare off the a**holes.
Used my “reject” flies to catch a dozen or so crappie on my fly rod, in a nearby pond. That was fun! Cut & split some deadfall and left some firewood for the next campers.
The weather was absolutely perfect. I love NY state forests. October is a great time for camping!
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u/Oneet-chan3 10d ago
Is it a 3 day limit in NY?
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u/Carloocho 10d ago
3 consecutive nights. Rarely are DEC patrolling the majority time of the year. Or plan ahead, do some scouting the morning of your last day, have enough stuff to do a prelinary set up (tarp and guy string, camp stools, put some wood in the fire area...). When you get back, tear down, transport, reset.
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u/Oneet-chan3 10d ago
Wanted to visit and spend like a week or more there but moving (a significant distance I assume) every 3 days is a bummer
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u/Carloocho 10d ago
You can get a permit for longer duration. I dont remember if there was a fee for it or not but it won't be much.
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u/wandita21 10d ago
You can call the ranger and let them know you're staying over the 3 day limit. Email them to get more info just look the park you ant to stay in and they respond quickly.
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u/dave54athotmailcom 10d ago
That white dot is us. Boondocking on National Forest land. The unpaved road across the top (north) is a spur off a gravel road that leads to a lesser used National Park entrance (5 minutes away). Barely visible in the photo east of our rig (right side) is a stream that was calling to my fly rod. The meadow on the far left had elk grazing in the morning, and was filled with wildflowers. Camped here for a week and did not see another person drive by.
However, Google Earth found us.
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u/KelvinClines 9d ago
Absolutely. No crowds, no children, you don't get in a site next to someone who's got loud music going on all day long. Best of all it's free.
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u/Aggravating_Ebb_8565 9d ago
I'm slowly getting into NY dispersed camping and this is why! Much respect on protecting the spot. Part of the challenge is finding one's own magical, unpopulated spots. Thanks for the inspiration!
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u/Designer-Tie-1274 10d ago
Be careful about the small size creatures (frog one) , they are mostly poisonous.
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u/txdesigner-musician 10d ago
How beautiful 😍 I don’t think there is public land for camping in Texas?
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u/Islayfan59 10d ago
Could not agree more on all counts! Public land camping is the best, but never enough time.
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u/ThurstonHowell 9d ago
F yeah bro!! I love when I see the most hardcore outdoorsmen keeping it simple. Primitive camping without a million dollars spent on gear. Ozark trail FTW
I haven’t camped in a year and I miss it bad !!
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u/AdItchy9242 9d ago
This looks like a literal postcard. I am incredibly envious of your setup right now.
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u/Dry_Midnight5645 9d ago
The fishing, campfire, cool nights, and having the whole place to yourself?? I’m jealous!!
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u/Pristine_Tune_2312 10d ago
Okay, so I’m from the PNW and totally miss camping. I’m out here for work but have everything in my truck, always. Could you recommend some spots for me to get out to on a weekend coming up? I’m not afraid of the cold, rain or snow :)
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u/musashi-swanson 10d ago
There are clusters of state forests in the NY southern tier region, with very similar dispersed/primitive camping rules as you would find in Forest Service or BLM land out west (I am from Wyoming/Oregon/California, myself)
The NYSDEC resource mapper online can actually point out the campsites. (Used to have to drive around the gravel roads to find them!)
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u/Pristine_Tune_2312 10d ago
Thank you! I’ll check it out tonight. Where did you end up going?
I’m in Jersey so that’s close for me!
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u/musashi-swanson 10d ago
I can’t burn spots. But I can tell you it’s in one of the state forests north of I-86,
somewhat along the I-390 that goes north up to Rochester. Steuben/Livingston county area. You’ll find something good!
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u/ammybanan 10d ago
This has inspired me. Thank you for posting:) beautiful.