Sugar Hill Fire Tower Designated Dispersed Camping
Sugar Hill State Forest
Write a Review 3360 Tower Hill Rd. Watkins Glen, NY 14891 607-674-4017 607-776-2165 Official WebsiteGPS: 42.3905, -77.0033
Overview of Sugar Hill Fire Tower Designated Dispersed Camping
26 campsites have been designated in the open field area. Upon arrival, campers must fill out a self-issued camping permit. There is no reservation system, if you arrive and it is full you will have to find another location to camp.
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Learn more: Boondocking 101.
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by Derek & Kristen on 9/16/2023
Longest RV Reported: 38 feet (Class A)
Reported by smrdisa on 3/17/2021
Pad Type grass
Open Seasonally Late May - late Oct.
Elevation 2,001 ft / 609 m
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To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 607-674-4017
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Reviews of Sugar Hill Fire Tower Designated Dispersed Camping 17 people have reviewed this location.
“What a Gem!!! ”
Reviewed 9/16/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 7 |
Site Number: | 8 |
We arrived on a Sunday afternoon mid September and with a 38” rig, there were only 2 options available to us of the many sites and throughout our week long stay it kept quite busy! The “sites” are designated with a numbered post and a concrete pad + picnic table. 12-14 are level and then there are tent sites on the hill. Bathrooms were... more
We arrived on a Sunday afternoon mid September and with a 38” rig, there were only 2 options available to us of the many sites and throughout our week long stay it kept quite busy! The “sites” are designated with a numbered post and a concrete pad + picnic table. 12-14 are level and then there are tent sites on the hill. Bathrooms were kept clean our whole stay and made it so we didn’t have to dump our blank tanks so long as we utilized them - very thankful! Trash and recycling on site. The fire tower provides a beautiful lookout and the trails are worth checking out whether or not you’re on horseback. When you arrive, stop by the main building and fill out the permit form. We had a lovely stay and visited Corning Museum of Glass, Sunset View Creamery and learned to make cheese, we hiked Watkins Glen, Buttermilk Falls, and Cascadilla. So much to do in the area and a peaceful place to stay. Thankful to the men we saw everyday mowing, cutting overgrown trees or dead limbs, etc etc. We ended up dumping our tanks on our way out at a Jellystone park for $10. Would love to know what other folks have done! Didn’t seem the best option but was in the direction we were headed.
Derek & Kristen would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Wonderful Campsite! ”
Reviewed 10/28/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 3 |
I’m so shocked that this place is free! It’s quiet, spacious, and beautiful. Our family of 4 plus our kitty stayed here for a few days the first week of October. It wasn’t busy so we had the option of so many beautiful spots. Campsites are mostly level, grassy, have picnic tables, nice fire rings, and trash cans. The fire tower was rea... more
I’m so shocked that this place is free! It’s quiet, spacious, and beautiful. Our family of 4 plus our kitty stayed here for a few days the first week of October. It wasn’t busy so we had the option of so many beautiful spots. Campsites are mostly level, grassy, have picnic tables, nice fire rings, and trash cans. The fire tower was really cool. My young boys loved climbing up during the day and again in the evening to watch the sunset. There are water spigots throughout if you need to fill up and very clean restrooms if needed. No showers. Hiking trails around the campsites and only about 15 minutes from Watkins Glen State Park! Highly recommend this place! Beautiful foliage in the fall!
Happy_Trails_Family would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Perfect place”
Reviewed 9/7/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 6 |
Site Number: | 7 |
RV Length: | 36' (Class A) |
This Campground is great! It's beautiful, not busy, has bathrooms, water, trash, fireplace picnic table. We loved it!
Dontmakemepullover would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Awesome Free Campsites”
Reviewed 9/1/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 2 |
RV Length: | 23' (Class B Plus) |
The amenities at this free campsite are probably the best that we’ve seen. Grassy campsites with fire rings nice picnic tables, clean bathrooms with flush toilets, trash cans available throughout the sites, water available that they request that you not hook up to the spigot. Climb the fire tower for beautiful view of the area. Hiking ... more
The amenities at this free campsite are probably the best that we’ve seen. Grassy campsites with fire rings nice picnic tables, clean bathrooms with flush toilets, trash cans available throughout the sites, water available that they request that you not hook up to the spigot. Climb the fire tower for beautiful view of the area. Hiking trails nearby. 15 minutes to Watkins Glen State Park. Verizon reception slow but usable for basic web surfing.
Larry P would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“peaceful”
Reviewed 7/20/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 20 |
This is one of the quietest campgrounds Ive ever had the pleasure of staying at. The drive in was amazing, less than 20 minutes from Watkins Glen State Park. I will definitely be returning!! My only complaint would be the restrooms, which were not very clean. But for a free campground, I didnt expect awesome amenities. A coin shower ... more
This is one of the quietest campgrounds Ive ever had the pleasure of staying at. The drive in was amazing, less than 20 minutes from Watkins Glen State Park. I will definitely be returning!!
My only complaint would be the restrooms, which were not very clean. But for a free campground, I didnt expect awesome amenities. A coin shower could be added here easily enough as well.
HNaused2010 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Huge level sites”
Reviewed 6/2/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 11 |
RV Length: | 31' (Class C) |
We were surprised when pulling in to see all the open space available. It is a large grassy area with 26 spots. We found a level site big enough to fit our 31foot class C RV. It is first come first serve dry camping. There were lots of horses and trailers along the back where they are designated to park. Good vibes all around and the f... more
We were surprised when pulling in to see all the open space available. It is a large grassy area with 26 spots. We found a level site big enough to fit our 31foot class C RV. It is first come first serve dry camping. There were lots of horses and trailers along the back where they are designated to park. Good vibes all around and the fire tower was cool to climb up on and check out the views from up High! Watkins Glen SP is 15 minutes away and we highly recommend checking out that place! We never seen anything like it before. So beautiful! Overall this boondocking location was up there (5 stars) and we would definitely come back here if we visit the Fingerlakes again!
Route420 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Amazing!!!”
Reviewed 7/11/2021
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 13 |
We pulled up and a lot of the campsites were available so we were able to find a fairly level site. There are lots of trails on site! Very pleased with our experience especially considering that it was a free site! Highly recommend!
KJ would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful Location but Limited Cell Signal”
Reviewed 7/8/2021
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 3 |
Site Number: | 27 |
RV Length: | 21' (Travel Trailer) |
Great campground but had to leave early due to limited cell signal for working remotely. Tried a few different campsites and had the most luck at a site that was down the road. It looked like a parking lot for a trailhead. Also noticed that the sites on the east side of the campground got a better signal than the west.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Reopened by NY DEC”
Reviewed 6/23/2021
Nightly rate: | $1 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 2 |
Starting May 17, 2021 the Sugar Hill Fire Tower Recreation Area has been re-opened for camping and day use. In an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 camping is limited to 26 designated sites. A self-issued permit must be filled out when you arrive. There is no reservation system, if you arrive and all campsites are full you will... more
Starting May 17, 2021 the Sugar Hill Fire Tower Recreation Area has been re-opened for camping and day use. In an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 camping is limited to 26 designated sites. A self-issued permit must be filled out when you arrive.
There is no reservation system, if you arrive and all campsites are full you will have to find another location to camp.
jessicafagan would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Closed due to COVID”
Reviewed 3/17/2021
RV Length: | 38' (Class A) |
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https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/120286.html Per the Department of Environmental Conservation Sugar Hill Fire Tower is closed to overnight camping. It is only open for day use. Region 8- Rochester/ Western Finger Lakes Sugar Hill Recreation Area - The fire tower, the gate off Tower Hill Road, and facilities (bathroom, water, camp... more
https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/120286.html
Per the Department of Environmental Conservation Sugar Hill Fire Tower is closed to overnight camping. It is only open for day use.
Region 8- Rochester/ Western Finger Lakes
Sugar Hill Recreation Area - The fire tower, the gate off Tower Hill Road, and facilities (bathroom, water, campsites) at the Sugar Hill Rec area remain closed. Day use is allowed, but visitors will need to walk from the gate off Tower Hill Road. (Sugar Hill State Forest, Town of Orange, Schuyler County)
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
noted 8/23/2020
We planned on staying here on 8/20/20 but realized upon arrival that the entire area is closed due to COVID-19.
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
- Dispersed Camping
Recreation
- recreation trail
Site Amenities
- fire ring
- picnic table
Facilities
- horse corral
- restrooms: onsite
- water available
Pets
- pets
Nearby
Clute Memorial Park & Campground
Great Location With Friendly Campers And Staff. Will Definitely Come Back!
- camper-640913
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