FREE Northeast USA primitive camping

[SoulRaven]

Recently that have been requests from the masses for free boondocks in the Northeast.

In this thread I will discuss the camping options in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania where one can find that 40 to 80-degree sweet spot from about April 15 thru October 15.

The Pennsylvania State Park (FREE admission) system has pay rustic campgrounds usually with modern bath houses for a fee (less $4.50 per day for those 62+ years of age and includes non-residents) this is much like what you would find in a national forest campground with defined numbered sites.

The free boondocking option leave no trace pack in and out dispersed camping can be found in the PA state forests. At the present time most state forests require that you go to the forest HQ and pull up to a seven-day permit in person but there is a pilot system in place in which you can obtain an online permit, but that does not guarantee you a reservation in a specific area which is first come.


Motorized Camping Ethics>

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/recreation/camping/index.htm

Camping brochure and map of camping sites available in Loyalsock State Forest>

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_20030469.pdf

As you can plainly see in the pdf above there are 98 approved FREE camping areas in just this one state forest

 

[Goshawk]

Was looking at any equivalent in northeast. Not happening in New York. But you might want to tap into the off-road 4x4 jeep community and ask about abandoned roads still owned by the county, but not maintained. Usually these are on boarder between counties. No one wants to pay for paving or snow removal or fixing flood damage. So these roads become dead ends. Might find a stealth camping area for a night. Pure speculation about if you could take advantage of that in northeast.

Primitive camping is allowed if you are some specific distance away from the road. Or away from streams or away from trails. But that means hiking with gear while the vehicle is parked.

 

[wayne49]

I personally know of one in NY. Sky Line Drive State Forest allows free dispersed camping. Less than three nights no permit required. More than three a permit is required and is free. The local ranger is real friendly and helpful. Tent camping only has to be way off road. Vehicle camping is done anywhere there is room off the actual road surface. I was confused by the 350 foot off road requirement and the ranger clarified I was fine just off the road where I was.

Check the specific web sites for each state forest.

In PA the official web site  https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateForests/Pages/default.aspx

Lists four state forests that it provides permits for:

Delaware State Forest - 3 sites
Forbes State Forest - 6 sites
Michaux State Forest - 4 sites
Tuscarora State Forest - 1 site

Each of these sites is reserve only. Some have locked gates. All are free.

The Owego area in Delaware SF shows only one camp site 1A. In the last 12 months or so they have created many more sites (gravel parking pads numbered 150 and up in increments of five, 155, 160, 165, and so on) that are yet not on line. I have used them and was never hassled by rangers. Owego is dead quiet for the summer until Labor Day weekend.


-Wayne

 

[SoulRaven]

A tourist could spend six months in Pennsylvania and not spend a dime on a campsite.

For just for $63.40 a non-resident can obtain a 2016 PA fishing license and have free protein. And could gain other nutrition via SNAP and the PA food banks making motor vehicle and cooking fuel the only real expense.

http://fishandboat.com/fishing.htm
https://feedingpa.org/