Big Bay #1 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest)
FREE primitive camping. DEC-designated primitive tent site ('Big Bay #1') in the Ferris Lake Wild Forest, part of New York's Adirondack Forest Preserve, in the southern Adirondacks in Fulton, Hamilton and Herkimer County (DEC Region 5, near Stratford, Caroga and Arietta). New York's Forest Preserve allows backcountry camping at these designated sites at NO CHARGE (the DEC unit page lists the fee as 'Free'), first-come/first-served -- these backcountry sites cannot be reserved. A FREE New York State Forest Ranger permit is required ONLY if you stay more than 3 nights in one spot or camp in a group of 10 or more; otherwise no permit and no fee. Camp only at the marked site (look for the yellow 'Camp Here' disc). This is a primitive site: no hookups, no potable water, pack out all trash, follow Leave No Trace and the DEC fire rules. This site is check the DEC unit page / DECinfo Locator for this site's access (drive-up vs hike-in). Rules and site status change -- confirm with the DEC unit page (dec.ny.gov/places/ferris-lake-wild-forest) or a regional DEC office before you go; we have not visited.
Everything you need — measured from camp
- ShShower11 mi
- DDump12 mi
- WWater13 mi
- FFuel14 mi
- GGrocery14 mi
- LLaundry14 mi
- +Urgent care14 mi
- @Mail14 mi
- HHardware21 mi
- RxPharmacy22 mi
- MMechanic23 mi
- OOutfitter24 mi
- AAir-up28 mi
The read: water's a short hop out, fuel & food sit about 14 mi out.
Not within 60 mi: Propane. Plan those before you head up.
One dot per need — the nearest of each kind, straight-line from camp. Places from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors). Open in Google Maps ↗
The site
Nearby & resupply (OpenStreetMap)
- Water featureSand Lake (water) · nearby
- Nearest townHiggins Bay · ~2.8 mi
- Drinking waternone within 10 mi
- FuelValero · ~22.4 mi
- Propane / LPGPropane · ~31.1 mi
- Dump stationDump station · ~11.6 mi
- GroceriesCharlie Johns · ~13.5 mi
- PharmacyKinney Drugs · ~21.5 mi
- Hospital / clinicNathan Littauer Hospital · ~24.6 mi
- HardwareAllen & Palmer True Value · ~22.8 mi
Nearby restrooms — pit toilets, restrooms & rest areas (government data)
- Highway rest areaIroquois Travel Plaza WB · ~27.6 mi SW
- Highway rest areaIndian Castle Travel Plaza EB · ~27.7 mi SW
Open this spot elsewhere
Other camps nearby
If this one is full, gated or washed out.
- Big Bay #2 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest)~0.8 mi
- Big Bay #3 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest)~1.0 mi
- Powley Rd Roadside Campsite (Ferris Lake Wild Forest)~1.1 mi
- Sand Lake (Ferris Lake Wild Forest)~1.3 mi
How we know this
What we don’t know
A land record can put you within a few metres of a spot. It cannot tell you any of this — so check it yourself, and treat anything below as the open question it is.
- Road surface & last-mile access
- How many rigs actually fit
- Cell coverage by carrier
- Seasonal & winter access
- Current fire restrictions
- Whether any water here is drinkable
- Shade & wind exposure
- Noise and who else shows up