Jockeybush Lake #1 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest)

FREE primitive camping. DEC-designated primitive tent site ('Jockeybush Lake #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 named for a pond/lake/creek, so it may require a short hike or a paddle to reach; confirm access on the DEC unit page. 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.

USGS topo — contours & terrain

Aerial — USGS / NAIP

EV charging — from Jockeybush Lake #1 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest) · New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation · NY — nearest public DC fast & Level 2 (US DOE station data)

• Nearest public DC fast charger22.6 mi straight-line SW — Iroquois Travel Plaza, Little Falls, NY (at a rest stop) · APPLEGREEN · CHAdeMO, CCS, NACS (Tesla) · 4 fast ports listed · listed open, last confirmed by AFDC 2026-03-12 · hours: 24 Hours Daily · directions
• Public DC fast stations within reach4 within 25 mi · 64 within 50 · 280 within 100 · 704 within 150
• Nearest public Level 2 (J1772)17.5 mi — Lemon Tree Brewery - Tesla Destination, Speculator, NY · Tesla Destination · J1772, NACS (Tesla) · 6 Level 2 ports listed · listed open, last confirmed by AFDC 2026-08-27 · hours: 24 hours daily. Open to all vehicles.
• Pricing at the fast charger$0.64 per kWh (as listed by AFDC)
• Power (kW)not listed by AFDC — “DC fast” spans roughly 24 to 350 kW, so ask the network.
• Read this honestlyStraight-line miles, like every distance on this site. Roads run longer than this, and you have to get back. We know where a charger is listed. We don’t know if it works today, how fast it is, or the road miles. Check the network before you commit.
  Snapshot 2026-09-16 · AFDC record 320691 · US DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center

Nearby restrooms — around Jockeybush Lake #1 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest) · New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation · NY — pit toilets, restrooms & rest areas (government data)

• Highway rest areaIroquois Travel Plaza WB · ~22.6 mi SW
• Highway rest areaIndian Castle Travel Plaza EB · ~22.7 mi SW
• Highway rest areaParking/Rest Area · ~26.6 mi S
• Highway rest areaParking/Rest Area · ~26.6 mi S

Open Jockeybush Lake #1 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest) elsewhere

Other camps near Jockeybush Lake #1 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest)

If this one is full, gated or washed out.

• Jockeybush Lake #2 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest)~0.2 mi
• Jockeybush Lake #3 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest)~0.4 mi
• Trout Lake #1 (Silver Lake Wilderness)~2.9 mi
• Powley Rd Roadside Campsite (Ferris Lake Wild Forest)~3.2 mi

How we know this — Jockeybush Lake #1 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest)

What we don’t know about Jockeybush Lake #1 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest)

A land record can put you within a few meters 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
• Whether a listed EV charger works today, or the road miles to it

Before you go — Jockeybush Lake #1 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest)