Lilly Lake #2 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest)
FREE primitive camping. DEC-designated primitive tent site ('Lilly Lake #2') 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.
Everything you need — measured from camp
- FFuel4 mi
- GGrocery4 mi
- DDump5 mi
- HHardware11 mi
- RxPharmacy11 mi
- @Mail11 mi
- LLaundry13 mi
- +Urgent care13 mi
- MMechanic13 mi
- OOutfitter13 mi
- AAir-up14 mi
- ShShower24 mi
- WWater26 mi
The read: water is a real 26-mi drive, fuel & food sit about 4 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 featureStream · nearby
- Nearest townStewart Landing · ~1.9 mi
- Drinking waternone within 10 mi
- FuelStewart's · ~11.3 mi
- Propane / LPGPropane · ~16.4 mi
- Dump stationDump station · ~4.8 mi
- GroceriesPrice Chopper · ~12.6 mi
- PharmacyKinney Drugs · ~11.3 mi
- Hospital / clinicNathan Littauer Hospital · ~12.7 mi
- HardwareMohawk Valley Vintage Woods · ~15.3 mi
Nearby restrooms — pit toilets, restrooms & rest areas (government data)
- Highway rest areaIroquois Travel Plaza WB · ~15.4 mi SW
- Highway rest areaIndian Castle Travel Plaza EB · ~15.6 mi SW
- Highway rest areaParking/Rest Area · ~16.5 mi SE
- Highway rest areaParking/Rest Area · ~16.5 mi SE
Open this spot elsewhere
Other camps nearby
If this one is full, gated or washed out.
- Lilly Lake #3 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest)~0.8 mi
- Lilly Lake #4 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest)~0.9 mi
- Lilly Lake #1 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest)~1.0 mi
- West Lake #1 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest)~1.2 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