Spectacle Lake #3 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest)

FREE primitive camping. DEC-designated primitive tent site ('Spectacle Lake #3') 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 Spectacle Lake #3 (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 charger18.6 mi straight-line SE — Aldi Johnstown TUL 110 (at a public site) · RED_E · CCS, NACS (Tesla) · 8 fast ports listed · listed open, last confirmed by AFDC 2026-09-16 · hours: not listed · directions
• Public DC fast stations within reach7 within 25 mi · 72 within 50 · 277 within 100 · 732 within 150
• Nearest listing CHAdeMO19.0 mi — Iroquois Travel Plaza, Little Falls
• Nearest public Level 2 (J1772)17.2 mi — Gloversville City Hall · VIALYNK · J1772 · 4 Level 2 ports listed · listed open, last confirmed by AFDC 2026-09-16 · hours: 24 hours daily
• Pricing at the fast chargernot listed
• 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 451463 · US DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center

Nearby restrooms — around Spectacle Lake #3 (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 · ~19.0 mi SW
• Highway rest areaIndian Castle Travel Plaza EB · ~19.2 mi SW
• Highway rest areaParking/Rest Area · ~22.2 mi SE
• Highway rest areaParking/Rest Area · ~22.2 mi SE

Open Spectacle Lake #3 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest) elsewhere

Other camps near Spectacle Lake #3 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest)

If this one is full, gated or washed out.

• Spectacle Lake #2 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest)~0.4 mi
• Spectacle Lake #4 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest)~0.4 mi
• Spectacle Lake #5 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest)~0.6 mi
• Third Lake #2 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest)~1.0 mi

How we know this — Spectacle Lake #3 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest)

What we don’t know about Spectacle Lake #3 (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 — Spectacle Lake #3 (Ferris Lake Wild Forest)