Cranberry Lake Backcountry Island Sites
Free, no-reservation dispersed camping near Adirondack High Peaks in New York.
No permit required State Forest Preserve
- Permit notes
- No permit for stays of 3 nights or fewer with groups of 10 or fewer; longer stays or bigger groups need a Forest Ranger permit.
- Access
- 27 primitive sites, some paddle-in/island-access only, picnic tables and fire rings at many.
- Stay limit
- 3 nights per site without a permit
- Amenities
- Picnic tables, fire rings (site-dependent)
- Land manager
- NY State Forest Preserve (DEC)
- Approximate location
- View general area on Google Maps (44.15, -74.83) — approximate area center, not an exact pin. Coordinates are approximate area centers (not exact GPS pins) meant to guide you to the general dispersed-camping corridor or forest road. Conditions, road access, and fire restrictions change seasonally — always verify with the local ranger district or BLM field office before you go, and check current fire restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a permit required at Cranberry Lake Backcountry Island Sites?
No permit is required. No permit for stays of 3 nights or fewer with groups of 10 or fewer; longer stays or bigger groups need a Forest Ranger permit.
What's the stay limit at Cranberry Lake Backcountry Island Sites?
3 nights per site without a permit
Is camping at Cranberry Lake Backcountry Island Sites free?
Yes — this is free dispersed camping with no reservation or camping fee. Some sites may have small unrelated fees, like trailhead parking — see access notes above.