The Best Campsites for New Mexico Survival Preppers
As a prepper living in the rugged and remote corners of New Mexico, you quickly learn that it’s not just about stocking up on supplies. The true challenge lies in understanding your environment, learning how to thrive in it, and, if necessary, surviving on your own. With vast deserts, high mountains, and hidden valleys, New Mexico offers some of the most diverse and beautiful landscapes for survivalists to hone their skills. But to truly prepare for whatever comes your way, you’ve got to know the land and find the right camping spots. These camping sites aren’t just scenic—they’re perfect for testing your survival instincts and putting your prepping skills to the test.
Let’s take a deeper look into the best 30 campsites in New Mexico that every survival prepper should have on their radar. From remote, rugged terrain to places with natural resources for practicing survival techniques, these spots will help you develop your self-sufficiency while also providing the peace and tranquility that only New Mexico’s desert and mountains can offer.
1. Gila National Forest
Located in the southwestern part of New Mexico, Gila National Forest is a true gem for any prepper. With over 3.3 million acres of rugged terrain, the forest offers a variety of hiking and camping options. It’s remote, vast, and provides the perfect environment for honing your wilderness survival skills. Be prepared for harsh conditions, and make sure you carry a reliable map, as the forest can be tricky to navigate.
2. Valles Caldera National Preserve
Nestled within the Jemez Mountains, this 89,000-acre preserve offers numerous opportunities for camping, hiking, and wildlife watching. The volcanic landscape is as beautiful as it is unforgiving, making it an ideal location for those who want to practice survival techniques in a unique environment. It’s remote and often quiet, giving you the peace you need to focus on your prepper skills.
3. Carson National Forest
If you’re looking for a mix of alpine meadows, wild rivers, and dense forests, Carson National Forest is your destination. It covers nearly 1.5 million acres and has several camping spots that are ideal for survivalists. The forest provides ample opportunities for fishing, foraging, and building shelter, making it perfect for prepping.
4. Pecos Wilderness
A beautiful, isolated part of the Santa Fe National Forest, Pecos Wilderness is a haven for any prepper who wants to escape into the wild. This area is full of high-altitude lakes, rushing streams, and forests that can test your wilderness survival skills. Be sure to stock up on supplies before heading out as the area is remote, and help can be hard to reach.
5. Chaco Culture National Historical Park
Chaco Canyon, an ancient center of civilization, is also a great spot for preppers who want to combine camping with historical exploration. While the terrain may not be as challenging as some of the other locations on this list, the park offers a rich environment to learn about water conservation, shelter building, and other essential survival skills.
6. Rio Grande Gorge
Located in northern New Mexico, Rio Grande Gorge offers stunning views and a rugged environment for camping and survival training. The gorge is filled with challenging trails and unique geological features. This location is perfect for those wanting to practice navigating difficult terrain while also taking advantage of the Rio Grande River for water sourcing.
7. Bandelier National Monument
If you’re looking for a combination of history and wilderness survival, Bandelier National Monument offers both. With its ancient cliff dwellings and diverse ecosystems, this monument provides opportunities for learning about both survival and the preservation of natural resources.
8. Zuni Mountains
In the western part of New Mexico, the Zuni Mountains are a hidden gem. A quieter, less-traveled area, it’s ideal for preppers who want solitude. The forests here are dense with ponderosa pine, and wildlife is abundant. It’s the perfect spot for foraging, hunting, and practicing wilderness medicine.
9. Sandia Mountains
Right outside Albuquerque, the Sandia Mountains offer everything from desert terrain to pine forests and alpine lakes. It’s a good place for preppers to practice skills like navigation, fire-building, and self-sufficiency while still being close to civilization in case of emergencies.
10. Cimarron Canyon State Park
This park, nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, offers dense forests and rushing streams, ideal for practicing wilderness skills. The park also offers a good spot for fishing, foraging, and shelter-building exercises.
11. Elephant Butte Lake State Park
For preppers interested in water-based survival training, Elephant Butte Lake provides ample space for kayaking and other water survival exercises. It’s New Mexico’s largest lake, and with its remote locations, it’s an ideal spot for testing your abilities in water navigation and water sourcing.
12. Black Rock Mountain
A tough, rugged spot, Black Rock Mountain is perfect for survivalists wanting to test their endurance in the wild. The trailheads are off the beaten path, but the solitude and challenges are worth it. Be prepared for temperature extremes, as the area can range from blistering hot during the day to chilly at night.
13. Santa Fe National Forest
The Santa Fe National Forest offers some of the best hiking and camping opportunities in the state. With plenty of water sources and diverse terrain, it’s a great spot for preppers to refine their skills in wilderness navigation, shelter building, and natural resource management.
14. Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
For preppers looking for a unique camping experience, consider the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, which takes you through some of the wildest, most remote areas of New Mexico. It’s an excellent way to access isolated locations while learning about old-school transportation and survival techniques.
15. Tijeras Canyon
Tijeras Canyon offers a unique opportunity for those who want to practice survival in both desert and forest environments. It’s located just outside Albuquerque and provides access to essential resources like water and firewood, making it an ideal spot for a prepper to set up a temporary camp and test various survival strategies.
16. Luna Lake
Located near the Arizona border, Luna Lake is a hidden gem. It’s a remote site where survivalists can practice fishing, foraging, and natural navigation. Be aware of wildlife in the area, such as black bears and wild cats, and prepare to handle potential encounters.
17. Kiowa National Grassland
Kiowa National Grassland offers endless miles of plains, ideal for practicing your skills in foraging, shelter building, and navigation. You can also practice the art of fire-starting without worrying too much about other campers in the area, making it a prime location for stealth camping and practicing survival techniques.
18. Ponderosa Campground
This site, located in the Santa Fe National Forest, is a great spot for preppers who want to experience both comfort and wilderness. The forest is dense, providing plenty of cover for practicing evasion tactics, fire-building, and water sourcing.
19. Jemez Mountains
A great place for isolation, the Jemez Mountains offer solitude and diverse terrain for those looking to hone their survival skills. With an abundance of wildlife, rushing streams, and challenging trails, the area is perfect for preppers who want to immerse themselves in the wilderness.
20. Ruidoso
Known for its cool mountain climate, Ruidoso is an excellent location for preppers who want to practice survival techniques in a temperate environment. The area offers a mix of dense forests, alpine lakes, and challenging terrain, perfect for honing your skills.
21. The Valle Vidal
The Valle Vidal is a remote wilderness area located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This vast expanse of land offers diverse ecosystems, from thick forests to alpine meadows. It’s the ideal location to test your survival strategies while surrounded by the beauty of nature.
Living in Georgia, you already know this state is more than just peaches and southern hospitality. It’s a place rich with wildlife, dense forests, rivers, and rugged terrains that can quickly turn into the perfect setting for any survivalist or prepper. Whether you’re preparing for the worst or just love the idea of connecting with nature in a way most people can’t even imagine, camping in Georgia offers numerous opportunities to hone your survival skills, stock up on essential knowledge, and truly test your preparedness.
The great thing about Georgia is its diversity. From the Appalachian Mountains to the coastal plains, you can find every type of terrain a prepper would need to train and test their skills. And while there’s plenty of “tourist” camping, the best survival spots are often tucked away, off the beaten path. As a prepper, you want more than just a spot to pitch your tent – you need an environment that challenges you and lets you practice the full range of wilderness survival skills, from foraging and fire-starting to shelter building and water purification. Georgia offers that in spades.
Here’s a list of 30 of the best campsites in Georgia for survival preppers – places where you can fine-tune your skills, sharpen your instincts, and connect with the land in a way that prepares you for whatever comes next.
1. Cohutta Wilderness
Located in the Appalachian Mountains, the Cohutta Wilderness offers over 36,000 acres of dense forest and rugged terrain. It’s a prime spot for preppers looking to practice navigation, shelter building, and foraging. Expect solitude here, as it’s far from the crowds.
2. Chattahoochee National Forest
This massive forest, covering parts of North Georgia, features a variety of landscapes, including rivers, dense woods, and mountainous areas. It’s a great place to practice everything from tracking wildlife to using your map and compass.
3. Tallulah Gorge State Park
Known for its deep, dramatic gorge, this site offers both challenges and beauty. The steep terrain and river make it a perfect location for preppers to hone water-crossing and navigation skills.
4. Vogel State Park
Located at the foot of Blood Mountain, Vogel is known for its secluded feel despite being a popular park. The mountain trails offer excellent terrain for hiking and practicing wilderness survival techniques.
5. Unicoi State Park
Unicoi offers excellent hiking trails and access to nearby wilderness areas, making it an ideal place for survival preppers to learn about shelter, water sources, and basic survival in a forested environment.
6. Cloudland Canyon State Park
This is one of Georgia’s most beautiful and rugged parks, offering views, deep ravines, and rocky terrain. It’s an excellent location for practicing your climbing skills, water filtration, and building more advanced shelters.
7. Sapelo Island
For preppers interested in coastal survival, Sapelo Island offers a unique environment. With marshlands, forests, and beach access, you can practice skills for both land and sea.
8. Moccasin Creek State Park
Set along Lake Burton, Moccasin Creek is ideal for water-based survival training. It offers fishing opportunities and is a peaceful location to hone your skills in fire-starting and cooking with limited supplies.
9. Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park
For those who want to connect with history while testing survival skills, this park offers ancient earth mounds and forests. It’s a great place to practice natural shelter building and identifying wild edibles.
10. Providence Canyon State Park
Often called Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon,” Providence Canyon offers stunning views and challenging terrain. This is a spot for preppers looking for rugged conditions to test both their survival instincts and their physical endurance.
11. The Okefenokee Swamp
With its mysterious waters, swamps, and dense forest, the Okefenokee Swamp is a perfect place for survival preppers to practice navigating tricky wetlands, tracking wildlife, and using local plants for survival.
12. Jacks River
Located within the Chattahoochee National Forest, this river is perfect for water survivalists. You’ll need to plan your routes carefully to avoid flash floods, and the river provides ample opportunities for fishing and purifying water.
13. Lake Russell Recreation Area
This is an under-the-radar gem in Georgia. The area around Lake Russell offers both forest and water survival opportunities, with hiking trails and ample chances to practice shelter building.
14. Bartram Trail
If you’re looking to truly test your backcountry survival skills, the Bartram Trail is an excellent choice. Spanning through the Chattahoochee National Forest, this trail offers the full range of Georgia wilderness.
15. F.D. Roosevelt State Park
This expansive park near Pine Mountain offers dense woods, hiking trails, and opportunities for fishing. It’s a great place to practice setting traps, fishing, and wilderness navigation.
16. Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains
The mountain trails here offer steep inclines and forested landscapes perfect for any survival prepper. Whether you’re navigating ridgelines or practicing shelter-building, these mountains will challenge you.
17. Elijah Clark State Park
Located along Lake Thurmond, Elijah Clark State Park provides access to water, which is essential for any survivalist. The nearby forest offers a great environment for fire-starting, shelter-building, and foraging.
18. Wayne National Forest
Not to be confused with Georgia’s coastal region, this wilderness area offers rough terrain and ample opportunities to practice survival techniques, especially when it comes to water sources and shelter.
19. Rocky Mountain Recreation Area
This park offers rugged, rocky terrain perfect for testing climbing skills and preparing for various wilderness conditions. The isolation here allows preppers to put their full range of survival skills to work.
20. Red Top Mountain State Park
This park near Lake Allatoona is perfect for prepping on both land and water. Fishing, hiking, and wild edibles can be tested here, and the lake provides an opportunity for water-based survival practices.
21. Tugaloo State Park
Set on the border of Georgia and South Carolina, Tugaloo offers a combination of lake access and forest terrain. It’s a great spot for preppers to test their survival skills in varying conditions.
22. North Georgia Mountains
For preppers looking for a true test, the rugged North Georgia mountains offer remote areas and challenging terrain perfect for wilderness survival training. You’ll need solid navigation skills, foraging knowledge, and survival instincts.
23. Pine Mountain Wilderness
If you want to avoid crowds while still being close to civilization, Pine Mountain Wilderness is perfect. This area is full of dense woods and steep ridges – ideal for testing your map and compass skills.
24. Wilderness Road State Park
With over 1,000 acres of backcountry terrain, this park is a great place to immerse yourself in survivalist training. From shelter-building to foraging, it’s an area that offers all the tools a prepper might need.
25. Appalachian Trail – Georgia Section
The Appalachian Trail begins in Georgia, and its section through the state is perfect for those who want to practice backpacking, shelter-building, and wilderness survival in a true long-distance setting.
26. Crooked River State Park
A hidden gem for preppers, this state park offers coastal terrain and marshlands, providing both land and water survival training opportunities. It’s quieter and less crowded than some other spots on the coast.
27. Lake Sinclair
Located in central Georgia, Lake Sinclair offers water-based survival opportunities. The surrounding woods provide opportunities to test your wilderness skills, including shelter-building and fire-starting.
28. Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park
This historical site has dense forests and rugged terrain. It’s an ideal spot for preppers to practice survival skills while learning about the area’s history and its impact on American survival tactics.
29. Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge
This lesser-known wildlife refuge is a prime location for preppers who want to practice camouflage, tracking, and understanding local wildlife, including edible plants and animals.
30. Coastal Georgia
The coastal marshes and islands provide an entirely different kind of survival experience. From hunting to building shelters, the ever-changing coastline offers unique opportunities for any survival prepper.
Whether you’re testing your skills in the rugged mountains, dense forests, or coastal marshlands, these 30 sites offer the ultimate challenge for any Georgia prepper. Remember, the key to survival is training in a variety of environments, and Georgia’s diverse landscape is the perfect place to do just that. So get your gear ready, grab your map, and start your prepper journey at one of these top camping spots today.
As a prepper living here in Alabama, you know it’s vital to be ready for any situation life may throw at you. Whether you’re looking to get away from the chaos for a weekend, practice your skills, or stock up on knowledge, camping in Alabama is a must for every survival enthusiast. Alabama offers diverse landscapes, from dense forests to winding rivers and tranquil lakes, that serve as the perfect environment for honing survival skills.
Camping in the great outdoors allows you to practice important skills like shelter-building, fire-starting, and finding clean water, all while familiarizing yourself with the unique terrain of Alabama. Whether you’re a seasoned prepper or just starting out, this state has a wide range of sites for every skill level. Here’s a guide to 30 of the best camping sites in Alabama that will have you prepared for anything.
1. Cheaha State Park
Nestled in the Talladega Mountains, Cheaha State Park is Alabama’s highest point and offers some of the most breathtaking views in the state. It’s a great spot for those looking to practice navigation skills, bushcraft, or simply enjoy a solid, rugged campsite surrounded by nature. With access to hiking trails, waterfalls, and ample wildlife, this site is perfect for prepping and survival training.
2. Bankhead National Forest
Bankhead is a vast, remote national forest with endless opportunities for camping, hiking, and exploring. The dense woods and rugged terrain offer a great challenge for preppers. The wilderness here will test your skills with its diverse plant and animal life, making it an ideal spot for honing your survival tactics.
3. Tuskegee National Forest
If you’re looking for a less populated area where you can focus on practice, Tuskegee National Forest offers a great location for survivalists. With miles of trails, various wildlife, and access to natural water sources, you’ll be able to get in some good, hands-on survival training here.
4. Talladega National Forest
This forest stretches across several counties and is one of the largest natural areas in the state. With miles of trails and access to both camping and primitive sites, Talladega is ideal for preppers looking to practice wilderness survival and testing their gear in a challenging environment.
5. Guntersville State Park
Known for its beautiful views of Lake Guntersville, this park has everything from rustic campsites to modern amenities. It’s a great place for preppers looking to practice water-based survival skills and fishing. Plus, the park has plenty of wildlife and varied terrain to help build your prepper skills.
6. Hocking Hills State Park
This park offers dense woods and deep ravines that’ll put your navigation and shelter-building skills to the test. The landscape here is perfect for practicing tactics in a natural, challenging environment. While the park is well-known for its beauty, it’s also a fantastic location for honing survival instincts.
7. Oak Mountain State Park
Oak Mountain is the largest state park in Alabama, with 10,000 acres of natural beauty. Preppers can take advantage of the park’s variety of landscapes, including lakes, forests, and meadows. Perfect for testing your survival skills in different terrain, Oak Mountain offers primitive campsites that simulate real-world survival scenarios.
8. Little River Canyon National Preserve
For a prepper looking for diverse terrain, this canyon offers cliffs, rivers, and forests. This preserve is ideal for practicing search-and-rescue, building natural shelters, and living off the land. With its remote location, you can spend a few days without any distractions, sharpening your survival instincts.
9. Monte Sano State Park
Monte Sano offers rugged mountain trails and picturesque views that challenge even the most seasoned campers. The park is popular for its rock climbing and hiking trails, which give preppers a chance to practice building endurance and assessing their survival gear in tough environments.
10. Lurleen B. Wallace State Park
This park is great for prepping in isolation. It offers lakes, wooded campsites, and miles of trails. Lurleen B. Wallace State Park is ideal for practicing stealth camping techniques or honing your skills in fishing, foraging, and wilderness survival.
11. Lake Guntersville State Park
With over 6,000 acres of outdoor adventures, Lake Guntersville State Park is another prepper’s paradise. It’s an excellent location to practice building fire, shelter, and water purification, plus there’s plenty of room for long hikes and observation of wildlife.
12. DeSoto State Park
DeSoto State Park, with its large waterfalls and abundant wildlife, offers plenty of opportunities for survivalists to practice finding resources, constructing shelters, and testing out camping gear. There are also various rugged trails here for those looking for challenges.
13. Wind Creek State Park
Located near Lake Martin, this park offers more than just beautiful views—it’s perfect for honing your water-based survival skills. With boating access and miles of trails, Wind Creek is great for any prepper wanting to perfect their skills on both land and water.
14. Birmingham’s Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve
If you’re in the city and want a quick wilderness escape, Ruffner Mountain offers a great location for testing your skills while being close to urban areas. With many different ecosystems, this nature preserve gives preppers a chance to practice on relatively rough terrain.
15. Pine Glen Recreation Area
Located in the William B. Bankhead National Forest, this site offers some primitive camping with access to multiple hiking and mountain biking trails. It’s the perfect spot for someone looking to get serious about wilderness survival and hone their skills.
16. Flatwoods Campground
Located in the Talladega National Forest, this primitive site is ideal for prepping in isolation. The terrain is hilly, and the area offers good opportunities to practice bushcraft and other survival skills.
17. Tuscumbia Nature Preserve
A beautiful and often overlooked spot, this park has great camping sites for anyone wanting to escape into nature for a weekend of survival training. The abundance of wildlife makes it ideal for learning how to track, forage, and survive in the wild.
18. Tallassee River Campground
This spot provides a serene setting along the river, with ample opportunities for fishing, swimming, and water survival training. The terrain here is somewhat rugged, which is perfect for preparing yourself for a variety of environments.
19. Flat Rock Park
Ideal for those looking to do a little more advanced prepper training, this park offers primitive campsites surrounded by thick forests. It’s a peaceful spot for sharpening your skills in fire starting, shelter building, and more.
20. Wind Creek State Park
A perfect place for testing survival techniques along the water’s edge, Wind Creek features excellent areas to practice fishing, water navigation, and emergency water purification skills.
Discover New York’s Most Challenging Survival Campsites
If you’re a prepper living in New York, you’re probably already aware that your survival plan needs to include reliable access to nature. In a state as diverse as New York, with its dense forests, rugged mountains, and sprawling lakes, it’s the perfect place to prepare for all kinds of situations. Whether you’re looking for an off-the-grid weekend retreat, a basecamp for your bug-out plan, or just a place to practice wilderness survival skills, New York is home to some of the best campsites that cater to every prepper’s needs.
As survivalists, we know that camping is more than just recreation—it’s preparation. It’s the opportunity to hone your skills, test your gear, and get comfortable with self-sufficiency in the wild. In this guide, we’ll go over 30 of the best campsites in New York for survival preppers. These campsites offer everything from backcountry, primitive camping to more established sites where you can stock up and get away from it all. Whether you’re testing out a new shelter or practicing bushcraft, there’s a spot here that fits the bill.
1. Adirondack Park: A Prepper’s Paradise
Adirondack Park is one of the largest protected areas in the U.S., covering over six million acres. The size of this wilderness alone makes it a perfect location for a prepper’s retreat. The park offers an expansive network of trails and primitive campsites where you can practice your skills in survival, navigation, and self-reliance. Remote lakes and rivers offer ideal spots for fishing and water purification practices.
Campgrounds: The state has more than 100 campsites scattered throughout the park, but for a true prepper experience, you’ll want to check out the backcountry sites.
Skills to Practice: Wilderness navigation, fire-starting, shelter-building, water filtration.
2. Letchworth State Park: The Grand Canyon of the East
Known for its dramatic gorge and the Genesee River cutting through, Letchworth State Park is a wonderful place for both beginner and advanced preppers. With over 14,000 acres of rugged terrain, this park offers a variety of experiences, from easy-to-access campsites to more remote, primitive ones for those who want to test their survival mettle.
Campgrounds: You’ll find several campgrounds with amenities, but the more remote sites on the western side of the park offer a challenge for those wanting a deeper survival experience.
Skills to Practice: Topographic map reading, first-aid, fire-starting in damp conditions.
3. Catskill Mountains: Steeped in Wilderness and History
The Catskills are a rugged mountain range that stretches over 700,000 acres in southeastern New York. A favorite for backpackers and survivalists, the Catskills are packed with hiking trails and primitive camping options. The terrain here will challenge your skills and force you to adapt to ever-changing conditions.
Campgrounds: The high-elevation sites along the Long Path and the Pine Hill-West Kill trail will provide solitude and allow you to practice backcountry survival.
Skills to Practice: Map and compass use, knot-tying, building improvised shelters.
4. Shawangunk Ridge: Rugged and Remote
If you’re looking for rugged, isolated terrain where you can disconnect and get serious about prepping, the Shawangunk Ridge is the place to be. This area offers everything from high cliffs to deep forests, making it a great location for testing your wilderness survival skills.
Campgrounds: The Sam’s Point area has several primitive campsites, but for the truly adventurous, the backcountry campsites off the main trails are the most secluded.
Skills to Practice: Shelter-building, hunting, foraging, signaling for help.
5. Taconic State Park: Remote and Quiet
Located in the southeastern corner of the state, Taconic State Park offers a peaceful retreat for preppers looking to escape to more remote locations. With its mix of dense woods and open fields, Taconic is a great spot to practice bushcraft and hone your fire-making techniques in a variety of environments.
Campgrounds: Several primitive campsites near Rudd Pond provide a more isolated experience. The Taconic Trail offers ample opportunities for backcountry exploration.
Skills to Practice: Water purification, creating traps, building effective shelters.
6. Finger Lakes National Forest: Lakeside Survival
The Finger Lakes region is known for its clear, deep lakes, and the national forest here is no exception. The forest offers several campsites located near water, which is ideal for learning fishing, water treatment, and utilizing natural resources. For a prepper, having access to a water source is a key factor in determining camp location.
Campgrounds: The Backbone Campground is situated in a secluded area, providing the perfect base for testing your outdoor skills.
Skills to Practice: Fishing, water purification, crafting tools from stone and wood.
7. Harriman State Park: Just a Stone’s Throw from the City
If you’re based in New York City, Harriman State Park offers a quick getaway without venturing too far. Despite its proximity to the city, Harriman is a large park with plenty of backcountry campsites, making it a prime spot for testing your survival skills in a relatively controlled setting.
Campgrounds: The park has both developed and primitive campsites, with remote sites along the Long Path and the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail.
Skills to Practice: Navigation, long-term food storage, night survival techniques.
8. Mohonk Preserve: A Nature Lover’s Sanctuary
This stunning preserve in the Shawangunk Mountains offers a variety of outdoor experiences, including backcountry camping for those who want to test their preparedness in a pristine, protected environment. It’s not just about camping here—it’s about integrating survivalism into the natural ecosystem.
Campgrounds: The preserve’s camping areas offer access to diverse habitats for testing different types of shelters and survival strategies.
Skills to Practice: Foraging for edible plants, emergency shelter-building, wilderness first-aid.
9. North-South Lake: Escape to the Catskills
Located in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, North-South Lake offers a prime location for preppers to practice their survival skills with access to both water and wilderness. The campsites here are well-established but also provide access to remote and less-visited backcountry areas.
Campgrounds: The North-South Lake Campground is ideal for beginner preppers, while the surrounding wilderness areas are perfect for more advanced survivalists.
Skills to Practice: Fishing, water filtration, natural navigation.
10. Lake Placid: Adventure and Survival Combined
Lake Placid is known for its winter sports, but it’s also an excellent spot for preppers. Located in the Adirondacks, this area offers both rugged terrain and access to water, making it a prime location for honing skills in a variety of environments.
Campgrounds: The area has several backcountry campsites that are ideal for testing both your survival gear and your ability to live off the land.
Skills to Practice: Winter camping, ice fishing, shelter-building in harsh conditions.
11. Green Lakes State Park: Beautiful and Practical
Located near Syracuse, Green Lakes State Park is a picturesque site with two glacial lakes. For preppers, this area offers the opportunity to practice survival in a relatively controlled environment while having easy access to clean water and fish. It’s a great location for testing emergency supplies and gear.
Campgrounds: The campgrounds offer access to lakeside camping with easy access to hiking trails and survival testing spots.
Skills to Practice: Fishing, emergency preparedness, first-aid skills.
12. Boreas Ponds: Remote and Rugged
For those who want to take their prepping to the next level, Boreas Ponds is a secluded, hard-to-reach location within the Adirondacks. The ponds and surrounding wilderness provide a truly isolated experience, perfect for testing your limits.
Campgrounds: Primitive campsites scattered around the ponds and accessible only by trail offer solitude and immersion in nature.
Skills to Practice: Water sourcing, navigating in isolation, long-term food storage.
13. Saranac Lake: A Prepper’s Oasis in the Wild
Saranac Lake offers a unique combination of wilderness, beauty, and remote camping. The region is home to multiple campgrounds and backcountry sites that are ideal for preppers looking to test their survival skills without too much interference from modern civilization.
Campgrounds: The surrounding forest and lake make it a great location for testing shelter-building, hunting, and trapping.
Skills to Practice: Fishing, fire-making, water filtration.
14. Ticonderoga: Fort and Wilderness
Ticonderoga is known for its historic fort, but the surrounding wilderness offers much more for a prepper. With its location near Lake Champlain, it’s a great area for practicing aquatic survival skills, navigation, and wilderness shelter building.
Campgrounds: Primitive campsites along the Lake Champlain shore provide a mix of history and survival experience.
Skills to Practice: Shelter-building, historical knowledge, water sourcing.
15. Allegany State Park: Large and Diverse
This massive state park offers a mix of forest, open land, and mountainous terrain. It’s perfect for preppers looking to test out a variety of survival techniques in one area.
Campgrounds: The park has several established campgrounds with primitive sites for serious survivalists.
Skills to Practice: Tracking, shelter-building, foraging.
16. Balsam Lake Mountain: A Peak Experience
For a real challenge, head to Balsam Lake Mountain. With a summit offering panoramic views and a remote setting, it’s a great place to work on your prepper skills in a more challenging environment.
Campgrounds: Several backcountry campsites along the mountain trails allow for extensive wilderness testing.
Skills to Practice: Hiking, navigation, fire-making in high altitudes.
17. Wilson State Park: Secluded Wilderness
This state park in the southern part of the Adirondacks is known for its wild, remote setting. It’s perfect for testing your backcountry survival skills without distractions from other campers.
Campgrounds: With its rugged terrain, the campgrounds are isolated, offering an excellent testing ground for preppers.
Skills to Practice: Navigation, bushcraft, water sourcing.
18. Hither Hills State Park: Coastal Survival Skills
Located on Long Island, Hither Hills State Park offers a different type of wilderness compared to the dense forests of the Adirondacks or Catskills. The coastal environment here is perfect for practicing coastal survival skills, such as fishing, foraging, and beach shelter-building.
Campgrounds: The park’s oceanside campsites provide access to both forests and beaches, offering an ideal setting for water-based survival practices.
Skills to Practice: Coastal foraging, fishing, shelter-building on sandy terrain.
19. Montauk Point State Park: Coastal Retreat
At the farthest tip of Long Island, Montauk Point offers some of the most remote, rugged coastal terrain. Ideal for preppers looking to master survival skills along the coast, Montauk combines the harshness of the sea with wilderness challenges.
Campgrounds: With limited campsites near the lighthouse and surrounding terrain, it’s a great spot for testing survival tactics and gear for coastal environments.
Skills to Practice: Saltwater fishing, sea survival, emergency signaling.
20. Rondout Reservoir: Off the Beaten Path
Located in the Catskills, the Rondout Reservoir is a hidden gem for preppers looking for a remote site. The reservoir and surrounding forest offer a pristine location to test your skills, especially for water sourcing and aquatic survival techniques.
Campgrounds: There are few established campgrounds here, and most camping requires a trek into more isolated areas.
Skills to Practice: Fishing, water filtration, long-distance hiking.
21. Seward Mountain: Rugged Adirondack Challenge
For preppers looking for a serious challenge, Seward Mountain provides the rugged terrain and remote setting you need to put your survival skills to the test. This area is perfect for training in altitude, exposure, and long-term survival practices.
Campgrounds: The lack of established campsites makes it an ideal spot for backcountry camping.
Skills to Practice: Altitude survival, trail navigation, advanced fire-building.
22. Palisades Interstate Park: Urban Escape
Located just across the river from New York City, Palisades Interstate Park offers a surprising escape into nature with cliffs, woodlands, and riverside spots. It’s ideal for prepping if you’re located in or near the city but need to retreat into nature.
Campgrounds: With easy access to the city but a wild atmosphere, this park is perfect for weekend getaways with a focus on survival training.
Skills to Practice: Urban escape planning, water purification, minimal camping.
23. High Peaks Wilderness: Ultimate Prepper Challenge
High Peaks is home to New York’s highest mountains, offering terrain that will test even the most seasoned prepper. This area offers an abundance of backcountry campsites in a rugged, remote wilderness environment, perfect for serious long-term survival practice.
Campgrounds: Remote campsites only accessible by foot, making it ideal for experienced preppers.
Skills to Practice: Wilderness navigation, shelter-building, winter survival.
24. Otter Creek: Off the Grid
If you’re looking for a true off-the-grid experience, Otter Creek offers remote backcountry camping perfect for preppers wanting to disconnect entirely. Located near the Adirondacks, it offers both water access and forested terrain for testing your survival skills.
Campgrounds: Primitive camping sites scattered throughout the area provide a true wilderness experience.
Skills to Practice: Fire-starting without matches, fishing, stealth camping.
25. Lake George Wild Forest: Nature’s Bounty
The Lake George Wild Forest offers abundant resources for preppers, including clean water, wild food sources, and shelter-building materials. The extensive trail network and forested terrain make it a perfect location for a comprehensive survival practice.
Campgrounds: A mix of primitive and established campsites throughout the area provides varying levels of challenge for preppers.
Skills to Practice: Wild edibles, trap-setting, crafting survival tools.
26. Zaleski State Forest: Wilderness Exploration
While technically just over the border in Ohio, Zaleski State Forest has become a popular choice for preppers looking to challenge themselves in the wild. Its isolation and rugged terrain make it a great spot for practicing long-term survival techniques.
Campgrounds: Zaleski offers few established campsites, so you’re likely to be in complete isolation.
Skills to Practice: Navigation, stealth camping, fire-starting in wet conditions.
27. Cherry Ridge Wilderness Area: Seclusion and Silence
Cherry Ridge is one of the most remote camping locations in New York State, offering a deep wilderness experience. This location is perfect for practicing survival skills in an isolated environment, far from civilization.
Campgrounds: With minimal infrastructure, this area is ideal for those wanting to test their true survival skills.
Skills to Practice: Long-term shelter-building, wilderness foraging, tracking.
Additional Tips for Preppers Camping in New York:
Be Prepared for the Weather: New York’s climate varies greatly depending on the region, so make sure to check weather reports before heading out. The Adirondacks can be cold, even in summer, while the Catskills can have sudden weather shifts.
Carry Essential Survival Gear: Always have a survival kit with essentials such as a knife, fire starter, first-aid kit, flashlight, water purifier, and food rations.
Know Your Water Sources: Many of these campsites offer access to lakes and rivers, but always purify your water. Knowing how to filter water and make it potable is a crucial prepper skill.
Practice Leave No Trace: Be respectful of nature. Take everything you bring and leave no trace of your stay.
Consider Emergency Communication: It’s a good idea to carry a satellite phone or radio in case of emergency, especially in more remote areas.
Final Thoughts:
Whether you’re looking for an off-the-grid retreat, a basecamp for your bug-out plan, or just a place to test your survival skills, New York State has something to offer every prepper. From the dense forests of the Adirondacks to the rugged peaks of the Catskills, each of these campsites provides a unique environment for prepping, learning, and honing your skills. So, gather your gear, pick a spot, and get out there—your next survival training adventure awaits!
TheDailyChristian 