State Forest vs. State Park

[BKhunter]

I have been very fortunate to mainly hunt private land, but am interested in exploring and finding new spots. I am also looking to get out hiking and camping this summer while scouting. I have been researching a little on the internet and am trying to figure out where I can go hike for the day and then pitch a tent and sleep for the night and then continue hiking/scouting then next day. It looks like you can do what they call "primitive camping" which is basically camp anywhere as long as your are 150 ft from a trail and be ok. Is this only for state forests though? I was looking at the following locations:

 

1. Stewart State Forest

2. Sterling Forest State Park

3. Harriman State Park

 

Can anyone tell me if this strategy is illegal in any of the above locations and if my method is flawed, or you would do this differently. I would like to make a weekend out of it instead of doing a lot of driving in the morning and then back at night. 

 

BK

[Jmp209]

I may be wrong but I believe everything you said is all true except for parks managed by the NYS office of parks and recreation.

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[DirtTime]

You can camp on most state land without a permit for three nights. After that you need a permit.

Some may require a parking pass, or maybe even a pass to camp, so checking that lands specific web page or calling NYS is the best route.

I used to do it a lot.

It's 150' from trails, roads and water sources like streams and ponds.

 

 

EDIT:

Never in those three areas though.

Edited June 2, 2016 by ....rob

[Uptown Redneck]

For Harriman you can only camp in approved camp sites, however hunting is not permitted anywhere within Harriman State Park

 

For Sterling State Park you will need a hunting permit to hunt there which you can buy when available in the fall, you will need to have brought your hunting license, and bring it with you, before you can buy the permit. As for camping there I think you may only be allowed to camp along Appalachian Trail, but I am not 100% sure, however again hunting is not permitted along said trail.