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Overnight camping locations are shown on FLTC maps. They may be lean-tos or other campsites along the Trail. Campsites are generally primitive with only a fire ring. Water will be available if indicated on maps. In some cases, streams are nearby but not shown on FLTC maps. Camping is permitted on State Forest land for up to three days in the same location, provided you set up camp at least 150 feet from the Trail, a stream, or other source of water. Groups consisting of more than nine people must get a permit from the Department of Environmental Conservation. Contact the nearest Regional Office (addresses available from the FLTC). Camping is not permitted in State Wildlife Management Areas, except with permission from the DEC. Camping is allowed in New York State Parks at designated sites only. Camping or campfires are not permitted on private land unless a campsite is indicated on an FLTC map. Backpackers are expected to share facilities at any lean-to or campsite with others desiring to use the facility. Groups of more than four persons should provide their own tents when camping at lean-to sites in state forests.
Lean-tos and campsites are not intended for long-term occupancy; therefore, backpackers should limit overnight stays to one night. Developed camping locations within a mile or so of the Trail are indicated on FLTC maps. These may be at State Parks or private campgrounds. Such facilities are usually open seasonally from late spring to early fall. Check ahead to be sure they are open, what the camping fees are, and where campsites are located in State Parks. The FLTC has addresses of Parks the Trail goes through and of those near the Trail.
Areas where vehicles can be parked legally are marked on FLTC maps. Some locations are along road; in this case, be sure to park well off the road surface. If you are going to leave a car for several days it is best to avoid road-side parking. Inquiring locally or through the local sheriff may provide a safe and legal parking location. In any event, do not leave any valuables visible in the vehicle. Winter conditions often make it impossible to use designated parking locations.
All water along the Trail System must be treated in some manner to make it safe for drinking. Methods include boiling for 5 minutes, using water-purification tablets, or filtration. Because of the parasite Giardia lamblia, found in much of the backwoods water supplies, it is especially important to treat all water, even if you drank it before with no problems. There is some question as to the effectiveness of water-purification tablets and some filters to kill or remove Giardia cysts. Be careful not to contaminate any water supplies by personal washing, equipment washing, or human waste disposal in or near water supplies.
Ticks carrying Lyme disease bacteria and rabid raccoons and other animals are now in the area of much of the FLT System. Be alert to ticks on your skin and strange acting raccoons, skunks, and other animals. Use insect repellent containing DEET and distance yourself from wildlife. If bitten, seek medical attention immediately.
Outhouses are located at many lean-tos and should be used when available. Otherwise, dig a 4- to 6-inch hole, 200 feet or more from campsite and water. Cover completely with dirt after use.
Since you will probably not be using any foods requiring refrigeration, the biggest concern will be animals at night. Remove all food from your pack and tent and put in a "bear bag" and suspend it with rope from a tree branch at least 4 feet from the trunk and 12 feet above the ground. Dispose of left-over food by burning, if you have a campfire. Otherwise, carry out food waste with you in a plastic garbage bag. Remember to remove any non-burnable material, such as cans, aluminum foil, glass, and bottle caps, from the campfire and carry them out.
Use only dead and down wood for campfires. Be sure that you do not leave a fire unattended and when you leave the campsite be sure the fire is totally out. If possible, use water to put out the fire. Place your hand near ashes to be sure they are cold. Be careful of fires near tents. Clear the area of burnable materials from around a campfire site.
Use a trail stove for cooking. Suitable firewood is often in short supply around a campsite or lean-to. Do not cook or prepare food in lean-tos. Spilled food attracts animals who come later and chew the wood. It is very dangerous to use a stove in a tent and to cook in such close quarters.
Respect the rights of landowners. Stay on the Trail, don't take shortcuts or walk on crops, and do not camp or build fires unless at a designated campsite is indicated on a FLTC map. If asked by a landowner not to use the Trail to cross the landowner's property, please comply and report the situation to the Chairman of the FLTC Trail Management Committee.
Take out what you brought in. Clean up the Trail and campsite leaving it better than you found it. Take only pictures and leave only footprints. If you bring a pet, keep it under control and bury its waste to protect water supplies. Do not disturb plants or animals.
Dogs are often welcome hiking companions. The FLTC has developed a policy to help you understand your responsibilities if you choose to hike with a pet. Policy for Dogs on the Trails of the FLT System
Download this document which contains the County Sheriff Office phone numbers for all NY FLT counties.
New York Counties- Sheriff Department Phone numbers Adobe reader required
Documents with pdf extensions require Adobe Reader which can be downloaded for free.
Click the Adobe Logo to get the reader.
General Information about the End-to-End Hike Program Adobe reader required
Joe Dabes has created forms for use to track your hikes on both the Main FLT and on Branch Trails. Entering any comment under the "When, Who, & How" column automatically adds the miles to the "Completed" column, totals the miles at the bottom of this spreadsheet, and updates the pie graph showing "% Completed". These are Excel Spreadsheets.A form to use to track your hikes on the Main FLT (June 2008)
A form to use to track your hikes on Branch Trails: Conservation Trail, Letchworth Branch, Bristol Hills Branch, Interloken Trail, and Onondaga Trail (June 2008)
To download the file, in some browsers you should RIGHT click on the link above, choose "Save" or "Save Target as," and a location on your computer. Then you can open the spreadsheet with Excel or the Microsoft Works spreadsheet. (You can also contact Joe Dabes, and he will send you the spreadsheet as an attachment if you prefer).A form to use to report your hikes Adobe reader required
Application for the End-to-End award for the Main Trail Adobe reader required
Application for the End-to-End award for the Branch Trails a Word document
views since 10/10/2007
all material copyright Finger Lakes Trail Conference 2001- 2008
