Reddit mentions: The best camping navigation & electronics

One of my favorite roads in all of NY is State Route 30. Tons of great scenery to drive through in the Catskills and Adirondacks, and not too far off from Rt 30 are some state campgrounds like Beaverkill and Indian Lake. Judging from your proposed locations (I'm assuming in chronological order) Rt 30 would be a good way to start, going North. Centering your northbound trip along Rt 30 may help you pick out locations, attractions, etc. A 45 minute drive East of Rt 30 in Tupper Lake, you can go to Lake Placid to experience some winter olympics-related attractions or simply bask in the High Peaks region. There's plenty to do in Lake Placid in the way of eating, staying, and doing all year-round.

The return trip South to hit your desired locations, I would take State Route 3 from Tupper Lake in the Adirondacks to Watertown or possibly further to Fulton, which is within arm's reach of Syracuse. If you want to expedite your drive to Syracuse, take I-81 from Watertown. Once you arrive in Syracuse, meandering through the Finger Lakes Region is all really a matter of preference for you. I will point out that the Glenora Winery just North of Waktins Glen is a winery (and hotel!) worth a stop.

For lodging, I would start by mapping out NY State Campsites along your route. Be mindful that campsites (epsecially Watkins Glen) book out several months. I've personally had reservations for Watkins Glen 4 months ahead.

Another possible resource you may be interested in is the New York Atlas and Gazetteer. It's a BIG BOOK (11 x 15 inches) of all of NY. I recommend this not just for the highly detailed maps, but for the list of recreational activities, campsites, hiking trails, and other points of interest. I personally keep a copy of this in my car between my seat and the center console. BONUS: No internet connection required!


EDIT: Some state campsites have designated walk-on spots which cannot be reserved ahead of time. I've had some luck in the past with this and it's worth a shot if you're short on time. Try calling each site's office ahead of (1 day or day-of) your arrival to confirm availability.

Unfortunately, I camp every summer with my kids (4 and 2) at Balsam Mountain Campground, which does NOT have showers and is literally a mountain top.

But there aren't really treacherous spots (or more so than any other campground) at the campsite.

Balsam is AWESOME in the heat of summer since it stays so cool (over 5000 feet).

Deep Creek is also amazing in summer for its swimming.

Fwiw, I'd take special precaution for weather. The Smokies are high and get cold pretty quick (but you know this living in Asheville).

Wherever you go, this map is a great investment and one of my most precious possessions!

https://www.amazon.com/Trails-Illustrated-Great-Mountains-National/dp/B000OMFH7K

Nice choice! I did this with my dog in the Fall of 2016 for his backpacking retirement trip and we went from Daniel Boone to Davidson River. Here's a link to a nice little map that I used for our trek - https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MQASMVQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1520015423&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=art+loeb+trail+map&dpPl=1&dpID=51KLgMwpz9L&ref=plSrch

Be careful at the Deep Gap shelter, which is about halfway into the hike. There are some converging trailheads there, and I went off track and wound up on a forest service road, which made me miss about 2 miles of the trail. Daniel Boone to Shining Rock is quite strenuous, but the hike flattens out overall once you get up on Black Balsam and is pretty easy after that. You'll have a great time!

Pick up this book: http://www.amazon.com/Arizona-Atlas-Gazetteer-Delorme/dp/0899333257/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398204226&sr=8-1&keywords=arizona+gazetteer

Except in a few posted areas, dispersed camping is allowed on all National Forest and BLM Land, which is clearly marked in the map book above. (And State Trust land if you get the 15 buck a year permit).

Arizona has a LOT of public land.

This map shows all the forest roads in the National Forests. If it's a solid red line, should be passable in a passenger car. 4x4 roads are marked differently.

There are miles and miles and miles of beautiful forest road around Flag, payson, that you could explore for hours, and camp anywhere. You'll also find sites, clearings, and fire pits. Please leave clean campsites and pay attention to fire restrictions as the summer heats up.

EDIT: This is no longer true for the Coconino. As u/robinchageheavenrage points out, you need this map, as many forest roads are now off limits:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/landmanagement/projects/?cid=stelprdb5356224

A good book
Their app and a cheaper map

Just come up to the Worton's overlook in Foresthill on a weekend morning and ask to tag along or just start with mosquito ridge road and a full tank of gas.

The whole area is great for riding, 49, 89, 88, 36, etc.

I drive a lot for work and carry a Verizon and an AT&T phone (personal phone and work phone). Verizon definitely has the best coverage in Northern VT, but there are huge holes that AT&T fills.

But as was said, use Google "download areas" and get the Gazetteer. We keep a Gazetteer in every work car and no matter how proficient everyone thinks they are at getting around and downloading maps and shit, we've all ended up thankful that the Gazetteer is there.

https://www.amazon.com/Delorme-Hampshire-Vermont-Atlas-Gazetteer/dp/0899334415/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1520130839&sr=8-1&keywords=vermont+gazeteer

I picked up one of these at a general store in the area, its really nice and detailed.. dont expect any mobile service. https://www.amazon.com/Latitude-40Crested-Butte-Gunnison-Trails/dp/B01019HXEK/

Antigravity Gear Art Loeb Trail (ALT) Pocket Profile Map https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MQASMVQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_fBW4Cb98F457D

This map is also invaluable to us to help.

Here's the online link for Carson National Forest topo maps-you want the Pecos Wilderness topo map listed. It's a 54K high quality topo map printed on waterproof paper that has all the trail data you would need. Unfortunately because of the government shutdown it can't be ordered from the USGS, but you can get it through Amazon here.

Get one of these - at any local bookstore - and an app that will give you GPS coords offline. https://www.amazon.com/Delorme-Hampshire-Vermont-Atlas-Gazetteer/dp/0899334415/

The maps have gps cross coords

The local bookstore thing is important.