Camping great way to enjoy the fall foliage

Events to be Held at Parks Statewide Columbus Day Weekend

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) today reminded New Yorkers that many of the state’s finest camping facilities are open for fall camping through Columbus Day weekend and beyond.

“Fall camping at New York State Parks is an ideal way to embrace this colorful season,” State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey said. “The crisp fall air, stunning fall foliage and warm campfire make a  wonderful experience for campers. There are many close-by and affordable options for families.”

Additionally, winterized cottages are available at Allegany, Betty and Wilbur Davis, Oquaga Creek, Golden Hill and Copake Falls State Parks year-round.  

Camping reservations are available through ReserveAmerica, which provides online and phone reservations for campsites throughout New York. Reservations are accepted for campsites and cabins, from one day to nine months in advance of the planned arrival date by visiting http://newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com/ or calling toll free 1-800-456-CAMP.

Columbus Day weekend also boasts festivals, guided hikes, historic house tours and other unique events at parks and historic sites across New York. Visit State Parks’ events calendar for more fall fun ideas. Highlights include:

• Letchworth Arts and Crafts Show and Sale. Saturday, October 11 until Monday, October 13, from 10 am to 5 pm daily.  Over 300 arts & crafts vendors & live entertainment will be in the Highbanks Recreation Area of Letchworth State Park.
  
• Oktoberfest at Bear Mountain State Park. Saturday, October 11 through Monday, October 13 from 12 pm to 6 pm. Enjoy fall in the most perfect way – with German food and beer, entertainment, craft vendors and more. The full list of Oktoberfest 2014's schedule can be found here.
  
• Spa City Farmers' Market. Sunday, October 12 from 10 am to 3 pm. Enjoy harvest time at the year-round Farmers’ Market held in the Lincoln Baths Building of Saratoga Spa State Park. More information is available here.

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation oversees 180 state parks and 35 historic sites. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.nysparks.com, connect on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

The last night of State Park camping availability in 2014 is listed below.

Allegany Region

Allegany State Park - November 24
Lake Erie State Park - October 12

Central Region

Bowman Lake State Park - October 12
Chenango Valley State Park - October 12
Delta Lake State Park - October 12
Gilbert Lake State Park - October 12
Glimmerglass State Park - October 12; (unreserved sites available year-round)
Green Lakes State Park - October 12
Oquaga Creek State Park - October 12
Selkirk Shores State Park - October 18
Verona Beach State Park - October 12

Finger Lakes Region

Buttermilk Falls State Park - October 12
Cayuga Lake State Park - October 19
Fair Haven Beach State Park - October 12
Fillmore Glen State Park - October 12
Keuka Lake State Park - October 19
Newtown Battlefield State Park - October 12
Robert H. Treman State Park - November 22
Sampson State Park - October 14
Stony Brook State Park - October 12
Taughannock Falls State Park - October 18
Watkins Glen State Park - October 12

Genesee Region 

Darien Lakes State Park - October 19
Hamlin Beach State Park - October 19
Lakeside Beach State Park - October 19
Letchworth State Park - October 19

Long Island 

Hither Hills State Park - November 22
Wildwood State Park - October 12

Niagara Region

Evangola State Park - October 12
Four Mile Creek State Park - October 27
Golden Hill State Park - October 18

Palisades Region

Beaver Pond, Harriman State Park - October 12

Saratoga-Capital Region

Max V. Shaul State Park - October 12
Moreau Lake State Park - October 12
Thompson's Lake, Thacher State Park - October 12

Taconic Region

Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park - December 6
Lake Taghkanic State Park - October 18
Mills-Norrie State Park - October 26
Copake Falls, Taconic State Park - November 29

Thousand Islands

Cedar Point State Park - October 12
Cumberland Bay State Park - October 12
Kring Point State Park - October 12
Robert Moses State Park - October 12
Southwick Beach State Park - October 12
Wellesley Island State Park - October 12