Visit a State Campground or Recreation Area

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) today reminded New Yorkers that the summer is not yet over and there is plenty of time to make lasting family memories by getting outdoors and visiting any of the State’s many campgrounds and parks. Campgrounds are open through late summer and many remain open in the early fall.

New York State boasts 119 public campgrounds throughout the Adirondacks, Catskills, Finger Lakes, Long Island, Hudson and Mohawk valleys, Southern Tier, Western New York, and Thousand Islands regions. Check for campsite availability this weekend here.

Attendance at State Park campgrounds and DEC campgrounds and day use areas is up almost eight percent so far this season, and 2018 looks to be a record-breaking year. 

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said, “Camping is an affordable and rewarding experience that connects families with nature and one another while experiencing the great outdoors. I encourage all New Yorkers, and visitors, too, to make the most of the summer and visit any of the 119 public campground across the state. It’s not too late to plan a remarkable outdoor adventure.”

“With plenty of summer left to enjoy New York State’s great outdoors, there’s still time to book a vacation at one of our State Parks,” State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey said. “Whether your ideal vacation is a staying in comfortable, modern quarters or roughing it outdoors, State Park accommodation offer many options to experience the natural beauty and splendor of New York.”

The following campgrounds have plenty of vacancy throughout the remainder of the summer:     

• Crown Point
• Sharp Bridge
• Taylor Pond   
• Beaverkill         
• Kenneth L. Wilson      
• Point Comfort
• Sacandaga     
• Bear Spring Mountain 
• Bowman Lake
• Oquaga Creek
• Cayuga Lake
• Newtown Battlefield
• Max V. Shaul
• Eel Weir
• Robert Moses (Thousand Islands)

Visitors who prefer to sleep with a roof over their heads may want to consider staying at a State Park cabin or cottage. State Parks offers the following options.      

• Full service cottages include the comforts of home wrapped in a rustic setting. State Parks offers a variety of unique cottages with sleeping accommodations ranging from two to 10. Most cottages include kitchen, bath, beds, living room, and outdoor living space. State Parks has availability at brand new cottages at Sampson State Park in the Finger Lakes, and Wildwood State Park on Long Island.
• Cabins keep some of the modern comforts at hand while still offering the appeal of the great outdoors. Cabins can sleep between two and eight people. Basic cabins offer at least one room, electric, table, chairs, sleeping bed/cot, stove and refrigerators.
• Rustic cabins are the perfect in-between for campers who like both tents and cabins. Offering protection from the elements, the affordably-priced units sleep four or six, but have no electricity or water.

A complete list of DEC campgrounds and day use areas can be found online at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7825.html. Take a 360° panoramic virtual tour of DEC and State Park campgrounds http://www.nystateparkstours.com/ from the comfort of your home. Learn more about State Park camping opportunities here.

Make your reservations online at https://newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com or by calling: 1-800-456-CAMP (1-800-456-2267).  

In addition, for visitors unprepared to spend the night, State Parks and DEC campgrounds have day use areas that offer picnicking, playgrounds, swimming facilities, paddling and boating, fishing, and hiking. Please be advised that pets are prohibited at all DEC day use areas.

Entry to day-use areas is free for all 4^th graders. State Parks and DEC will accept the National Park Service's ‘Every Kid in a Park Pass’ upon presentation for free entry for 4^th grade students into all facilities in 2018. The pass applies only to the vehicle entry fee, and the 4th grader must be present in the vehicle. Fourth-grade students can obtain and print their pass on the NPS website.

The Empire Pass also provides unlimited day use vehicle entry to most facilities operated by State Parks and DEC, including forests, beaches, trails, and more.