Searching for the best places to camp near NYC? We’ve featured 7 of them in this post!
Whether you live in New York City or a nearby area, everyone needs a little dose of fresh air and everything that nature has to offer now and then. It doesn’t matter if you are a glamper or a stud to nails hardcore camper; New York has something to offer everyone. You may be looking for a camp spot in the woods, near a beach, or even within the city here. We will surprise you with options for all three.
There are over 8500 campsites in the state of New York, with many of these being close to NYC. Some range from paid to free campsites and non-electric to electric sites. Many of these sites offer options for car or truck camping, tent camping, RV’ing, or sleeping under the stars. You can also tailor your search down to campsites that allow alcohol, have showers, or have firewood sales.
If you live in or near New York and are on the hunt for the best places to camp nearby, then you have landed in the right place. Whether you’re looking to go on a solo adventure, get your dog out in nature for the weekend, planning a romantic getaway in the woods, or wanting to take the family to a site where you can ditch all of your electronics, New York has something to cater to any of those needs. Keep reading to find out exactly what.
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Camping In or Near NYC
Oh, New York, New York! The city of lights and the city of opportunity! Through the hustle and bustle of city life, you may encounter the craving for a night in nature or even a weekend. Thankfully, New York provides access to almost everything that you can imagine, and campsites are one of those things. You don’t have to travel far and wide to find a serene and scenic getaway.
You probably didn’t realize that you can even take the train to a few camp spots near NYC. Why is that important? Well, a little less than 50% of New Yorkers actually own cars, so we’d have to say that it’s pretty important to realize that you don’t have to have a car to go camping. Click here to find out how.
What Months Are Best for Camping Near NYC?
Many places have camping seasons, or in better words, specific time frames when it might be considered best to camp, especially if you will be tent camping. Some places have year-round camping, and obviously, this is dependent on the climate that you live in. New York, however, has harsh winters with obviously low temperatures. As a general rule, camping season starts in April or May, going through September and October, dependent on the weather of that year.
The best time to go camping near NYC is not just dependent on weather patterns but also on the things that you like to do when you go camping. If you are the type of person that loves to go fishing while camping or hunting, you may want to check the appropriate seasons because there are different seasons for fishing and hunting, and those timeframes can be extended or shortened depending on the weather.
The best months to go camping are also going to be determined by the type of camping that you are looking to do. If you want a simple family camping trip, you may want to go during the autumn months, but if you are the type of person that doesn’t mind harsh winter tent camping or renting a cabin, you can go anytime throughout the winter. Just make sure that you have the appropriate gear or care to get you to your site.
Where Can I Camp for Free In NYC?
Multiple places offer free camping in New York. The top five are:
- North Harmony State Forest
- Mud Pond Road- Harrisville
- Chapel Pond- Keene Valley
- Oswegatchie River Access- 5 pongs Wilderness Area
Here is something to keep in mind; New York State offers camping within state parks and state forests, and no, they are not the same thing. People will often pitch tents within a state forest campsite and then spend the day in the State Park, hiking and exploring. Doing this gives you the option to camp completely free while you do any other planned excursions.
Can I Camp in NYC Itself?
Yes and no. Keep in mind that New York is a large city, and within most of the city’s parks, tents, open flames in grills are never usually permitted. However, here’s something that you may not have already known; every year, families have the chance to camp out in a few different parks around New York, and one of those parks is Central Park. The Parks and Recreation Department’s Urban Park Rangers Program is responsible for this opportunity.
This doesn’t necessarily work how you would think, you don’t just grab all of your camping gear and set up shop in the middle of Central Park. Overnight camping is only permitted on certain nights, and you often have to win a lottery spot to be able to do so. The state also requires kids to be present for anyone looking to win a lottery camping slot. You can register online for these opportunities. Click here if you’re interested.
The 7 Best Places to Camp Near NYC
Choosing a camping place near NYC doesn’t have to be a huge Broadway production. Just use this list we put together to choose one of the seven best places to camp near NYC.
Hither Hills State Park
If you are looking to escape the city to get closer to a beach so that you can get that real coastal getaway feel, then Hither Hills State Park is where you want to go. This is a favorite spot among New Yorkers, and it’s not hard to understand why especially considering that the park offers 189 Oceanside campsites. If you’re looking for a beach day without having to call it just one day, then look no further than Hither Hills.
Gunks Campground
The name of this campground is actually short for Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground. It’s a mouthful, hence its nickname, Gunks Campground. With 50 miles of footpaths, various waterfalls in three different lakes, you will be nothing short of amazing views in good times. Each campsite can accommodate at least two tents in the site also has restroom facilities and a bathhouse.
Harriman State Park
Harriman State Park offers 31 lakes and reservoirs and 200 miles of hiking. Sounds great. Well, there is even more to it than that. The State Park offers two beaches, and the views are said to be different every time. The park offers platforms for your tents but also takes it a step farther by offering dining halls and three-sided shelters for those that don’t want to have to worry about too much wind.
Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds
In Saugerties, or the Catskills as most would call it, sits a beautiful 160-acre paradise. Here you really will get a versatile camping experience. One of the most popular highlights of this campground is that there are separate sections that are specifically reserved for couples meaning no kids are allowed whatsoever!
Within each general campsite, you get the standard fire ring, picnic table, etc., with the option of being able to run down to the campgrounds general store to purchase firewood or use the facilities if you need them.
Round Valley
If you consider yourself to be the adventurous type and you are a true outdoorsy soul, then Round Valley has exactly what you need. It’s one of the only parks in the area that offers actual wilderness camping. Round Valley is a reservoir with surrounding trails within New Jersey, and the sights where you can camp are only reachable by a steep 3-mile hike, or you could get to it by boat if you aren’t feeling up to the hike.
It’s safe to say that you may want to go prepared because you will not get the amenities here that other campgrounds have to offer. But then again, if you’re thinking about camping at Round Valley, that’s the point, right?
North-South Lake Campground
This campground is the biggest campground in the Catskill Forest Preserve. It houses over 200 campsites along with two different swimming beaches, and if you remember to bring a couple of burgers and hot dogs, there are picnic areas with charcoal grills. The vantage points that you will come to along the hiking trails are breathtaking, and you can actually see views of five different states at once.
Collective Governor's Island
Collective Governors Island is not what you will think of if you’re thinking of tent camping or roughing it out in the woods in general. Rather, this particular facility is more so meant for you glampers! This perfectly designed destination puts the glam in glamping, and that’s just a fact.
You can reserve the luxurious outlook shelter and have access to rain showers, spa tubs, king-sized beds and let’s not even get started on the other amenities. If you’re running off into the woods to roast marshmallows and eat cans of beans for a weekend, it’s safe to say that you will not find those options on Collective Governors Island.
There are chefs on-site that create multi-course meals, and they are all farm-to-table. If that doesn’t have you hooked on heading there now, there’s no telling what will.
Final Thoughts
There you have it. The seven best places to camp near NYC. As we have already covered, you don’t have to search far and wide to find a beautiful and serene place to escape the everyday hustle and bustle of the city. This list doesn’t just cater to those in-city New Yorkers but also commuters and those that live nearby.
All of the places that we discussed are perfect for tent camping, RV’ing, glamping, or just sleeping under the stars on a blanket or in your sleeping bag. In addition, there are various places where you can escape your everyday routines and end up in a beautiful forest, on top of a mysterious Cliff, on a relaxing beach, or in a perfectly designed and stylish spa-like camping resort of sorts. Whatever you are looking for, you are definitely able to find it in or near NYC.
Don’t forget that these potential camping excursions can easily apply to solo adventurers, couples, families, or just you and your fur friend. Most of these places offer amenities that you can search to make your getaway or vacation perfect for whatever your needs.
Adventure is often right around the corner, and we never realize it until we start to really think about it. So how about instead of thinking about planning your next camping trip, you just go ahead and head out right now? That’s the fun, and the adventure in camping, isn’t it?