16 of The Best Camping Spots in New York State

• Distance from NYC: 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Type of Camping: tents and cabins
• Facilities and Features: showers, bathrooms, visitor center, charcoal grills, gift shop, boat launches
• Things to Know: accessible via NYC transit, nearby lakes, accessible hiking trails, group camps available, free kayak rentals
• Price: from $15/night

Harriman State Park is the second largest state park in New York State and is a mecca for hikers of all skill levels. Even better? It’s accessible via NYC transit. “Shuttle from the NYNJ Transit line to the adult camp in Harriman where you can spend the day on the lake or exploring the mountains surrounding you,” says Rizzo. With over 200 miles of hiking trails including marked and unmarked trails, this park lets visitors takes in the views of 31 lakes, two beaches and numerous rolling hills and streams. If hiking isn’t your thing, guests can also swim, fish and bike. There are even free kayaks available for water exploration.

• Distance from NYC: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Type of Camping: platforms and tents
• Facilities and Features: hot showers, bathrooms, picnic tables, Wi-Fi, dryers, cooking equipment, fire rings
• Things to Know: accessible via NYC transit, not accessible via car (hike in/hike out), lots of nearby hiking, fishing and kayaking nearby, no glass allowed on the premises
• Price: from $75/night (36 campsites available)

No car? No problem! Malouf’s Campground is not accessible via car anyway. Located a little over five miles from the Beacon Train Station, this hidden oasis requires campers to either hike or bike in. “This is a great spot to try out backpacking for the first time,” notes Rizzo. “You can get to it from the city really easily, and once you’re set up at camp, you’ve got a network of trails to hike, including Mount Beacon Fire Tower!” You can also opt for a shuttle service to take either you and your fellow campers, or just your gear, in from Beacon if you want to travel light. True, this campground is more expensive than many others on this list, but it also comes with a pretty great range of amenities, including dryers for wet clothes, cooking equipment for platform campers, Wi-Fi and access to hot showers and flushable toilets.

• Distance from NYC: 2 hours and 30 minutes
• Type of Camping: RVs, tents and trailers
• Facilities and Features: showers, bathrooms, picnic tables, fire pits
• Things to Know: fishing available, close to hiking trails, nearby lakes, walk-ins not accepted
• Price: from $15/night (210 campsites available)

Known as the biggest campground in the Catskill Forest Preserve, North-South Lake Campground offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains as well as several lakes. With so many activities to try and paths to explore, this “gem of a park” comes highly recommended by Editor-in-Chief Jillian Quint. “The campsites are secluded, flat and shaded and the miles of hiking trails and two beaches (great for swimming, boating and paddle-boarding) are not to be missed.” Hikers can enjoy the popular Escarpment Trail for a short hike or other strenuous trails that lead to vistas including Alligator Rock, Newman’s Ledge, Boulder Rock and Artist’s Rock. On a clear day, some of these spots offer amazing views of five different states. With over 200 tent and trailer sites, this campground is also great for fishing, swimming and picnicking. A word of warning from Quint, however: “These campsites sell out fast, so you have to be ready to snag one the instant ’re available.”

• Distance from NYC: 1 hour and 45 minutes driving, 3 hours and 30 minutes by bus
• Type of Camping: RVs and tents
• Facilities and Features: tent rentals, picnic tables,
• Things to Know: two-night minimum, zip-lining and whitewater tubing available nearby, lots of nearby hiking, accessible via Trailways bus line
• Price: from $35/night

“Walkable from the Trailways Phoenicia stop, this campground is perfectly situated for you to spend an entire weekend camping in the Catskills,” raves Rizzo. Hop on a Trailways bus from Port Authority if you don’t have access to a car, and soon enough you’ll find yourself smack-dab in one of the best spots in the state for outdoor exploration. Hike on trails of all levels for gorgeous views of waterfalls and treetops, go for a whitewater tubing ride in Esopus Creek, fly through the trees on a zip-lining adventure or, if you somehow find yourself missing the hustle of the city, pop into town for food, drink and potentially some live music performances.

• Distance from NYC: 5 hours
• Type of Camping: tents
• Facilities and Features: handicap access, showers, bathrooms, boat launches, picnic tables
• Things to Know: nearby golf courses, boat launches, great for fishing
• Price: from $22/night (80 campsites available)

Have you ever dreamed of camping on your own private island? If so, a visit to Saranac Lake Islands Public Campground will make those dreams come true. “My husband and I went on a Fourth of July camping trip up there with a few friends and it was absolutely amazing,” says Audience Development Director Mary D’Alessio. “The lake is massive and there were so many spots to venture out to. One friend brought a stargazer tent and I couldn’t recommend that more for taking in the stars at night and listening to the loons in the surrounding area.” This campground is a boater’s delight with direct access to four lakes and miles of shoreline. On the Lower Saranac Lake Islands, you’ll find 80 water-access-only campsites that give guests a private camping experience. Guests can also enjoy canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, biking and watersports during their stay. “It’s a quick trip from NYC, but we turned it into a longer vacation and broke up the drive by stopping off in Saratoga Springs afterwards. Showers and comfy hotel beds were very welcome after three nights of sleeping bags on the ground.” Just know, once you’re all set up at your campsite, not much is accessible unless you hop in the boat back to town.

• Distance from NYC: 4 hours and 15 minutes
• Type of Camping: cabins and tents
• Facilities and Features: hot showers, bathrooms, picnic tables, charcoal grills, handicap access, playground, kayak and rowboat rentals
• Things to Know: no outside/private boats allowed
• Price: from $18/night (143 campsites available)

“My family and I go camping here every Memorial Day weekend and it’s wonderful,” says Quint. “The campground is located in a beautiful, huge state park with tons of hiking, playgrounds, boating and swimming. We love that the big beach has a snack bar, as well as grills close to the water.” Located just east of Syracuse, this family-friendly campground has two lakes, Green Lake and Round Lake, for you to explore with kayak and rowboat rentals available on a first come, first serve basis. Even if you don’t want to get out on the water, there are plenty of beaches and hiking trails that give you gorgeous views of the surrounding area, including some that are handicap accessible. “Just know that the sites aren’t huge, so plan to be up close and personal with your neighbors,” notes Quint.

• Distance from NYC: 5 hours
• Type of Camping: cabins and tents
• Facilities and Features: showers, bathrooms, concessions stand, picnic tables, gift shop
• Things to Know: nearby hiking trails, whitewater rafting available, hot air ballooning nearby
• Price: from $18/night (340 campsites available)

Voted Best Attraction in New York State by USA Today in 2017, Letchworth State Park is located less than an hour south of Rochester and is nicknamed the ‘Grand Canyon of the East.’ Camping is available all year long as well as other activities such as mountain biking, kayaking, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, bird watching, hot-air balloon rides and 66 miles of hiking trails. Winter activities include cross-country skiing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, snow tubing and snowmobiling. There’s an activity here for everyone no matter what type of camping experience you are looking for.

• Distance from NYC: 1 hour and 30 minutes
• Type of Camping: RVs and tents
• Facilities and Features: showers, bathrooms, picnic tables, charcoal grills, fire rings, boat launches
• Things to Know: nearby lakes, great bird watching, local education center
• Price: from $15/night (80 campsites available)

Outdoor enthusiasts will fawn over the endless activities found at Fahnestock State Park. Located less than two hours from New York City, this park is in both Putnam and Duchess counties and has 80 campsites that feature natural rock ridges that help create private alcoves for guests. Many travelers visit this park for stunning lakeside views of Canopus Lake where you can enjoy boating, fishing and swimming. The park is also home to the Taconic Outdoor Education Center, where visitors can learn about nature conservation, maple sugaring and how to ID the plant and animal life native to the park.

• Distance from NYC: 3 hours and 45 minutes
• Type of Camping: tents and RVs
• Facilities and Features: showers, bathrooms, fire rings, picnic tables, concessions stand, handicap access, playground, telephone
• Things to Know: near Cooperstown, near hiking trails
• Price: from $12/night (53 campsites available)

Spend a few days relaxing by Ostego Lake at Glimmerglass State Park. Located outside the village of Cooperstown, visitors can spend time outdoors in the summer biking, hiking and fishing. As for hiking, there are lots of low-key options that offer plenty of opportunities for bird watching, cataloging plant life and simply enjoying the stunning lake-side vistas. Visiting in the wintertime? There are also plenty of activities to do in the colder months including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing and ice skating.

• Distance from NYC: 3 hours
• Type of Camping: tents and trailers
• Facilities and Features: showers, bathrooms, picnic tables, convenience store
• Things to Know: beach access, near a lake, great fishing
• Price: from $15/night (176 campsites available)

Grab your beach towel and head to Hither Hills State Park. Located in Montauk, Long Island and about 122 miles from New York City, this park is the perfect spot if you are hoping to combine a beach trip and camping trip all in one. The ocean-side campground features sport fishing, horseback riding, boating, hunting, biking and windsurfing as well as scenic picnic areas and fireplaces. A must-do activity is hiking the “walking dunes” trail on Napeague Harbor that move southeast a few feet each year due to high winds.

• Distance from NYC: 4 hours and 30 minutes
• Type of Camping: tents, RVS and cabins
• Facilities and Features: showers, bathrooms, charcoal grills
• Things to Know: near hiking trails, multiple waterfalls, near Ithaca
• Price: from $18/night (84 campsites available)

Located in Ithaca, Robert H. Treman State Park is the ideal location for experiencing the scenic beauty of the Finger Lakes region. There are 12 different waterfalls throughout the park including Lucifer Falls, where hikers can view a majority of the park, and Lower Falls where you’ll find a natural swimming pool. The main attraction here is Enfield Glen, a scenic gorge that has numerous hiking trails along the way.

• Distance from NYC: 4 hours and 15 minutes
• Type of Camping: cabins and tents
• Facilities and Features: showers, bathrooms, picnic tables, playground
• Things to Know: nearby wineries, waterfall views, hiking trails available
• Price: from $15/night (43 campsites available)

Located in the Finger Lakes Region, Buttermilk Falls State Park is the picturesque escape from the city. Here is where you’ll find breathtaking views of waterfalls, lakes and gorges as well as woodland hiking trails. Many guests use the playing fields for outdoor sports or to simply relax on the grass. You can also spend time birdwatching, fishing, hunting, swimming and picnicking near your campsite.

• Distance from NYC: 5 hours and 30 minutes
• Type of Camping: tents and RVs
• Facilities and Features: hot showers, bathrooms, picnic tables, playground, telephone, handicap access
• Things to Know: nearby hiking trails, accessible to rivers and ponds, summer recreation activities
• Price: from $15/night (322 campsites available)

Grab your fishing rods and head to Fish Creek Pond Campground where you’ll find several different species of fish. Fishers and boaters alike can head on their motorboats or rent a rowboat or canoe to spend time on the water. For those who’d rather stay on land, visitors can hike, mountain bike, hunt and play volleyball or basketball. Their best amenities? Flush toilets and hot showers.

• Distance from NYC: 6 hours
• Type of Camping: trailer, tents and cottages
• Facilities and Features: showers, bathrooms, charcoal grills, boat launches
• Things to Know: local nature center, access to swimming beach
• Price: from $15/night (432 campsites available)

Nature aficionados, Wellesley Island State Park is the place for you. With over 400 campsites, this state park is located on the St. Lawrence River and offers guests a rustic camping experience where you can fish, hunt, hike, swim, bike and boat. One of the park’s popular attractions is the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center, which offers nature exhibits, hiking trails, a seasonal butterfly house, educational displays and varied habitats. For those looking for a less rugged camping experience, the campground also offers fully outfitted cabins.

• Distance from NYC: 4 hours
• Type of Camping: tents, RVs and luxury lodges
• Facilities and Features: showers, restrooms, Wi-Fi, resort access, fire rings
• Things to Know: two-night minimum stay on weekends, access to swimming pool, nearby mountains, plenty of kid-friendly activities, pet-friendly
• Price: from $25/night (340 campsites available)

Yes, you read that correctly…diamond mining. Herkimer Diamond KOA Resort offers several unique amenities but their above ground surface mines are a can’t miss attraction. Here you can search for quartz crystals that were formed over 500 million years ago and keep whatever treasures you find. Next to the campsite you’ll find the West Canada Creek where you can fish, tube, kayak and canoe.