DEC announces start of 2021 camping season

Improvements to showers & comfort stations statewide

√ Campground visitors encouraged to make reservations

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos on Thursday announced DEC’s 56 campgrounds and day-use areas will be open to the public today.

A press release stated, “Reservations for the 2021 camping season are at an all-time high as more New Yorkers and visitors from out of state prepare to head outdoors to take advantage of recreational opportunities in the Adirondack and Catskill forest preserves.”

In addition and in preparation for the upcoming camping season, DEC announced improvements at campgrounds across the state to help improve the visitor experience. While two DEC campgrounds opened earlier this spring – Wilmington Notch in Essex County on May 7, and Fish Creek in Franklin County on April 2 – most DEC campgrounds open May 21, the weekend prior to the Memorial Day holiday.

“DEC is thrilled to see the uptick in reservations for this coming camping season as New Yorkers and visitors start exploring our campgrounds, and we’re proud to announce improvements at Frontier Town and several other campgrounds, undertaken in response to visitor feedback,” Seggos said. “I encourage all visitors planning a trip to DEC’s campgrounds this summer to make reservations soon to prevent being turned away if facilities meet capacity.”

To make reservations, visit https://newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com/ or consider additional or alternative locations for recreation at https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/permits_ej_operations_pdf/2021guidefull.pdf. For help choosing a location to visit, see DEC’s interactive guide https://read.nxtbook.com/nysparks/camping_guide/2021/cover.html.

DEC has completed improvements at several DEC camping facilities for the 2021 season, including new showers and comfort stations, power and water systems, and equestrian-specific improvements at the Frontier Town campground.

Read more about the “Adventure NY” initiative. For more information on planning an outdoor adventure in New York, visit DEC's website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor.