Camping
DEC operates 52 campgrounds located in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. DEC campgrounds provide a wide variety of experiences, including island camping, tent and trailer camping, boat launching facilities, hiking trails, beaches and day use areas with picnic tables and grills. Fishing licenses are no longer being sold at any of our campground facilities.
For information about back country camping in a specific area, you must call the regional Lands & Forests office responsible for that county. For a listing of Lands & Forests offices, please click on the Lands & Forests office directory link, located on the right under Related Links. State campgrounds outside the Forest Preserve are operated by the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. For more information call (518) 474-0456.
Firewood Alert
Don't Move Firewood!
A new regulation is now in effect that prohibits the import of firewood into New York unless it has been treated to kill pests. The new regulation also limits the transportation of untreated firewood to less than 50 miles from its source.
Bringing your firewood with you? Most people don't realize they move bugs along with their firewood. You could be spreading diseases or insects that can quickly kill large numbers of trees. Our forests are at risk from the transport of firewood infested with tree killers. Help STOP THE SPREAD of these pests:
- Leave firewood at home-do not transport it to campgrounds or parks.
- Only purchase firewood that has been harvested in New York State or treated for pests.
- Burn all firewood brought to the campsite.
See our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
More about Camping:
- Fire Safety Outdoors - Safety tips when burning outdoors
- DEC Campgrounds - Camping in New York State - Department of Environmental Conservation facilities
- 2009 Campground Schedule - A table that shows all DEC campground schedules.
- Campground Reservations - Making reservations to camp at DEC campgrounds.
- Campground Rules and Regulations - Rules and Regulations on Camping in New York State - Department of Environmental Conservation facilities.
- Campground FAQs - Frequently asked questions about DEC campgrounds.
- State Land Camping Rules - Rules for camping on DEC managed public lands.
- Back Country Camping - a self-dependent experience in which campers carry in and out their supplies and tents in order to reach more remote or secluded forest areas and where a leave-no-trace philosophy is expected.
