Camping

DEC Campgrounds

DEC operates 51 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, but can be conveniently purchased on-line or by phone.

Reduce your impacts on the beauty of our natural resources and become a more environmentally friendly camper with these tips.

Find your next adventure using DECinfo Locator - an interactive map featuring campgrounds, primitive campsites, lean-tos, hiking trails, parking areas, and other information to help plan a visit.

Support DEC Campgrounds

Members of the public can support DEC lands, facilities, and programs through our charitable partner, the National Heritage trust (NHT). Online giving is simple and secure and fully tax-deductible. Donations to NHT directly support projects and programs that enhance facilities, expand access to outdoor recreation and environmental education, provide public land access, and protect natural resources.

Donate

Planning and Management

The Watercraft Decontamination Facilities amendment to the Generic Unit Management Plan for Campgrounds and Day-Use Areas (PDF) has been finalized. The amendment will guide siting, construction, and management of watercraft decontamination equipment storage buildings within DEC Campgrounds and Day Use Areas.

Unit Management Plans (UMPs) for campgrounds guide the DEC's land management activities at a facility for a five to ten-year period, although a number of goals and objectives in the plans will focus on a much longer time period. UMPs address specific objectives and actions for public use at the facilities.

For more information regarding facility specific UMPs, visit the respective campground webpage, or contact the Bureau of Recreation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY12233, telephone 518 457-2500, or email.

Back Country Camping

Back country, or primitive camping, is permitted on most lands managed by DEC including Forest Preserve lands in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks as well as State Forests.

Our regional offices and forest rangers can provide more information about back country camping opportunities.

Don't Move Firewood: To help protect our forests from invasive species, regulations for moving firewood are in effect. See Firewood and Invasive Insects for more information.