Camping in New York State is a great choice for your next outdoor adventure. There are plenty of amazing campgrounds within short driving distance from the city and if you are up for a longer drive, there is an abundance of beautiful campsites to be discovered.
Table of Contents
Camping in New York can be fun, but there are things you need to know ahead of time.
Camping in New York is a great way to get away from it all. You’ll feel as though you’ve left the city behind and entered a world of endless possibilities, where you’re free to explore areas that are unspoiled by human development. Before you set off on your camping adventure, however, there are a few things that you should know about—things like what to bring and what not to bring (and how long your trip will last).
When preparing for your camping excursion, keep these five tips in mind:
- Make sure that your sleeping bag is warm enough; otherwise, you’ll be miserable!
- Wear comfortable clothes—you don’t want anything constricting or irritating while sleeping outside!
- Bring food and water with you; this will help ensure that no one gets hungry while they’re out exploring nature’s beauty!
- Be aware of any wildlife around so as not endanger anyone’s safety when hiking through unfamiliar territory! If a bear appears out of nowhere (or even worse yet — if two bears appear!), then run away quickly towards safety before anything bad happens.
If you plan to use a tent, make sure it’s a three-season tent.
If you’re using a three-season tent, it’s designed to withstand some of the worst weather conditions. It can withstand rain, snow and wind. Camping in New York state means you might have to cope with temperatures in the 50s and 60s, so this type of tent should do the trick.
Make sure you have a weather forecast before you go out.
You want to be prepared for whatever the weather may bring, so before you head out, make sure you have a forecast. Weather forecasts are available online and through many other sources (such as TV and radio), but it’s also important to note that if you have access to the internet on your phone or tablet while camping in New York State, there is a weather app available that provides up-to-date information about the weather wherever you are. For those without access to these resources, calling a local hotline is another way of getting updates.
Bring plenty of layers so that you’re prepared for both warm and cool temperatures.
As we discussed last week, it’s important to be prepared for both warm and cool temperatures when you’re camping in New York. That means bringing both a warm jacket and pants, as well as a warm hat, gloves and scarf. You should also bring an extra blanket or sleeping bag—one that’s designed for cold weather will feel much warmer than one designed for summer use. It’s likely that your tent will have an inside layer that helps regulate heat while protecting against the elements (like wind), but if this is not enough there are other options available at REI:
- A sleeping bag with extra insulation on the bottom of the bag can help keep you warmer by trapping more air around your body heat—just make sure it’s waterproof
- An insulated pad (also called self-inflating mats) is another good way to insulate yourself from ground temperature fluctuations at night; these pads are made of closed-cell foam which absorbs moisture when wet but still allows air circulation so they don’t trap moisture like traditional foam sleeping pads do.
Choose a campsite that’s near a water source.
Water is important for drinking, washing, and cooking. When you’re camping in New York state, it’s a good idea to choose a campground that has access to a water source—this way you don’t have to lug gallons of bottled water around with you. If you don’t know where the nearest water source is before setting up camp, then bring your own water from home or buy some at every opportunity (for example, when buying breakfast or other food). If neither of those options are available and there doesn’t seem to be anywhere nearby where you can get your hands on some potable H2O, then use one of these handy water filters:
- A purifier will remove 99 percent of bacteria from any source without adding chemicals or iodine
- A filter removes nearly all contaminants except viruses; though not completely safe for everyone with certain health conditions like Crohn’s disease or kidney stones because it does not remove pathogens such as giardia or cryptosporidium.
Be respectful of park rules and regulations.
You should be respectful of the park rules and regulations. First, there are some general rules that apply to all parks. You should not litter or damage public property (including plants, trees, and equipment). Campfires are only permitted in designated areas at certain times of year; ask your ranger for more information about this rule. Don’t drive off-road. Do not feed wildlife (including birds) even if they’re cute.
Make sure your cell phone is fully charged before going into the back country (but don’t rely on it as your only means of communication.)
- Don’t rely on your cell phone as your only means of communication. Cell phones are helpful for emergencies, but make sure to bring a backup plan (preferably written down) in case you lose service or the battery dies.
- Keep it in a safe place, like inside a sealed Ziploc bag in a waterproof container so that it won’t get wet or damaged by the elements.
- Don’t use your phone to call for help in the back country; instead, make sure someone knows when and where you’re going, and let them know if there’s anything they can do to help search-and-rescue responders find you quickly if needed.
Keep your camping gear packed together so that it’s easy to access when you reach your campsite.
Few more tips:
- Pack the tent and sleeping bags separately, and keep them in a bag or backpack that’s easy to carry.
- If you’re camping near the water, use a waterproof bag if possible. This will help keep everything dry if it rains.
- Make sure the bag has straps for carrying over your shoulder or around your waist; this makes carrying heavy things easier on long hikes into campgrounds with steep hills or uneven terrain like rocks on dirt paths or paved roads that lead from parking lots into campsites where each site is separated from another by several hundred yards of forest trees full of wildlife and wildflowers like berry bushes bordering lakes filled with trout fish swimming under lily pads floating at sunset during summer months when weather conditions are ideal (not too hot yet warm enough but not cold enough either).
Don’t leave food out – store it away at night or hang it from a tree limb.
If you won’t be camping in an area with bears, raccoons, or other wildlife that may want to eat your food, you can sleep with your food bag right next to you. Just make sure it’s hanging from something high enough so that only humans can get to it. This is especially important if there are children around; children don’t know how easily animals can open zippers and pull bags down from trees.
If possible, bring a canoe or kayak for fishing and exploring lakes and rivers nearby!
Canoeing and kayaking can be a fun way to explore the lakes and rivers nearby. If you don’t have one, you can rent one from a nearby marina or boat rental shop. Many of them also rent fishing poles and tackle! This is an excellent option if you want to try your hand at catching some fish while on vacation in New York state.
There are many lakes in New York State so there’s no shortage of water activities that can be enjoyed during your camping trip here!
Park rangers sometimes offer events and activities at campgrounds.
Some rangers offer events and activities at campgrounds. These events are free and open to the public, and they include hikes, nature walks and campfires. The best time to participate in these events is during the summer months when you can enjoy them after dark. During school vacations, there are even more activities offered by park rangers!
The events usually occur on weekends throughout the year; however, some parks may not have any scheduled during certain months of the year. Be sure to call ahead before visiting a park just in case there aren’t any planned for that day or week.
Tips for hiking in the Adirondacks
The Adirondacks are a great place to hike, fish and camp. There is a lot of hiking trails that crisscross through the mountains and lakes. There are many great places to fish as well on these trails. Camping spots are plentiful in this area because there are so many different types of terrain to explore with your family or friends.
The Adirondacks can also be used for boating activities such as canoeing or kayaking on the many rivers that flow through it as well as other water sports like swimming, surfing and water skiing out on its lakes.
Camping in upstate New York
If you’re looking for a camping trip that will give you the chance to experience some of America’s most pristine wilderness, consider planning your next excursion in upstate New York. The Adirondack Park is the largest park in the contiguous United States, and it offers nature lovers an endless array of options for hiking through its 2,000 lakes, ponds and streams. In fact, there are more than 4,000 miles of hiking trails throughout this massive expanse.
The Adirondacks offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun beyond just enjoying all that nature has to offer by foot. You can also go boating on one of several lakes; paddle down one of many rivers; or even try your hand at fishing if you’re so inclined. There are plenty of campgrounds around where you can set up shop for a couple nights or even longer depending on how much time you want to spend exploring this amazing region.
Conclusion
If all of this has wet your appetite for camping in New York State, check out the many state parks and campgrounds we’ve mentioned. You won’t be disappointed! We hope that you found our guide to exploring, sight seeing and camping in the Empire State useful. Feel free to share some of your own experiences and recommendations with us in the comments below!
