Environment DEC
From the June 2004 issue
New York Campgrounds Among Best in the Nation
Ten New York State campgrounds have received national recognition as favorite family destinations across the United States. The sites, which are operated by DEC and the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), were named on ReserveAmerica's recently released second annual Top 100 Family Campgrounds list.
New York Favorites
Ausable Point Campground in the
Adirondacks is another favorite
vacation spot
The ten New York State campgrounds included on the Top 100 Family Campgrounds list are:
- Allegany State Park, Western New York
- Fair Haven Beach State Park, Finger Lakes Region
- Golden Hill State Park, Niagara Region
- Green Lakes State Park, Central New York
- Letchworth State Park, Western New York
- Taconic State Park, Copake Falls, Hudson Valley Region
- Thompson's Lake State Park, Capital District
- Wellesley Island State Park, Thousand Islands Region
- Ausable Point Campground (DEC-operated), Adirondacks
- Moffitt Beach Campground (DEC-operated), Adirondacks
How the List Was Created
ReserveAmerica, a reservation service that covers national, state and private recreation facilities throughout the nation, compiles the Top 100 list to help campers plan trips and recommend America's greatest "hidden gem" locations.
The list was developed by park rangers, regional park management and campers who wrote testimonials. Nearly 3,000 parks that are part of the ReserveAmerica system were considered and the final 100 campgrounds were chosen based on specific family-friendly criteria including location, hiking trails, family beaches, visitor centers, educational programs, children's events, radio-free zones, and the availability of hot showers and laundry facilities.
ReserveAmerica operates the state's camping reservation system, which provides online and phone reservations for campsites throughout New York operated by OPRHP and DEC. The 15,678 state-operated campsites and cabins provide accommodations for more than 900,000 people each year.
New York recently received the 2003-2004 National Gold Medal State Park Award recognizing OPRHP for the best state park system in the country for excellence in park and recreation administration and outstanding service to patrons. The agency welcomes more than 60 million visitors each year and oversees 168 state parks and 35 state historic sites.
DEC Campgrounds
New York's campgrounds provide all
the amenities necessary for a great
family vacation
DEC operates 52 campgrounds and six day-use areas in the Adirondack and Catskill forest preserves. In 2003, more than 1.6 million people visited DEC campground facilities.
While the most popular time to camp is Memorial Day through Labor Day, many state campgrounds are available in the spring, fall and winter. Reservations are accepted for campsites and cabins from two days to nine months in advance of the planned arrival date. Call 1-800-456-CAMP, or visit www.ReserveAmerica.com online.
For more information on any of the recreation areas operated by OPRHP, call (518) 474-0456, or visit their web site using the link below.
