Department of Environmental Conservation

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DEC Campgrounds & Day Use Areas

Camping

It's easy to reserve your perfect campsite now by phone or New York's online camping reservation system. If you're not sure which of our many campgrounds you want to visit, take a look through our guide!

Camping Guide

See an interactive version of the guide (leaves DEC website)
Download the camping guide (PDF) (14.2 MB) *Please note this is a large file.

For easier download, we have broken up the file into 4 smaller sections:

To order a paper copy, email us or call 518-457-2500. Check it out and plan your trip of a lifetime!

Day Use

Most DEC campgrounds also have day use areas for the public to enjoy. DEC also operates a number of day use-only areas that offer picnicking and/or swimming facilities. Please be advised that pets are prohibited at all DEC day use area.

Fees for day use areas are:

  • $6.00, $8.00 or $10.00 per car
  • $3.00, $4.00 or $5.00 per motorcycle
  • $35.00, $50.00 or $75.00 per bus
  • $2.00 per person (for walking into a facility)

Every Kid Outdoors

national park service 4th grader park pass

DEC will accept the National Park Service's (NPS) Every Kid Outdoors program. Fourth grade students will present their pass and will be permitted free entry into all facilities in 2023. The pass applies only to the vehicle entry fee, and the 4th grader must be present in the vehicle.

This is a program as part of a series of initiatives to
encourage youth visitation to state parks, historic sites and public lands. Fourth grade students can obtain and print their pass on the NPS website (leaves DEC website).

Every Kid in a Park Rules & Guidelines
  • The pass is for fourth-grade students for the 2023 Parks operating season (expires December 31, 2023).
  • The fourth-grade student must be present when the pass is presented.
  • The pass covers the vehicle use fee at all DEC facilities.
  • The pass does not cover amenities such as camping or rentals.
  • Students cannot transfer the pass to anyone else.
  • Electronic versions of the paper pass cannot be accepted.
  • There is no way to request a refund if the pass is not presented.
  • The pass should be presented upon entry where park staff will welcome the 4th grader and his/her family and provide the car with a no-fee receipt for the car dashboard. The federal pass remains with the student.
  • Other exclusions may apply.

Large Maps

Catskill Park Listing of Campgrounds & Day Use Areas

Adirondack Park Listing of Campgrounds & Day Use Areas