The state of New York is not only the gateway to the American dream but also a land of diverse natural beauty. Anyone can spend their day’s sightseeing in and around the state, but few can even fathom the idea that it can also prove itself to be one of the finest camping destinations in all of the United States.
The camping destinations and state park setups of New York State are all beautifully poised around the Finger Lakes or high up on the Adirondack Mountains. One can always indulge themselves in a long and memorable trip down the Hudson River Valley and visit the several tourist attractions here.
The western part of New York is famous for its vineyards and the breathtaking beauties of the western and northern borders connected by the mesmerizing view of the Niagra Falls. Given below are 15 of the best camping grounds in the whole New York State:
- North/South Lake Campground (Catskill State Park)
The North/South Lake Campground can easily be considered as a hiker’s paradise. It is safely nestled within the confines of the Catskill campground and is often booked by backpackers and adventurers for setting up their base camp. It is one of the best camping in New York and also one of the best campgrounds in northern New York.
The campground is the proud home of the tallest waterfall in New York. Yes! We are talking about the Kaaterskill Falls. It is also home to several historical ruins and several miles of meandering and rugged trails ideal for both hiking and horseback riding. It is considered to be one of the best backcountry camping in New York.
The campground is also home to two separate lakes ideal for swimming, boating, and fishing sessions. The state-run campground is home to 207 camping sites with accommodations available for tent, vehicle and RV campers. It is also one of the best car camping in New York and also one of the best fall camping in New York.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. Snow sports 8. Swimming 9. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. Picnic table 4. RV hookup 5. RV sanitation 6. Fire Pits 7. Pet-friendly camping sites |
Location Details:
874 N Lake Rd, Haines Falls, NY 12436, USA
Phone: +1 518-589-5058
- Woodland Valley Campground (Catskill State Park)
Woodland Valley Campground is another winner from the bunch of awesome campgrounds hosted by the Catskill State Park. The campground is located at the base of the Slide Mountain, the tallest in the Catskill range! It is also the home to the best hiking trails and obviously an ideal setting for glamping in style. The state-run campground is home to 65 tent camping sites with accommodations available for tent, vehicle and RV campers.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. Snow sports 8. Swimming 9. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. Picnic table 4. RV sanitation 5. Access to potable water 6. Pet-friendly camping sites 7. Fire Pits |
Location Details:
1319 Woodland Valley Rd, Phoenicia, NY 12464, USA
Phone: +1 845-688-7647
- Buttermilk Falls State Park Campground
Nature lovers mostly prefer the Buttermilk Falls State Park Campground for its proximity to both nature and the Ithaca. One can easily lose themselves while hiking through the woods or take a deep dive into the breathtaking falls.
All of the 51 camping sites of this state administered campground is fully equipped to host tent, car and RV campers with ease. Guests can also take their camping experience a notch higher by making reservations for the luxurious cabins and lodging facilities hosted here.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Fishing
2. Hiking 3. Swimming 4. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Picnic table 3. Access to potable water 4. Pet-friendly camping sites 5. Fire Pits |
Location Details:
106 E Buttermilk Falls Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
Phone: +1 607-273-5761
- Allegany State Park (Quaker Area Campground)
The Quaker Area Campground is located within the Allegany State Park and often becomes the destination for a quiet weekend, night out or an extended getaway for most New Yorkers and tourists alike!
The state-run campground is home to 190 camping sites with accommodations available for tent, vehicle and RV campers. Fully stocked camping cabins luxurious lodging facilities are also available to the guests via advanced reservations.
The campground is home to several hiking trails that lead to tiny spaces of the Bear Caves. It is also home to two naturally formed freshwater lakes and made equipped with docks, piers, and watercraft launching pads, so anglers ahoy!
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. Snow sports 8. Swimming 9. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Picnic table 3. Fire Pits 4. Access to potable water 5. Pet-friendly camping sites |
Location Details:
2373 ASP Route 1, Salamanca, NY 14779, USA
Phone: +1 716-354-9101
- Hither Hills State Park Campgrounds
The Heather Hills State Park Campgrounds is home to 153 camping sites with accommodations available for tent, vehicle, and RV camping. All of the camping sites are safely nestled behind the overlooking bluffs and is home to over two miles of clear sandy beach areas.
It is also home to a 40 acre, naturally formed the freshwater lake and is administered by the state authorities.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. Wind sports 8. Snow sports 9. Surfing 10. Swimming 11. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. Picnic table 4. RV sanitation 5. Access to potable water 6. Fire Pits |
Location Details:
164 Old Montauk Hwy, Montauk, NY 11954, USA
Phone: +1 631-668-2554
- Letchworth State Park Campground
New York City is often considered to be the metropolitan Mecca by many. But when you venture into the Letchworth State Park Campground, the perception of the person for the city is sure to change. The state-administered campground is home to 339 camping sites with accommodations available for tent, vehicle and RV campers. It is one of the 10 best campgrounds in New York.
The state park can easily be considered as endless acres of remarkable natural beauty. It is often termed as the Grand Canyon of the East due to the massive gorge which was created by the natural erosion of the rock and soil materials by the Genesee River. It is one of the rank holders in the top rated campgrounds in New York state list and also on the best camping trips in New York list as well.
The river further divides itself into three distinct waterfalls, and one of them is even as high as 600 ft! Whew! Take a load of that, eh!? Camping cabins and lodging facilities are also made available for the guests given they made advanced reservations for them.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. Climbing 8. Snow sports 9. Swimming 10. Whitewater paddling 11. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. Picnic table 4. RV sanitation 5. Fire Pits 6. Access to potable water 7. Pet-friendly camping sites |
Location Details:
1 Letchworth State Park, Castile, NY 14427, USA
Phone: +1 585-493-3600
- Catskill State Park (Kenneth L. Wilson Campground)
Head over to the Kenneth L. Wilson Campground is your innermost desire is to sleep beneath the stars while taking in the awesome views and breathing in the fresh mountain air!
The state-administered campground is home to 71 camping sites with accommodations available for tent, vehicle and RV campers. Tent campers mostly prefer this campground for its welcoming views and quiet setting.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. Snow sports 8. Swimming 9. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. Picnic table 4. RV sanitation 5. Access to potable water 6. Pet-friendly camping sites 7. Fire Pits |
Location Details:
859 Wittenberg Rd, Mt Tremper, NY 12457, USA
Phone: +1 845-679-7020
- Cherry Hill Campground
The Cherry Hill Campground is located just across the Darien Lake Theme Park and offers all one could ask from a campground without chocking the life of the camping trip!
The privately owned campground is home to 10 camping sites with accommodations available for tent, vehicle and RV campers. The Unique Selling Point for the campground is its convenient positioning and proximity to the Niagara Falls!
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Fishing 3. Hiking 4. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. Picnic table 4. RV sanitation 5. Access to potable water 6. Pet-friendly camping sites 7. Fire Pits |
Location Details:
1516 Sumner Rd, Darien Center, NY 14040, USA
Phone: +1 585-813-5099
- Adirondack State Park (Lewey Lake Campground)
The stage administered Lewey Lake Campground is located within the Adirondack State Park and boy! Aren’t the 197 camping sites hosted by the campground are oh-so-lovable! This quirky old campground is also home to two naturally formed freshwater lakes. It is also know to be one of the best camping in New York Adirondacks.
Water sports and activities like fishing, swimming, paddle boating are allowed in these water bodies and the best part; the campground is family friendly. The campground provides accommodations for tent, vehicle and RV campers.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. OHV 8. Climbing 9. Snow sports 10. Swimming 11. Whitewater paddling 12. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. Picnic table 4. RV sanitation 5. Access to potable water 6. Pet-friendly camping sites 7. Fire Pits |
Location Details:
St Regis Falls, NY 12980, USA
Phone: +1 518-897-1200
- Adirondack State Park (Sacandaga Campground)
The Sacandaga Campground is located within the Adirondack State Park, and the river that runs through the campground swells up during the spring season. It is the perfect time to bring out those rubber rafts and take on those rapids for some whitewater rafting sessions!
The campground and all of its 137 camping sites are known for scenic waterfalls, breathtaking mountain landscapes, and opportunities for canoeing and kayaking! Most of the camping sites are nestled conveniently on the banks of the river providing easy access to potable water to the guests!
The state-administered campground is available to tent, vehicle and RV campers.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. OHV 8. Climbing 9. Snow sports 10. Swimming 11. Whitewater paddling 12. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. Picnic table 4. RV sanitation 5. Pet-friendly camping sites 6. Access to potable water 7. Fire Pits |
Location Details:
St Regis Falls, NY 12980, USA
Phone: +1 518-897-1200
- Tioga Point Campground (Adirondack State Park)
The Adirondack State Park is the most popular state park in all of New York and bears with me; it has its reasons! The land mass taken up by the state park is equivalent to 1/3rd of the total area covered by the state itself! Now that is impressive!
The Tioga Point Campground is safely nestled within this impressive state park and hosts 23 camping sites with accommodations available for tent, vehicle and RV campers. The campground is only accessible by a boat and is home to the beautiful mountains and the impressive Raquette Lake! Sounds like a setting from DiCaprio’s ‘The Beach’ right!?
Most of the camping sites are located right on the shoreline making potable water readily available to the guests here. The campsites are rustic, therefore bringing in your food and water supplies is recommended!
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. OHV 8. Climbing 9. Snow sports 10. Swimming 11. Whitewater paddling 12. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Picnic table 3. Access to potable water 4. Pet-friendly camping sites 5. Fire Pits |
Location Details:
St Regis Falls, NY 12980, USA
Phone: +1 518-897-1200
- Allegany state park group campground
The Allegany State Park Group Campground is a readily accessible site that is in proximity to the Red House Lake. It is a popular camping destination among big camping groups who are crazy for angling and swimming sessions! The state-administered campground is home to 2 camping sites. Camping cabins and lodges are also available to the guests here given they made reservations for the same beforehand!
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. Snow sports 8. Swimming 9. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Picnic table 3. Fire Pits 4. Access to potable water |
Location details:
2373 ASP Route 1, Salamanca, NY 14779, USA
Phone: +1 716-354-9101
- Taughannock Falls State Park Campground
The natural beauty and the serene landscape that surrounds the Taughannock Falls State Park Campground and all of its 84 camping sites are truly breathtaking! Camping sites consist of both tent/car/RV camping sites and cabins that overlooks the Cayuga Lake!
It is also home to miles of hiking trails that ultimately leads to the 215 high Taughannock Waterfalls that plunges into the gorge below!
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Paddling 6. Snow sports 7. Swimming 8. Whitewater paddling |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. Picnic table 4. RV sanitation 5. Fire Pits 6. Access to potable water 7. Pet-friendly camping sites |
Location details:
740 Taughannock Blvd, Trumansburg, NY 14886, USA
Phone: +1 607-387-6739
- Allegany State Park (Red House Area Campground)
The Red House Area Campground is one of the two camping sites that were developed in the Allegany State Park. Bike/boat rental facilities are made available in the campground so that guest can either explore the waters or conquer the trails!
The state-administered campground is home to 122 camping sites with accommodations available for tent, car and RV campers. Camping cabins and cozy little cottages are also up for grabs given you made reservations beforehand!
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. Snow sports 8. Swimming 9. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Picnic table 3. Fire Pits 4. Access to potable water 5. Pet-friendly camping sites |
Location Details:
2373 ASP Route 1, Salamanca, NY 14779, USA
Phone: +1 716-354-9101
- Adirondack State Park (Cranberry Lake Campground)
It is so easy just to get away from it all when one venture into the cozy confines of the Cranberry Lake Campground! The state-administered campground is safely tucked away within the Adirondack State Park. It is home to 167 camping sites with accommodations available for tent, vehicle and RV camping and is also known to be one of the best tent camping in New York. The convenient location of the campground deep within the wilderness of the state park makes it an ideal setting for all those nature lovers and budding ornithologists out there!
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. OHV 8. Climbing 9. Snow sports 10. Swimming 11. Whitewater paddling 12. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. Picnic table 4. RV sanitation 5. Fire Pits 6. Access to potable water 7. Pet-friendly camping sites |
Location Details:
St Regis Falls, NY 12980, USA
Phone: +1 518-897-1200
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