Camping reservations for overnight stays at campgrounds managed by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) increased to record levels this year as campers took advantage of safe, healthy, and inexpensive recreation during the pandemic.
Until Columbus Day, campsites, cottages, cabins, and yurts at State Parks campgrounds were occupied for 787,103 nights, exceeding the previous record set in 2019 of 684,820 nights by 15 percent, according to a report.
DEC campgrounds were filled for 394,401 nights, beating the record set in 2016 (354,521) by over ten percent.
While improvements were made across the state under the NY Parks 2020 capital program in the past decade, the number of overnight stays at State Parks campgrounds has risen almost 45 percent.
State Parks operates 68 State Parks campgrounds that include 825 cabins, 8,179 campsites, 18 yurts, as well as 136 fully-serviced cottages that come equipped with amenities such as bathrooms, power, kitchen, beds, living room, and outdoor living space.
“It is gratifying that the public has again given State Parks a vote of confidence. Providing safe and healthy recreation places has been critical as we continue to emerge from the pandemic, and people obviously enjoy the many improvements made under the NY Parks 2020 initiative. People have many choices today on how to spend their recreational time, and we are grateful that so many choose to spend it at our Parks. We intend to keep this progress going,” State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said.
DEC manages 52 campgrounds and five day-use zones in the Adirondack and Catskill forest preserves that offer many different experiences like island camping, tent and trailer camping, boat launch facilities, beaches, hiking trails, and day-use areas that include grills and picnic tables.
The camping season lasts through the summer months, with some campgrounds being open through the autumn foliage and hunting season. Under Adventure NY and other initiatives, DEC continues to make improvements to DEC campsites, including several for the 2021 season to add new comfort stations, showers, power and water systems, as well as equestrian-specific improvements at the Frontier Town campground.
In 2021, New York State rolled out a new loyalty/reward program for campers. They earn points for every dollar they spend on overnight accommodation at all state-owned or operated camping areas for the State Parks and the Department of Environmental Conservation.
More than 55,800 have signed up to date. Campers will begin earning points for new reservations the moment they are accepted.
For more information about the program and to register, visit this website.
