The Beat

Give the Gift of Camping this Holiday Season                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced that DEC gift cards and electronic gift certificates for stays and services at all DEC campgrounds are now available for purchase online.   

“DEC camping gift cards are the perfect gift for campground-loving visitors,” Commissioner Seggos said. “This year, DEC makes it easy to give the gift of camping with gift cards and electronic, print-it-yourself gift certificates available online. We have you covered for the upcoming holiday season with excellent camping opportunities at DEC campgrounds in 2021.”…

Business up 25 to 40 percent at some locations

Some park operators say they already have large numbers of reservations for the 2021 camping season

After initially bracing for economic catastrophe as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many of New York’s private campground and RV resort operators have had their best year ever as families have embraced camping and the Great Outdoors in record numbers.           

Year-to-date business levels at some New York campgrounds are up by as much as 25 to 40 percent over 2019 figures, according to Campground Owners of New York (CONY), which hosts CampNewYork.com, the travel planning website.

Updates to Amenities Will Help Campground Continue to Attract Visitors of All Abilities

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the completion of improvements to the Kenneth L. Wilson Campground and Day Use Area in Ulster County. Updates to the campground's shower house and three comfort stations, which include several accessible features to make camping fun for people of all abilities, will help connect more New Yorkers to the outdoors and reduce the facility’s environmental footprint.

The pandemic has put a crimp on some forms of travel. Why not try a camping adventure closer to home?

Pittsford, NY (July 22, 2020) — As states and businesses across the country work through phases of re-opening during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, people are trying to infuse a sense of normalcy in their lives in an era of social distancing and mask wearing. This includes figuring out safe, enjoyable, and affordable vacation options.

Additional DEC Campground Openings to be Announced Soon for Summer 2020 Season

Campers Encouraged to Follow Guidelines to Help Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 While Enjoying Beauty of Adirondacks and Catskills

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that 20 of DEC’s campgrounds in the Adirondack and Catskill parks will open on June 19 for the 2020 season. Three additional campgrounds are slated to open June 26, and additional DEC campgrounds and day use areas will open in the coming weeks as DEC works to safely reopen these facilities to meet guidelines in place to protect staff and visitors from the spread of COVID-19. To maintain social distancing and reduce the density of facilities and protect visitors, DEC is not accepting additional reservations or walk-in camping for the 2020 season at this time.

Camping Discount for Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence Regions Helps Fuel Surge

Campsites, Cabins, Cottages, Yurts Occupied More Than 680,000 Nights

Albany, N.Y. - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo has announced that attendance at State Park campgrounds surged to an all-time high this year, fueled by a camping discount along the Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River regions. Through Columbus Day, campsites, cabins, cottages and yurts at State Parks campgrounds were occupied for 680,533 nights, surpassing the previous 2018 record of 663,953 nights. Total reservations so far this year were also up, to 213,153, surpassing the previous record of 212,358 set in 2016.