The Beat

Free New York State Parks Explorer App Connects Visitors with the Outdoors

Today, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) marked the beginning of the summer season by launching a new mobile app for smart devices to provide visitors and prospective visitors useful information about the variety of destinations and activities available throughout the Empire State’s parks and historic sites.

The New York State Parks Explorer App is a free, user-friendly resource for visitors to plan outdoor adventures while staying connected to long-time favorite parks and sites. Users can learn more about top destinations and discover new must-see locations with rotating curated content, and will enjoy quick access to park information, including directions, hours, amenities, fees and rates, trail maps, helpful know-before-you-go details, and the ability to receive important updates and alerts.

Many DEC State-Managed Lands Now Open to Overnight Camping

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

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced that additional DEC campgrounds in the Adirondack and Catskill parks will open on July 1 to existing reservation holders for the 2020 season. 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. Only existing reservations for all DEC campgrounds will be honored. Please visit DEC’s website for the latest updates on DEC campgrounds and information about each facility.

Reservation window to open for camping arrival dates beginning June 22

Beaches and day-use areas opening across the state – Entrance fees may apply

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) will begin accepting new camping reservations beginning June 8, for check-in beginning June 22. Campers are reminded to practice social distancing, bring and wear a face covering, respect the rules, and do their part to keep the campgrounds, parks and beaches open and safe for everyone. Camping capacity is limited and visitors must make an advance reservation before arriving at a campground.

Staatsburg, N.Y. (March 30, 2020) – To reduce density and encourage social distancing at Hudson Highlands State Park/Breakneck Ridge, the following park restrictions are in place indefinitely due to COVID-19:

• The Scenic Hudson parking lot and trailhead at Mount Beacon is closed • The Metro-North parking area near Breakneck is closed; parallel parking along its edge is available

• Parking spaces along Route 9D in Fishkill (north of the tunnel to Breakneck lot) will be reduced and all parking will be converted to parallel parking in order to reduce density

• The Chalet parking lot is closed • Parking spaces along Route 9D South of Breakneck will be reduced…

NY Parks 2020 Initiative Continues to See Steady Growth with 3 Million More Visitors Than Previous Year 

State Parks Visits Up 33 Percent Since Governor Cuomo Took Office in 2011

Facilities with Pools, Beaches See Strong Increases During Extended Swimming Season 

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York's state parks, historic sites, campgrounds, and trails welcomed a record-breaking 77.1 million visits in 2019. The estimated attendance is up nearly three million visits from 2018, an increase of 4 percent. It reflects an overall increase of 33 percent - or more than 19 million visits annually - since the Governor took office in 2011.

950,000 More Visitors Than Previous Year, Estimated Attendance Marks Seven Years of Steady Growth

More than 700 Improvement Projects Since Inception of NY Parks 2020 Initiative 

February 20, 2018 – Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced New York's system of state parks, historic sites, campgrounds, and trails welcomed 71.5 million estimated visitors in 2017. This milestone marks seven years of steady visitor growth and represents an overall increase of 23 percent, or 13.6 million visitors since the Governor took office in 2011.