More than 54,000 square miles in area, New York -- the largest state in the northeast -- offers a nearly inexhaustible selection of campgrounds. From the North Country to the Catskills, through the center of the state and west to the Niagara Frontier, there is much from which to pick and choose. Load up your camping gear, gas the car and explore the Empire State.
Central New York
- Green Lakes, just east of Syracuse, was established to preserve its two rare meromictic lakes, which are lakes whose surface waters and deep waters never mix. The park has tent and RV camping as well as cabins. Hike along nature trails, picnic under one of several covered pavilions or swim at its sand beach. Flat trails circle both of the park's lakes. Especially popular is Green Lakes' 18-hole golf course, opened in 1935 and one of the first built by renown designer Robert Trent Jones. Note that firewood restrictions apply in all state parks.
Catskills
- North-South Lake is the largest campground in the Catskills, with seven camping loops and 219 sites. This is where to bring your canoe or kayak as no motorized boats are permitted. Once two lakes, an isthmus was removed in the 1980s, creating a single body of water where anglers cast their lines for a variety of fish including bullheads, crappies and bass. Just outside the campground is famous Kaaterskill Falls, one of the highest -- 260 feet in two leaps -- in the east. Campground amenities include a dump station, picnic grills, restrooms and showers.
North Country
- Anglers, boaters and sightseers alike are drawn to Wellesley Island State Park, a forested jewel in the heart of the famous 1000 Islands. Primitive campsites -- accessible only by boat or foot -- dot the St. Lawrence River shoreline. The park's many camp loops accommodate tents and RVs. There is a marina, docking slips and four boat launches. Muskellunge fishing is very popular in the autumn. The park's facilities include a laundry, showers, a museum, visitor's center and 9-hole golf course.
Niagara Frontier
- Just 15 minutes from colossal Niagara Falls, Four Mile Creek State Park has 275 large campsites, half of them with electric hookups. Prime sites with memorable views are along the shore of Lake Ontario; hiking trails thread through the wooded bluffs above the lake. A camp store, laundry and showers, picnic areas and playground are available. Discount tickets for Niagara Falls' two most popular attractions -- Cave of the Winds and the unforgettable Maid of the Mist boat ride -- are for sale at the park.
