New York State Parks Recreation & Historic Preservation

COVID-19 UPDATE: State Parks encourages New Yorkers to recreate locally, practice social distancing, and use common sense to protect themselves and others. Getting outdoors to walk, jog, hike, ride a bike, or visit a park or state lands is a healthy way to stay active, spend time with your immediate household family members, and reduce stress and anxiety while practicing social distancing. While indoor spaces and restrooms at State Park facilities may be closed to prevent community spread of COVID-19, parks, grounds, forests and trails are open during daylight hours, seven days a week. For the safety of all visitors, all State Park playgrounds, athletic courts and sport fields are closed. Visitors are asked to #recreatelocal, choose parks that are close to their home and follow CDC/NYSDOH's guidelines for preventing the spread of colds, flu and COVID-19. We appreciate your support and patience as we navigate this public health crisis together. Learn more about COVID-19 and its impact on NY State Parks. Visit: COVID-19 UPDATE

Parking Limitations in Effect:To encourage physical social distancing at popular parks, trailheads and scenic areas, State Parks may reduce the number of available parking spaces on high visitation days. Have a plan ready to visit a different park or another park area.

UPDATE April 6: Parking areas at Bear Mountain, Harriman, Minnewaska and Sam's Point have reached full capacity and are currently CLOSED to incoming visitors and traffic. Please make alternate plans.

Early Season Camping and Pavilion/Shelters: Due to the global health crisis, all campgrounds, cabins, cottages, and pavilions/shelters are CLOSED to visitation through April 30. All visitors with reservations will be issued a full refund. We ask for your patience as refunds are processed.

Camping Reservations & Pavilion/Shelter Reservations: New York State has suspended all new camping, cabin and cottage and pavilion/shelter reservations for the 2020 season until further notice. We are assessing campground and pavilion status on a daily basis. If you've made a reservation for the season beginning May 1, and we determine your facility is safe to open, your reservation will be honored. However, visitors who wish to cancel an existing reservation may do so and receive a full refund. Thank you for your patience as we work to protect the safety of our visitors and staff.

Safe Boating

Brianna's Law is in effect as of January 1, 2020, which requires all operators of motorized boats and personal watercraft to take a safe boating course and get a boating safety certificate. Learn more about the full phase-in details: Brianna's Law

Lifeguards

Are you a strong swimmer, love to be outdoors and looking for a summer job? Join the State Parks Lifeguard team. Dates to qualify have started: find a location near you

Connect Kids to Parks

Teachers! Plan now for spring field trips. Connect Kids to Parks field trip grants are available throughout the year for trips to state parks and historic sites. Learn More.

Featured Story

You Gotta Have Friends

More and more people are choosing to help-out at their favorite park by joining a Friends group. Currently there are 76 Friends Groups across the state that provide support and stewardship to New York State Parks.

Learn More