Camping Things To Know
The Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation (OPRHP) operates camping areas in New York's state parks. Through the New York State Camping Reservation System, you may reserve sites which will guarantee accommodations at any state camping area. Online reservations can be made at newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com and phone reservations can be made by calling 1-800-456-2267 (TDD:1-800-304-1265). Services, programs, and facilities vary among campgrounds. Contact the park for current schedules.
Start packing! Use our camping checklist to help you prepare for your trip.
General Rules and Information
Same-Day Reservations and Walk-Ins: Same-day reservations will be allowed until 3pm on day of arrival; this applies to campsites only. Reservations can be made online or through the Reserve America call center (1-800-456-2267). Walk-ins will not be permitted during this time. When walk-ins are permitted, you may register upon arrival for 1, or up to 14 nights, provided sites are available and a registration fee of $1.25 will be charged.
Check-In: 3PM (unless otherwise noted). Site must be registered and occupied by 9pm on the first night of the reservation or it will be subject to re-rental and fees may be forfeited.
Check-Out: Campers must vacate their site no later than 11AM (unless otherwise noted) on the day of departure.
Site Assignment: Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Length of Stay:
- Campsites: Minimum 1-3 nights (varies by park); Some parks allow 1-night reservations 3 or 7 days prior to arrival. Maximum 14 continuous nights per stay. All occupants and equipment must leave for 48 hours before returning to the same park.
- Cabins/Cottages/Yurts: During peak season (typically the 4th Friday in June - last Sunday before Labor Day weekend) a 7 or 14-night minimum stay is required* (dates may vary by park);
during non-peak season, a 2-night minimum stay is required.
*Select parks allow a 2 or 3-night minimum all season.
Age Limitation: Persons under 18 years of age (21 at some parks) must be accompanied and supervised by a person 18 years of age or older (21 at some parks) that has been issued a camping permit. The permit holder must be in residence throughout the permit period.
Campsite Occupancy: Limited to 6 persons per site (unless otherwise noted).
Camping Equipment:
- Campsites: 2 tents or 1 unit of hard-wheeled camping equipment and 1 tent (unless otherwise noted).
- Cabins/Cottages/Yurts: no tents or hard-wheeled camping equipment allowed.
Pets: If the site permits pets, please respect the pet policy:
- Current proof of rabies inoculation is required at check-in (metal tags will not be accepted).
- In cases of exceptions where the pet cannot be vaccinated due to age or other health conditions, a veterinarian’s certified statement explaining the pet is exempt from vaccinations must be presented to park staff.
- At any time during your stay, pet owners may be required to provide proof of rabies inoculation upon request. Be sure to have this information available to present to park staff.
- Where pets are permitted, there is a maximum limit of 2 pets per site.
- Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6ft and under control at all times.
- Do not leave pets unattended and always clean up after them.
- Pet owners/permit holders are liable for any damage, personal injury, or nuisance caused by the pet.
- If you have questions regarding pets, contact the park directly prior to your stay.
Quiet Hours: Strictly enforced from 10PM-7AM. Radios, music, and conversation should not disturb your neighbors at any time. Visitors not listed on the permit are not allowed on site during these hours.
Generator Hours: Permitted from 9AM to 11AM and 5PM to 9PM. We encourage those who need a generator for medical reasons to reserve an electric site or cabin/cottage/yurt as we do not permit generators to run overnight or beyond generator hours. If the use of a generator is deemed unreasonably loud by the facility staff, an individual's use of the generator may be limited and/or prohibited.
Alcoholic Beverages: While alcoholic beverages are allowed in most NYS campgrounds without a permit, it is the responsibility of each camping party to comply with all laws and regulations. Stony Brook State Park and Beaver Pond Campground prohibit the use of alcohol.
Don't Move Firewood: By transporting firewood, you could be spreading invasive insects and diseases that can kill trees. Help slow the spread and follow firewood regulations. For more information; http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/28722.html.
Additional General Rules:
- Camping permits are not transferable.
- Please do not injure the park trees. NO nails, screws, ropes, or lines permitted to be tied or inserted into trees, shrubs, or other structures.
- Fires must be contained in designated areas and always supervised by an adult.
- Wash dishes at your campsite or in designated areas ONLY. Dispose of gray water in designated areas. Water fountains are for drinking only.
- Please keep the campground clean by keeping your campsite clean! Picnic tables and receptacle (if provided) must remain on site where you found them. Rubbish must be placed in trash bags and placed in proper receptacles. Excessive trash on site may result in fees charged to the permit holder.
- Campsites, cabins, cottages, and yurts that are accessible for people with disabilities are only to be reserved/rented by camping parties which include at least one member in need of the accommodation. When all other sites have been reserved/rented, the accessible sites then become available on a "first-come/first-served" basis.
- Each year the campground makes every effort to provide safe swimming opportunities by testing the water and by keeping the swimming areas staffed with lifeguards. Please be aware that if the safety of our swimmers is compromised due to lack of lifeguard coverage or water quality issues, swimming will be prohibited. Swimming cannot be a guaranteed activity; therefore, we cannot offer refunds on camping stays. We apologize for this inconvenience as it may occur with little advance notice.
- Help us keep the campground safe for everyone. Please report any incidents, accidents, or maintenance problems immediately to the park staff.
- Upon discovering that a permit holder or camping occupant is a registered Level 2 or Level 3 sex offender, the Office is authorized to direct the occupant to leave the campground and may revoke the camping permit.
- Any additional rules and regulations will be observed. The park manager reserves the right to revoke any permit, when necessary, in order to ensure the peace, comfort, and safety of all campers in the facility.
Please keep in mind that each campground may have its own specific rules in addition to the above.
Rules and regulations are subject to change at any time without notice.
Cancellations
To cancel a reservation prior to arrival you can cancel online or contact Reserve America at 1-800-456-2267. If you are cancelling on the day of arrival you must contact the campground directly.
When you cancel your reservation, you will be assessed fees. It's important to know the closer to your arrival date you cancel, the less money you will receive back as a refund.
- Cancelling 8 days or more prior to arrival - Reservation fee $7.25 + Cancellation Fee $7.25
- Cancelling 7 days or less prior to arrival - Reservation fee $7.25 + Cancellation Fee $7.25 + the cost of the first night's stay (this amount varies based on the cost of your site).
- All fees are retained if you fail to arrive and do not inform the park of a cancellation in advance.
- Refunds will not be granted for events, circumstances, or decisions that are beyond the control of the Agency.
Changes or Transfers
- There is a $7.25 transaction fee required to make a change to any reservation. To make any changes to your reservation you must call 1-800-456-2267 at least 1 day prior to your scheduled arrival.
- Customer and/or Primary Occupant name changes are not permitted. The reservation will need to be cancelled and re-booked, and all applicable cancellation and reservation fees will be charged.
- Upon arrival at the campground no refunds will be issued for date changes or early departures.
No Show
- All fees are retained if you fail to arrive and do not inform the park of a cancellation in advance.
- Refunds will not be granted for events, circumstances, or decisions that are beyond the control of the Agency.