Camping Things To Know
Start packing! Use our camping checklist to help you prepare for your trip.
General Rules and Information
Reservations and Walk-Ins:
- Campsites can be reserved up until 3PM on your day of arrival.
- Cabins, Cottages, and Yurts can be reserved up to one day prior to arrival.
- Reservations can be made online through Reserve America
or by calling the Reserve America Call Center at 1-800-456-2267. - Walk-ins are permitted on campsites only.
Check-In/Check-Out
- Check-In: 3PM
- Site must be registered and occupied by 9PM on the first night of the reservation or it will be deemed a no-show, subject to re-rental and fees may be forfeited.
- Check-Out: 11AM
Length of Stay
- Campsites
- Minimum Stay: 1-3 nights per stay (varies by park);
- Maximum Stay: 14 continuous nights per stay. After 14 nights, all occupants and equipment must leave for 48 hours before returning to the same park.
- Rolling Window Reservations: Some parks allow 1-night reservations 3 to 7 days prior to arrival.
- Cabins/Cottages/Yurts
- During peak season (generally late June to late August) a 7- or 14-night minimum stay is required
- Select parks allow a 2 or 3-night minimum all season.
- During non-peak season, a 2-night minimum stay is required.
- During peak season (generally late June to late August) a 7- or 14-night minimum stay is required
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
- Tents and hard-wheeled camping equipment is not permitted on site.
Pets
If the site permits pets, please respect the pet policy:
- Proof of Rabies Vaccination:
- At any time during the camping stay, pet owners may be required to provide proof of rabies vaccination upon request (metal tags are not accepted). Be sure to have this information available to present to park staff and/or law enforcement.
- 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 and/or law enforcement.
- Where pets are permitted, there is a maximum limit of two pets per site.
- Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 ft. and under control at all times.
- Noise from pets should not disturb your neighbors at any time.
- 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.
- Where Applicable: Pets are not permitted in playgrounds, buildings, golf courses, boardwalks, pools and spray-grounds or guarded beaches (this does not apply to service animals).
- 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.
Swimming
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.
Don't Move Firewood
By transporting firewood, you could be spreading invasive insects and diseases that can kill trees. Help slow the spread and adhere to the firewood regulations.
Access Pass/Lifetime Liberty Pass
Passholders must have a valid pass at the time of stay and be listed as the Primary Occupant on the reservation. Before making your camping reservation, be sure your pass is eligible and review additional guidelines for use.
Additional General Rules
- Camping permits are non-transferable.
- Please do not injure the park trees. No nails, screws, ropes, or lines are 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.
- Help keep the campground safe for everyone. 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.