Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

September 03, 2019

New York State Encourages New Yorkers to Discover Outdoor Adventures Before Summer's End

Attendance at DEC Campgrounds on Path for A Record-Breaking Year

Promotion Draws 23,000 Visitors to State Park Campgrounds Along Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River

Half-Off Camping and Vehicle Entrance Fees at State Parks in Flood-Affected Region Extended Through Columbus Day

Visitors to DEC Campgrounds Entered in Raffle for $25 Camping Gift Cards

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that selected beaches and pools at State Parks will extend their seasons beyond Labor Day. Swimming will continue at 17 facilities up to Sunday Sept. 15, which is two weeks longer than originally planned. Governor Cuomo also reminded New Yorkers there is still time to make lasting family memories by getting outdoors and visiting any of the State's many campgrounds and parks. Campgrounds are open through late summer and many remain open in the early fall. In addition, State Parks is extending a 50 percent discount on camping and vehicle entrance fees at State Parks along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River for an additional two weeks, through Columbus Day weekend. The promotion has drawn an estimated 23,000 new visitors to state park campgrounds since it began August 1.

"As we approach the end of summer, New Yorkers still have time to get out and enjoy our wonderful beaches, pools and campgrounds while experiencing all that our world-class parks have to offer," Governor Cuomo said. "From the new and improved Jones Beach on Long Island to the beautiful parks found throughout Upstate, I encourage New Yorkers and visitors alike to take advantage of these extended opportunities."

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "Fishing and camping trips are affordable and rewarding experiences with the power to connect families with nature and one another while experiencing the great outdoors. I encourage all New Yorkers, and visitors, too, to make the most of the warm weather and cast a line on Lake Ontario or the St. Lawrence or visit any of the 119 public campground across the state. It's not too late to plan an outdoor adventure."

State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, "There is no better way to cap off summer than with some late-season swimming, and thanks to Governor Cuomo, we are able to give New Yorkers a chance to still get out there and enjoy the water."

The following State Park swimming facilities will offer extended seasons after Labor Day:

Long Island

• Hither Hills State Park, 164 Old Montauk Highway, Montauk: Daily through Sept. 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Jones Beach State Park Field 6, 2400 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh: Daily through Sept. 15, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.
• Jones Beach West Bathhouse Ocean Beach: Sept. 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Jones Beach Central Mall: Daily through Sept. 8, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sept. 14 and15 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Robert Moses State Park, 600 Robert Moses State Parkway, Babylon: Fields 2 and 5: Daily through Sept. 15, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Sunken Meadow State Park, Rte. 25A and Sunken Meadow Parkway, Kings Park: Main Beach daily through Sept. 15 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; East Beach on weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Wildwood State Park, 790 Hulse Landing Road, Wading River: Weekends Sept. 7, 8, 14 and 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

New York City

Gantry Plaza State Park, 4-09 47th Road, Long Island City: Spray pad weekends Sept. 7, 8, 14 and 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mid-Hudson Valley

• Fahnestock State Park (Canopus Beach), 1498 Route 301, Carmel: Weekends Sept. 7, 8, 14 and 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Capital District

• Saratoga Spa State Park Victoria Pool, 19 Roosevelt Drive, Saratoga Springs: Weekends Sept 7, 8, 14 and 15, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Grafton Lakes State Park, 254 Grafton Lakes State Park Way: Weekends Sept 7, 8, 14 and 15, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Thompson's Lake State Park, 68 Thompsons Lake Road, East Berne: Weekend of Sept 7 and 8, from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Southern Tier

• Robert H. Treman State Park, 105 Enfield Falls Road, Ithaca: Weekends Sept. 7, 8, 14, and 15, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Taughannock Falls State Park, 1740 Taughannock Blvd., Trumansburg: Weekends Sept. 7, 8 and 14, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sept. 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mohawk Valley

• Glimmerglass State Park, 1527 County Highway 31, Cooperstown: Weekend of Sept. 7 and 8, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Delta Lake State Park, 8797 State Route 46, Rome: Weekend of Sept. 7 and 8, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Western New York

• Beaver Island State Park, 2136 West Oakfield Road, Grand Island: Weekends Sept. 7, 8, 14, and 15, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

New Yorkers should also call ahead as unforeseen adverse weather or water conditions may affect pool and beach hours.

Many DEC and State campgrounds remain open through Columbus Day with reservations still available for the scenic fall foliage season, including the new Adirondack Frontier Town Campground, Equestrian and Day Use Area. In celebration of the first season of Frontier Town, campers booking a reservation for two nights or more at any one of DEC's 25 locations that are open through Columbus Day will be entered into a drawing to win one of 25 $25 DEC camping gift cards. Gift cards may be used to book a reservation for the 2020 camping season—the 100th anniversary of DEC campgrounds—and beyond. One winner per facility will be randomly selected, and winners will be notified in late October.

State Parks is extending its 50 percent off new campsite reservations and vehicle entrance fees at state campgrounds, parks and boat launches along Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River from the end of September through Columbus Day, October 14. Since Governor Cuomo announced the discount August 1, nearly 6,600 new camping reservation have been made at the eligible campgrounds, drawing an additional 23,000 visitors to the region.

Visitors who prefer to sleep with a roof over their heads may want to consider staying at a State Park cabin or cottage. State Parks offers the following options (links in the list below leave DEC's webpage):

• Full service cottages include the comforts of home wrapped in a rustic setting. State Parks offers a variety of unique cottages with sleeping accommodations ranging from two to 10. Most cottages include kitchen, bath, beds, living room, and outdoor living space. State Parks has availability at brand new cottages at Sampson State Park in the Finger Lakes, and Heckscher and Wildwood State Parks on Long Island.
• Cabins keep some of the modern comforts at hand while still offering the appeal of the great outdoors. Cabins can sleep between two and eight people. Basic cabins offer at least one room, electric, table, chairs, sleeping bed/cot, stove and refrigerators.
• Rustic cabins are the perfect in-between for campers who like both tents and cabins. Offering protection from the elements, the affordably-priced units sleep four or six, but have no electricity or water.

Entry to day-use areas is free for all 4th graders. State Parks and DEC will accept the National Park Service's 'Every Kid in a Park Pass' upon presentation for free entry for 4th grade students into all facilities in 2019. The pass applies only to the vehicle entry fee, and the 4th grader must be present in the vehicle. Fourth-grade students can obtain and print their pass on the NPS website.

The Empire Pass also provides unlimited day use vehicle entry to most facilities operated by State Parks and DEC, including forests, beaches, trails, and more.

New York State is making a historic commitment to improving and expanding access to outdoor recreation. The Governor's NY Parks 2020 program is a multi-year initiative to leverage $900 million in private and public funding for State Parks from 2011 to 2020. Through NY Parks 2020, Governor Cuomo launched the Connect Kids to Parks program in 2016, which provides free day-use park entry to fourth-grade students and their families, grants to public schools for field trips to state parks and historic sites, and free learn-to-swim lessons throughout the summer.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which were visited by a record 74 million people last year. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.parks.ny.gov, connect with us on Facebook, or follow on Instagram and Twitter.