Press Release
May 08, 2007
For Release: Immediate
Press Contact:
Eileen Larrabee
Catherine Jimenez
518.486.1868
State Parks Campgrounds Named Top In Nation
Parks Facilities Honored as Favorite Destinations
(Albany, New York, Monday, May 8, 2007 . . . ) New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Carol Ash today announced that 23 New York State owned and operated campgrounds have received national recognition as popular vacation destinations throughout the United States. Reserve America's fifth annual Top 100 Family Campgrounds list includes ten state park camping facilities and thirteen other state park locations identified in special categories.
"The State Parks system offers a wide variety of camping and recreational experiences at outstanding facilities and at tremendous values, allowing families and friends to enjoy New York's magnificent natural and cultural resources," said Ash. "We are honored that the hard work and dedication of our parks staff has once again been recognized through Reserve America by the countless patrons who enjoy visiting these favorite designations, and all of our popular settings, each season."
Reserve America, a reservation service that covers national, state and private recreational facilities throughout the country, compiles the Top 100 Family Campgrounds list to assist campers plan trips and recommends America's greatest "hidden gem" locations. The list was developed by park rangers, regional park management and campers who wrote testimonials, rated campgrounds and provided feedback throughout the year. Nearly 3,000 parks were reviewed and the final 100 campgrounds were chosen based on specific family-friendly criteria ranging from educational programs and visitor centers to camping amenities and overall beauty and scenery.
The ten popular family-friendly New York State Parks campgrounds chosen are:
Cayuga Lake State Park, Seneca Falls
Cherry Plain State Park, Cherry Plain
Evangola State Park, Irving
Fillmore Glen State Park, Moravia
Hither Hills State Park, Montauk
Letchworth State Park, Castile
Mills Norrie State Park, Staatsburg
Taconic State Park - Rudd Pond Area, Millerton
Verona Beach State Park, Verona Beach
Whestone Gulf State Park, Lowville
In addition, the Top 100 list includes specialty categories featuring an assortment of parkland and recreational facilities in New York. The sites receiving recognition are:
Amazing Spots - Allegany State Park, Salamanca
Biking Trails - Hamlin Beach State Park, Hamlin
Bird Watching Sports - Bowman Lake State Park, Oxford
Canoeing Spots - Eel Weir State Park, Morristown
Educational & Historical - Newtown Battlefield State Park, Elmira
Fishing Spots - Burnham Point State Park, Clayton
Hiking Trails - Buttermilk Falls State Park, Ithaca
Kid-Friendly Parks - Wildwood State Park, Wading River
Picnic Area - Jacques Cartier State Park, Morristown
Park Beaches - Selkirk Shores State Park, Pulaski
Romantic Spots - Taughannock Falls State Park, Trumansburg
Scenic Views - Watkins Glen State Park, Watkins Glen
Unique Cabins - Moreau Lake State Park, Gansevoort
Reserve America operates the state's camping reservation system which provides online and phone reservations for campsites throughout New York operated by State Parks and the State Department of Environmental Conservation. State-operated campsites and cabins provide accommodations for more that 900,000 people each year.
While the most popular time to camp is Memorial Day through Labor Day, many state campgrounds are available in the spring, fall and winter. Reservations are accepted for campsites and cabins from one day to nine months in advance of the planned arrival date by calling toll free 1-800-456-CAMP or online, www.ReserveAmerica.com.
New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 176 state parks and 35 historic sites. For more information on any of these recreation areas, please call 518-474-0456 or online, www.nysparks.com.
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Editor's Note: For images of select parks in your area, please contact the Parks' Press Office at 518.486.1868