New York RV & Camping: Time, Dates & Rules (With Examples)

Arguably one of the best states to camp in if you want to be immersed in nature in New York.

This friendly state is home to hundreds of state parks, national parks, and RV campgrounds.

It can be tough to narrow down which campground is the best suited for you and your friends or family with so much variety. That’s why we have had a look at all New York has to offer, and we have managed to narrow down a specific list surrounding some of the best New York camping destinations.

Each of these spectacular destinations has its own unique amenities, and attractions so it’s likely one of them will inspire you to visit:

3 New York Campgrounds with Times, Dates, and Rules:

Finding the perfect holiday destination in New York doesn’t have to be an exhausting experience.

Below we have listed the three best campgrounds that you can visit.

Additionally, we have included some of the specific rules that need to be adhered to, the times you can visit, and the dates that the destinations are open.

1. Lake George RV Park

One of the best holiday destinations to visit is Lake George RV Park when you need a family-friendly camping experience.

There are more than 120 acres of land where you and the family can enjoy peaceful hikes in the wooded Adirondack retreat, visit the stunning lake, or you can participate in one of the numerous resort activities.

The resort impressively has 400 pull-through and back-in campsites that are each equipped with water, cable, and sewer connections. You can camp in your motorhome, a tent or one of the park’s cabins.

Suppose your holiday is a working one you will enjoy that the Lake George RV Park features free WiFi throughout the entire park. Some of the best amenities that this park has on offer include sports recreational facilities, park pools, an adult fitness center, an off-leash dog park, indoor recreational facilities, and there is paddle boating and fishing.

Should you want to explore the surrounding attractions, you will be pleased by what you can do. Near to the park, there are numerous restaurants, shops, wineries, breweries, theme parks, museums, boat rentals, and even a town rodeo.

Check-in for campsites is after 1:00 pm, while check-in for RV sites is 4:30 pm. The park is open from May 14th until October 11th. It is also open during spring and fall.

Rules:

• All pets need to have proof of distemper/rabies vaccinations.
• Six domestic pets are allowed per campsite.
• All pets must be kept on a reliable leash.
• All golf carts need to have liability insurance.
• Those driving golf carts need to have a valid driver’s license.
• Any visitor to a campsite needs to register at the main office and pay a guest fee.
• No drones or flying toys are allowed to be operated on the park grounds.
• Pollution of swimming pools and aquatic areas is prohibited.

2. Brennan Beach RV Resort

You don’t need to travel out of state to experience a fantastic beach holiday. One of the best resorts in New York is the Brennan Beach RV Resort, located on the gorgeous eastern shores of Lake Ontario in Pulaski, New York. This resort has all the creature comforts of home while providing you with amenities and activities that ensure you will have a holiday worth remembering.

The Brennan Beach Resort has 1400 well-maintained RV campsites, but if this isn’t to your liking, you can make use of one of their comfortable vacation rental cabins. Additionally, the resort has numerous restrooms that feature showers, and there are designated WiFi hotspot zones.

Although watersport activities like swimming in the lake, boat rentals, and waterside hikes, the resort has much more to offer. You can enjoy live entertainment, biking, nature trails, numerous outdoor games and activities, mini-golf, and even a library.

If these activities don’t keep you entertained, you can set out to enjoy some of the nearby attractions.

Close to the resort, you can rent local fishing boats for the day, visit the Kallet Theatre, visit Mexican Point park, or participate in an evening of fine dining at one of the local restaurants.

At Brennan Beach, RV Resort check-in is at 1 pm, and check-out is at 12 pm (noon). This resort is open from the 5th of January to the 15th of October.

Rules:

• The minimum check-in age requirement at this resort is 21 years old.
• Guests under 15 years of age are considered children.
• Leashed pets are welcome.
• No refunds are issued if a person checks out early.
• Long-term stays of 28 days or longer are allowed.
• The prices and site types are subject to availability.

3. Medina/Wildwood Lake KOA

If beach resorts and wooded areas are not your ideas for a perfect New York vacation, you might want to consider the medina/Wildwood lake KOA campground.

This holiday destination is perfect for those who want to be near one of the countries biggest attractions Niagra Falls. This KOA campground is located in a beautiful area in the greater Niagra Region of Western New York.

The Medina/Wildwood Lake KOA campground has 300 camping sites that have access to water. There are also full hookups available for all RVs that are less than 40 feet in length.

Additionally, there are also sewer and pumping facilities and park-wide WiFi.

For convenience, this campground offers vacationers a snack bar and a camp store gift shop, so you won’t need to go far to buy necessities and take time away from your trip.  The campground also allows visitors to rent bicycles, golf carts, pedals, canoes, and fishing boats.

Reservations open at 1 pm, and check-out is at 11 am. This KOA campground is open 365 days a year.

Rules:

• All dogs to remain on a leash that is at least 6 feet long.
• Quiet hours are from 10 pm until 7 am.
• Only six or fewer guests are permitted on a site at a single time.
• No rubbish or refuse is allowed on the site after 7 pm.
• Tree climbing is not permitted.
• No go-carts and scooters are allowed.
• All alcoholic beverages have to be kept out of sight.
• No firearms or fireworks are permitted.

Can You Go RVing in New York Outside These Dates?

It isn’t too difficult finding a campground that is open year-round in New York.

Two of the holiday destinations we mentioned above are open year-round. However, certain State and National Parks are only open seasonally or during specific set times as many are allowed to set their own rules according to the wishes of private owners or governmental institutions.

If you want to visit New York and are worried about the campground being closed, you should contact the place you want to visit first. Yet, there is another alternative available to you.

Should you not want to go through the hassle of doing hours of research and making phone calls to the places you are interested in visiting, you can book a stay at a KOA campground.

These campgrounds are open year-round.

Camping and RV Rules for Local State Parks and National Parks

Below, we have briefly listed a few of the most important rules you should be aware of should you plan to visit one of the New York State or National Parks for your holiday:

• Only six people and two cars are allowed per site.
• Campgrounds that allow pets are restricted to no more than two leashed animals.
• Every site can accommodate two tents, one hard wheel camping unit (motorhome), or one tent.
• Firewood is not allowed to be moved.
• Most New York campgrounds allow Alcohol except for the Beaver Pond Campground and Stony Brook State Park.
• Disposing of greywater is only allowed in designated areas.
• Injuring of trees is not permitted. No nails or screws are allowed in campground trees.
• Fires are only allowed in specifically designated areas and are to be governed by adults.
• Quiet hours for most State Parks and National Parks are between 10 pm and 7 am.
• Campsites must always be kept clean.

Where Can You Camp for Free in New York?

Unlike in other states in America, you can participate in backcountry camping for free throughout most State Parks in New York.

It is important to note that backcountry camping is the only form of free camping you can participate in New York.

Two of the best places you can camp for free in New York include the Catskill Forest Preserve and the Adirondack Forest Preserve. In most instances, when you are participating in backcountry camping, you won’t need a permit.

Yet if you plan on camping at one of the free destinations for more than 10 nights, you will need to obtain a permit, but they are free.

Can You Camp On Public Hunting Land In New York?

In New York, hunting on DEC public campgrounds is not permitted, but some campgrounds in the Catskill Forest Preserve and Adirondack Forest Preserve allow primitive camping during big game season.

However, backcountry and primitive camping on public hunting lands are generally allowed in New York.

Citations:

Free Camping On State Land In New York