Full disclosure - I have been to none of these campgrounds.  But, I did some research in preparation for a last minute camping trip and this is what I proposed to my travel companions (all have availability as of July 21st for next weekend):

about 2 hours; KETTLETOWN STATE PARK, CT: http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/Kettletown_State_Park/r/campgroundDetails.do?page=details&contractCode=CT&parkId=100109&topTabIndex=CampingSpot 

about an hour and a half; WILDWOOD STATE PARK, NY (long island): http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/Wildwood_State_Park/r/campgroundDetails.do?page=details&contractCode=NY&parkId=288&topTabIndex=CampingSpot 

about 2 hours; LAKE WARAMAUG STATE PARK, CT:http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/Lake_Waramaug_State_Park/r/campgroundDetails.do?page=details&contractCode=CT&parkId=100110&topTabIndex=CampingSpot

about 2 and a half hours; LITTLE POND CAMPGROUND, NY http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/Little_Pond_Campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?page=details&contractCode=NY&parkId=495&topTabIndex=CampingSpot - apparently a really nice lake and not a pond at all

mark your calendars!

Urban Park Rangers Program - Camping in NY Urban Parks Lottery

Urban park rangers are offering great activities for the summer, but my favorite is the lottery to be one of 30 people (30 “families”/households) to be randomly selected to camp out  - tent camping, smores, stargazing, night hikes - in various nyc parks.  

Note:

registration for Central Park opens on July 28, for August 7th

registration for Prospect Park opens on September 8 for Sept 17

and so on … check out the website for your choice park

click the pic

Central New York State map

more about parks and campgrounds in the area

click the pic

Sometimes I forget why I feel the need to do this but then I come across something that I cant believe I didn’t know about, that I don’t want to forget about, and that I feel the need to share with others - Ally Pond Adventure Park in Queens, NY.

The park - full of ropes courses, zip lines, slingshots, etc - appears to be about 30 to 90 minutes depending on traffic, from Manhattan out into Queens, by car. Or, take the E or F subway to Bus Q46.  Free for families and individuals on Sundays, at 10:00 am and 1:30 pm from May through November. There is family camping, corporate or group training and retreats available as well.  

And, you can read lots about it from NY 1, NY Times, and Daily News. 

I feel like it could be crowded, but that’s a risk I’m willing to take, I guess. I mean, there’s obviously a whole park to explore just in case.  

 718-217-4685 - adventure center rangers

GPOYW: I’ve got camping and eating on the mind, obviously.

WEEKEND GETAWAY

Sacandaga Campgrounds, Adirondack State Park, Northville, NY

Believe it or not, if you want to go camping this summer and haven’t yet booked your campsites,  you may very well be left with one along the main road or next to the bathrooms.  For the prime river front camping sites, you gotta get on it early.

Sacandaga Campground in Fulton County is along the southern tip of the Adirondack State Park.  It is a beautiful campground where two branches of the same river meet.  The best site there is #62 that juts out into river meeting place.  Check out the campground map here. The water isn’t very deep and there are boulder rocks all throughout that you can lounge on. 

more info , here too

There is of course lots of hiking nearby.  If you hike to the Falls, be careful!  The rocks slope steep and are slippery.  We almost lost a fellow traveler.  

Take a driving break on your way up or on your way home.  If you search Beelocal for Ulster County you’ll find some towns you can stop off in.