The Oneida Daily Dispatch, link to original post
A cool shaded campsite with pleasant views, kids fishing nearby, enjoying the sunset over the nearby lake and relaxing around a campfire while planning tomorrow’s activities. These are the common images most people have of camping today.
Perhaps you remember or think of camping as sleeping on the hard ground in a crowded tent and cooking hotdogs over an open fire. Well it was and still can be that, but it also ranges to people spending time in a luxurious RV. For most people it is probably somewhere in between.
Technology has evolved so if you are tent camping it is probably in a much improved and roomier tent, sleeping on an air mattress and using the latest Coleman stove or lantern. Even if you are backpacking or camping primitive style it certainly is not as rough as it used to be. The idea of camping includes everything from hiking into the West Canada Lakes Wilderness to traveling by motor home to a private campground.
Camping is a popular pastime with a long tradition, especially in New York State with its abundance of public forest land and state parks or campgrounds. In addition to an affordable way to spend a weekend or vacation, it also gives people an opportunity to reconnect with nature. State campgrounds in the Adirondacks and Catskills are operated by the Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) while those in the rest of the state are run by Office of Parks & Recreation (OPR).
State parks usually take advantage of a natural attraction (such as a lake) and offer less amenities but more natural activities such as boating, fishing, etc. For example, there are many campgrounds along the St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario, Finger Lakes and countless smaller lakes or ponds in central NY.
Designated campsites at state campgrounds usually offer swimming, fishing, hiking, playgrounds for kids and more. Usually there is a variety of wildlife there or nearby. For example, two of the campgrounds we frequent have ospreys while another has a pair of bald eagles. In campgrounds operated by OPR a certain number of sites usually have electric hookups, while there are none in DEC campgrounds.
Both OPR and DEC campgrounds are listed in a booklet “New York Camping Guide” with lots of information on facilities found at each. You can obtain this guide as well as get information on line by visiting the web site www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/camping
Reservations can be made by going though Reserve America at 1-800-456 CAMP or www.newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com
Be forewarned that many of the popular sites at popular campgrounds are booked months in advance. However by going to some of the lesser-known campsites you can still find nice spots for outdoor fun on short notice. Even those who prefer more primitive camping can book places on a first-come, first-served basis with a short walk, paddle or even driving to them.
Just a few examples are Stony Pond, the Moose River Recreation Area or Moss Lake. There is no fee for these sites, although there are no services available.
If you are backpacking or hiking, the possibilities are almost limitless. Pick your spot from state forests in the Adirondacks, Tug Hill, central NY and elsewhere. Certain restrictions (such as camping a distance from the water’s edge) apply and if you camp more than three days at one spot you should get a camping permit from the forest ranger in charge of that area.
Remember, if you are not experienced in backpacking you should get advice, or better yet, go with an experienced camper. Have a good map, compass and GPS available. Keep your first few trips simple, short and close to “civilization.”
If you are just getting into camping you should also ask some experienced person what you need (and what you don’t need). Consider borrowing or renting some of the things for your first few trips. Camping can be a relatively inexpensive way to have a family vacation or get-away weekend. It can be elaborate or simple as you like.
We camped a lot when my children were small and camp even more now. One of the best testimonials I can think of is that one of my daughters who now lives in Connecticut looks forward to joining us with her family. She said that she had so much fun when she was growing up that she wants her daughters to have the same experience. I hope to see you on the lake!
“To the body and mind which have been cramped by noxious work or company, nature is medicinal and restores their tone. The tradesman, the attorney comes out of the din and craft of the street, and sees the sky and the woods, and is a man again. In their eternal calm, he finds himself.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson