The Department of Environmental Conservation is offering fully stocked campsites at select Adirondack and Catskill campgrounds this summer. Camping Ambassadors will guide participants through the basics, including setting up tents and learning outdoor skills like fishing, hiking, and birding.
Interested residents must enter the lottery on the DEC website by July 3 and choose one of the participating locations in the Adirondacks and Catskills:
Luzerne Campground (Adirondacks) – July 11-13
Mongaup Pond Campground (Catskills) – July 18-20
Cranberry Lake Campground (Adirondacks) – July 25-27
Kenneth L. Wilson Campground (Catskills) – August 1-3
North South Lake Campground (Catskills) – August 8-10
Meacham Lake Campground (Adirondacks) – August 15-17
Northampton Beach Campground (Adirondacks) – August 22-24
Selected campers will receive gear including tents, sleeping bags, lanterns, and firewood. The program aims to make camping accessible, especially for those from underserved communities.
Participating weekends run from mid-July through late August at seven DEC-operated campgrounds. For more information or to enter the lottery, visit dec.ny.gov.
