Can I camp in NYC parks?

Sleep under the stars! Camp overnight in our parks with our Urban Park Rangers as your hosts and guides. Pitch a tent under the stars and settle in for a night of adventure. Some of our family-friendly camping programs may feature a Ranger-led nighttime hike through the woods, storytelling, and s'mores!



People Also Ask

Central Park does not allow camping of any kind.

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Most New York State Parks charge a vehicle use fee between $6 and $10 dollars for day use. Parks may also charge additional fees for such amenities as pools and picnic shelter reservations.

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Overnight camping is only permitted on select nights and you must win a lottery spot to be able to do so. Kids are also a requirement.

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Smoking. Smoking is not permitted in Central Park, including electronic cigarettes.

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Picnic Permits & Reservations If you have less than 20 people, you are not required to have a permit; however, it is the only way to guarantee that your desired location will be available.

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In city parks, it is illegal to “engage in camping, or erect or maintain a tent, shelter or camp” without a permit, or to be in a park at all between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. unless posted rules state otherwise.

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First off, it's never a good idea to go through Central Park at night. While Central Park is an idyllic tourist attraction during the day, it is technically supposed to be closed late at night and in the early hours of the morning. The vast majority of cases of crime and violence in the park occur at night.

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