This site is closed to new comments and posts.

Notice: This site uses cookies to function.
If you are not comfortable with cookies then please don't browse this website.

camping! — Brooklynian

camping!

brooklynlager
edited November -1 in Prospect Heights
so its getting nice out and i want to take the lady friend camping. now i know this is not the easiest thing to do living in brooklyn without a car but i am wondering what my options are for planning a camping trip. i don't really want to rent a car, am thinking maybe there is somewhere i could go via LIRR or something like that. i got a tent and a bag and stuff. i would like to go somewhere non commercial......ie i cant see/here other people camping right around us. possibly even some where you are not really suppose to camp but could get away with it without much hassle. anyone done something like this got some advice? thanks!

Comments

  • Floyd Bennett Field on Flatbush Ave. Talk to the Parks Department. Either that or take a Amtrak and bus to Cape Breton, NS, CA.
  • Subject: camping sans vehicle

    It was a few years ago but I'm pretty sure I got to this place by bus from NYC:
    http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/North_South_Lake_Campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NY&parkId=5&topTabIndex=CampingSpot
    You can also try contacting the Appalachian Mountain Club.
    Happy camping!
  • There's a great book called "The New York Walk Book" that covers hiking/camping throughout NY State, but has a lot of info on NYC-regional access to hiking and camping via public transportation.
  • 'The New York Walk Book' is the key book.

    Since you specifically mentioned LIRR, there are places on Long Island that have campgrounds and can be accessed by LIRR.

    There are national, state, county and private campgrounds.

    Here is a list of national, county and private campgrounds on LI:

    http://longisland.about.com/cs/outdoorfun/a/camping.htm

    Here is a list of state campgrounds:

    http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/list.asp?txtPark=&txtReg=Long Island&Opt=1&PKS7=72&sortBy=0

    The camping sites in the campgrounds are nicely spaced and often in the forest, but you are not in the wilderness by yourself. To do that you'd have to backpack into the woods. Probably the closest place you can do that is Harriman State Park, which is accessible by bus, and has a few Appalachian Trail lean-tos on the trails.

    Last summer we spent a day kayaking down the Delaware River (flatwater) and stayed at a campground there, but you would need a car. There are lots of outfitters, here is one:

    http://www.kittatinny.com/

    Along the Delaware River, there are designated campsites where you can stop and spend the night. These campsites are very private. I am not sure if they are first come first served or you have to get a permit and reservation either through the federal government (www.nps.gov) or the PA or NJ state parks departments.

    Apparently the only place within the five boroughs that allows camping is Floyd Bennett Field on Flatbush Ave, an interesting day trip when they are restoring old airplanes on weekends.
  • If you take the LIFF to Patchogue and take the ferrey to Watch Hill there are some campgrounds. I'm not sure how you reserve them exactly, but it's sweet, they have potable water, showers and bbqs! And it's right next to the ocean and a nature perserve. A great place to spend some time with a lady friend.

    Or, if you want, you can just walk down Fire Island farther east and place your tent somewhere out of view and rough it.
  • Subject: the hills are alive

    image
  • bear mountain / harriman state park - just about an hour away, a couple of bus routes to it, or a train station just across the hudson. most people dont realize what a huge park it is, with tons of trails. trail maps at ems, paragon, etc. last year i took a bus to the west side of the park, did an overnight trip along the appalacian trail which runs through, and took a different bus back from the east side.
  • Metro North goes directly to the Appalachian Trail on Saturday and Sunday.

    http://mta.info/mnr/html/planning/schedules/pdf/harSS_408.pdf
Sign In or Register to comment.