Camping along the Empire State Trail

The Empire State Trail offers a selection of camping opportunities for those seeking proximity to nature and the opportunity to socialize with fellow travelers. Camping is most plentiful along the Erie Canalway Trail, with the Hudson and Champlain Valleys having more limited options. The listings below vary widely in amenities and distance from the trail. Research camping options beforehand and plan route adjustments accordingly. Note that primitive camping directly on the Empire State Trail is not permitted.

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Campground Listings

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Erie Canalway Trail

Camping is a great way to spend your nights on the trail. Luckily, the Erie Canalway corridor has lots of places to pitch a tent, giving you the flexibility to travel at your own pace and experience the natural beauty of the Erie Canal up close. The four main types of camping opportunities you’ll find along the trail are NYS Canal Corporation Biker-Hiker-Boater Campsites (free), Municipal Parks and Marinas (free-$20), State Park Campgrounds (for a fee), and Private Campgrounds (for a fee). Most campgrounds are open May-October, but if you are traveling during the shoulder season, make sure to call ahead. You can find a detailed description of each type of camping opportunities here.

Campground Name	Type	Address	Phone Number
Niagara Falls Campground & Lodging	Private Campground	2405 Niagara Falls Boulevard, Niagara Falls	(716) 731-3434
Royal Motel & Campground	Private Campground	3333 Niagara Falls Boulevard, Niagara Falls	(716) 693 5695
Niagara County Camping Resort	Private Campground	7369 Wheeler Road, Lockport	(716) 434-3991
Middleport Harbor	Municipal Park/Marina	24 Main Street, Middleport	(716) 735-3303
Red Rock Ponds	Private Campground	16097 Canal Road, Holley	(585) 638-2445
Brockport Welcome Center	Municipal Park/Marina	11 Water Street, Brockport	(585) 637-1000
Lock E33 Rochester	NYSCC Biker-Hiker-Boater Campsite	1205 Edgewood Avenue, Rochester	(585) 244-2150
Lock E32 Pittsford	NYSCC Biker-Hiker-Boater	2785 Clover Street, Pittsford	(585) 586-1837
Red's Twilight on the Erie RV Resort	Private Campground	1100 Marina Parkway, Macedon	(315) 986-7337
Lock E30 Macedon *TEMPORARILY CLOSED*	NYSCC Biker-Hiker-Boater Campsite	10 NYS Route 350, Macedon	(315) 986-5631
Lock E28B Newark	NYSCC Biker-Hiker-Boater	116 N Clinton St, Newark, NY 14513	(315) 871-4300
Whispering Winds	Private Campground	2 Country Club Drive, Newark	(315) 331-0786
Lyons Fire Station	Fire Station Lawn	23 Water St, Lyons, NY 14489	(315) 946-4852
NorWin Campground	Private Campground	2921 Pilgrimport Road, Lyons, NY 14489	(315) 946-4436
Lock CS2-3 Seneca Falls	NYSCC Biker-Hiker-Boater Campsite	9 Seneca Street, Seneca Falls	(315) 568-5797
Rivers Crossing Campground	Private Campground	508 NYS Route 89, Savannah	(315) 365-3000
Lock E25 May's Point	NYSCC Biker-Hiker-Boater Campsite	546 South Mays Point Road, Savannah	(315) 365-3241
Cayuga Lake State Park	State Park	2678 Lower Lake Road, Seneca Falls	(315) 568-5163
Lock CS1 Cayuga	NYSCC Biker-Hiker-Boater Campsite	6869 River Road, Cayuga	(315) 253-7523
Hejamada Campground	Private Campground	748 McDonald Road, Port Byron	(315) 776-5887
Riverforest Park Campground & Marina	Private Campground	9439 Riverforest Road, Weedsport	(315) 834-9458
Weedsport Speedway Campground	Private Campground	1 Speedway Dr #415, Weedsport, NY 13166	(315) 834-3067
Green Lakes State Park	State Park	7900 Green Lakes Road, Fayetteville	(315) 637-6111
Verona Beach State Park	State Park	6541 Lakeshore Road South, Verona Beach	(315) 762-4463
Tilden Hill Farm Campground	Campground	5345 Townline Rd Vernon NY 13476	(315) 334-3914
Lock E22 New London	NYSCC Biker-Hiker-Boater Campsite	3692 Wood Creek Road, Rome	(315) 336-4329
Lock E21 New London	NYSCC Biker-Hiker-Boater Campsite	7176 Lock Road, Rome	(315) 336-8229
Lock E20 Whitesboro	NYSCC Biker-Hiker-Boater Campsite	9028 River Road, Marcy	(315) 736-4617
Utica Harbor Park *TEMPORARILY CLOSED*	NYSCC Biker-Hiker-Boater Campsite	20 Harbor Lock Road W, Utica	(315) 736-4617
Frankfort Marina/Heelpath Brewing	Municipal Park/Marina	122 Marina Park Dr, Frankfort, NY 13340	Brewery: (315) 444-9005 Village: (315) 895-7651
Ilion Marina	Municipal Park/Marina	190 Central Avenue, Ilion	(315) 404-6532
Little Falls Canal Harbor and Rotary Park	Municipal Park/Marina	125 Southern Ave, Little Falls, NY 13365	(315) 823-1453
Lock E16 St. Johnsville	NYSCC Biker-Hiker-Boater Campsite	171 Mindenville Drive, Fort Plain	(518) 568-2636
St. Johnsonville Community Campground	Private Campground	1 Marina Drive, St. Johnsville	(518) 568-7406
Lock E15 Fort Plain	NYSCC Biker-Hiker-Boater Campsite	Old Station Road, Fort Plain	(518) 993-4161
Lock E9 Rotterdam	NYSCC Biker-Hiker-Boater Campsite	9 State Canal Park Rd (Rte 103), Rotterdam Jct., NY 12150	(518) 853-3823
Arrowhead Marina and RV Park	Private Campground	2 Van Buren Lane, Glenville	(518) 382-8966
Lock E7 Vischer Ferry	NYSCC Biker-Hiker-Boater Campsite	1280 Lock 7 Rd, Niskayuna, NY 12309	(518) 853-3823
Waterford Canal Visitor Center	Municipal Park/Marina	1 Tugboat Alley, Waterford	(518) 233-9123

Hudson Valley Greenway Trail

Camping opportunities in the Hudson Valley between NYC and Albany are limited. Please note that primitive camping is not available directly on the Empire State Trail. The listings below vary widely in regard to amenities and distance from the trail. Most DEC sites, for example, only offer primitive backcountry camping, whereas some private campgrounds include designated sites with access to showers and other facilities. Research camping options beforehand and plan route adjustments accordingly. Listings are shown from north to south.

Champlain Valley Trail

A number of public and private campgrounds are available along the Champlain corridor. Primitive camping is allowed along the Champlain Canalway Trail at designated Biker-Hiker-Boater campsites run by the NYS Canal Corporation. These primitive campsites have limited on-site amenities. Porta johns are provided, but visitors should be prepared with their own potable water, first aid kits, and camping and cooking supplies. Stays are limited to 48 hours and are available on a first come first serve basis. Other than along the Canal locks, primitive camping is not permitted directly on the Empire State Trail.

The Adirondack region is a popular destination for summer vacations and for foliage viewing in the fall. While there are numerous campsites and other lodging opportunities in and around the park, they are often booked months in advance.

The listings below vary greatly in amenities offered and distance from the trail. Campgrounds are listed from south to north.