Where to Go Camping Near NYC This Fall: Best Spots for Foliage & Fireside Nights
Fall is the best season for camping near NYC. Crisp air, blazing foliage, cozy campfires — it’s pure magic. The only challenge? Most campgrounds close by mid-October, so timing matters.
👉 Quick Picks for NYC Campers:
Best transit-friendly pick: Harriman State Park (open until Oct 12)
Best late-season pick: Taconic Copake Falls (open until Nov 15)
Best foliage views: North-South Lake, Catskills (open until Oct 26)
Best no-hassle option: Our Autumn Glow Campout | Oct 3–5
Want more reasons to love fall camping? Check out our guide: Why Fall is the Best Time to Go Camping →
🍂 Want the Easiest Option? Join Our Autumn Glow Campout
Skip the planning and join us for Autumn Glow | Oct 3–5, 2025 in the Catskills.
Chef-prepared meals
Cozy fires
Clean amenities
Welcoming community
Just bring (or rent) your tent, bag, and pad — we’ll handle the rest.
1. Harriman State Park – Classic Fall Escape
📍 Location: Rockland & Orange Counties, NY
🚆 How to Get There: NJ Transit to Sloatsburg + short hike/taxi
Harriman is the closest fall getaway from NYC. With 200+ miles of trails and lakes surrounded by peak foliage, it’s perfect for a quick escape.
🗓️ Open through Oct 12, 2025
2. Taconic State Park – Bash Bish Falls in Peak Color
📍 Location: Columbia County, NY (NY/MA border)
🚆 How to Get There: Metro-North to Wassaic + taxi/rental car
Bash Bish Falls shines in fall, framed by fiery leaves. Copake Falls Campground offers both tent sites and cabins for chilly nights.
🗓️ Open through Nov 15, 2025
3. Delaware Water Gap – River Valley Colors
📍 Location: PA/NJ border
🚗 How to Get There: Best by car; buses to Stroudsburg + taxi
If you want waterfalls, trails, and wide-open views, the Delaware Water Gap delivers. Dingmans and Worthington campgrounds keep you close to the action.
⚠️ Note: Dingmans Falls trail is closed for construction, but campgrounds are open.
4. Minnewaska & the Shawangunks – Cliffs & Crisp Air
📍 Location: Shawangunk Ridge, NY
🚗 How to Get There: Bus to New Paltz + taxi
Known for dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, and even the unique Sam’s Point Ice Caves, Minnewaska shines in fall. Camp nearby at Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground — simple but perfectly located for foliage hikes.
🗓️ Open until Nov 9, 2025
More Catskills Favorites
If Harriman is full or you want to head deeper into the Catskills, these are worth checking:
North-South Lake (Greene Co.) – The Catskills classic with huge foliage views. Open through Oct 26, 2025.
Woodland Valley (Ulster Co.) – Peaceful creekside camping near Phoenicia. Open through Oct 13, 2025.
👉 Pro Tip: When the state parks are booked, Hipcamp private sites (farm stays, orchards, riversides) are fantastic fall alternatives — often easier to reserve last-minute. To find spots close to your preferred State Park, type the State campground into search and you’ll see an option to search for Hipcamp spots close by.
Bonus: Farther Afield (Berkshires & Adirondacks)
If you’re up for a longer drive (3–5 hours), fall foliage in the Berkshires and Adirondacks is breathtaking.
Berkshires, MA: October Mountain State Forest – Open mid-May to mid-Oct; New England’s largest state forest.
Adirondacks, NY:
Many campgrounds close after Labor Day (Rogers Rock, Rollins Pond).
Some extend into mid-Oct, like Moffitt Beach, Cranberry Lake, and Lake George Battleground.
If you want the latest closing option closer to NYC, stick with Catskills’ North-South Lake (Oct 26).
🗓️ Fall Campground Closing Dates at a Glance
Harriman – Beaver Pond: Oct 12, 2025
Taconic – Copake Falls: Nov 15, 2025
Minnewaska – Gunks Campground: Nov 9, 2025
Delaware Water Gap: Open through fall (trail work at Dingmans Falls)
North-South Lake (Catskills): Oct 26, 2025
Woodland Valley (Catskills): Oct 13, 2025
Berkshires (MA): Mid-Oct closures
Adirondacks: Mostly early Sept; some to mid-Oct
As Featured in New York Magazine
Recognized as NYC’s go-to camping gear rental in their guide to last-minute camping trips.
Ready for an adventure but don’t have your own gear? Whether you’re heading to a music festival, exploring the great outdoors with friends, or just want to try camping before investing in your own gear, we’ve got you covered. Rent high-quality tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads right here in New York City!
Perfect for Music Festivals & Weekend Getaways
Our gear is lightweight, easy to carry, and festival-ready, ideal for those attending outdoor events or camping trips in the tri-state area.
Convenient Pickup & Drop-off:
Pickup Location: Bond Collective Building, 276 GREENPOINT AVE.
(Look for the BOND COLLECTIVE sign under the glass awning at the intersection of Greenpoint Ave and Provost St.)Pickup: Thursday
Drop-off: Monday Evening
(Need a different time? Contact us before booking.)
Flexible Rental Options:
Rent just a tent or a sleeping bag, or get the whole package! Perfect for solo travelers or groups.
Cancellations:
Full refund minus 5% (to cover transaction fees) for cancellations 72+ hours before pickup.
50% refund for cancellations 24-72 hours before pickup.
No refund for cancellations less than 24 hours before pickup.
Make your next camping trip or festival experience a breeze with our hassle-free gear rentals!
Popular weekends book out fast—especially during music festival season. Don’t wait! Reserve ahead to guarantee your gear.
*Please email us for availability before booking for same day or next day pick up.
Ready to Plan Your Fall Getaway?
Fall camping near NYC means fewer crowds, stunning foliage, and the coziest campfire nights of the year.
👉 Need gear? Rent tents, sleeping bags & pads in NYC →
👉 Want the easy route? Join one of our fall campouts →
The leaves won’t wait — start planning your autumn adventure today.
P.S. New to fall camping? Our Ultimate Guide to Staying Warm While Camping in Fall has all the cozy hacks you’ll need.
