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: Mountain Cruisin (September 11-13, 2026)
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 Mountain Cruisin’ Campout for early autumn color!
Skip the planning and join us for Mountain Cruisin’ | Sept 11-13 in the Catskills. The leaves are just starting to turn, and the meadows are filled with goldenrod and amber grasses. On Saturday we all head over to Upward Brewing for the Fahrt motorcycle meetup (cars are welcome too!) and enjoy eating, drinking, and chilling, or taking their suggested scenic rides around the Catskills. You’ll also enjoy
Chef-prepared meals
Cozy fires
Clean amenities
Welcoming community
Just bring (or rent) your tent, bag, and pad — we’ll handle the rest.
Slow down, take the scenic route, and rediscover the joy of the open road.
Mountain Cruisin’ is all about rolling through winding mountain roads, exploring hidden Catskills gems, and kicking back fireside with our community of down-to-earth humans who value good food, fresh air, and real connection. Whether you're coming up on two wheels, four wheels, or catching a ride with a friend, this weekend is about embracing the journey—not rushing the destination.
For Saturday , we’ll have scenic driving route options for anyone who wants to spend the day exploring—whether you're on two wheels or four.
We’re teaming up with Fährt, who will be hosting their Catskills meetup,and providing both on-road and off-pavement routes for riders looking to cruise or get a little dusty.
For car campers, we’ll have our own curated routes ready—perfect for a mellow day of scenic overlooks, quaint main streets, and plenty of photo opportunities. All routes wrap up back at camp in time for Chef Allan’s feast and fire.
Best State Park Options for Fall Camping and their Closing Dates
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
NYC’s Go-To Camping Gear Rental
Featured by New York Magazine + I LOVE NY
Ready for a weekend outside but don’t own all the gear? Rent clean, high-quality tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads with convenient pickup and return in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
Perfect for first-time campers, music festivals, group trips, and anyone who wants to experience camping without buying and storing a full setup.
Perfect for Festivals, Group Trips, and City Campers
Our gear is lightweight, easy to carry, and simple to set up—whether you’re heading to a music festival, escaping to the Catskills, taking a road trip with friends, or trying camping for the first time.
Convenient Pickup & Drop-off:
Pickup Location: Bond Collective Building, 276 Greenpoint Avenue.
Pickup: Wednesday
Drop-off: Monday
(Need a different time? Contact us before booking.)
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.
