Best Campgrounds Near NYC to Cool Off This Summer
When summer in New York City gets hot, camping can still be a great idea — but the campground you choose matters a lot.
A wide-open campsite with no shade and no water nearby can feel brutal in July or August. But a state campground near a lake, pond, ocean beach, or swimming area? That can turn a hot weekend into exactly the kind of reset you were hoping for.
If you’re planning a summer camping trip from NYC, look for places where you can cool off during the day, relax in the shade, paddle, swim where it’s allowed, or spend the afternoon by the water before heading back to camp for dinner.
For this list, we’re sticking to state and public campgrounds — the kind of classic, bookable camping spots that make sense for a weekend outside from the city.
Here are some of our favorite state campgrounds near NYC with water access for hot summer weekends.
North-South Lake Campground — Haines Falls, NY
North-South Lake is one of the most classic Catskills camping choices for NYC campers, especially if you want a weekend that includes lake time, hiking, mountain views, and a real “we got out of the city” feeling.
This NYSDEC campground sits in the Catskill Forest Preserve and is known for its two lakes, scenic views, nearby hikes, and access to famous Catskills spots like Kaaterskill Falls and the former Catskill Mountain House site. NYSDEC even describes North-South Lake as the biggest and most popular state campground in the Catskill Forest Preserve!
For a hot summer weekend, North-South Lake gives you a lot to work with: designated beach areas, boat rentals, paddling, fishing, showers, and plenty of ways to spend the day near the water. Swimming is unsupervised by lifeguards, so make sure to prioritize safety for you and your group.
Best for: A classic Catskills lake camping weekend.
Why it works in summer: Lake access, beach areas, paddling, showers, hiking, and mountain scenery.
Good to know: It is popular for a reason. Book early, especially for summer weekends.
Mongaup Pond Campground — Livingston Manor, NY
Mongaup Pond is a beautiful Sullivan County option for campers who want a wooded Catskills weekend centered around water. It feels a little more tucked away than some of the bigger-name campgrounds, but still gives you the essentials for a summer trip: campsites, pond access, hiking, fishing, and a designated swimming area.
The pond itself is one of the main reasons to go. In fact, it’s really a 120-acre lake, the largest body of water in the Catskill Park outside of the New York City reservoirs.
This is a great pick when you want your weekend to feel slower: wake up under the trees, spend the afternoon near the water, cook dinner at camp, and let the whole trip feel like an actual exhale.
Swimming at Mongaup Pond is available from designated beach areas, but it is unsupervised by lifeguards.
Best for: A quieter Catskills pond weekend.
Why it works in summer: Wooded campsites, pond access, fishing, paddling, and a more relaxed Catskills feel.
Good to know: Swimming is unsupervised, so this is best for cautious swimmers and groups who are comfortable keeping an eye on one another.
Hither Hills State Park — Montauk, NY
Hither Hills is the outlier on this list in the best possible way. Instead of a Catskills lake or Poconos pond, this is oceanfront camping on the tip of Long Island.
If your dream hot-weather camping weekend includes salty air, beach days, ocean breezes, and waking up for a gorgeous sunrise over the Atlantic, Hither Hills belongs on your list. It is one of those campgrounds where the setting does a lot of the work: beach walks, coastal-town energy, lobster rolls, and that rare chance to camp close enough to the ocean that the whole weekend feels shaped by the tide.
This is not the shady forest lake version of summer camping. It is more exposed, more beachy, and much harder to book. But for NYC campers looking to cool off near the water, it is one of the most iconic state campground options within reach — even if you don’t have a car. Take the LIRR to Montauk, then check Hampton Hopper’s free Montauk shuttle and Suffolk Transit On-Demand for last-mile options between the train, campground, town, and docks.
It also makes a great full Hamptons/Montauk weekend. Spend the hot part of the day at the beach, stop for a cool indoor tasting at Wölffer Estate Vineyard on your way in or out, and drive out to the Montauk Point Lighthouse for some of the most classic coastal photos on Long Island.
Best for: Ocean beach camping near NYC.
Why it works in summer: Beach access, ocean breezes, sunrise views, fishing, trails, and a true coastal camping feel.
Good to know: Hither Hills is extremely popular, so summer weekends book quickly. It is also one of the more doable car-free camping options near NYC, but pack light and confirm your train, shuttle, and last-mile transportation before you go.
Taconic State Park, Copake Falls Area — Copake Falls, NY
Taconic State Park is one of those campgrounds that feels like a little secret hiding in plain sight. It is a state park campground with wooded sites, Catskills-adjacent mountain energy, and one of the best bonus adventures on this list: you can hike from the Copake Falls area toward Bash Bish Falls, one of the most dramatic waterfalls in the region.
One important note: Bash Bish Falls is for viewing, not swimming. Entering the water at the falls is prohibited, so we recommend enjoying it as a shaded waterfall hike with seriously beautiful views, then saving your actual swim for the designated swimming area back at Taconic State Park.
At the Copake Falls campground, campers have access to Ore Pit Pond, a designated swimming area with a dock and lifeguards, plus a wading pool area suited for non-swimmers and small children.
Best for: A state park camping weekend with a waterfall hike.
Why it works in summer: Wooded camping, lifeguarded swimming at Ore Pit Pond, a wading pool area, showers, hiking, and easy access to Bash Bish Falls.
Good to know: Bash Bish Falls is for viewing, not swimming. Save your actual swim for the designated swimming area at Taconic.
Promised Land State Park — Greentown, PA
For NYC campers wanting to head into the Poconos, Promised Land State Park is one of the strongest hot-weather campground options. It has forests, lakes, hiking, camping, and two sand beaches, which makes it a very appealing summer weekend choice.
Promised Land State Park covers 3,000 acres on the Pocono Plateau, surrounded by Delaware State Forest, with camping, hiking, boating, fishing, and two lakes.
For summer specifically, the beaches are the big draw. Promised Land has two sand beaches open daily from Memorial Day to mid-September, from 8 a.m. to sunset: the main beach in the Day Use Picnic Area and Pickerel Point Beach.
This is a great option if you want that classic wooded Poconos camping feeling with a very clear “here’s where we cool off” plan built into the trip.
Best for: Poconos lake camping with beach time.
Why it works in summer: Two beaches, lake scenery, wooded camping, trails, and plenty to do.
Good to know: Swimming is at your own risk, so always read and follow posted rules before getting in the water.
French Creek State Park — Elverson, PA
French Creek State Park is one of our favorite Pennsylvania camping options for a summer weekend because it gives you a little bit of everything: wooded campsites, hiking trails, lake time, boating, and a swimming pool for cooling off when the heat really kicks in.
The park has two lakes: 68-acre Hopewell Lake and 22-acre Scotts Run Lake. Hopewell Lake is especially popular for boating, with options like kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, rowboats, and electric motorboats. That makes French Creek a great pick if your ideal summer camping weekend includes getting out on the water without needing to plan a big river trip.
For swimming, the park has a pool by Hopewell Lake that is typically open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, unless otherwise posted. So while this is not a lake-swimming campground in the same way as some of the others on this list, it is a very strong hot-weather pick because you can paddle on the lake and cool off in the pool.
French Creek also has a totally different feel from the Catskills and Hudson Valley picks on this list. It sits in southeastern Pennsylvania, close enough to Pennsylvania Dutch/Amish Country that you can build a whole weekend around rolling farmland, covered bridges, farm stands, markets, bakeries, and scenic backroads. If you want a summer camping trip that mixes lake time with a little old-school countryside exploring, this is a perfect pick.
Best for: A Pennsylvania state park weekend with paddling, hiking, pool time, and countryside exploring.
Why it works in summer: Two lakes, kayak/canoe/paddleboard options, wooded camping, trails, a seasonal swimming pool, and nearby Pennsylvania Dutch Country scenery.
Good to know: The pool may have separate fees or seasonal schedule changes, so check current hours before you go.
A Quick Note About Swimming Rules
Before you book any summer camping trip, check the current campground page for swimming rules, beach hours, lifeguard status, water quality alerts, pet restrictions, and seasonal closures.
Some campgrounds have beaches but no lifeguards. Some allow swimming only in designated areas. Some beaches close before sunset. Some lakes or swimming areas may close temporarily because of weather, staffing, construction, or water conditions.
A campground with water nearby can make a summer camping weekend so much better — but it is still worth checking the details before you pack your swimsuit.
We’re firing up the Basecamp Brooklyn grill for the ultimate open-fire cookout at Summer Grillin’! Gather around the flames for a weekend filled with mouthwatering BBQ, outdoor adventures, and fireside chillin’. Whether you're a seasoned grill master or a first-time camper, this event is all about celebrating summer, good food, and even better company. Summer Grillin’ is perfect for those looking to make the most of the summer heat and enjoy the spirit of community in the heart of the Catskills.
Want the Cool-Off Weekend Without Planning It All Yourself?
Every year, we host a mid-summer camping weekend at Basecamp Brooklyn Estates that’s equally focused on delicious food, a gorgeous camp spot, and finding time to cool off at one of our favorite nearby swimming holes.
Summer Grillin’ is our ultimate open-fire cookout and camping weekend — a few slow days in the Catskills with chef-made meals, campfire time, quiet mornings on the property, and easy access to some of the area’s best summer water spots.
Join us for Summer Grillin’: Ultimate Open-Fire Cookout and Camping Weekend, July 31–August 2.
What to Look for When Camping in Hot Weather
Water access is a huge help, but it is not the only thing that matters when you are camping in July or August.
Before you book, look for:
A wooded or partially shaded campsite
Access to a lake, pond, beach, or swimming area
Showers or bathhouse access
A realistic plan for the hottest part of the day
A way to keep drinking water cold
A campground where you can adjust plans if the heat feels worse than expected
Summer camping does not have to mean suffering through the heat. It just means choosing your campground with the forecast in mind.
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(Look for the BOND COLLECTIVE sign under the glass awning at the intersection of Greenpoint Ave and Provost St.)Pickup: Wednesday morning or evening
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(Need a different time? Contact us before booking.)
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*Please email us for availability before booking for same day or next day pick up.
Need Camping Gear for Your Summer Weekend?
And if the only thing standing between you and a lake weekend is the gear, we can help with that.
Basecamp Brooklyn rents camping gear in NYC so you can book the campground, pack the car, and head out without buying, storing, cleaning, and drying a full camping setup in your apartment.
Rent your tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad from us in Brooklyn — then go find your shady spot by the water.
