Group Camping Near NYC: How to Plan an Easy, Affordable Getaway
City life is intense. Between subway delays, sky-high rent, and constant noise, sometimes all you want is a breath of fresh air and good company around a fire. Group camping is one of the most affordable, soul-nourishing ways to escape the grind—and spoiler alert: it’s way easier than you think.
At Basecamp Brooklyn, we’re all about connection—with nature, with each other, with yourself. Group camping checks every one of those boxes. Whether you're planning a birthday trip, friends’ reunion, or just a screen-free weekend with your people, here's why group camping hits different—and how to make it smooth, affordable, and stress-free.
Why More New Yorkers Are Choosing Group Camping Trips
Let’s be real: planning a solo camping trip can feel like a lot. But when you bring your crew, suddenly it’s not just easier—it’s a whole vibe. Here's why:
1. It’s Cheaper—and Smarter
Group camping makes it easier to split the cost of the campsite, gas, groceries, firewood, and other shared supplies. When everyone contributes, a full weekend away can cost far less than most NYC getaways.
Renting gear can also keep the upfront cost manageable. Instead of asking every first-time camper to spend hundreds of dollars on equipment they may only use once, your group can rent the tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads needed for the trip—and avoid finding space to store everything afterward.
2. It’s Easier to Plan
The secret to a smooth group trip is not making one person responsible for everything. Divide and conquer: one person books the campsite, another plans the meals, someone coordinates transportation, and others take responsibility for firewood, drinks, activities, or shared supplies.
Gear can be handled in whatever way works best for your group. One person can place a larger rental order for everyone and divide the cost, or the trip organizer can simply send everyone the Basecamp Brooklyn rental link so each camper can reserve what they need.
With a shared plan and clear responsibilities, organizing the trip feels much more manageable—and everyone has a role in making the weekend happen.
3. It Builds Community (the Real Kind)
Something shifts when you spend a weekend outside together.
Without the usual schedules, screens, and city distractions, there is more time for shared meals, long conversations, spontaneous adventures, and the kind of laughter that carries across the campsite.
You might learn that one friend makes incredible campfire coffee, another is surprisingly good at starting a fire, and someone else packed the exact snack everyone needed after a long hike.
Those small moments become the stories your group continues talking about long after the tents have been packed away.
Real Groups, Real Camping Trips
Group camping does not have to mean one specific kind of trip—or a group filled entirely with experienced campers.
Basecamp Brooklyn has helped outfit friends heading to music festivals and road-tripping to places like Maine and Michigan, coworkers planning time outside together, and visitors flying in from overseas to camp with their New York friends.
We have also worked with school families, bachelorette groups, multigenerational gatherings, and work outings.
What many of these trips have in common is a mix of experience levels. Some people already own gear, while others may have never slept in a tent. Renting allows each person to fill the gaps in their setup without requiring the group organizer to supply everything.
“Allan and Erin at Basecamp Brooklyn were friendly, helpful and flexible! The tents were in great shape, easy to set up and break down. We had a great time.”
That flexibility can be the difference between a trip that remains stuck in the group chat and one that actually makes it onto the calendar.
How to Plan a Smooth Group Camping Trip Without the Stress
A little preparation goes a long way when you’re coordinating multiple people. These are a few of our favorite Basecamp Brooklyn-tested ways to keep the weekend organized and enjoyable.
Use a Shared Packing and Prep Document
Planning a trip for a crew can get chaotic quickly—but it does not have to.
We created the Basecamp Brooklyn Car Camping Planner to help groups remember the essentials, coordinate meals, divide responsibilities, and keep shared expenses fair.
It’s free, comprehensive, and field-tested on our own adventures.
👉 Download the Free Camping Planner Here
Inside you’ll find:
✅ A detailed packing list covering camp essentials, kitchen gear, health and safety, and optional extras
🍳 A customizable meal planner and grocery list
🏞️ An activities and adventure schedule to keep everyone on the same page
💰 A shared expense tracker to help divide costs
📓 A Campfire Journal for recording favorite moments and notes for the next trip
This planner is especially helpful when you’re coordinating with multiple households or a combination of experienced campers and beginners. Print it out or share the digital version so everyone can access the same information.
Meal Prep Like a Camp Pro
Plan one or two simple group meals ahead, such as chili, pasta salad, tacos, or breakfast burritos. Assign cooking teams and cleanup shifts so the same person is not responsible for feeding everyone all weekend.
Pack a few easy grab-and-go options too—trail mix, fruit, bars, or sandwiches—for those moments when everyone is hungry but dinner is not ready yet.
Need inspiration? Browse our camping recipes and outdoor cooking videos for ideas that go beyond basic camp food.
Choose a Group-Friendly Campsite
A campsite that allows eight people does not necessarily have room for four tents. Before booking, check:
The maximum number of campers and tents allowed
The size of the tent pad or usable camping area
How many vehicles can park at the site
Whether additional cars must park elsewhere
Bathroom and potable-water access
Quiet hours and campground rules
Whether neighboring sites can be reserved together
Whether the campground offers designated group sites
For larger crews, look for actual group camping areas, several neighboring sites, or spacious private campsites where everyone can spread out comfortably.
Here are a few of our favorite options for group camping near NYC.
Our Favorite Group Campsites (Tried + Tested)
We’ve had great luck finding spacious, remote sites on Hipcamp—perfect for groups who want to spread out, stargaze without light pollution, and get a little off the beaten path. (And soon, this will include our own land at Basecamp Brooklyn Estates—stay tuned!)
Here are a few more of our favorite go-to spots for group camping near NYC:
Woodland Valley Campground (Phoenicia, NY)
Nestled in the Catskills, this one’s a crowd-pleaser. You’ll find creekside camping, nearby inner tubing, and easy access to charming towns like Phoenicia and Woodstock. Great for a mix of outdoor fun and cozy small-town vibes.
French Creek State Park (Elverson, PA)
A bit farther from the city, but so worth it. Enjoy on-site kayaking and lake swimming, then swing through Amish Country for a scenic detour. Bonus: lots of space for bigger groups.
Taconic State Park (Copake Falls, NY)
Perfect for groups with mixed camping styles. Pitch tents or book one of their rustic cabins, then spend your days chasing waterfalls and hiking scenic trails. It’s adventure, with a real bed at the end of the day.
Pro Tip: Group sites and popular weekends book up fast—especially in peak season. The earlier you plan, the more options you’ll have!
Ready to Camp Together? Let’s Make It Happen
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.
If your group’s been stuck in that never-ending “We should go camping sometime” loop—this is your sign. Pick a weekend. Rally the crew. We’ll help make it real.
Need gear?
We love helping groups turn their camping plans into a weekend that actually happens. Whether everyone is starting from scratch or just a few people need to fill gaps in their setup, you can rent the tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads your crew needs for the trip.
One person can place a larger order and divide the cost, or you can send the rental link to your crew so each camper can reserve what they need.
Everyone can collect their own order, your group can coordinate one pickup, or one person can pick up everything. Just make sure the designated driver has enough room to transport the full order.
Have questions about what your group needs? Start with our rental FAQ or reach out to us for help choosing the right setup.
“Allan and Erin were super helpful. I needed a sleeping bag and sleeping pad for a trip and they had exactly what I needed in excellent condition. The pickup and drop off were easy as well. Would definitely use this service again.”
Want the Group Camping Experience Without Planning the Whole Weekend?
Join us for a Basecamp Brooklyn camping event! We create the setting, shared meals, outdoor experiences, and campfire atmosphere so you can arrive ready to unplug, meet good people, and enjoy the weekend.
At Basecamp Brooklyn, we believe community is not something that simply happens. It is something we create—together, outside, under the stars.
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