DEC
will accept the National Park Service's (NPS) Every Kid Outdoors Pass upon
presentation for free entry for 4th grade students into all facilities in 2022.
The pass applies only to the vehicle entry fee, and the 4th grader must be
present in the vehicle.
This is a pilot program as part of a
series of initiatives to encourage youth visitation to state parks, historic
sites and public lands. Fourth grade students can obtain and print their pass
on the NPS website.
Watch their YouTubeplaylist for how-tos and inspiration.
Most DEC campgrounds also have day
use areas for the public to enjoy. DEC also operates a number of day use-only
areas that offer picnicking and/or swimming facilities. Please be advised that
pets are prohibited at all DEC day use area.
Many DEC
Campgrounds are situated on bodies of water and provide access for paddlers.
Most campgrounds also offer canoe, rowboat, and/or kayak rentals.
Fees
for day use (FREE with Kid in a Park Pass) areas are:
- $6.00, $8.00 or $10.00 per car
- $3.00, $4.00 or $5.00 per motorcycle
- $35.00, $50.00 or $75.00 per bus
- $2.00 per person (for walking into a facility)
Camping
Guide Maps
See an interactive version of the guide (leaves DEC website)
Download the camping guide (PDF)
(14.2 MB) *Please note this is a large file.
For easier download, they have
broken up the file into 4 smaller sections:
- Part 1 (PDF)
- Campgrounds in the Adirondacks, Allegany Region, the Catskills and
Central Region
- Part 2 (PDF)
- Campgrounds in the Finger Lakes Region, Genesee Region, Long Island,
Niagara Region, the Palisades, Saratoga, Taconic, and Thousand Islands
- New York State Camping Map (PDF)
- Rental, Reservation and other Information (PDF)
General
Rules & Guidelines
- The pass is for fourth-grade students for the 2022
Parks operating season (expires December 31, 2022).
- The fourth-grade student must be present when the pass
is presented.
- The pass covers the vehicle use fee at all DEC
facilities.
- The pass does not cover amenities such as camping or
rentals.
- Students cannot transfer the pass to anyone else.
- Electronic versions of the paper pass cannot be
accepted.
- There is no way to request a refund if the pass is not
presented.
- The pass should be presented upon entry where park
staff will welcome the 4th grader and his/her family and provide the car
with a no-fee receipt for the car dashboard. The federal pass remains with
the student.
- Other exclusions may apply.
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