Ultimate Guide to Camping Out on the Empire State Trail

September is the perfect time to get in one last trail adventure before fall really settles in in Upstate New York. The days are a little cooler, the air is crisp, and the golden afternoon light just seems to be calling you out to the trail.

September is also the month of Bike Your Park Day, held on September 24. Along with thousands around the globe, you can ride to and through parks and public lands (like the Empire State Trail!) on the same day. And what better way to celebrate than by turning it into a whole weekend with a night of camping in the middle.

Luckily, the Empire State Trail offers a variety of camping opportunities for those seeking proximity to nature, the opportunity to socialize with fellow travelers, or the ability to overnight economically.

We put together an interactive map and guide to the 150+ campsites and campgrounds along the Empire State Trail to make it easy for you to plan your trip, be it a one-night excursion or a multi-day adventure. Our interactive map includes information about each campground or campsite, a description of the amenities, the rate per night (as of summer 2022), and whether reservations are required, and if so, how to make them. Below you’ll find a little more detail about the types of camping options you might find on each leg of the Empire State Trail.

Erie Canalway Trail

The Erie Canalway Trail, the east/west section of the Empire State Trail between Albany and Buffalo, has many options for a variety of camping. Camping at one of the hiker/biker/boater sites managed by the New York State Canal Corporation is one of the most quintessential Erie Canal experiences, however these sites are also some of the most primitive, with on-site amenities limited to portable toilets and picnic tables, so riders must be prepared. In addition to the locks, some communities provide camping space at local parks and marinas, which can range from primitive to providing quite a few amenities, such as the Brockport Welcome Center, which has showers, laundry, and WiFi!

The Erie Canalway Trail is also home to a variety of state parks and private campgrounds where you can find a few more amenities. Green Lakes State Park and Verona Beach State Park, are both certified Bike Friendly New York campgrounds, meaning that they have reserved space for bicyclists with no reservation required. This is great news for bike travelers on the Erie Canalway Trail, as these park campgrounds can fill up quickly on weekends. The private campgrounds on our map have verified that they welcome cyclists, with some even offering special rates or accommodations for trail travelers passing through. Find more about each type of camping facility on the Erie Canalway Trail here.

Hudson Valley Greenway Trail

The Hudson Valley Greenway Trail from NYC to Albany makes up the southern leg of the north/south section of the Empire State Trail. Camping opportunities in the Hudson Valley are limited, and primitive camping is not available directly on the Empire State Trail. The campsites we identified vary widely in regard to amenities and distance from the trail. Most DEC sites in the Hudson Valley, for example, only offer primitive backcountry camping with no designated sites or amenities. Some county parks allow camping and will vary in amenities, while private campgrounds will offer a full range of camping facilities and amenities. We recommend researching camping options beforehand and planning route adjustments accordingly.

Champlain Valley Trail

The Champlain Valley Trail between Albany and Rouses Point makes up the northern leg of the north/south section of the Empire State Trail. A number of primitive campsites are available on the Champlain Canalway Trail from Albany to Whitehall. These designated Biker-Hiker-Boater campsites run by the NYS Canal Corporation, like those on the Erie Canalway Trail, offer primitive camping with limited on-site amenities. Other than at the canal locks, primitive camping is not permitted directly on the Empire State Trail in the Champlain Valley.

As you move further north into the Adirondack region, you’ll find many DEC, State Park, and privately-managed campgrounds. Keep in mind however that this region is a popular destination for summer vacations and for foliage viewing in the fall, so sites are often booked months in advance. We advise researching camping options ahead of time and planning your route accordingly.

Other Camping Options

Love meeting new people when you travel? Then Warm Showers might be a great choice for you. Warm Showers is a non-profit hospitality exchange for people engaging in bicycle touring. The platform is a gift economy — hosts don't charge for lodging and are not bound. It's an incredible community composed of both hosts willing to open up their homes or yards for camping and bicycle travelers that are so grateful to have somewhere to sleep for the night, and sometimes a shower and home-cooked meal. Often, hosts are folks that have done some bicycle touring in the past and want to give back to the community that supported them. If you live near the trail, you might even want to think about becoming a host.

Happy camping and don't forget to tag us in your adventures while you're out on the trail: @parkstrailsny (instagram) @PTNY (twitter) @ParksAndTrailsNY (facebook)