Camping Near New York

I'm looking to start camping again during the summer and I'm looking for places to go from Manhattan for the weekend. Ideally I can't take any time off work, so places can't be further than a 4 hours drive away. I'm looking to hike to a camp ground and not be surrounded by other campers. Do you have any recommendations? I'd really appreciate it!

The Adirondacks is 4-5 hours from the city and is amazing. Absolutely worth the extra couple hours of driving compared to some closer spots. Tons of threads about it online. Whole variety of camping from car camping to long hikes in. Lots of free camping too. Oh and some damn good climbing and hiking too.

Thanks Logan! Do you have any favourite spots that you enjoy?

Leslie-Anne wrote:Thanks Logan! Do you have any favourite spots that you enjoy?

Let me post them all online here so the world knows.

Also called - "How to turn your favorite camping spots into your least favorite places on the planet."

Do some homework, pick a few places to try. Rinse. Repeat.

Leslie-Anne wrote: I'm looking to hike to a camp ground and not be surrounded by other campers.

At the risk of pointing out the obvious, a campground (as in a state-operated or private campground) will be populated by other campers. And IME the closer you get to major metropolitan centers, the greater likelihood there is of these other campers being, shall we say, "urbanized". The resulting atmosphere may not be exactly what you're seeking. Hence Logan's suggestion to go farther away.

Maybe you don't know this, but on state land you can camp anywhere as long as you're 150 ft from trails, roads, and water. That's how you get away from other people. There may be posted restrictions beyond the 150 ft rule; these are typically to protect overused or sensitive areas (such as summits). Many of the hiking trails in the Catskills provide spots where a short, shall we say 150 ft, detour off the main trail leads to a level spot with a nice view. You'll probably need to carry in all your water (and practice Leave No Trace re. your waste), but the end result can be quite satisfying.

Leslie-Anne wrote:I'm looking to hike to a camp ground and not be surrounded by other campers.

On Sunday through Thursday nights, there's lots of such places on State land within a short walk from legal parking.

On Friday and Saturday nights you typically have to walk in a little farther and it takes more cleverness and exploration to find a quiet spot -- and you might have bad luck and actually find another people near you sometimes (though the people who hike in that far and with that cleverness generally are looking for quietness just like you are).
(and those quiet weekend spots are likely to require first driving like 20-30 minutes away from the popular rock-climbing areas).

Ken

P.S. much of the Adirondacks is farther than 4 hours driving from NYC