New York State Parks designed for winter camping

Winter in New York allows outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy various activities such as cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snow tubing and snowshoeing due to the state’s varied geography and bountiful winter snows. According to a Yahoo report by Kateryn Elizabeth, maintained highways allow year-round access to campers who wish to take their RV or tent out for a winter weekend or even those who just grab a sleeping bag and gear to take advantage of a rustic camping cabin. The following is a list of parks that are open year-round.

Allegany State Park

Allegany State Park, located near Salamanca in the southwestern portion of New York, is a 65,000-acre recreational area frequented by Northeasterners who enjoy snowmobiling, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Situated just 45 miles southeast of Lake Erie, it benefits from plenty of snow, thanks to being often in the path of extended lake effect snow. Year-round rustic camping cabins are available in the Quaker and Red House areas of the park, and a modern campground with hook-ups and camp store is available year-round near Red House Lake.

Cross-country ski trails are kept groomed throughout the season in the Art Roscoe Ski Touring area, and downhill ski enthusiasts can find slopes and snow tubing in less than a 30-minute drive north on Highway 219 in Holiday Valley, N.Y. The Seneca Allegany Casino is located in nearby Salamanca for warming up at or grabbing a bite. Each cabin village and campground section in the park offers clean restroom and shower facilities, with plenty of forced heat for those who choose to rough it while playing in the southwestern New York winter.

Wellesley Island State Park

For winter enthusiasts who want to rough it, but not in a tent during blustery upstate New York winter days, the rustic camping cabins at Wellesley Island State Park sit directly on the St. Lawrence Riverway between the U.S. and Canada, while looking across the Thousand Islands Region. These non-furnished camping cabins contain bunks, small kitchenettes and electricity with heat.

However, campers use normal camping utilities and facilities concerning water supply and centrally heated restrooms with showers, and they must bring their own necessities such as sleeping bags and kitchenware. Fire pits and grills are located outside of each cabin and ice fishing, winter hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are available within the park. The Minna Anthony Common Nature Center is a popular draw with a museum and ranger-led nature programs during all seasons. Watertown is about 15-minute drive south for any gear or supplies that campers may need to pick up.

Taconic State Park

For tent campers interested in an excellent late fall, early winter camping weekend within an easy drive from New York City, Taconic State Park offers rustic, wooded camping through mid-December each year at their Copake Falls camping area.

Platforms built approximately 1 1/2 feet off of the ground accommodate campers with tents in many of the treed sites helping to keep your tent area easily cleaned of any snow. There are no utilities at any of the sites, however, there are centrally located restroom and shower facilities with water stations, which are well kept and always warm. Campers can explore the old Copulate Iron Works and hike to Bash Bish Falls even in the early snows. Nearby skiing at Catamount in Massachusetts is less than 10 minutes away near the New York/Massachusetts border. The park staff is always helpful and knowledgeable. Fully furnished and utilized cottages with all the amenities are available for rent as well, if an unexpected storm brings a couple feet of snow — as happened in late October 2011.

SOURCE: Woodall's Campground Management, Yahoo Sports

Massachusetts RV show to celebrate 50 years

West Springfield, MASS -- On , The Springfield RV, Camping and Outdoor Show will celebrate it's 50th year February 17 through 20 with its annual show at the Eastern States Exposition grounds in West Springfield, Mass.

The show fills three buildings and is one of the largest in New England, drawing 35,000 attendees annually, according to the Pioneer Valley Chapter of the North American Family Campers Association, which runs the event.

The show features RV dealers, campground representatives, RV parts and accessories vendors, food vendors, seminars and more. In addition, in 2012 the show will have a $5,000 grand prize raffle.

Admission to the show is $10 at the door, or $8 with a coupon. More information can be found at www.springfieldrvcampingshow.com.

Free gift card when buying NY state park pass on Nov. 28 and 29

Give the gift of New York's best green spaces with an Empire Passport, which provides annual unlimited State Park vehicle access or a camping gift card that can be redeemed at a New York State Park-operated campground.

"If you have someone who loves the outdoors on your gift-giving list this holiday season, State Parks has easy and affordable gift ideas," said State Park Commissioner Rose Harvey. "Our gift cards and Empire Passport help outdoor enthusiasts to unwrap adventure at New York's incredible parks and campgrounds."

As a special one-time offer, anyone who purchases the $65 Empire Passport on-line at www.nysparks.com on 'Cyber Monday,' from midnight Nov. 28 to midnight Nov. 29, will receive a free camping gift card worth $25. Gift Cards and Empire Passports may also be purchased anytime by calling 518-474-0458 during regular business hours, or visiting a local state park or regional office. To ensure holiday delivery, phone and website orders must be received by December 15, 2011.

The $65 Empire Passport offers unlimited vehicle access to New York State Parks for all four seasons. Valid through March 31, 2013, Empire Passport holders avoid the daily $6-$10 vehicle entry fee to upwards of 250 state-operated parks, recreation areas, boat launch sites, arboretums and forest preserve sites.

The camping gift card can be used for campsites, cabins or cottages at nearly 70 beautiful State Park campgrounds operated by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Gift Cards can be purchased for any dollar amount and have no expiration date. The gift card is not available for state campgrounds in the Adirondacks and Catskills.

Bears force closure of campgrounds in Appalachians

"The USDA Forest Service National Forests in North Carolina today announced the closure of four more sites in the Appalachian Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest because of human encounters with bears over the past couple days", reports North Carolina's ABC News 13. "Effective immediately, the following sites are closed until Aug. 29, pending a reduction in bear activity: Briar Bottom Campground Black Mountain Campground Forest Service Road 472 (no entry, including hiking and camping) Neals Creek Road."

"A number of bear encounters have been reported this week in Yancey County. To ensure public safety, the Forest Service decided to close certain sites. Today’s announcement follows the Aug. 10 closure of four trails in the Appalachian Ranger District because of increased bear activity. The Aug. 10 closure included the following sites, which are now also closed until Aug. 29: Buncombe Horse Trail - from Forest Service Road 472 to the intersection the Big Tom Gap Trail (TR 1918) Mt. Mitchell Trail - from Black Mountain Campground to Mt. Mitchell State Park Mountain to Sea Trail - From State Hwy. 128 to Black Mountain Campground Higgins Bald Trail (TR 1908) The closures are intended to provide for public safety by reducing human/bear interaction."

To reduce your risk from bears in national forests, experts suggest that you "make noise to avoid surprising a bear. Never approach a bear or other wild animal. Do not hike in the dark. Carry EPA-registered bear pepper spray Keep a clean camp site by properly disposing of food scraps and garbage. Do not leave food or garbage inside fire rings, grills or around your site. Never leave food or coolers unattended, even in developed picnic areas. If bear-proof containers are not available, store food and garbage inside a hard-top vehicle or trailer. Never store food inside a tent. Wipe tabletops clean before vacating a camp or picnic site. If a bear is observed nearby, pack up your food and trash immediately and vacate the area as soon as possible."

For more tips on bear safety go here. For more information on the Forest Service closures, contact the Appalachian Ranger District office at 828-682-6146.

Florida to close 53 state parks

"Florida Division of Recreation and Parks got some bad news Wedneday when the Department of Environmental Protection presented the Legislature an unprecedented list of 53 state parks that will be closed, including Fort Mose in St. Augustine" reported the Historic City News of St. Augustine, Florida.

With the threat of having to reduce their budgets by 15%, the proposed closings will likely become reality.

The News continued, "In a year when the state faces a nearly $4B shortfall, this is apt to be more than just an exercise; and with the high proportion of freshman members, there is less familiarity with the importance of Florida’s environmental programs.

"The selections were made from state parks which garner the least attendance and do not have camping — despite being economic engines in some of Florida’s smallest and most rural communities.

"Wednesday in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Committee, members seemed concerned but not willing to simply remove these cuts from the table. One suggested these lands should be sold to put them back on county tax rolls. Another suggested enlisting cash-strapped local governments to manage them. A third suggested closing them 'except on weekends'."