State Parks facilities honored as favorite destinations

State Parks facilities honored as favorite destinations

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Carol Ash announced that 23 New York owned and operated campgrounds have received national recognition as popular vacation destinations throughout the United States. Reserve America's fifth annual Top 100 Family Campgrounds list includes 10 state park camping facilities and 13 other state park locations identified in special categories.

"The State Parks system offers a wide variety of camping and recreational experiences at outstanding facilities and at tremendous values, allowing families and friends to enjoy New York's magnificent natural and cultural resources," said Ash. "We are honored that the hard work and dedication of our parks staff has once again been recognized through Reserve America by the countless patrons who enjoy visiting these favorite designations, and all of our popular settings, each season."

Reserve America, a reservation service that covers national, state and private recreational facilities throughout the country, compiles the Top 100 Family Campgrounds list to assist campers plan trips and recommends America's greatest "hidden gem" locations. The list was developed by park rangers, regional park management and campers. Nearly 3,000 parks were reviewed and the final 100 campgrounds were chosen based on specific family-friendly criteria ranging from educational programs and visitor centers to camping amenities and overall beauty and scenery.

The 10 popular family-friendly New York State Parks campgrounds chosen are: Cayuga Lake State Park, Seneca Falls; Cherry Plain State Park, Cherry Plain; Evangola State Park, Irving; Fillmore Glen State Park, Moravia; Hither Hills State Park, Montauk; Letchworth State Park, Castile; Mills Norrie State Park, Staatsburg; Taconic State Park - Rudd Pond Area, Millerton; Verona Beach State Park, Verona Beach and Whestone Gulf State Park, Lowville.

In addition, the Top 100 list includes specialty categories featuring an assortment of parkland and recreational facilities in New York. The biking trails at Hamlin Beach State Park were recognized.

Reservations are accepted for campsites and cabins from one day to nine months in advance of the planned arrival date by calling toll free 1-800-456-CAMP or online, www.ReserveAmerica.com. New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees 176 state parks and 35 historic sites. For information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or online, www.nysparks.com.