You can camp out in Central Park this summer for free - and you won't even have to bring supplies!
Be an urban camper in Central park this summer. Free camping (with free supplies!) is available in Central park and public parks across New York City. (Photo: Ed Yourdon/Wikimedia Commons)
The Urban Park Rangers have scheduled three nights of free camping in Central Park this summer: June 5, July 3, and August 7.
This is an amazing deal, given the high price of lodging in New York City.
The Urban Park Rangers will provide the tents and food. The only thing you'll have to bring is a sleeping bag and a sense of adventure!
You'll also earn bragging rights among your family and friends. How many people can say they spent the night in a New York City park, unscathed?
How to register
Only 30 spots are available per night, and demand will be high.
The Parks Department will assign camping spaces through a lottery. Winners will be "randomly generated by computer."
Visit the Urban Park Rangers' registration page to enter the lottery. Registration begins at midnight on the dates specified below, and is open for 24 hours.
On the registration page, scroll down to the "Upcoming Programs" table. Click on the "Manhattan" tab and you will see a "sign up" link (only active on the registration dates).
For Central Park, the schedule is:
| CAMPING DATE |
REGISTRATION DATE |
| Saturday, June 5, 2010 |
Wednesday, May 26, 2010 |
| Saturday, July 3, 2010 |
Wednesday, June 23, 2010 |
| Saturday, August 7, 2010 |
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 |
You do not need a New York City address to register for free camping.
Camping in other parks
Supervised camping is also available in Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and the Bronx.
In Manhattan, campers can register for a night at the Inwood Hill Nature Center on W 218 St. and Indian Rd.
Visit the Urban Park Ranger's website for a complete list of participating parks and registration dates.
Recent articles
.jpg) |
NYC Tattoo Convention to bring top artists to Manhattan (photos) The world's top tattoo artists will be in New York City this weekend for the 13th annual NYC Tattoo Convention. If you want to get a tattoo or simply... Keep Reading » |
 |
Gulf oil spill to impact tourism, wildlife in Louisiana coast (photos) The coastal city of Houma, Louisiana is bracing for the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. While the oil slick is currently heading.. Keep Reading » |
 |
Hundreds of street artists protest Parks Department plan (photos) Hundreds of street artists staged a protest on Friday to show their opposition to a Parks Department plan, which would cut the number of art vendors... Keep Reading » |
 |
Parks Department plan will bring chaos to Union Square Park Street artists face a difficult choice under the Parks Department's proposed vending rules: compete with a gang of homeless people and other vendors... Keep Reading » |
Comments
That is awesome. At first I thought you were referring to being a bum. Golden Gate park has tons of, um, residents.
Camping in Central Park is AWESOME. Is there a way for out of towners to register? Thank you for always writing about interesting things. I heart NY and you always deliver a piece that makes me feel like I live there.
What fun! That's a place I'd love to camp, and I'm not at all a camper. But the park is a magical place.
Carol - The free camping appears to be open to anyone, not just NYC residents. The Parks Department website does not mention place of residency as a requirement. I called the Urban Rangers office in Central Park and the staff was unaware of any geographic requirements. Go for it-- and good luck!
I hadn't heard of this. What fun!
Cant wait. Thanks for the heads up.
This sounds like fun, Leslie. I would need photo documentation, because no one would believe me. Very cool story.
You are right, given the expense of staying in NYC, this is a huge bargain.
Great savings alert here..well done
Cheers..
Geez, Carol and I speak the same language...I was going to say, this is awesome!
Had no idea this was offered. Cool! I'll have to check it out.
For a real adventure, try camping in Highbridge Park.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!