City Lottery Offers Rare Chance for Overnight Stays in Public Parks

For New Yorkers looking to trade city lights for a night under the stars, the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation has reopened its long-running Family Camping program. Facilitated by the Urban Park Rangers, the initiative offers a rare opportunity to camp in city parks where overnight stays are typically prohibited.

Each excursion is designed to introduce residents to the outdoors, providing tents and guided activities such as night hikes, wildlife observation, and stargazing. While the program is free, participants are responsible for bringing their own sleeping bags and food. According to Marc Sanchez, director of the Urban Park Rangers, the program aims to serve as a gateway for those who have never camped before, potentially inspiring future trips to national parks.

Access to the program is managed through a competitive lottery system. Applications open every Monday and remain available for four days, with roughly 300 applicants typically vying for 30 available spots per outing. This selection process generally accommodates five to eight families per session.

For those interested in a Central Park experience, the application window opens on August 3 for an August 14 event. The season continues through mid-September, with the final outings scheduled for September 18 at the Blue Heron Nature Center in Staten Island and Rockaway Beach.

While flagship locations like Central Park remain highly sought after, Sanchez noted that the program also highlights the diverse landscapes of other city green spaces, such as Alley Pond and Van Cortlandt Park, which he suggests offer a more immersive wilderness experience. The program is open to all, with no requirement that participants apply as a family unit.