The Adirondack Park Agency (APA) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)are planning changes to the way in which primitive campsites are sited in the Adirondacks.

The Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan defines a primitive tent site as “a designated tent site of an undeveloped character providing space for not more than three tents, which may have an associated pit privy and fire ring, designed to accommodate a maximum of eight people on a temporary or transient basis, and located so as to accommodate the need for shelter in a manner least intrusive on the surrounding environment.”

The APA and DEC are holding a joint public comment period to solicit comments regarding proposed management guidance for the design and layout of primitive tent sites on State Lands in the Adirondack Park. The APA and DEC will accept comments until July 18, 2019.

The proposed guidance only pertains to primitive tent sites outside of DEC Campgrounds and provides Forest Preserve managers with standards for constructing, operating, and maintaining primitive tent sites including roadside camping. In addition, the proposed guidance is expected to provide the public with sustainable and accessible accommodations.

Best management practices that address camping permits, size limits, improvements, and universal accessibility for primitive tent sites are included and detailed in the management document.

The document to be revised, Management Guidance on Primitive Tent Sites, is available to view or download from the APA website [pdf].

Written comments pertaining to the proposed management guideline management actions as well as their conformance to the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan can be sent to:

Richard Weber,
Deputy Director for Planning
NYS Adirondack Park Agency
P.O. Box 99
Ray Brook, NY 12977

Fax: 518-891-3938
Email – SLMP_UMP_Comments@apa.ny.gov

The deadline for comments is July 18, 2019.