New York's Empire State Trail

[John Hunka]

I'm planning a tour this spring on the Empire State Trail.  While I was researching my tour, I discovered that there are no designated public or private camping areas on the trail between Albany and New York City.  I live in Hudson, NY, and the Empire Trail runs through Charles Williams Park in the city of Hudson.  I sent a letter to the editor, which was published recently, advocating the creation of a designated camping area in the park.  Here's the text of my article and a link to the newspaper that might be of interest to those who ride the Empire Trail.

"To The Editor:

The City of Hudson, in partnership with The Spark of Hudson, is seeking suggestions from the public about ways to redesign and improve Charles Williams Park. I am writing to recommend that a portion of the park be designated as a camping area for long-distance bicyclists and hikers on the 750-mile Empire State Trail, which passes through the park.

Unfortunately, designated campsites are few and far between on the epic bike ride from the beginning of the Empire Trail in Buffalo to the end of the trail in New York City.
Part of the Empire Trail is located along the Erie Canal. According to the state-run website (www.empiretrail.ny.gov), the New York State Canal Corporation has designated “primitive” camping areas at many of its locks along the canal. However, no public or private campgrounds are available along the significant stretch of the Empire Trail in the Hudson Valley from New York City to Albany.

Ideally, bicycle tourists passing through Hudson could find lodging at a hotel in the city. However, some cyclists cannot afford a hotel room in Hudson. In addition, hotel rooms might not be available on many nights at the height of the summer and fall tourist season. Under such circumstances, cyclists would be grateful for a designated place to pitch a tent.

By incorporating a camping area in Charles Williams Park, we can encourage people to have fun, get physically fit, and support environmentally friendly forms of transportation."

https://www.hudsonvalley360.com/opinion/letters/making-a-suggestion-for-charles-williams-park/article_b30a8b76-9f33-5c1a-b5f4-baee23201dfd.html
https://www.hudsonvalley360.com/opinion/letters/hudson-should-market-bicycle-tourism/article_28e287e4-c4f0-57c5-9e76-65cb155ca544.html

[Naef]

I just invested in a fancy road bike and I've been getting into cycling a whole lot lately, so I'd go to Long Island https://www.newyorkrentalbyowner.com/search/long-island/hamptons/montauk. Long Island is worth visiting for its beautiful beaches, vineyards, historic sites, charming small towns, and outdoor activities such as hiking and fishing.