The best camping near New York City, New York.

The dog days of summer can make any New Yorker long for a leafy escape. Luckily, you don't have to travel far—or even drive—to camp under the stars. From the Catskills to Brooklyn, these outdoor oases are under two hours from New York City.

Just over an hour from midtown Manhattan, near the Cold Spring Metro-North stop, Fahnestock State Park has 14,000 wooded acres surrounding a lake. The park is a favorite for families, with a sandy swimming beach and rentable rowboats. Rustic tent sites are close by, as is the Appalachian Trail.

The gentle, green peaks of the Catskills are just two hours away from NYC--if you can beat traffic. Within the Catskill Forest Preserve, the North-South Campground is a favorite for hiking trails, boating, and fishing. The park can get crowded in the summer, but with 200-plus campsites to choose from, you can find seclusion.

Head to the tip of Long Island to fall asleep to the sound of crashing waves. The Hither Hills State Park has nearly 200 sites, many facing the ocean, plus year-round angling. The drive is just over 2 hours without traffic, or you can take LIRR, plus a 15-minute cab. If your last Hamptons traffic jam still gives you the chills, check out the smaller Heckscher State Park, about an hour from midtown.

Intrepid straphangers can pitch a tent without leaving the five boroughs. In Brooklyn, Floyd Bennet Field has about 30 sites on the edge of Jamaica Bay. Reserve early and bring bug spray. Staten Island has several small rustic campgrounds, including the historic Fort Wadsworth. Nestled amid the former military post, the primitive campsites overlook the New York harbor, offering a view that can rival even nature's majesty.