Brooklyn is a place of many diversions, but who knew loo-less camping was one of them?
It happens that our borough is home to the only place to (legally) pitch a tent within city limits, and it’s not Prospect Park. Floyd Bennett Field, at the very end of Flatbush Avenue, has three camp sites that accommodate 12, 60 and 100 adventurers respectively.
Fifty dollars buys three nights here, along with access to grills, picnic tables, firewood and “pit toilets,” or outhouses. Club Med it ain’t—it’s BYO food, shelter, water and toilet paper. There’s a snack bar a short walk away, but hours are sporadic. The field, a former landing strip for what was once the city’s first aiport, is surrounded by enough woods and open fields to fool yourself into thinking that you might not be in NYC anymore (until you hear planes coming in at JFK). Plus you can ride a horse, golf, fish, kayak at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge and swim at neary Jacob Riis Park. Maybe they have bathrooms in those places you can use? At night, the camp sites are patrolled by park rangers so “you won’t have to worry about any hoodlums,” one reassured us. He also told us that spots are going faster this year than usual—a recent Daily News story will probably add to demand. Floyd Bennett Field, 50 Aviation Rd. Reservations required: Call 718-338-3799 for more info. Brokelyn photos courtesy of Matthew Septimus.
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I camped in Floyd Bennett on an outward bound trip in high school. It was fun, and the ground was covered in pine needles, which were very cushiony under my sleeping bag.
we just spent the weekend there with a few dozen of our closest new friends. It was great! BTW there are toilets, they just don't flush, or have lights, so bring a flashlight. Less than a mile away, at the Aviator sports complex, there are proper facilites, which you are welcome to use, I believe until 11 PM.