Enter the Prospect Park camping lottery to spend a final summer night under the stars

And just like that, it’s September. Summer has come and passed, the innocent can never last. But so long as these warm temperatures do, you should keep spending as much time as humanly possible in the great outdoors. And what better way to do it than with a good old-fashioned camping trip in nearby Prospect Park?

But the park closes at 9pm, you say. But we tried once and got arrested, you say. Well, you were doing it wrong. The only way to be in Prospect Park after dark is with their annual camping lottery, which officially opens today!

If your name is drawn, you and your friends will get to camp out in the park on Saturday, September 17. Think s’mores around the campfire, starry hikes, and whatever other “what happens on camping trips” mishigas you plan on getting up to. 

As per usual, there are 30 camping slots for the taking. They’re “family” slots, which just means you need a group of two or more in order to be eligible. Tents are provided free of charge, and the only rule is that you can’t be obvious with your bring alcohol or drugs.

BTW, this isn’t like hiking through Colorado or Utah. Everyone can feel rugged in Prospect Park. There are public bathrooms, for pete’s sake. And hey, just think of all the Pokémon you’ll find dancing in Prospect Park at night! I don’t know how Pokémon Go works, somebody please explain it to me.

Registration for the lottery is open through September 7 at midnight. Apply here.

If you’re busy on the 17th but you still want to get some camping in before it cools down, there are a few ways: you can stock up on cheap camping gear and head to any of these campsites near NYC  (no car required!), or sign up with BK-based company Tentrr, who hooks you up with all the gear and a campsite so all you have to do is bring your booze.

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