Submit your Photos

• We are seeking photos that share the best of New York State Parks in the following five categories.
  • Camping Life: Showcase the heart of the outdoor experience with crackling campfires, cozy tent setups, and morning coffee.
  • Get Offline, Get Outside / Unplug and Play: Show us how you disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with nature through movement, play, and pure adventure.
  • Seasons, Events, and History: Highlight the passage of time and the stories within our parks, including seasonal transformations, community events, and our historic landmarks.
  • Nature, Landscapes, and Wildlife: Focus on the incredible world around us, from breathtaking panoramic vistas to the smallest details of New York's diverse flora and fauna.
  • These Lands are for Everyone: Capture the faces of those who enjoy our parks. We want to see the joy and connection of visitors exploring the great outdoors.
• There is a limit of 40 entries per individual. 

• Who is eligible: Legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C., and are at least 18 years of age and of the age of majority or older in the state of their residence at the time of entry.

• Who is not eligible: Employees of the participating agencies, sponsors, and their family members are not eligible to win prizes.

• All photographs must be taken on State Park lands managed by New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) between May 18, 2024 and October 18, 2026. Contest entries are accepted until October 18, 2026 11:59 p.m. ET. Winners will be contacted by phone or email. The winner announcement will take place by December 31, 2026.

• Photos will be judged by the following criteria: (i) originality, (ii) artistic composition, (iii) technical quality, and (iv) whether the photograph showcases the best of the New York State Parks camping and outdoor activities.

• Photograph(s) submitted online must be submitted in .JPG format. No AI generated images, alteration, collages, or manipulation of photographs is permitted, except for cropping, red eye removal, and/or adjustment of contrast and brightness. However, photographic techniques such as HDR, light-painting, and long exposures are allowed.

• Photographs with any watermarks, writing, or symbols of any kind will be disqualified.

• View Official Rules