Given the blustery, unpredictable Rochester winter, there's nothing more rewarding that the gorgeous weather that comes to this area every summer. And with more than 50 Department of Environmental Conservation campgrounds, hundreds of New York State-owned camping areas, and dozens of private campgrounds in the region, there's plenty of opportunity to get back to nature and explore the great outdoors.

Many NYSDEC campgrounds are concentrated in the Catskills and Adirondacks and it's no surprise why. Woods, islands, lakes - they have it all in abundance, and the facilities are no slouch either. For those who really want to rough it, primitive camping on state land may be the way to go. As long as you follow the basic DEC rules, you're free to be where you want on this land - after all, you own it. The basic rules are posted on the DEC's website (dec.ny.gov).

NYSDEC sites - not to be confused with New York State Parks - are managed by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and offer camping opportunities ranging from full RV hookups to primitive tent sites. There are many hidden gems around this area if you're looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. You can order the New York State Camping Guide online at nysparks.state.ny.us or by calling 518-457-2500.

There are countless regional state parks with camping facilities (check the website above for full details), but here are some of our favorites.

Cranberry Lake This gorgeous, remote lake is surrounded by 50,000 acres of wilderness and miles upon miles of trails. The lake, along with the nearby ponds and streams, offer plentiful trout fishing, and although there are campers all over the place, this wild area still provides enough of an escape to make a camper feel alone in her own private wilderness. One of the best features, however, are the daily wilderness activities run by rangers. Crafts, music, live entertainment and hiking all for no extra charge. There are also boats available to rent.

Devil's Tombstone This is one of the oldest and most mythologically notable campgrounds in the Catskills, and is a gathering place for serious hikers. If your kids like spooky stories, mysteries, and are up to hiking, this is the place. Located in the mountain pass of Stony Clove, the camping is primitive, but the trailheads here lead to some of the highest peaks in the region. The campground got its name from the rumor that the devil himself used to hang out in Stony Clove, and a huge boulder measuring about 7'x5' is called the Devil's Tombstone.

Fair Haven Beach If you prefer your camping less wooded, or at least more sandy, consider Fair Haven. A popular stop for anyone attending the Sterling Renaissance Faire, Fair Haven offers both wooded seclusion and lake beach swimming in the 600-foot guarded swimming area.

Letchworth State Park Letchworth's soaring canyons and breathtaking vistas have earned it the moniker of the "Grand Canyon of the East." Hiking trails are plentiful, as are the places in your park where your kids will marvel at the wonders of nature. Better yet, the new playground and renovated swimming pool will make this spot somewhere they want to return time and time again. There is also a well-stocked trout pond and a museum on site.

Stony Brook State Park One of the coolest things about this park is the natural stream-fed rock swimming pool. The park is a popular day stop for tourists, and the campground is well upstream from the most congested areas of the park. This may be a destination best suited for kids who can make their own fun, since there are not many ancillary programs at this park for entertainment. Still, it's gorgeous. The water, however, is freezing.  Consider yourself warned!

Watkins Glen State Park Summing it up in two words: freakin' gorgeous. This park has some of the most amazing scenery in the state, the lakes and creeks are close by, and the fish are plentiful. There are recreation programs during the summer for families, and hiking is a must. Walk behind a waterfall and watch your kids eyes turn as big as saucers.

U.S. National Forest Within a two-hour drive from Rochester lies the Finger Lakes National Forest, the only national forest land in the state. Within this forest is a little known campground called Blueberry Patch, aptly named for the wild blueberry bushes growing nearby. The Finger Lakes forest is a gorgeous, lush place in which to escape, and nearby Watkins Glen and Ithaca both offer other activities if desired. The forest also has another perk - just like in state forests, primitive camping in national forests is allowed as long as you register with the ranger station in Hector.  There are many hiking trails within the 16,000-plus acres of the forest, which is between Seneca and Cayuga lakes. Visit fs.fed.us for more information.

Private campgrounds

There are hundreds of privately run campgrounds in the region, most of which are "family resorts," offering a scaled-down version of camping along with other activities. Do your research, however, and you can separate the good ones from those that are essentially someone charging you $25 to sleep in their back yard. There are dozens of websites and guides to help you choose; one of the best is gocampingamerica.com, which allows users to find campgrounds by region, state, or even by zip code, and also has helpful reviews from other campers.

Just a few out there:

Conesus Lake Campground This family-oriented campground features both tent and RV camping, as well as cottages for rental. It offers a heated pool, recreation building, arcade, and even wi-fi. Not sure how this all equates to "getting away" and "roughing it," but hey, to each his own. Conesus Lake is a fantastic place for swimming and boating, and boats are available for rent. (conesuslakecampground.com)

KOA Kampgrounds of America I instantly cringe whenever anyone replaces a "c" in a word with a "k." It's just not necessary. So the KOA "remember it's kamping, not camping" thing just irks me to no end. With that said, KOA facilities are a popular destination all over the country for families and retirees, most of whom come in RVs, although some stay in "kabins" and "kamping cottages." KOAs are more like mini-resorts, many with mini golf, pools and other activities. Fun for low-maintenance getaways, but clearly there is a difference between camping and "kamping." Regionally you can find KOAs in Canandaigua and Watkins Glen. (koa.com)

Hickory Hill Family Camping Resort This outfit in Bath offers a game room, geocaching, wagon rides, and mini golf. What sets it apart is its calendar of special events for the summer season, including a Dr. Seuss weekend, a Mexican Weekend, Christmas in July, and even a Chocolate Weekend with something called the "chocolate pudding slip 'n' slide." Sounds sticky and delicious. (hickoryhillcampresort.com)

Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park This Wyoming County behemoth bills itself as the "ultimate camping experience," which will likely irritate camping purists. However, let's all try to get along. This park has a 16,000-square-foot interactive water playground and activity directors; it's not unlike Disneyland in the woods.  Jellystone offers RV and tent sites, as well as cabins, chalets, and trailers for rent. (wnyjellystone.com)

Online camping resources

gorp.com

camprecipes.com

lovetheoutdoors.com

gocampingamerica.com

Camping with kids

Shellaced with enough bug spray to kill off any buzzing insect within 30 miles, we were in a race against time, hoping to get camp set up before the sun set. As we learned, however, setting up camp isn't the easiest thing to do when you have a tent...but no tent poles. A 50-minute round trip drive to the closest town fixed that, and we collapsed into our sleeping bags at 11 p.m. This experience, from seasoned campers, is evidence that camping, while super fun and exciting, is also an opportunity to tap into your inner OCD child.

When planning a fun summer vacation, there's nothing better than the great outdoors for inexpensive fun - at least for kids. While we parents may not delight in sleeping on the ground or the "joys" of cooking over a fire pit, kids love it, and the memories will stick with them long after the smoky smells of campfires fade from their hair and clothes.

However, a getaway such as this, especially with kids in tow, can be daunting to plan. Even beyond the basic logistics - do you stay in a camper, tent, yurt, or other arcane structure? Will the car be accessible? -  there are all the little things to consider, including the basic gear checklist to make sure some knucklehead (Mom) hasn't packed the tent without its support structure.

There are hundreds of guides, websites, and other resources available at the local library, online, and in bookstores that will detail all the planning and necessary accoutrements for a successful camping trip. (And just when you think you've remembered everything, you'll realize the importance of tin foil - or tent poles! - in your life.) There's no way we can list out all of what makes a great camping trip here; we'll leave that to the experts. Still, there are some basics about camping with kids that can be passed down. Listen up, young padawan, and take this advice to heart.

The first camping trip with your kids is not the time to induct them into the Fellowship of Primitive Site Camping. In other words, make sure you go to a place with running water and bathrooms, and if near a beach, make sure you have a shower. While primitive camping and backpacking bring another incredible layer of experiences, the no running water or a lack of toilets are some things you may not want to introduce your first time out. And sand in sleeping bags sucks, pure and simple.

Let the kids be part of the adventure. Let them help choose where to go and what you'll be doing, help them make recipes for camp cooking and gather ingredients. It will make all the difference, and their enthusiasm will be contagious.

Plan a trip around what they already like to do. If they love to ride bikes, make sure you go to a place where you can ride and play. If they are into fishing, be near water. If they're budding astronauts, make sure there are wide open skies for stargazing. It sounds elementary, but consider this: there will be no DS, Xbox, or anything else to entertain them.

Practice setting up the tent before you go. And play in it. And make sure the poles are packed. Just saying.

Make a checklist. Really, it may seem ridiculous, but even the most organized among us forget things. There are many available online for first-timers with suggestions you may not have thought of previously.

Keep it simple. Bragging rights over your gourmet campfire frittata are nice, but when it comes down to it, PB&J works just as well and you can spend more time enjoying the outdoors rather than cooking and cleaning.

Show your kids what poison ivy looks like. Really, you'll thank me for this later. While you're at it, talk about stewardship of nature and how to respect their environment. After all, their future camping trips depend on what we do now.