Discover the best private sites lakeside campgrounds in New York

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New York

98% (919 reviews)

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12 top lakeside campgrounds in New York

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Pooh’s Corner

9 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Watkins Glen, NY

WELCOME to Pooh's Corner- We hope you enjoy Pooh's Corner as much as we enjoy having all of you great Hipcampers sharing our beautiful Fingerlakes Region with us. Pooh's Corner lies in a rural area just 1.5 miles from Watkins Glen. (3315 County Road 28, Watkins Glen, NY 14891). We took great care to make sure each campsite is PRIVATE (parking on-site*) and the trails are easily navigable. Our 'Welcome Shed' is equipped with a compost toilet, local information, (newly added) Hot Water Station, first-aid kit, charging station, bug spray etc. and is located in a safe, well lit, open area on the property. Each site is equipped with a fire pit and comfortable seating with tables, chairs, and/or picnic tables and tripod grills. Firewood is available on a donation basis. There are State Parks and places to hike one of the many gorges around beautiful Seneca Lake and surrounding area. Take a tour of the many wineries and breweries which our region is famous for. Enjoy hiking, swimming, biking, kayaking, and many historical sites to see. Our reviews tell it all. We know you'll love it here :) *PLEASE NOTE: Our sites are custom made for TENT or CAR camping. Because we have "parking on-site", Large RVs, Campers (over 16'), and any 5th-wheel campers are very difficult to place since there are no easy ways to back in or turn around. We highly recommend "Havana Glen State Park" (same general area) for those types of camping units.

Red House Ranch Camp

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents200 acres · Van Etten, NY

We have three camp sites on a 200-acre parcel of secluded, rural farm land. We are a working pasture based farm where you can see how grass fed beef, pork, chicken, and eggs are produced. There's nothing quite like fresh eggs and bacon after waking up to the sunrise over a fog-filled valley! When you arrive we will provide a complimentary carton of pastured raised eggs and you are welcome to visit our web site (redhouseranch . net) or store to order meats for your stay and/or to take with you upon your departure. We have a wide variety of grass fed beef, pasture raised pork, snack sticks for long hikes, and dog bones and smoked treats for your furry friends. Many of our items are well suited for campfire cooking. Keep in mind that all our products are frozen so be sure to plan for time to thaw. If you're not sure what that involves - we're here to help. We are a working farm but, much of our property is not grazed or farmed. You are welcome to explore the entire area while also getting a glimpse of sustainable, pasture-based, farming methods. Learn more about us and the history of the farm at our website. As you roam the hills and forests you'll eventually bump into some of our animals. Please do not enter the animal enclosures or touch any of the electrified fence lines. If you really want to pet a piggie or hold a chicken - just reach out to Ike or Dave and we will gladly arrange this for you. Red House Ranch is also the perfect spot for wildlife enthusiasts and bird watchers. During your stay you may encounter eagles, blue herons, coyotes, turtles, wild turkeys, foxes, the endangered bobolink bird (its unique call sounds a bit like R2D2), deer, great horned owls, and many unique plants. It's not uncommon to hear the coyotes howling at night. In addition to hiking trails with incredible views, there are four ponds on the property easily accessible with mown paths. One is very large with a dock and suitable for swimming, paddling, fishing, or just relaxing but the water. The other three are smaller and are now primarily wildlife habitat. easily accessible with mown paths If you're feeling adventurous, there is a more strenuous hike down into the creek bed where you can find miniature versions of the gorges and waterfalls that our region is known for. We are happy to provide maps and guidance or leave you to your own devices. When skies are clear our area has very little light pollution and excellent star visibility. It's a great place to view the night sky during a meteor shower. We hope you enjoy your stay as much as we enjoy living in the beautiful Southern Tier/Finger Lakes area!

Revive Your Spirit at Lagom Langing

3 sites · Lodging, Tents60 acres · Dansville, NY

Get away from it all on 60 acres of quiet space! You have two options--bring your own tent and camping gear and rough it, or stay in our hand-built cabin with all you need for a couple of nights of pure R&R! Experience zero light pollution at this off the grid cabin or in one of our camping spots. Although the cabin is not hooked up to electric or water, it is equipped with kitchen cabinets, pots and pans and dishes and silverware, drinking and cleaning/cooking water, a pullout bed with sheets and blankets (2 people), 2 couches, a dining room table and four chairs, a porch glider, an outhouse, a camp stove, books, a few rechargeable lights (but good to bring your own), kindling and firewood, and is insulated with a stove for winter stays. A fire pit and benches await your nighttime enjoyment of the solitude and stars. We encourage you to walk and experience a true "backwoods" experience, but we will drive you down in our Utility Vehicle if needed. A ping pong table is available in the barn/workshop if people would like to play. We also have pollinator and vegetable gardens and chickens, and we produce maple syrup in the spring. If guests are interested in workshops on carpentry, food preservation, foraging, gardening, bread baking, and kombucha-brewing, they should let us know a WEEK in ADVANCE. We also offer spiritual direction and Enneagram typing and exploration. This experience can be as solitary as a guest would like, or guests can also experience the gift of connecting with others in community.

HipSites @ Fulkerson Winery

2 sites · RVs, Tents65 acres · Dundee, NY

Primitive site with no services, but a great view of Seneca Lake and the Vineyards of Fulkerson Winery. Adjacent to hole 17 of the Back Forty Disc Golf Course. Campers must have their own toilet (NO ACCESS AVAILABLE.) Site is on active farm, campers must leave room for tractor/vehicle access. Hiking trails and disc golf on site.

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Adirondack Adventure Base

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents50 acres · Paul Smiths, NY

Overlook Lean-To, Treehouse, primitive campsites, and so much more! This is glamping at its finest. Our property was originally used as a seasonal hunting/fishing camp in the 1920's. Sheila and Bob bought it in the early 80s and have turned it into an amazing compound built for their family. They blinked their eyes and their children are gone, so this beautiful 50 acre diverse property and its private trail system are meant to be shared. Nestled in a mature, private pine forest, this well cared for property boasts abundant wildlife and a network of walking, skiing and mountain biking trails which take you past wetlands, cliffs and a variety of forest types. They have all kinds of lodging options from a beautiful vacation cabin they rent, to an Adk lean-to, to a Treehouse, and primitive campsites. You'll find a little bit for everyone at Adirondack Adventure Base.

Adirondack Rustic Retreat

2 sites · Lodging240 acres · North Creek, NY

As far as we know, this land has been occupied since shortly after the civil war. It is actually two farms, combined into one around 1900. The main farmhouse was built out of the logs they cleared in 1879, and there are old foundations of the other original farm houses/barns as well. All over the property (now woods) there are piles of stones that the original inhabitants pulled from the fields. The second farm house was built in 1901. Most of the total 240 acres were cleared pasture land at that time. During the twenties and thirties the property was owned by an industrious couple from the City that lovingly turned it into more of a "rustic retreat"; damming a pond, planting ornamentals and upgrading the buildings. There have been many owners over the years, but we are proud to say it has been with us the longest. Our family bought it in 1961 and we have been trying to be good stewards ever since. Come and visit our little patch of wilderness!

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Catskills Forest Pondside Hideaway

2 sites · Tents5 acres · Windham, NY

Learn more about this land: NOTE: Some Fall 2024 dates are blocked for maintenance, but contact me to request specific dates. :) (Use the "Have a question? Send Timothy a message!" link at the bottom of this section.) Tucked into a meadow in a forest clearing deep in the Catskills, this special land has a variety of mature trees, open meadows with ferns and dogwood stands, remnants of an old apple orchard, a large swimming pond, trails across old rock walls and mountain streams through gently sloping topography, and abundant birds, frogs, newts, and other wildlife. The off-grid site is close enough to the house and parking area to have convenience, but far enough—and hidden out of view—so it offers real privacy. (About a 4-minute walk from your private toilet/supply/storage shed by driveway.) Tent area has cleared pads for two small tents. Location is far enough from things that you can walk a minute into the woods and feel lost to civilization, yet only two miles of paved road from downtown Windham and all that the cozy resort town has to offer. Makes a great basecamp for exploring the rest of the Northern Catskills, or a hideaway to stay and get lost in. Hike miles of trails and old logging roads in the Elm Ridge Wild Forest, starting literally steps from your campsite. Swim in the large spring-fed pond, or just watch the colorful koi swim. Sit around the fire and reflect on the day’s adventures. Or just take in the wide-open views of distant mountains and starry skies. Note: the only "Kitchen available" (Hipcamp's wording) is a grill over firepit. Also, toilet is a bucket-style dry composting toilet with urine diversion inside a protected shed. Camp site is a short hike along private trails from parking/shed area. Depending on weather/season, it's sometimes muddy.

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Lil' Bit of Country

9 sites · Lodging, Tents10 acres · Victor, NY

If you ever experienced, as a kid, going to the country to visit grandparents - this is an adventure just like that with dirt (mud puddles and all) driveway (approx. 1000 ft. long). This is a private property of 10 acres of lightly wooded, sloping areas with a pond and a private residence of 2300 sq. ft. which have guest rooms available as a BnB - Book rooms on Booking.com or AirBnB. It is NOT a manicured estate but rather land with mowed rustic trails with a old pond with water critters, bullfrogs, fishes, water spiders, tiny snails. There is an occasional Blue Herring, Wood Ducks and Canadian Geese that stop by as well as other wildlife.

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Towner's Country Paradise

4 sites · Lodging, Tents500 acres · Addison, NY

Towner's Country Paradise started out as a wild forest and pasture for cows in the 1940's, owned by Llewellyn Towner. In the 1960s, Llewellyn's love for aviation led him to construct a small airstrip and hangar, and then his son Terry began to plant Christmas Trees (no more cows) and clear much of the land. By the early 1970's our main and largest pond was built and since that time our fully functional cabin, several more fish ponds, roads, trails, running water and generated electricity have been added. Christmas Trees are still grown and harvested by Terry's son Scott Towner. Green rolling hills, deep valleys, a waterfall, ponds stocked with fish, a fully functional cabin, herds of deer, flocks of turkey and Canada Geese, & well-maintained roads and trails here in Addison NY. It's so private that even most of the people who live in our small town don't know we're here! CHECK OUR REVIEWS!OPTION to camp/hike in the woods for a more wild experience. NEARBY: restaurants including Chinese, Subway, pizza/wings, & several excellent diners offering take out or eat-in. ALSO: Dollar General, Wal-Mart (15 min away), Dunkin Donuts (5 min away), & gas stations.Your jaw will *drop* when you see Towner's Country Paradise for the first time!

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Sanctuary in the woods tent camp

3 sites · Lodging, Tents10 acres · Newfield , NY

After traveling and living around the world, raising my kids... you can return home. I craved the seasons and the woods and some quiet peaceful land. I feel in love with this property as it had the perfect spot in the middle of the ten acres for a primitive camp, not to far from the house and driveway so very easy assess. A short walk up a trail. It is private and has lots of wildlife, the deers cross every morning and evening. We added another tent camp lower down on land near creek. It is a short 10 miles to Ithaca for provisions and other types of activities, or just stay and play on the land, fish, swim, hike, swing, rest, read, write, meditate, dream. come in peace or come to rediscover your peace. I look forward to meeting you Learn more about this land: We have 10 forested hilly acres 12 miles from Ithaca. We’ve built a camp with a covered dry lean-to with a double bed platform inside to put your sleeping bags or to put supplies off the ground and dry. Lots of room for tents. We have a primitive upper camp where you can also put tents for privacy. There’s a teepee with a wood base. The campfire has a grill, 2 homemade benches & an Adirondack chair. An orange hammock and also a picnic table. There’s a fun homemade swing & seesaw. We made many marked walking trails around our land to enjoy. There is access to well water. Dry cut Firewood is available for $7 a bundle in cash at the property or you can add extras with booking for $7.70 per bundle. Portable toilet outside, outdoor private shower. Come enjoy. It is very quiet. We are close to Treman, Buttermilk And Taughannock State Parks which all have swimming. Watkins Glen State Park and racetrack is half an hour away. Watkins Glen is breathtakingly magnificent. Also great cross country skiing, walking and hunting nearby at Connecticut Hill. There is downhill skiing at Greek Peak 45 minutes away if you are winter campers. We are 14 miles from Cornell University and 10 miles from Ithaca College. We are between two finger lakes, Cayuga and Seneca, there are 60 wineries and breweries around the lakes.Woman’s Rights National Museum in Seneca Falls, Corning Museum of Glass is fabulous. Ithaca has theatres, museums for art and lots to do for kids like a public pool on the lake.Or simply hang out and enjoy our ten private acres of forest. Check out Bobs workshop while you are here if you are interested. Theartistandbuilder.comOn Instagram and FB Robertroemischcreativearts. (Robert Roemisch)

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A Promise to Gaia/Garden Of One

6 sites · Lodging107 acres · Rensselaerville, NY

Our focus and purpose on this land is to provide stewardship and sanctuary for the Natural world to maintain it’s own balance with minimal interference from humans. To remain wild and free. We are a plant, wildlife and butterfly sanctuary. We rent the lodgings (Chalet, Cabin & Glampsite) to support and fund the maintenance and expansion of native and pollinating species of plants, expanding the area that we steward, providing habitat and refuge for animals, insects, birds and more. We wish to share our sacred land with people that love and respect the Earth, who wish to contribute to a conservation project through their own presence and mindfulness. Once a RV camping park called "Thunder Hill Campground" in the late 1960's early 1970's, the land sat mostly unused for 15 years before Rachel came to steward it 20 years ago. We are 107 acres of forest, a 9 acre lake, ponds, creeks, labyrinth, a Holistic Retreat Center & Organic Permaculture Farm at a 2000 foot elevation in the Heldeberg Mountains. 500 million years ago during the Devonian Period this was a sea, so we live in shale based mountains with lots of fossils! The Heldebergs are one of the oldest mountain ranges on earth, these mountains have been worn down to 2000 feet over time. Native Americans lived in the area many years ago and we are quite sure this was Native American sacred ceremony land. Hiking, canoeing, swimming and fishing (catch & release only) are available on site. There are many places to hike in the area, an Eagle Trail and in winter, 2 miles away, is a Nature Preserve that rents snowshoes and has trails for snowshoeing and cross country skiing, Very rural and private, even though we are only 25 miles SW of Albany, NY the capital of NYS, here it is quiet and peaceful. We do have 3 very friendly dogs that will want to be your best friends. Also farm animals that you can meet. There will be farm noises, roosters greeting the morning and various grunts and snorts... far less noise than any modern city. Albany, along with the surrounding areas, have many events etc going on. There's hiking, biking, nature parks, horse racing, concerts, festivals and events and so much more. Links and information can be provided to campers that stay with us that are looking for entertainment & excursions. We are near Albany, Berne, Catskill, Cairo, Cobleskill, East Durham, Greenville, Hunter, Knox, Medusa, Oak Hill, Middleburgh, Schoharie, Westerlo, Windham.

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Rock Farm Ranch

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents35 acres · Callahan, CA

In Beautiful Scott Valley, a hidden destination loved by stargazers. campers, hikers, bikers, hunters, fishers, nature lovers, rock climbers, and prospectors. Property straddles Hwy. 3 in between Etna and Callahan. Hwy. 3 is not busy during the day, and evenings traffic drops off to almost nothing. Very rural farming/ranching area. No agricultural, ranching or spraying nearby, though. There's lots of blue-green Serpentine stone here, hence the name "Rock Farm." We are an organic farm so we take care to use non toxic agriculture. Fresh spring water provided, we offer primitive camping and are developing some more luxurious sites. Call me at 541-301-3331 for details, we don't always post right away the improvements we're making. Bathroom available, haul water to flush toilet. Dark nights with no light pollution gives great sky watching. Mountain views in daytime. Very quiet at night, and safe. Near beautiful Kangaroo Lake and Mount Shasta. Quiet and peaceful, pristine. Formerly Munson Mill, which closed in the 70''s. Property is for sale, all or part. Ask Nina for details. Learn more about this land: Private, wooded area available for primitive camping or RV for $25 per night. Improved sites with bathroom , tables; chairs, firepit. We have 35 acres so you can choose the site you like best when you arrive. Mountain Views are amazing. Swimming hole nearby. Right off Highway 3 between Etna and Callahan, California. Or, camp across the street with an old wooden mill building for company. Small wetland nearby brings lots of birds to sing you awake in the morning. Open, level space great for nighttime stargazing. Property has a gate you can close at night. One hour drive to Mt. Shasta or Ashland, Oregon. Groceries, massage, hardware store, laundry, bakery, showers, restaurants in Etna 8 miles away. Farmer's market in Etna Saturday morning. Not far from PCT trailhead outside of Callahan CA. If you need a ride from there, call and we'll pick you up if possible for $20. Firewood available too, $1. a stick. Near Kangaroo lake for fishing, swimming, hiking, boating. Bicycle groups and motorcycle groups going by every summer. We're at 3000 feet elevation, so nights are cool even in the summer. Bright stars; We even have our own UFO. Air fresh and clean. Minimal mosquitos due to dry climate. Fresh Spring water available for free. We call it "RockFarm" because there's lots of Serpentine rock here and you're welcome to collect some. Even pan for gold in the Scott River nearby.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Private sites lakeside camping in New York guide

Overview

New York state is made for outdoor adventures, whether you're hiking in the Finger Lakes, glamping amid Hudson Valley vineyards, or backcountry camping in the Adirondacks. Campers can take their pick of 180 New York state parks, 22 national park sites, and a national forest, almost all of which provide RV sites and tent camping—some also have cabin rentals and glamping options. June through August is peak camping season in Upstate New York, and camping reservations are essential through fall, too. November through March is ski season, and many RV parks and cabins stay open year-round.

Where to go

New York City & Long Island

When the temperatures rise in summer, New York campers make a beeline for the sandy shores of Long Island. Beach camping experiences abound on the island, both along the Atlantic Coast and the North Shore. Check into one of the coastal RV parks, camp at one of the many country parks, or head to the beachside campgrounds at Hither Hills State Park or Wildwood State Park.

Hudson Valley & the Catskills

Vineyards and heritage towns dot the banks of the Hudson River, north of NYC, stretching all the way up to the Catskills Mountains. There’s lakeside camping within an hour’s drive of the city at Harriman State Park, kayak-in tent sites at Hudson River Islands State Park, and a popular campground at Bear Mountain State Park. For keen hikers, some of the best camping and glamping is found in the vast Catskill Forest Preserve.

Saratoga & Adirondacks

To escape the crowds and explore the wilderness, continue north into the Adirondacks, where the soaring mountains and wild woodlands stretch across more than 6 million acres. Epic hikes, fall foliage views, and idyllic lakes await campers, whether you prefer a hike-in tent site or a cozy log cabin in the woods. Don’t fancy hiking? Try whitewater rafting along the Ausable River, go canoeing between the three Saranac Lakes, or enjoy boating on Lake George.

Central New York & the Finger Lakes

For tranquil lakeside camping, the Finger Lakes get our vote. Regional highlights include the Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen State Park, the beaches and waterfalls of Buttermilk Falls State Park, and the "Grand Canyon of the East" at Letchworth State Park, but you can also fill your camping trip with wine tasting, farm-to-table restaurants, and lake activities.

Western New York

More than 65,000 acres of mountains, forest, and lakes make up the vast Allegany State Park, where you can choose from four state campgrounds or book one of the many cabins. Further north, there’s beachside camping along the shores of Lake Ontario, while Four Mile Creek State Park is one of three western New York state parks to offer yurt rentals. An added bonus? It’s within a 15-minute drive of Niagara Falls.