Discover the best waterside campgrounds in Finger Lakes

United States
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New York
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Finger Lakes

98% (4169 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Finger Lakes

Dog-friendly getaways

3 top waterside campgrounds in Finger Lakes

93%

(217)

Mission Hemlock Grove

4 sites · RVs, Tents200 acres · Conesus, NY

Welcome, Mission Conesus, originally built by Franciscan Catholics. These lands were likely chosen for many reasons. Suffice it to say there is something special here. Come discover for yourself. Lose yourself here, or maybe find yourself, among the Hemlocks. First, a bit about the terrain. There is much in the way of forest, very mature, and a broad array of plant species. Elevation differences are vast, land to the west is uphill for quite a ways, and downhill to the east, to Hemlock lake below, so the world here can feel a bit tilted. We adjoin 150 acres of nature conservancy lands that nobody seems to know about. These lands are for respectful public daytime use. We also adjoin 6600 acres of NY state forest which is public property. Exploring all that is here would take a very long time! Want to get away? Welcome to our little slice of heaven. We are just getting started in the camping space, but for now, we're accepting bookings and looking forward to hosting you, at the mission. See the provided map for site locations. Site 1 is open field and is near the pavilion, sites 2 and 3 are along the woods, and site 4 is the most private and tucked into the woods. We looking forward to hosting you, at the mission.

The Spotted Sandpiper

5 sites · Lodging4 acres · Trumansburg, NY

The land that became our property was once owned by the King family. (i.e. Kingtown Beach Road) In the 1970s it was a marina developed by the Fulton family, with 4 small tourist cabins on the hillside above the water. Two more families loved and cared for the property before our family purchased it in late 2018. We're are delighted to share the beauty of Cayuga Lake with guests from all over the United States and the world, and hope to welcome you soon to The Spotted Sandpiper! Situated on 4 acres and with 400’ of secluded frontage on Cayuga Lake, The Spotted Sandpiper is the largest private lakefront vacation rental property in the Ithaca area. We’re nestled at the end of a private road, but only 7 minutes from Trumansburg, 3 1⁄2 miles from Taughannock State Park, and 20 minutes from Ithaca. We're conveniently located along the Cayuga Wine Trail!We are perfect for family reunions and wedding party rentals, families traveling together or friends looking for a week or weekend away! Our beach is an ideal swimming spot for children because of its gentle slope and clear waters.

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)

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

100%

(7)

Taughannock Falls State Park

Trumansburg, New York

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Waterside camping in Finger Lakes guide

Overview

With 11 lakes, 25 state parks, three wine trails, and more than a dozen golf courses, it's easy to see why the Finger Lakes is one of the most popular vacation spots in New York state. Camping options abound around the lakeside, whether you prefer a family campground with full hookups, a rustic cabin in the woods, or a cozy glampsite. Summer is peak season, and the best time for swimming, wine tasting, and water sports, while leaf-peepers flock to the Finger Lakes state parks in fall. Winter camping can be fun, too, with skiing, ice skating, and sledding all on the activity menu.

Where to go

Seneca Lake

The largest of the Finger Lakes has forest hiking trails, patchwork vineyards, and farm-to-table dining experiences right at its fingertips. Once you've gone wine hopping along the largest of the Finger Lakes wine trails, marveled at the waterfalls in Watkins Glen State Park, and enjoyed boating around Sampson State Park, check into a state park campground or book an RV park around Seneca Falls or Geneva.

Cayuga Lake

An 87-mile scenic byway loops around Cayuga Lake, affording panoramic views over the lake and the surrounding wine country. At the southern tip, Ithaca is the gateway to Buttermilk Falls State Park and Taughannock Falls State Park, while the nearby Finger Lakes National Forest is the ideal spot for a backcountry camping experience—dispersed camping is permitted throughout.

Western Lakes

West of Seneca Lake, there are plenty of ways to get on the water at Keuka, Canandaigua, and Honeoye lakes. Camp amid the vineyards at Keuka Lake State Park, check into an RV resort at Naples or Hammondsport, or escape the crowds at the Honeoye Lake boat launch. Further west, Letchworth State Park is home to the "Grand Canyon of the East," where its waterfalls and forests are most magnificent during fall foliage season.

Eastern Lakes

Syracuse is the entry point to Finger Lakes' eastern corner, where you'll find Owasco, Skaneateles, and Otisco lakes. Swimming and water skiing are popular pastimes at Owasco Lake, and there's a great campground and swimming pool at Fillmore Glen State Park. If you’re seeking peace and quiet, neighboring Skaneateles is a tranquil spot for boating.