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The best camping near Watkins Glen State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Watkins Glen adventure.

The best camping near Watkins Glen State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Watkins Glen adventure.

Camping near Watkins Glen State Park

92% (27 reviews)

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Watkins Glen adventure.

Iconic Finger Lakes park with 19 waterfalls and dramatic gorges.  

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Watkins Glen State Park

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Watkins Glen State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Watkins Glen State Park

99%
(313)

Waterfall Creek

5 sites ¡ RVs, Tents40 acres ¡ Millport, NY
This is a beautiful piece of property located in the heart of the Finger Lakes and Wine Country of NY. It features a stunning spring fed waterfall and nice forest land. Very close to town but also very secluded and private. Great place to unwind and relax from our everyday lives. It is situated however in a gully next to a creek and waterfall so it is susceptible to heavy rains. It is recommended to at least have an AWD vehicle if rainy. I can usually help campers with getting to the site in my side X side if you need to park up at the pasture. Please order enough wood initially as I have found I spend a lot of time delivering extra wood to campers. It seems as if you will typically go through 2 bundles per night on average. Also I supply a contractor size garbage bag to you if you choose garbage removal. It is also a good idea to text me when you have a solid ETA so I can be here to take you to the site. I want to mention that the two sites closest to the waterfall are a slight hike in and can only accommodate up to 4 person tents so if a bigger group or vehicle camping you will be placed at another site. Hope to see you soon. Ken
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$59
 / night
100%
(455)

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.
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$25
 / night
94%
(135)

Valley View Camp

11 sites ¡ RVs, Tents4 acres ¡ Montour Falls, NY
WE ALLOW A MAXIMIUM OF 4 CAMPING GROUPS AT A TIME. We have 8 sites to choose from but, due to Town rules more than 4 camping any given night is tooo many. So, 4 acres 4 camping groups. We are advertising a "RUSTIC CAMPING EXPERIENCE". This isn't the state or county owned or run site. We want you to come and be clean and considerate and have a great experience! I walked many lots over the previous several years and this pasture was perfect. This location is a work in progress. The pictures are over a few years and when you get there the hay could be high, it could have just been cut. The reviews and some pictures begin 3 years ago 3 days after we went online. Work the reviews in reverse to see newest reviews.
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$25
 / night
99%
(127)

Harpy Hollow

23 sites ¡ Tents90 acres ¡ Odessa, NY
Harpy Hollow is located on 89 beautiful wooded acres near Watkins Glen, NY.  Come unplug and enjoy an abundance of wildlife, on-site trails and stargazing. We are located in the Finger Lakes Region with all the wine you can taste! While here you should visit all the waterfall trails you can! The Watkins Glen Gorge Trail is our favorite! The Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) is walking distance from "The Hollow" and so is a natural spring. There are horseback riding and ATV trails in the area. Bring or rent a kayak to paddle any of the several large nearby lakes! Plenty of fishing in the area too! There is a modern outhouse with flushing toilet and sink with running water a reasonable walking distance from each site. A private potty in a potty tent on your site is available to rent. Sorry, no shower yet! Every site has a fire ring and comes with first bundle of wood. Additional bundles are available on site for purchase.Owned by Army Veterans who love the outdoors and live on site in an off grid cabin. If you are looking for a place to unplug, this is the place for you! Learn more about this land:Beautiful site that is spacious, wooded and quite with no light pollution for amazing stargazing! Includes firepit.  Bathroom is a short walk from the site.  You may park at site (all wheel or 4 wheel drive necessary under some conditions). May need to walk in if very wet or snowy.  
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$35
 / night
98%
(161)

Tempest Ranch camp

10 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres ¡ Beaver Dams, NY
40 secluded acres with 1850 feet of clear stream with a great swimming hole. Our fenced fields with sheds boarders 9100 acres Sugar Hill State Forest, hiking trails and a dirt seasonal road that connects to other dirt roads. We have a mature pine forest grove that you can pick a spot to camp next to,or walk our creek and find a cleared spot to tent or just sleep next to campfire. We are have been here 20 years improving what was run down and continue to add a few pines and special private site for great memories! Our sites sit along meads creek which is nice to sit and relax in. At the bridge along maple lane is a very fun swimming hole ,which has been so nice all summer let your dog swim with you and have a nice float .we have a picnic tabel and fire ring at most sites . We are constantly making new fun sites to enjoy . fire-ring and outhouse! We have a pond to feed fish and explore on a canoe or bring tubes .always horses and donkeys to see . I have 1850 foot of stream to hike along and explore wildlife.turkey,deer,fox the occasional coyotes howling . We have been getting eagles.few bear sightings. ..we have .some pretty private spots along the creek . And under the pine tree grove.we border 9100 acres of sugar hill state Forrest. Trailss everywhere. Twelve miles of back dirt roads to get to Watkins Glen state park. 7 miles to the Glen race track .twelve miles to a great dirt track to see racing.we can accommodate horse camping ,either by ride ins or trailers with pASTURES TO PULL INTO. ! This site borders sugar hill state Forrest! Twelve miles to Watkins glen
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$40
 / night
97%
(58)

Cayuta Sun Farm

3 sites ¡ Tents40 acres ¡ Alpine, NY
Cayuta Sun is a small, permaculture-based farm. On pasture and under the canopy of trees, we produce pasture-raised meats, log-grown shiitake mushrooms, and a variety of sustainably produced fruits, vegetables, and woodland products.We currently offer pork, whole chickens and shiitake mushrooms  We mostly sell retail at farmers markets and at the farm by appointment. This farm is the home of Michael Burns & Kelly Dietz who seek to build a local, regenerative economy that builds community and supports food sovereignty. Each year we commit to struggle and innovation to produce food that is healthy for our environment and ourselves. Cayuta Sun Farm also supports sustainable farming education by hosting workshops and events, especially with the Finger Lakes Permaculture Institute. 
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$30
 / night
100%
(527)

Hawk Meadow Farm

3 sites ¡ RVs, Tents68 acres ¡ Trumansburg, NY
Hawk Meadow Farm is a 68 acre working woodland mushroom farm. Our camp sites are spacious and private. A generous amount of firewood is included with your booking! All of our sites can be accessed by car. Our farm specializes in log-grown woodland mushrooms such as shiitake, lion's mane, turkey tail and oyster. We use the mushrooms to make medicinal tinctures and sell fresh or dried to local area restaurants. Visit our farm store while you are here! We usually have fresh shiitakes available for purchase as well as our other farm products. We follow organic methods and sustainable practices in all that we do, and our farm is inspired by the principles of permaculture. We have a great love and respect for the natural world and strive to work in harmony with nature not only in all our agricultural practices, but in just living our lives. Stay with us, reconnect to nature and recharge your spirit!
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from 
$50
 / night
100%
(11)

RV/Camper Site Near WG Racetrack

2 sites ¡ RVs5 acres ¡ Watkins Glen, NY
Secluded camp site (1 full hook ups, 1 dry camping) for RV/Camper located 4 miles from Watkins Glen, 2 miles from racetrack, and walking distance to finger lakes hiking trails. Reconnect with nature on this 5 acres of private woods with a short walking path to an open field to visit the black angus cows.
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$55
 / night
98%
(68)

Six circles farm

2 sites ¡ RVs, Tents35 acres ¡ Lodi, NY
Six Circles farm is located in the majestic geographical center of the finger lakes, in the heart of wine country. We grow over 80 varieties of vegetables, fruit, and herbs with our main crop being the versatile, tasty, seductive, and immune boosting garlic. The Eisman Family has cultivated this land with ecological and restorative intentions since 1992. Learn more about this land: Private tent sites with lake or forest views and nature trails. On an organic vegetable family farm with tours available. Foraging encouraged.  Nearby restaurants, wineries and national forest.
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from 
$50
 / night
99%
(128)

Sanctuary in the woods tent camp

2 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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$46
 / night
100%
(7)

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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from 
$30
 / night
97%
(176)

Minglewood Camp

2 sites ¡ Lodging90 acres ¡ Trumansburg, NY
Both my husband Ben, and I are natives to the Fingerlakes region. We are  nature lovers and enjoy , (Love) camping. When this property became available to us we couldn't help visualize our dream camp spot. We decided to make a go for it. The frontage of the property is a small mobile home park which truly reminded us of a quaint camp community we had just visited in Canada. After exploring the 90 acres of hardwood forest beyond the park we realized an eco friendly camp ground was exactly what the property needed. Ben sourced only local wood for the cabin and used all natural building materials. No plastic anywhere! our hope is that people who need a break from the hustle of daily life can visit Minglewwood and enjoy some serenity.Our sweet little cabin is about a quarter mile into the forest. You will have total privacy. The cabin sits beside a little creek which runs till late summer depending on rain.  There is 90 acres of beautiful forest to explore. The stunning Finger lakes are only a short drive as well as the impressive Gorges that surround the area. You will find no shortage of natural beauty when you visit Minglewood camp.
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$100
 / night

The best camping near Watkins Glen State Park guide

Overview

About

Located in the Fingers Lake region, this scenic park packs a lot of natural beauty in a small area, including 19 waterfalls, towering cliffs, and gorges. Several hiking trails take you alongside, over, under, and through gorges and behind several waterfalls. Facilities include an Olympic-size swimming pool, picnic tables and pavilions, playgrounds, sports fields, gift shops, food concessions, and a shuttle. Anglers can cast their line in nearby Seneca Lake or Catherine Creek, known for an annual spring run of rainbow trout. More than 300 campsites, suitable for RVs, trailers, and tents and 10 camping cabins, offer plenty of options for staying overnight.

Notable campgrounds

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. You must have a reservation to camp. Plan to reserve a site as soon as you know your dates during the peak season or over weekends.
  2. If traveling between mid May and October, reservations can be made the same day until 3pm.
  3. Reservations for 2 or more nights can be made nine months in advance. One night stays can be booked seven days in advance.

When to go

Mid June to August are the busiest times at the park, especially on weekends. Time your visit for early in the day before the parking lots fill up or go during the week. Entrance fees are collected from mid May to mid October. Spring is the best time to see the waterfalls at peak flow. The campground is open from late May to early October, while the pool is open from the end of June to Labor Day. The Gorge Trail is only open from early spring to late fall, with the shuttle running over the same period. Early to mid-October is the best time to see the fall colors. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular activities in winter.

Know before you go

  • During peak season, Gorge Trail is one-way. Wear sturdy shoes as there are more than 800 steps, and spray from the waterfalls can make rocky pathways wet.
  • Swimming is not permitted in the gorge and only in the swimming pool.
  • Accessible facilities include the gift shop, restrooms, swimming area, and most pavilions.
  • Pets are not allowed in buildings, playgrounds, the pool area, or on the Gorge Trail, though they are permitted on the Indian Trail and South Rim Trail and in some camping loops. A certificate of rabies vaccination is required.
  • Do not bring firewood from more than 50 miles away from the park

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