The best great views camping near Elmira

·

A hidden gem in Upstate New York, Elmira is more than just a quiet riverside town near Corning. It's a camper's paradise. Pitching a tent here means waking up to steep gorges, waterfalls, and the awe-inspiring Finger Lakes. Boating, hiking, and gliding over lakes in a sailplane are all in a day's adventure.

For enchanting landscapes, check out Watkins Glen State Park. A stream with 19 waterfalls passes through a 200-foot gorge in one of New York's most impressive displays. Want to set up camp here? The park offers wilderness cabins and a sprawling campground with restrooms and hot showers.

In Watkins Glen, outdoor fun is in rich supply. Hiking trails meander below the cliffs and along the rim. When you're legs are tired, jump in the seasonal swimming pool or have lunch in the glen at the picnic tables.

A short drive north brings you to the Finger Lakes region. The easiest to access from Elmira is Seneca Lake, a haven for boating and fishing. Make a detour on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail for some wine tasting at the region's first-rate wineries. You can also stop to gawk up at Montour Falls.

Of course, there's a lot to do right in Elmira. Ride the trolley, or visit the study and grave of Mark Twain. If you want to try your luck, cast a line on the Chemung River. (Don't forget your state fishing license!)

For more state park camping around Elmira and Corning, check out Newtown Battlefield State Park and Buttermilk Falls State Park. You can also find private RV parks and family campgrounds nestled among farms, woods, and ranches. Want to camp in style? Consider booking a rustic cabin, yurt, or cottage.

Elmira has something to offer in every season. For a summer trip, be sure to book your campsite early—the crowds are no joke. The rush tends to die down in the winter when the heavy snowfall makes for great cross-country skiing.

97% (1.7K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Elmira

1. Elk Creek Escape/Sawmill Woodzie

97%
(98)
44mi from Elmira · 12 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
In the heart of the forest, nestled among towering trees and surrounded by breathtaking views, a humble camp ground It’s the place that evokes tranquility and solitude, offering a refuge from the chaos of the outside world. What makes this camp ground truly captivating is its unique location, obscured by the presence of a running sawmill, a creek, and lots of animals Come enjoy watching as it takes you back in time. This sawmill is unlike any bandmill, boasting a massive 4 and a half-foot circular saw, a relic from the years between 1935 and 1945. Its rhythmic, melodic hum fills the air, blending seamlessly with the symphony of nature. The captivating noise created an enchanting ambiance, luring those in search of solace and beauty. We run our mill with recycled cooking oil and a diesel blend. Behind the sawmill, nature thrives harmoniously. Wildlife painted the surroundings with vibrant colors, as birds filled the sky with their elegant dances and curious squirrels scurried about, their fluffy tails adding a playful touch to the lush landscape. The cabin is a sanctuary where one can witness the wonders of nature, just a walk away from the roaring sawmill. Come check out a piece of preserved history all while enjoying pristine wooded views! Take a step back in time and immerse yourself in history. Enjoy the power of the circular saw, a symbol of the immense progress and craftsmanship of yesteryears. Together, the cabin, the forest, and the sawmill form a perfect harmony — a testament to the beauty of nature entwined with mankind's desire to create. It offers a glimpse into a world where modernity meets tradition, where breathtaking views and the symphony of the sawmill entice all who venture here to enjoy.
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from 
$40
 / night

2. Endless views & star filled nights

97%
(51)
27mi from Elmira · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
ALL PROFITS FROM CAMPING ARE DONATED TO SECOND CHANCE ANIMAL SANCTURIES ! Over $2,000 has been donated since August 2024! They thank you for your support. Please note the hot tub is closed to campers until we add an outdoor shower. Open year round but message before booking in winter months to check for driveway conditions. The best views in the area and super dark for night star watching! Very dog friendly, naturalist friendly and 420 friendly... plenty of privacy to enjoy freely. Ask bout renting the entire outdoor property (I can easily camp over 100 people). I am minutes from Route 15 in the center of 45 acres 240 feet above the road at 1680 feet with 30 mile views. My nearest neighbors are a half mile away. Get a 360 degree view from the lookout tower. Plenty of room for your dogs to run. All 3 sites have elect extention cords strung to them providing 15 amp 115v electric Wood fire pits at each site with wood available for purchase. All sites have string lights and picnic tables. There is sold ground for a small size camper or any size tent. The lookout tower us for all to use. I am 25 minutes from Wellsboro PA and the Pa Grand Canyon with a 62 mile rail trail, bike and kayak rentals are 40 minutes away, one hour to Finger lakes, locally there is lots of hiking, fishing and exploring. 4 wheel drive maybe needed in winter for my driveway.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from 
$10
 / night

3. Tempest Ranch camp

98%
(262)
19mi from Elmira · 12 sites · Lodging
40 secluded acres with 1850 feet of clear stream with a great swimming hole.mature pine tree grove 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 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. Trails 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
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$40
 / night

4. Orchard and Gorge At South Hill

95%
(49)
25mi from Elmira · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
The tents are located between a 10 acre organic cider apple orchard and a 155 acre nature preserve with a 140' waterfall a 15 minute walk down the well-maintained trail. The cidery is a 5 minute walk and is open Thursday through Monday with food, drinks, and a beautiful view. Orchard and Gorge Tents at South Hill Cider - Sites located at the edge of Ithaca, just 4 miles from the downtown Commons, 1.5 miles from Buttermilk Falls State Park, 3 miles from Ithaca College. The property is 5 miles from Cornell University, 7 miles from Museum of the Earth, and 5.5 miles from Sciencenter. The accommodation is non-smoking. Watkins Glen International is 29 miles, while Connecticut Hill State Game Management Area is 13 miles away. The nearest airport is Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, 10 miles from this Site - Orchard and Gorge Tent at South Hill Cider
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$30
 / night

10. Wide Open Spaces

99%
(242)
29mi from Elmira · 7 sites · Tents, RVs
My husband purchased this land to build his house on before we got together. After he purchased the land, he spent the next year building the perfect house on top of the hill at the end of our long driveway. We have a beautiful view from our front porch. My favorite place to have coffee! Frequent visitors to the property include turkey, deer, and even bear once in a while that visit. We have discovered from my Grandmother that this same property happens to be the same property that my Great, Great Grandparents used to farm and cut firewood on. So it holds some neat family history for me. We hope you enjoy staying with us! Learn more about this land: Let the stress from the week go! Come camp with us!  Everyone that comes out always says, "Wow, what a great view!" Plenty of woods and fields to wander through. Days are filled with wildlife. Turkey and deer that hang out in the lawn to the peepers and yes even the coyotes at night! We also have a handful of Eagles that can be seen pretty often too! We offer wooded and open area hiking trails around the property. A fire ring and picnic table or table are provided at your site and a porta-potty available for our campers to use. The property is located in the quiet hills in New York's Finger Lakes Region. Just 20 minutes from Keuka Lake and 25 to all the shopping and dining experiences that you could ever want in downtown Corning along with hundreds of NYS breweries and wineries to enjoy during the day. Return to the hill for a quiet campfire in the evening. Their are several nearby rivers and lakes to canoe or kayak, hiking trails all over the region and even in our own backyard! We hope to see you soon!   Sites #1, #2 & #3 can easily accommodate any type of camper (tent, trailer, van, RV, motor home, etc.)  These sites could be booked for more than just 2 campers. Please contact me if you have a larger group.  Site #4 offers the best view! However it is close to our house so if you want more privacy we recommend staying at one of the other sites.  But their is plenty of room here for a larger group.  Site #5 is secluded by itself on the far side of the field on the right hand side of our driveway. The best way to get to it is to take the road to the end of the field. You will find an vehicle accessible path next to the tree line.    Site #6 is the first spot you will find off the driveway it is before the play area and tucked in the trees #6 offers more shade but would be better for a tent. New this year! Windy Ridge Cabin. The cabin can sleep up to 6. Spacious and clean. The cabin sits on the edge of the woods and overlooks the valley to the left.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$20
 / night

13. Laughing Goat Fiber Farm

99%
(323)
27mi from Elmira · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
Laughing Goat Fiber Farm is a working farm, raising exotic fiber animals such as Angora and Cashmere goats, alpacas. The fiber is processed on farm and regionally and everything made from it is hand dyed. Many items are one of a kind and hand made. A small retail shop in our renovated Carriage House showcases the knitting looms that we make items on, as well as knitting machines from 100 years ago. The property has beautiful views overlooking the Cayuga Lake Valley and Ithaca. Learn more about this land: Pitch your tent on the back 40 acres of a working goat farm.  Site #1 has a tent platform, table and firepit. The 12 x 16 tent platform backs up to the mature hedgerow of maples and oaks for afternoon shade, and the campsite overlooks Ithaca's Inlet Valley.  The platform is just a 4 minute walk to the main house, and you'll have complete privacy. Site #2 has a table and firepit, but no platform.  Site #3 has a table and firepit but no platform.  It is a level spot on the pasture where you can pitch a tent or park a vehicle.   Farm tours:  Sign up at http://tinyurl.com/goattours. Also: https://uncoveringnewyork.com/things-to-do-in-ithaca-ny/
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$38
 / night

A hidden gem in Upstate New York, Elmira is more than just a quiet riverside town near Corning. It's a camper's paradise. Pitching a tent here means waking up to steep gorges, waterfalls, and the awe-inspiring Finger Lakes. Boating, hiking, and gliding over lakes in a sailplane are all in a day's adventure.

For enchanting landscapes, check out Watkins Glen State Park. A stream with 19 waterfalls passes through a 200-foot gorge in one of New York's most impressive displays. Want to set up camp here? The park offers wilderness cabins and a sprawling campground with restrooms and hot showers.

In Watkins Glen, outdoor fun is in rich supply. Hiking trails meander below the cliffs and along the rim. When you're legs are tired, jump in the seasonal swimming pool or have lunch in the glen at the picnic tables.

A short drive north brings you to the Finger Lakes region. The easiest to access from Elmira is Seneca Lake, a haven for boating and fishing. Make a detour on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail for some wine tasting at the region's first-rate wineries. You can also stop to gawk up at Montour Falls.

Of course, there's a lot to do right in Elmira. Ride the trolley, or visit the study and grave of Mark Twain. If you want to try your luck, cast a line on the Chemung River. (Don't forget your state fishing license!)

For more state park camping around Elmira and Corning, check out Newtown Battlefield State Park and Buttermilk Falls State Park. You can also find private RV parks and family campgrounds nestled among farms, woods, and ranches. Want to camp in style? Consider booking a rustic cabin, yurt, or cottage.

Elmira has something to offer in every season. For a summer trip, be sure to book your campsite early—the crowds are no joke. The rush tends to die down in the winter when the heavy snowfall makes for great cross-country skiing.

97% (1.7K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Elmira

1. Elk Creek Escape/Sawmill Woodzie

97%
(98)
44mi from Elmira · 12 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
In the heart of the forest, nestled among towering trees and surrounded by breathtaking views, a humble camp ground It’s the place that evokes tranquility and solitude, offering a refuge from the chaos of the outside world. What makes this camp ground truly captivating is its unique location, obscured by the presence of a running sawmill, a creek, and lots of animals Come enjoy watching as it takes you back in time. This sawmill is unlike any bandmill, boasting a massive 4 and a half-foot circular saw, a relic from the years between 1935 and 1945. Its rhythmic, melodic hum fills the air, blending seamlessly with the symphony of nature. The captivating noise created an enchanting ambiance, luring those in search of solace and beauty. We run our mill with recycled cooking oil and a diesel blend. Behind the sawmill, nature thrives harmoniously. Wildlife painted the surroundings with vibrant colors, as birds filled the sky with their elegant dances and curious squirrels scurried about, their fluffy tails adding a playful touch to the lush landscape. The cabin is a sanctuary where one can witness the wonders of nature, just a walk away from the roaring sawmill. Come check out a piece of preserved history all while enjoying pristine wooded views! Take a step back in time and immerse yourself in history. Enjoy the power of the circular saw, a symbol of the immense progress and craftsmanship of yesteryears. Together, the cabin, the forest, and the sawmill form a perfect harmony — a testament to the beauty of nature entwined with mankind's desire to create. It offers a glimpse into a world where modernity meets tradition, where breathtaking views and the symphony of the sawmill entice all who venture here to enjoy.
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from 
$40
 / night

2. Endless views & star filled nights

97%
(51)
27mi from Elmira · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
ALL PROFITS FROM CAMPING ARE DONATED TO SECOND CHANCE ANIMAL SANCTURIES ! Over $2,000 has been donated since August 2024! They thank you for your support. Please note the hot tub is closed to campers until we add an outdoor shower. Open year round but message before booking in winter months to check for driveway conditions. The best views in the area and super dark for night star watching! Very dog friendly, naturalist friendly and 420 friendly... plenty of privacy to enjoy freely. Ask bout renting the entire outdoor property (I can easily camp over 100 people). I am minutes from Route 15 in the center of 45 acres 240 feet above the road at 1680 feet with 30 mile views. My nearest neighbors are a half mile away. Get a 360 degree view from the lookout tower. Plenty of room for your dogs to run. All 3 sites have elect extention cords strung to them providing 15 amp 115v electric Wood fire pits at each site with wood available for purchase. All sites have string lights and picnic tables. There is sold ground for a small size camper or any size tent. The lookout tower us for all to use. I am 25 minutes from Wellsboro PA and the Pa Grand Canyon with a 62 mile rail trail, bike and kayak rentals are 40 minutes away, one hour to Finger lakes, locally there is lots of hiking, fishing and exploring. 4 wheel drive maybe needed in winter for my driveway.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from 
$10
 / night

3. Tempest Ranch camp

98%
(262)
19mi from Elmira · 12 sites · Lodging
40 secluded acres with 1850 feet of clear stream with a great swimming hole.mature pine tree grove 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 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. Trails 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
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$40
 / night

4. Orchard and Gorge At South Hill

95%
(49)
25mi from Elmira · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
The tents are located between a 10 acre organic cider apple orchard and a 155 acre nature preserve with a 140' waterfall a 15 minute walk down the well-maintained trail. The cidery is a 5 minute walk and is open Thursday through Monday with food, drinks, and a beautiful view. Orchard and Gorge Tents at South Hill Cider - Sites located at the edge of Ithaca, just 4 miles from the downtown Commons, 1.5 miles from Buttermilk Falls State Park, 3 miles from Ithaca College. The property is 5 miles from Cornell University, 7 miles from Museum of the Earth, and 5.5 miles from Sciencenter. The accommodation is non-smoking. Watkins Glen International is 29 miles, while Connecticut Hill State Game Management Area is 13 miles away. The nearest airport is Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, 10 miles from this Site - Orchard and Gorge Tent at South Hill Cider
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$30
 / night

10. Wide Open Spaces

99%
(242)
29mi from Elmira · 7 sites · Tents, RVs
My husband purchased this land to build his house on before we got together. After he purchased the land, he spent the next year building the perfect house on top of the hill at the end of our long driveway. We have a beautiful view from our front porch. My favorite place to have coffee! Frequent visitors to the property include turkey, deer, and even bear once in a while that visit. We have discovered from my Grandmother that this same property happens to be the same property that my Great, Great Grandparents used to farm and cut firewood on. So it holds some neat family history for me. We hope you enjoy staying with us! Learn more about this land: Let the stress from the week go! Come camp with us!  Everyone that comes out always says, "Wow, what a great view!" Plenty of woods and fields to wander through. Days are filled with wildlife. Turkey and deer that hang out in the lawn to the peepers and yes even the coyotes at night! We also have a handful of Eagles that can be seen pretty often too! We offer wooded and open area hiking trails around the property. A fire ring and picnic table or table are provided at your site and a porta-potty available for our campers to use. The property is located in the quiet hills in New York's Finger Lakes Region. Just 20 minutes from Keuka Lake and 25 to all the shopping and dining experiences that you could ever want in downtown Corning along with hundreds of NYS breweries and wineries to enjoy during the day. Return to the hill for a quiet campfire in the evening. Their are several nearby rivers and lakes to canoe or kayak, hiking trails all over the region and even in our own backyard! We hope to see you soon!   Sites #1, #2 & #3 can easily accommodate any type of camper (tent, trailer, van, RV, motor home, etc.)  These sites could be booked for more than just 2 campers. Please contact me if you have a larger group.  Site #4 offers the best view! However it is close to our house so if you want more privacy we recommend staying at one of the other sites.  But their is plenty of room here for a larger group.  Site #5 is secluded by itself on the far side of the field on the right hand side of our driveway. The best way to get to it is to take the road to the end of the field. You will find an vehicle accessible path next to the tree line.    Site #6 is the first spot you will find off the driveway it is before the play area and tucked in the trees #6 offers more shade but would be better for a tent. New this year! Windy Ridge Cabin. The cabin can sleep up to 6. Spacious and clean. The cabin sits on the edge of the woods and overlooks the valley to the left.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$20
 / night

13. Laughing Goat Fiber Farm

99%
(323)
27mi from Elmira · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
Laughing Goat Fiber Farm is a working farm, raising exotic fiber animals such as Angora and Cashmere goats, alpacas. The fiber is processed on farm and regionally and everything made from it is hand dyed. Many items are one of a kind and hand made. A small retail shop in our renovated Carriage House showcases the knitting looms that we make items on, as well as knitting machines from 100 years ago. The property has beautiful views overlooking the Cayuga Lake Valley and Ithaca. Learn more about this land: Pitch your tent on the back 40 acres of a working goat farm.  Site #1 has a tent platform, table and firepit. The 12 x 16 tent platform backs up to the mature hedgerow of maples and oaks for afternoon shade, and the campsite overlooks Ithaca's Inlet Valley.  The platform is just a 4 minute walk to the main house, and you'll have complete privacy. Site #2 has a table and firepit, but no platform.  Site #3 has a table and firepit but no platform.  It is a level spot on the pasture where you can pitch a tent or park a vehicle.   Farm tours:  Sign up at http://tinyurl.com/goattours. Also: https://uncoveringnewyork.com/things-to-do-in-ithaca-ny/
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$38
 / night

Camper favorites near Elmira

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

Value Prop
Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field