Domes in Seneca Lake
Fine wines and idyllic views await campers at the heart of the Finger Lakes region.
- Seneca Lake
Popular camping styles for Seneca Lake
Domes in Seneca Lake guide
Overview
Life slows down at Seneca Lake, the largest of the Finger Lakes. Check in to a lakeside campground or RV park, and spend your days cruising the lake, wine tasting along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, or relaxing at the lakefront picnic areas. Three state parks border the lake, providing plenty of biking and hiking trails, and Sampson State Park also has a boat launch and swimming beach. Spring through fall is the most popular camping season, but campgrounds at Seneca Lake Park stay open year-round, and Watkins Glen State Park also has cabin rentals for winter campers.
Where to go
Cayuga and Owasco Lakes
East of Seneca Lake, adventurous campers can choose between walk-in sites or enjoy backcountry tent sites in the Finger Lakes National Forest. Hiking trails, wineries, and waterfalls dot the shores of Cayuga Lake. Neighboring Owasco Lake is a water sports hotspot, where boating, fishing, and water skiing are the main activities.
Onondaga County
Woodland tent camping, lakeside fishing, and a renowned craft beer scene await at the eastern edge of the Finger Lakes Region. Syracuse is the county’s largest city, but there are also plenty of ways to explore the outdoors. Cruise Skaneateles Lake by boat or kayak, discover tranquil fishing spots at Lake Otisco, or enjoy seasonal camping in Green Lakes State Park.
Western Lakes
To the west of the Finger Lakes region, the “little lakes” of Conesus, Hemlock, Canadice, and Honeoye are where to escape the crowds. Hike along forest trails, enjoy kayaking or fishing on the lakes in summer, or hit the ski slopes at Bristol Mountain in winter. Camping options are limited, but you’ll find cabins and full hookup sites at Conesus Lake, and plenty of choices around nearby Canandaigua Lake.
Lake Ontario
North of Seneca Lake, the Great Lake Ontario marks the border between New York State and Ontario, Canada. Rochester is the gateway to the lake, and state parks, beaches, and wetlands fringe the south shore. Go hiking in the Chimney Bluffs State Park, spot wildlife around the Lake Shore Marshes, or choose from various camping options around Sodus Bay or Port Bay.
