The best family-friendly glamping near Syracuse, New York

Sitting on the thumb of the Finger Lakes, Salt City is a gateway to the awesome nature of upstate New York. Syracuse is roughly halfway between Niagara Falls and the Adirondacks for easy side trips. But this small city has its own claim on natural beauty with lakes, forests, and farms. The New York State Fair sets up its tents here, covering the 375-acre grounds with horse shows, butter sculptures, and deep-fried Oreos.

Winter brings snow--and lots of it. Locals grumble, but the deep white makes for killer cross-country skiing. Highland Forest park bills itself as the Adirondacks of Central New York with 40 miles of trails, half of them groomed. Beaver Lake Nature Center boasts a warming hut and snow-shoe rentals.

The closest public camp is Green Lakes State Park in Fayetteville. Two emerald-green glacial lakes are its centerpiece, where you can rent a rowboat or swim off the sandy beach. Tent camping is set back from the lakes amid pine trees, with options for cabins and RV camping. There's also an 18-hole course by Robert Trent Jones, a legendary golf course architect.

The old Erie Canal passes right by Green Lakes. The canal turned Syracuse into a thriving city. At the Erie Canal Museum in downtown Syracuse, visitors can go deep on its history.

Today, kayakers have free rein in the canal's retired sections. Try launching in Dewitt at Cedar Bay Park, then paddle 10 miles to the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum. The route is especially scenic in autumn when the turning leaves are a blazing canopy on the shore.

The Finger Lakes are close by, and Cayuga Lake State Park makes a good home base to dip in your toes. The park campground has cabins near the shore and hilltop tent sites. Boat launches are on the beach, and the waters are quite good for catching largemouth bass. Over a dozen vineyards and wineries are a short drive away.

Most state park campgrounds will accommodate trailers, but big rigs wanting full hook-ups should check out RV parks in the area. Several offer extra amenities such as free Wi-Fi, swimming, and boat launches.

100% (275) • 2 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Syracuse

1. Underhill Forest and Farm

99%

(454)

40mi from Syracuse · 6 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

Underhill Inn is a small homestead located in the Finger Lakes region tucked in the rolling hills near Dryden Lake. We have a small garden, a flock of sheep and chickens, hives of honeybees and countless wild foraging on our 36 acres of pasture and hiking trails.   Take a walk down to Brockendock pond and cruise across the water in a canoe or paddleboat to find peepers, heron, toads and turtles. Drop a line in the water to catch trout, bass and sunnies. The chicken coop is always bustling and there are plenty of eggs to harvest each day. A morning hike on the trails usually kicks up the deer and wild turkeys and at night the barn owl will sing for you if you listen close. Adults and children are welcome to pet and feed the animals on the farm. There are farm tours available where you can learn more about our mushroom garden, composting techniques, blueberries, felting, and more. 

Sitting on the thumb of the Finger Lakes, Salt City is a gateway to the awesome nature of upstate New York. Syracuse is roughly halfway between Niagara Falls and the Adirondacks for easy side trips. But this small city has its own claim on natural beauty with lakes, forests, and farms. The New York State Fair sets up its tents here, covering the 375-acre grounds with horse shows, butter sculptures, and deep-fried Oreos.

Winter brings snow--and lots of it. Locals grumble, but the deep white makes for killer cross-country skiing. Highland Forest park bills itself as the Adirondacks of Central New York with 40 miles of trails, half of them groomed. Beaver Lake Nature Center boasts a warming hut and snow-shoe rentals.

The closest public camp is Green Lakes State Park in Fayetteville. Two emerald-green glacial lakes are its centerpiece, where you can rent a rowboat or swim off the sandy beach. Tent camping is set back from the lakes amid pine trees, with options for cabins and RV camping. There's also an 18-hole course by Robert Trent Jones, a legendary golf course architect.

The old Erie Canal passes right by Green Lakes. The canal turned Syracuse into a thriving city. At the Erie Canal Museum in downtown Syracuse, visitors can go deep on its history.

Today, kayakers have free rein in the canal's retired sections. Try launching in Dewitt at Cedar Bay Park, then paddle 10 miles to the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum. The route is especially scenic in autumn when the turning leaves are a blazing canopy on the shore.

The Finger Lakes are close by, and Cayuga Lake State Park makes a good home base to dip in your toes. The park campground has cabins near the shore and hilltop tent sites. Boat launches are on the beach, and the waters are quite good for catching largemouth bass. Over a dozen vineyards and wineries are a short drive away.

Most state park campgrounds will accommodate trailers, but big rigs wanting full hook-ups should check out RV parks in the area. Several offer extra amenities such as free Wi-Fi, swimming, and boat launches.

100% (275) • 2 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Syracuse

1. Underhill Forest and Farm

99%

(454)

40mi from Syracuse · 6 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

Underhill Inn is a small homestead located in the Finger Lakes region tucked in the rolling hills near Dryden Lake. We have a small garden, a flock of sheep and chickens, hives of honeybees and countless wild foraging on our 36 acres of pasture and hiking trails.   Take a walk down to Brockendock pond and cruise across the water in a canoe or paddleboat to find peepers, heron, toads and turtles. Drop a line in the water to catch trout, bass and sunnies. The chicken coop is always bustling and there are plenty of eggs to harvest each day. A morning hike on the trails usually kicks up the deer and wild turkeys and at night the barn owl will sing for you if you listen close. Adults and children are welcome to pet and feed the animals on the farm. There are farm tours available where you can learn more about our mushroom garden, composting techniques, blueberries, felting, and more. 

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

A

Alexis

September 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Underhill Forest and Farm

Amazing location, comfortable bed in the tent, would come again!

S

Sara

August 2025

With pets

2 nights at Underhill Forest and Farm

This place is beautiful and very private, with a ton to do around the property. I only wish we could have stayed longer!

C

Chaim

August 2025

With kids

2 nights at Underhill Forest and Farm

Beautiful camp, recommend! Was here with our kids, had a wonderful time!!! Beautiful spot with good privacy, firepit, table, and (simple) glamping tent really fun pond with canoe, paddle boat, and swing kept the kids super happy great location near ithaca and beautiful surroundings convenient outhouse only possible downsides (none of these were issues for us, but worth noting) - keep in mind - shower is cold and not quite private so its ideal for hosing down after a dip and not real bathing - some road noise from nearby highway - not terrible at all, but noticeable - there are some other sites including a group site - which if fully booked might cause some noise

The tiny house at the top of the property

K

Ken

August 2025

Group trip

4 nights at Underhill Forest and Farm

Wonderful time. Tiny house met all of our needs of us two parents and two teenagers. Very clean. Canoeing on the small pond was nice. Picking blueberries was wonderful. Plenty of room to yourself between tiny house and the other places they rent out. And plenty of parking. Easy to get to the main road.

P

Patricia

August 2025

With pets

4 nights at Underhill Forest and Farm

Our family (including our little corgi!) loved our week in the tiny house! We loved taking our furry family member on our morning walk around the pond followed by coffee on the porch. We had a great campfire evening and loved the well-designed fire circle area and benches! We were grateful for the air conditioning in the unit and overhead fan, as were visiting during a heat wave. We had dinner for 4 on the picnic bench right outside and used the grill 2 nights. We handpicked blueberries for our last breakfast. Everyone had warm showers, there were plenty of towels and all beds had clean linens and were comfortable. We watched the Pirates of the Caribbean Blu-Ray that was in the house for the rainy night in. The location was perfect for our day trips to Watkins Glen, Greek Peak Adventures, and Ithaca. I hope we will be able to return for our next finger lakes adventure - we all really loved this property and checking out the sheep in the fields!

Eliot

July 2025

With kids

4 nights at Underhill Forest and Farm

This was our second trip to the bell tent – such a magical place! The farm and pond couldn't be more idyllic and Rick and his family are tremendously kind folks. It's also ideally set near Ithaca and a 30-min drive from tons of lovely state parks. Can't wait to come back!

K

Karen

July 2025

With pets

3 nights at Underhill Forest and Farm

We loved our experience! The property is spacious, private and quiet. We took advantage of riding in a canoe and fishing on the pond. I have to brag that I out fished my husband 4-1 during the hour we were out. The property is close to town when we didn’t feel like cooking or needed supplies. The bed was comfortable, the kitchen supplied, the AC worked like a champ and the blueberries on their Upick farm.. OMG they were fantastic. Rick is super responsive and we enjoyed talking with him. This was my first booking with Hipcamp and I’m so glad I took the chance on this place. If you are looking for a glamping experience, the Tiny House is just what you need!

Erik

June 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Underhill Forest and Farm

The Underhill farm is amazing. Rick our host is helpful but gives you your privacy. We enjoyed our time fishing, exploring, making s’mores, and connecting with nature. Clean, private, beautiful. What else could you ask for?

D

Dave

June 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Underhill Forest and Farm

This place is amazing! My son literally cried when we had to leave. The cabin was cozy and perfect for the three of us, and the air conditioning was a welcome bonus. We had a great night down by the fire pit, and during the day we walked around the property and checked out the goats. I would have happily stayed another night if I didn’t have to get back to work.