The best star host camping near Syracuse

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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.

99% (2.5K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Tryals Park Camp & Obstacle Course

1. Tryals Park Camp & Obstacle Course

100%
(27)
31mi from Syracuse · 4 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Locke, NY
About the Property: Our unique property boasts quiet camping on a beautifully manicured MotoTrials Riding and Obstacle Play Course. 2025 marks our first year offering camping to the public, and we look forward to HipCampers joining us in our unique venue. All 4 camping sites are nestled into the Obstacle course. Trials riders and non-Trials Riders alike will find much to enjoy here. Campers unfamiliar with Trial are welcome to take advantage of a Lesson on one of our Rental Bikes, while the Obstacle Course is also super-fun on foot (for walks or runs), mountain bike, trials bicycle, or for playing with your RC toy! We have night lighting to turn on at your request, even if just to sit in the evening and enjoy the lights reflecting off the pond-We surely do! We are located on NY 38 but our traffic is not obnoxious (Log and Milk Trucks, Farm Tractors and Commuters). It is very peaceful here. Your camping can be as private, quiet and leisurely as you wish. The views and big sky are gorgeous in our corner of farm country. Our small pond (tho not suitable for fishing or swimming) provides entertainment w/ turtle sunbathing raft and lots of nature's visitors. Pets always welcome off-leash with your guidance. About the Trials Riding: Sundays are a practice day or Event day. We host 4 Mototrial Events each season (see below) and if spectating appeals, you can plan your trip to coincide. You're in for a treat if you've never seen these nimble motorcycles do their 'thing'... up, over, and around the obstacles. Events are busy and exciting, but no worries (!) trials bikes are not loud. Riders are friendly and considerate. If spectating not your thing- no worries. Non-event/non-practice days are quite laidback. If Trials riders come here for additional practice (or instruction) it's not loud or invasive, nor interferes with any camper training or play on the course. When riders are here (barring Events or Sunday Practice ), it's typically only 2-4 at once. Multiple activities co-exist nicely, as there is plenty of room for all. There are many days no one is on the course at all (!) and you may have it all to yourself or possibly with another camper. Hope to see you in our slice of heaven! (2026 Sunday Trial Event Days: May 24, June 21, October 11, November 8)
Pets
Electrical Hookup
Toilets
from 
$27
 / night
Bramble Hill

4. Bramble Hill

100%
(48)
14mi from Syracuse · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Fabius, NY
Bramble Hill is situated in beautiful Central New York just off Route 20- Cherry Valley Turnpike and between the quaint villages of Cazenovia and Skaneateles. Beak and Skiff Apple Orchard is a 20 minute drive for after concert camping. Our close proximity to Syracuse and Ithaca is convenient for our guests. Please google map the address vs using the Hipcamp directions. We lease some of our property to local farmers but otherwise the land is in a relatively natural state. We enjoy the blue birds and other wildlife, our gardens and the views, and hope you will too! Bramble Hill is also available for family and wedding related photo shoots and you'll see some of these photos that showcase the property. Please note that photos are from over the years and changes may have occurred. Feel free to ask questions about the site. Pitch your tent on a quiet hillside overlooking the majestic green hills of CNY.  After a day on trails, paddling, swimming, antiquing or taking in the quaint nearby villages or a local concert, return to your own private sanctuary with spectacular sunsets and gentle breezes to lull you to sleep.  If you are looking for a place to unwind, unplug, relax and connect with nature, you have found the place. We love to see your photos of your campsite.  Please feel free to post!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$45
 / night
Bird's eye view

5. Laughing Goat Fiber Farm

99%
(323)
46mi from Syracuse · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Ithaca, NY
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

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.

99% (2.5K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Tryals Park Camp & Obstacle Course

1. Tryals Park Camp & Obstacle Course

100%
(27)
31mi from Syracuse · 4 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Locke, NY
About the Property: Our unique property boasts quiet camping on a beautifully manicured MotoTrials Riding and Obstacle Play Course. 2025 marks our first year offering camping to the public, and we look forward to HipCampers joining us in our unique venue. All 4 camping sites are nestled into the Obstacle course. Trials riders and non-Trials Riders alike will find much to enjoy here. Campers unfamiliar with Trial are welcome to take advantage of a Lesson on one of our Rental Bikes, while the Obstacle Course is also super-fun on foot (for walks or runs), mountain bike, trials bicycle, or for playing with your RC toy! We have night lighting to turn on at your request, even if just to sit in the evening and enjoy the lights reflecting off the pond-We surely do! We are located on NY 38 but our traffic is not obnoxious (Log and Milk Trucks, Farm Tractors and Commuters). It is very peaceful here. Your camping can be as private, quiet and leisurely as you wish. The views and big sky are gorgeous in our corner of farm country. Our small pond (tho not suitable for fishing or swimming) provides entertainment w/ turtle sunbathing raft and lots of nature's visitors. Pets always welcome off-leash with your guidance. About the Trials Riding: Sundays are a practice day or Event day. We host 4 Mototrial Events each season (see below) and if spectating appeals, you can plan your trip to coincide. You're in for a treat if you've never seen these nimble motorcycles do their 'thing'... up, over, and around the obstacles. Events are busy and exciting, but no worries (!) trials bikes are not loud. Riders are friendly and considerate. If spectating not your thing- no worries. Non-event/non-practice days are quite laidback. If Trials riders come here for additional practice (or instruction) it's not loud or invasive, nor interferes with any camper training or play on the course. When riders are here (barring Events or Sunday Practice ), it's typically only 2-4 at once. Multiple activities co-exist nicely, as there is plenty of room for all. There are many days no one is on the course at all (!) and you may have it all to yourself or possibly with another camper. Hope to see you in our slice of heaven! (2026 Sunday Trial Event Days: May 24, June 21, October 11, November 8)
Pets
Electrical Hookup
Toilets
from 
$27
 / night
Bramble Hill

4. Bramble Hill

100%
(48)
14mi from Syracuse · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Fabius, NY
Bramble Hill is situated in beautiful Central New York just off Route 20- Cherry Valley Turnpike and between the quaint villages of Cazenovia and Skaneateles. Beak and Skiff Apple Orchard is a 20 minute drive for after concert camping. Our close proximity to Syracuse and Ithaca is convenient for our guests. Please google map the address vs using the Hipcamp directions. We lease some of our property to local farmers but otherwise the land is in a relatively natural state. We enjoy the blue birds and other wildlife, our gardens and the views, and hope you will too! Bramble Hill is also available for family and wedding related photo shoots and you'll see some of these photos that showcase the property. Please note that photos are from over the years and changes may have occurred. Feel free to ask questions about the site. Pitch your tent on a quiet hillside overlooking the majestic green hills of CNY.  After a day on trails, paddling, swimming, antiquing or taking in the quaint nearby villages or a local concert, return to your own private sanctuary with spectacular sunsets and gentle breezes to lull you to sleep.  If you are looking for a place to unwind, unplug, relax and connect with nature, you have found the place. We love to see your photos of your campsite.  Please feel free to post!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$45
 / night
Bird's eye view

5. Laughing Goat Fiber Farm

99%
(323)
46mi from Syracuse · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Ithaca, NY
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

Stories from the 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