The best camping near Sampson State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Sampson State Park adventure.

100% (3 reviews)

Swimming and paddling are popular at this Finger Lakes park famed for its sunsets,

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Sampson State Park

Public campgrounds in the park

Stay at a public campground in Sampson State Park

100%

(3)

Sampson State Park Campground

307 sites · RVs, Tents In Sampson State Park

Explore camping beyond Sampson State ParkDiscover 200+ magical spots to camp in State Parks

Top-rated campgrounds near Sampson State Park

99%

(595)

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.

99%

(402)

Waterfall Creek

8 sites · Lodging, 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

99%

(235)

The Green Heron

7 sites · RVs, Tents70 acres · Ithaca, NY

My property is about 70 acres of wildflower meadows, ponds, organic grain farm and forest located about 10 minutes northwest of Ithaca and 20 min from Finger Lakes wine trails. Enjoy walking along the dirt road and mown trails throughout the property, wild raspberry and blackberry picking, bird and wildlife watching and some incredible sunsets! The campsites are located well off the main road for privacy and seclusion. A convenience store and gas station are located about a mile down the road. This is a peaceful and beautiful place to stay.

100%

(1)

Smith Memorial Park Campground

14 sites · RVs, Tents92 acres · Hector, NY

Welcome to the Finger Lakes A park and campground on Seneca Lake Smith Park is a classic lakeside park and campground built on the slopes of Seneca Lake in the 1970’s — enjoyed by many since the 1800’s. In the heart of New York State’s Finger Lakes and along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, the park and campground’s location offers the best of both nature and socializing. Open daily from dawn to dusk, visitors can access Seneca Lake by foot from the “Green” in the middle of the park, or dirt roads on both the north and south ends of the park.

100%

(421)

Underhill Forest and Farm

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents36 acres · Dryden, NY

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.

94%

(53)

Crazy Goats Farm Camp

6 sites · RVs, Tents6 acres · Hall, NY

The property is 5 miles west from downtown Geneva, and 10 miles east from Canandaigua. Sits on 6.8 acres, right on the country side, but very close to everything. We have a small hobby farm with some very cute and friendly goats, chickens, ducks and a mini pig. We have some picnic tables, hammocks and a fire pit for our guests.

97%

(77)

The Spotted Sandpiper

5 sites · Lodging4 acres · Trumansburg, NY

The land that became our property was once owned by the King family. (i.e. Kingtown Beach Road) In the 1970s it was a marina developed by the Fulton family, with 4 small tourist cabins on the hillside above the water. Two more families loved and cared for the property before our family purchased it in late 2018. We're are delighted to share the beauty of Cayuga Lake with guests from all over the United States and the world, and hope to welcome you soon to The Spotted Sandpiper! Situated on 4 acres and with 400’ of secluded frontage on Cayuga Lake, The Spotted Sandpiper is the largest private lakefront vacation rental property in the Ithaca area. We’re nestled at the end of a private road, but only 7 minutes from Trumansburg, 3 1⁄2 miles from Taughannock State Park, and 20 minutes from Ithaca. We're conveniently located along the Cayuga Wine Trail!We are perfect for family reunions and wedding party rentals, families traveling together or friends looking for a week or weekend away! Our beach is an ideal swimming spot for children because of its gentle slope and clear waters.

99%

(70)

Camp Earth Connection

26 sites · Lodging, Tents62 acres · Freeville, NY

Camp Earth Connection is located in the town of Dryden, NY just 12 miles from Ithaca, NY. Camp Earth Connection offers a relaxing stay with a variety of camping options including Log Cabins, Rustic Cabins and Tent-Sites. Camp Earth Connection is an alcohol and drug free facility, offering guests the opportunity to connect with nature and each other in a serene and beautiful natural setting. The Hammond Hill trail system, which offers hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing connects to the 950 mileFinger Lakes Trail system. Wildlife is abundant in the area. It is common to hear the Coyotes and Owls throughout the day. In addition,Mink, Fishers, Bald Eagles, Turkey Buzzards, Porcupines, Raccoons, Skunks, Wild Turkeys, Ravens, Grouse, Red and Grey Fox and an occasional Black Bear are some of the inhabitants of the local forest. Guests can choose to have some peaceful alone time or be more engaged in our small community during scheduled community campfires, campfire pancake breakfasts or workshops. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Camp Earth Connection offers a Community Saturday Morning Campfire Pancake Breakfast. Camp Earth Connection values Diversity, Acceptance and Community. It is more than just a campground, it is an experience that can be life-changing. Guests enjoy making meaningful connections with hosts, guests, family and friends. In addition they experience the beauty and healing that is provided by this sacred natural environment. Camp Earth Connection is open to everyone and provides an accepting and safe space for folks who can't always count on that, including the the LGBTQ +, BIPOC and Recovery communities as well as other culturally diverse individuals, families and groups.

100%

(215)

Red House Ranch Camp

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents200 acres · Van Etten, NY

We have three camp sites on a 200-acre parcel of secluded, rural farm land. We are a working pasture based farm where you can see how grass fed beef, pork, chicken, and eggs are produced. There's nothing quite like fresh eggs and bacon after waking up to the sunrise over a fog-filled valley! When you arrive we will provide a complimentary carton of pastured raised eggs and you are welcome to visit our web site (redhouseranch . net) or store to order meats for your stay and/or to take with you upon your departure. We have a wide variety of grass fed beef, pasture raised pork, snack sticks for long hikes, and dog bones and smoked treats for your furry friends. Many of our items are well suited for campfire cooking. Keep in mind that all our products are frozen so be sure to plan for time to thaw. If you're not sure what that involves - we're here to help. We are a working farm but, much of our property is not grazed or farmed. You are welcome to explore the entire area while also getting a glimpse of sustainable, pasture-based, farming methods. Learn more about us and the history of the farm at our website. As you roam the hills and forests you'll eventually bump into some of our animals. Please do not enter the animal enclosures or touch any of the electrified fence lines. If you really want to pet a piggie or hold a chicken - just reach out to Ike or Dave and we will gladly arrange this for you. Red House Ranch is also the perfect spot for wildlife enthusiasts and bird watchers. During your stay you may encounter eagles, blue herons, coyotes, turtles, wild turkeys, foxes, the endangered bobolink bird (its unique call sounds a bit like R2D2), deer, great horned owls, and many unique plants. It's not uncommon to hear the coyotes howling at night. In addition to hiking trails with incredible views, there are four ponds on the property easily accessible with mown paths. One is very large with a dock and suitable for swimming, paddling, fishing, or just relaxing but the water. The other three are smaller and are now primarily wildlife habitat. easily accessible with mown paths If you're feeling adventurous, there is a more strenuous hike down into the creek bed where you can find miniature versions of the gorges and waterfalls that our region is known for. We are happy to provide maps and guidance or leave you to your own devices. When skies are clear our area has very little light pollution and excellent star visibility. It's a great place to view the night sky during a meteor shower. We hope you enjoy your stay as much as we enjoy living in the beautiful Southern Tier/Finger Lakes area!

100%

(23)

Orchard and Gorge At South Hill

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents30 acres · Ithaca, NY

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

99%

(214)

DoggieCamp

5 sites · RVs, Tents23 acres · Newfield, NY

We bought our beautiful 23 acres with our hacienda on it more than 30 years ago and we have had friends come camp here over the years. Our friends love to swim in our pond and bring their dogs over for hikes and mountain bike rides so we decided to open it up for others to enjoy.

100%

(394)

ZiegenVine Homestead

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents103 acres · Savona, NY

Our property is a 103 acre farm located in Savona, NY - offering Goat Yoga on the Homestead May - September. Be sure to check our website for scheduled dates or schedule a private session. At ZiegenVine Homestead, we promise to provide a simple, cheerful, beautiful property where you can experience life outdoors and nature in its true glory. We invite you to walks the trails around the property, schedule a farm tour that includes an up close visit our goat herd, as well as meet the rest of our farm animals. We look forward to welcoming you to ZiegenVine Homestead!

The best camping near Sampson State Park guide

Overview

About

Covering just over 2,000 acres on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake, Sampson State Park is a prime location for boating, swimming, hiking and volleyball. The marina has 96 boat slips and a large multiple launch site, while the sandy beach has guarded swimming, playgrounds, and a scenic lake trail. Other popular activities include fishing, biking, and wildlife watching. At the end of a full day of activity, you can enjoy one of the Finger Lakes’ most picturesque sunsets. Those who wish to spend the night can choose from 243 electric campsites at the Sampson State Park Campground.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Bookings can easily be secured online or by phone.
As this is a popular campground, reservations are recommended: bookings may be made up to nine months in advance.
Same-day reservations are allowed until 3pm on the day of arrival.

When to go

Sampson State Park is open year-round but the campground only opens from mid-April to early October. As water activities are the main draw, spring and summer are the busiest times in the park, especially on weekends. In winter, roads in and around the park may become icy and difficult to maneuver.

Know before you go

If you need to stock up, you’ll find the essentials at grocery stores just outside the park. For bigger purchases, head for Geneva, 10 miles away.
A maximum of two pets are allowed in campsites and day use areas, but not in the swimming area, and must be on a leash and have proof of rabies inoculation.
Swimming season typically runs from mid-June to early September.
Boat rentals are available from Seneca Lake Resorts.

100%

3 ratings · 1 review

Recommends

· January 2018

Sampson State Park Campground

Large park occupying the former Sampson Navel Training Center during WWII and , later, the Sampson Air Force Training Center during the Korean War. Most of the buildings are gone but there is a museum operated by veterans with artifacts of the park's prior use. Beautiful sunsets over Seneca Lake and surrounded by Finger Lakes wineries. A fun park.

Robert D.

7 years on Hipcamp