Camping in the Finger Lakes

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With 11 lakes, 25 state parks, three wine trails, and more than a dozen golf courses, it's easy to see why the Finger Lakes is one of the most popular vacation spots in New York state. Camping options abound around the lakeside, whether you prefer a family campground with full hookups, a rustic cabin in the woods, or a cozy glampsite. Summer is peak season, and the best time for swimming, wine tasting, and water sports, while leaf-peepers flock to the Finger Lakes state parks in fall. Winter camping can be fun, too, with skiing, ice skating, and sledding all on the activity menu.

96% (6.3K) • 4,002 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in Finger Lakes

Pooh’s Corner

1. Pooh’s Corner

100%
(593)
Watkins Glen, NY · 4 sites · Tents, RVs
WELCOME to Pooh's Corner- Thank you Hipcamp and all of the beautiful people whom we have the pleasure of hosting at Pooh’s Corner! It’s a new year, a new season of camping, and another opportunity to camp with us. 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.
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Waterfall Creek

2. Waterfall Creek

99%
(542)
Millport, NY · 6 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
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
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The Apple Station Farm

3. The Apple Station Farm

100%
(14)
Cayuga, NY · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
Located in the center of New York State, just a mile or so from Cayuga Lake in the heart of the Finger Lakes Region, we are a small apple and blueberry farm with an on-site farm winery. We have a farm store and host private events in our large banquet hall. Our location is wonderfully rural and offers a peaceful, secluded atmosphere. The property features an orchard, a small woodlot near a large pond, a seasonal stream, hedgerows, and a swamp. Guests may also enjoy meeting our friendly farm animals, including a pet sheep, a goat, pet pigs, and chickens. Surrounded mostly by agricultural land and wooded areas, our farm provides a quiet escape filled with natural beauty and the sounds of country life. We are not part of any official local wine trails, but several are located nearby. Our central location also makes it convenient to visit the cities of Ithaca, Syracuse, and Rochester, which are all within a similar driving distance.
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Watkins Glen State Park

4. Watkins Glen State Park

93%
(35)
State park in New York · 293 sites
Iconic Finger Lakes park with 19 waterfalls and dramatic gorges.
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Fair Haven Beach State Park

5. Fair Haven Beach State Park

95%
(11)
State park in New York · 214 sites
Fair Haven isn't an ocean beach, but it may as well be during the summer months.
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The Green Heron

6. The Green Heron

99%
(285)
Ithaca, NY · 6 sites · Tents, RVs
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.
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ZiegenVine Homestead

7. ZiegenVine Homestead

100%
(437)
Savona, NY · 5 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
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. (Private sessions must be scheduled 30 days in advance and a non-refundable retainer is required) 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! **We are not a wedding venue and do not have the facilities to host weddings***
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Camp Whitman on Seneca Lake

8. Camp Whitman on Seneca Lake

99%
(90)
Penn Yan, NY · 16 sites
Situated in the heart of the Finger Lakes, Camp Whitman on Seneca Lake has been in operation since 1954 as a small non-profit summer camp and retreat facility. We enjoy welcoming people from around the world to our little camp community! Our site includes nearly 120 scenic acres with a seasonal brook, hiking trails, fishing pond, an organic vegetable garden, a labyrinth, and excellent birding opportunities - all overlooking Seneca Lake. We are located half way between historic Geneva, NY and Watkins Glen, NY with the iconic state park and international speedway. Our site offers a wide range of accommodations including 4 quaint cottages that accommodate 4-6 guests. All with kitchenettes, full private bath, fire ring, picnic table and BBQ grill. Additionally, we offer a bunkhouse for your large family or youth group, and smaller summer camp cabins that sleep 4 each. A central shower house is a short walk away, with each cabin site having its own porta-potty and handwashing station. If tent camping is your style, we have several sites off the beaten path that we can recommend for your more secluded camping experience. COMING SOON! We will have 6 RV sites with full hook-ups for those who would like to bring their own rig! Again, our property features a swimming pool, hiking trails, a small organic garden and activities such as archery, boating and more for guests. Many of these activities require staff to facilitate, so please make your actvity requests well in advance! In addition to offering HipCamp stays, Camp Whitman on Seneca Lake offeres overnight & day camp for children of all ages. We also offer overnight camps for adults with developmental disabilities. Please visit our website at campwhitman.org for more information on these programs and more! Thank you for visiting our page. Please reach out if you have any questions or special requests for your stay! We hope to see you soon!!
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Laughing Goat Fiber Farm

9. Laughing Goat Fiber Farm

98%
(220)
Ithaca, NY · 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/
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Buttermilk Falls State Park

10. Buttermilk Falls State Park

100%
(12)
State park in New York · 51 sites
Imagine 600 feet of water cascading gently into a shallow pool. Welcome to Buttermilk Falls.
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Taughannock Falls State Park

11. Taughannock Falls State Park

100%
(9)
State park in New York · 84 sites
Camp in the shadows of one of New York’s best waterfalls.
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Sampson State Park

12. Sampson State Park

100%
(4)
State park in New York · 307 sites
Swimming and paddling are popular at this Finger Lakes park famed for its sunsets,
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Finger Lakes National Forest

13. Finger Lakes National Forest

40%
(5)
National forest in New York · 21 sites
Finger Lakes offers rustic and modern activities to get away from a busy life.
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Junius Ponds Cabin and Campground

14. Junius Ponds Cabin and Campground

91%
(16)
Phelps, NY · 43 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
If you’re looking for a peaceful campground setting with a family-friendly atmosphere, and tons of activities, then Junius Ponds Cabins & Campground is the perfect spot for you! Join us by pitching a tent, renting a cabin, or by parking your RV. We’ve got sites you will fall in love with after just one stay that will make you want to start a family tradition. Whether you are just passing through or planning a vacation with us you will not be disappointed with your stay. We simply offer the best camping experience you can have within the Finger Lakes location, complete with camping amenities and a broad selection of camping activities. There is something to do for everyone, check out our activities for our different weekend events.
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Hawk Meadow Farm

15. Hawk Meadow Farm

100%
(362)
Trumansburg, NY · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
Enjoy a retreat into the woods on Hawk Meadow Farm’s spacious 68 acres. We are a working farm specializing in woodland mushroom cultivation, medicinal mushroom tinctures and earth based education. Our farming practices and products are based in Regenerative Farming, Chinese Medicine and a deep love and respect for the natural world, always striving to work in harmony with nature. This approach is a collaboration with the land which creates the conditions for plants, animals and people to thrive! Many of our campers have been delighted to discover the variety of song birds and other wildlife that they have seen at the campsite. When you stay with us you will enjoy spacious, private campsites with a generous amount of firewood included in your booking! All of our sites can be accessed by car. There is a composting toilet and shower facility nearby. We also have a farm store where you can find our products and we often have fresh shiitakes available for purchase. This is a place for you to reconnect with nature and recharge your spirits! We look forward to having you stay with us.
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Stoney Goat Homestead

16. Stoney Goat Homestead

100%
(65)
Bradford, NY · 4 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
*please read the description* We are a backwoods Appalachian foothills rustic, just a step above roughing it type of campsite with a few amenities..... Our homestead in cooperation with hipcamp would like to offer our handicapped accessible site, parking and rustic wagon for any family that has a physically challenged child or a child on the spectrum, that would like to have the full experience our homestead has to offer with interaction with our animals, camping and campfires, the campsite is large enough for a handicapped accessible van as well as a pull behind popup trailer or a 26' low profile r.v. the rustic wagon will accommodate smaller children or those that could crawl onto a queen size bed. We have lots of very lovable goats that love interacting with people and chickens, a wooded farmland experience.....full reimbursement i.e. free of charge, we couldn't possibly understand the complexities of your daily activities, so we would like to offer an expense free experience Our pleasure companion goats for walks along the fingerlakes trail too! In September our creamery/bakery/charcuterie process kitchen will be almost complete, but none the less in operation for fresh goat milk products and farm fresh breakfasts, with fresh eggs, yogurt, and a selection of cheeses for pizzas calzones and desserts type dishes. Our property is very wooded and secluded, it is on a hill, parking is about a football field distance from the campsite, rugged walking, very doable, bring appropriate footwear. We are nestled on a private road on top of a hill backed up to 2100 acres of New York Gaundry Hill State Forest. There's waterways with active Beaver ponds between our properties. We are 420 friendly! Sites are on top of the hill in a very secluded spot with a small campfire. Visit us on YouTube @ stoney goat homestead We offer a unique place to unwind. Conveniently located near Watkins Glenn, Corning, Bath, and Penn Yan. Perfect get away and an inexpensive alternative to the hotels when you go to the races, lakes, wine tours, museums or many other great attractions around our area. Must go to our local restaurants too. You can't be disappointed with what we have to offer you here, something for everyone. Even small pond for fishing for the kids! Hope to see you soon. The clan at the stoney goat homestead.
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Orchard and Gorge At South Hill

17. Orchard and Gorge At South Hill

97%
(74)
Ithaca, NY · 2 sites
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
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Al 's camp

18. Al 's camp

99%
(55)
Dresden, NY · 1 site
We bought this property because we enjoy nature and wildlife. This woodlot was formally used as a boy's Scout camp.Learn more about this land:There's room for 1 camper or pitch your tents. Have access to a picnic table and firepit. Enjoy the nature by hiking the trails on our 40 acres. We are close to the Seneca lake, also the Keuka outlet trail for biking or hiking. Watkins glen is 18m away. We also offer free firewood.
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Hillside Haven

19. Hillside Haven

94%
(42)
Trumansburg, NY · 8 sites · Tents, RVs
Hillside Haven is a small, private campground nestled in-between Cayuga and Seneca Lakes. 5 miles from the heart of Trumansburg, and 6 miles from the Seneca Wine Trail. The property borders over 1000 acres of National Forest. With 14 RV sites, we offer wifi , Electric with water, also dry camping, we do have a dump station. Full Hook Up will become available, site dependant, after June 15, 2025. *Not all sites will offer Full Hookup* There is a play set on site for our younger friends. Dogs welcome. Limit 2 per site and must be leashed at ALL times.
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Mission Hemlock Grove

20. Mission Hemlock Grove

93%
(187)
Conesus, NY · 4 sites · Tents, RVs
Welcome, Mission Conesus, originally built by Franciscan Catholics. These lands were likely chosen for many reasons. Suffice it to say there is something special here. Come discover for yourself. Lose yourself here, or maybe find yourself, among the Hemlocks. First, a bit about the terrain. There is much in the way of forest, very mature, and a broad array of plant species. Elevation differences are vast, land to the west is uphill for quite a ways, and downhill to the east, to Hemlock lake below, so the world here can feel a bit tilted. We adjoin 150 acres of nature conservancy lands that nobody seems to know about. These lands are for respectful public daytime use. We also adjoin 6600 acres of NY state forest which is public property. Exploring all that is here would take a very long time! Want to get away? Welcome to our little slice of heaven. See the provided map for site locations. Site 1 is open field and is near the pavilion, sites 2 and 3 are along the woods, and site 4 is the most private and tucked into the woods. We looking forward to hosting you, at the mission.
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Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

Finger Lakes camping guide

Where to go

Seneca Lake

The largest of the Finger Lakes has forest hiking trails, patchwork vineyards, and farm-to-table dining experiences right at its fingertips. Once you've gone wine hopping along the largest of the Finger Lakes wine trails, marveled at the waterfalls in Watkins Glen State Park, and enjoyed boating around Sampson State Park, check into a state park campground or book an RV park around Seneca Falls or Geneva.

Cayuga Lake

An 87-mile scenic byway loops around Cayuga Lake, affording panoramic views over the lake and the surrounding wine country. At the southern tip, Ithaca is the gateway to Buttermilk Falls State Park and Taughannock Falls State Park, while the nearby Finger Lakes National Forest is the ideal spot for a backcountry camping experience—dispersed camping is permitted throughout. 

Western Lakes

West of Seneca Lake, there are plenty of ways to get on the water at Keuka, Canandaigua, and Honeoye lakes. Camp amid the vineyards at Keuka Lake State Park, check into an RV resort at Naples or Hammondsport, or escape the crowds at the Honeoye Lake boat launch. Further west, Letchworth State Park is home to the "Grand Canyon of the East," where its waterfalls and forests are most magnificent during fall foliage season.

Eastern Lakes

Syracuse is the entry point to Finger Lakes' eastern corner, where you'll find Owasco, Skaneateles, and Otisco lakes. Swimming and water skiing are popular pastimes at Owasco Lake, and there's a great campground and swimming pool at Fillmore Glen State Park. If you’re seeking peace and quiet, neighboring Skaneateles is a tranquil spot for boating. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can camp along the Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) in designated areas and some public lands. The FLT is a 950-mile long trail system that runs through New York state, passing through state forests, wildlife management areas, and private lands. Camping is allowed in designated campgrounds, lean-tos, and some primitive camping areas. It is important to note that camping on private land is not allowed without the landowner's permission.

Some popular campgrounds along the FLT include Sugar Hill State Forest, Danby State Forest, and Buttermilk Falls State Park. Dispersed camping is allowed in many state forests along the FLT, but it is essential to follow Leave No Trace principles and camp at least 150 feet away from any trail, road, or water source. For more information on camping options and restrictions along the Finger Lakes Trail, visit the Finger Lakes Trail Conference website.

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

Top national parks and forests in and near Finger Lakes