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- Waterloo
Emory is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
Rig suitability
Vehicles under 35 feet allowed
Allowed rigs: travel trailers, fifth wheels, toy haulers, pop-up campers, class A RVs, class B RVs, class C RVs, campervans, cars, truck campers, and rooftop tents
Back-in site
Accommodates slideouts
Surface type: Grass or field
Surface levelness: Flat
Generators allowed
No electrical hookup
No water hookup
No sewage hookup
No TV hookup
What to expect
RV/tent site
11 guests max
Campfires allowed
Toilet available
Pets allowed
Potable water available
Bins available
Cooking equipment present
Picnic table present
No showers
No wifi
Laundry absent
Hot Tub absent
No playground
Things to know
Getting there
Check in: After 12:00 PM
Check out: Before 11:00 AM
On arrival: Meet with Host
Cancellation policy: Moderate
Minimum nights: 2 nights
Accepts bookings: 12 months out
Park at listing
No wheelchair access
Max 4 vehicles
2WD accessible
During your trip
Follow the
Leave it better
Inclusion policyWe have a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination at Hipcamp. We are committed to helping our Host and Hipcamper communities be inclusive.
RV/tent sites
1 site
Hidden Gem Lake
100%
(19)Campfires allowed
Toilet
Potable water
Pets allowed
Reviews
100% Recommend20 ratings · 13 reviews
Recommends
· July 2026
16 ft car ·
Hidden Gem Lake
This was a perfect location and easy to coordinate
M
Margaret S.
2 years on Hipcamp
A hidden gem indeed! Secluded, beautiful and as advertised!
Erik R.
16 reviews
Peaceful serene. If you want to get away this is the place to do it.
Erik R.
16 reviews
This is exactly as pictured/described. Incredible privacy. Lots of amenities. Chairs, tables, paddle boat, life jackets, even a fishing pole. Well maintained site. The lake is great. We were camping with dogs who usually roam free and it was especially nice they could do that here. Felt very secure. The site is at the end of a long drive and enough activity and people at that end that we felt safe leaving our gear out. Glad we had off road tires and four wheel drive but there was a monsoon the week we were camping. Lots to do in area. 40 minutes to Watkins glen. 40 to Lake Ontario. Met host on arrival. Super helpful. Very responsive. We will for sure book again.
L
Linda V.
3 reviews
awesome getaway by the lake. And the fact that the alpacas joined me for the night, 1000/10 :-) thank you!
L
Lavinia I.
2 reviews
Recommends
· September 2024
Tent ·
Hidden Gem Lake
What a wonderful way to experience the Finger Lakes! It is private, well maintained and a wonderful location to look at birds.
Terri S.
6 reviews
Recommends
· May 2024
Tent · Group trip ·
Hidden Gem Lake
We had a great time this weekend at Gem Lake. Emory and his family were very welcoming and helpful. We loved the peace and tranquility, bonfires, kayaking, variety of birds and the bullfrog chorus. It is a great place to unwind and relax. We had three tents and a screenhouse, and there was plenty of room!
Laurel W.
2 reviews
Tent camping at Hidden lake was the highlight pf the summer! The land is peaceful and the hosts incredibly helpful! We had privacy but they were responsive if we needed something. We will definitely be back!
Erik R.
16 reviews
Great private campsite with a serene view of a small lake. Quiet surroundings and nice setting. Host did not meet us upon entry, but met us later and was very pleasant.
S
Scott C.
4 reviews
Beautiful site! The view of the lake is wonderful. We camped below the usual camping area (there is a hill to walk down/drive down to access dock, etc.) and therefore were on a slight incline. Our choice as we thought it more private! Loved the easy access to dock for fishing and kayaking! Emory, our host, was attentive, pleasant and always willing to be available if needed. He permitted us to use tiki torches already standing in the area and offered generator, grill and canopy If needed! We scheduled an Alpaca walk for the kids but we unfortunately left ahead of time due to unrelenting rain. Great peaceful spot with a very distant neighbor and room to spread your legs. Thanks Emory!
Terron W.
5 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2020
Truly a hidden gem. Little lake tucked away in the corner of a hard working family farm. Osprey, Heron, hawks I didnt recognize and stars galore on a clear night. There are fish too.
P
Peter Z.
2 reviews
Several friends and I decided to book this campground for a much-needed break after quarantining with our families throughout the pandemic. After staying for the weekend, we all wished we could stay longer. Emory’s campground exceeded all our expectations: it was incredibly private, serene, and relaxing. Emory directed us through a tangle of paths between cornfields and soybean crops to the campsite itself. We camped on the higher ground of a grassy field with a direct lakeside view. The lake was extremely private (with only one neighbor on the far side) and surrounded by vibrant purple flowers. There was also a small, floating dock attached to the lake, and we enjoyed many hours floating out, swimming, sunbathing, and boating. One night, we went for a swim as the sun was setting, and the sky was filled with bright stars. It was so clear that we were able to see a shooting star as we floated in the water.
The campsite itself was fully equipped with sitting, eating, and cooking areas. Emory was an extremely hospitable host, providing us with canoes and a paddle boat for the lake and citronella tiki torches to avoid mosquitoes at night. He was extremely responsive whenever we had questions. On Saturday morning, Emory’s parents brought us potable water, fresh eggs, and freshly picked blackberries. It was an incredible weekend, and we would highly recommend this to anyone who wants a relaxing and beautiful camping trip.
I
Iris B.
5 years on Hipcamp
Hidden Gem quite literally fits its name entirely. The campsite exceeded our expectations, as well as the kindness and assistance Emory and his family provided us. We were so happy to have one less stop on the way up, as he was able to provide us some tasty ground beef and fresh eggs from his farm! The site is a gorgeous little slice of paradise, extremely well nested towards the back of his property with ample space to spread out. You also cannot beat having your own private lake with dock included. Emory was generous enough to provide some essential supplies, as well as a generator upon request. He also proactively asked our second day there if we needed any assistance. We had beyond the best time, and we will absolutely be back to Gem Lake!
Madison S.
2 reviews
Location
Waterloo, Seneca County, New York, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Emory O.
Joined in April 2018Response rate: 100%Response time: Within 3 hours
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