- Ithaca
1 / 100
Orchard and Gorge At South Hill
Hosted by Steve · Ithaca, New York
2 sites · Lodging · 30 acres
Amazing views
Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.
Staff verified
Accuracy verified by Hipcamp's on-the-ground team.
Steve is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
Select a site
Lodging
2 sites
Tent2
97%
(35)Campfires allowed
Toilet
Pets allowed
Picnic table
Tent 1
100%
(27)Campfires allowed
Toilet
Pets allowed
Picnic table
Reviews
97% Recommend75 ratings · 65 reviews
Camping at this site offers stunning scenery with convenient access to nearby hiking trails and South Hill Cider. Guests appreciate the peacefulness and proximity to nature, with many enjoying views of wildflower fields and encounters with local wildlife. The canvas tents provide a comfortable experience, although some guests noted the absence of running water and the close proximity to other tents. Despite a few maintenance concerns, most reviews reflect a positive and relaxing experience, making it a go-to spot for nature enthusiasts.
Summary AI-generated from real reviews
Recommends
· October 2026
Beautiful campsite with good location and amenities!
Recommends
· September 2026
This was such a wonderful site! There was a gorgeous view, and we were very close in proximity to the trails and cider house. Our only regret is that we didn't stay longer!
Recommends
· September 2026
With pets ·
Tent2
The camp site was exactly what we were looking for. An easy way to enjoy nearby trails and have a place to land and rest once we had played in the woods and creeks. We appreciated being able to drive up to the site and then parking a little further away once we had unloaded our gear.
Recommends
· September 2026
Absolutely beautiful scenery! Perfect camping spot with nice canvass tent! Very close to buttermilk falls. Would def book again.
Recommends
· August 2026
With pets ·
Tent2
Tent was great! Literally right on the trail network! All you have to do is wake up, step outside, and go hiking.
Recommends
· August 2026
With pets ·
Tent 1
Tent camping on Steve’s land was awesome! The property is beautiful with plenty of great hiking right at your fingertips. The bed was super comfortable too! We will definitely be back
Beautiful spot! Loved our stay here! Very close to Ithaca and to trails. Comfortable and relaxing.
Recommends
· August 2026
With kids ·
Tent 1
I loved staying here with my 8 year old. This was his first “roughing it” camping trip. We had everything we needed for 2 nights and the serenity and solitude were wonderful. It is quite picturesque with the Apple orchard, open field view in front of the tent, the barn/cider house, and the tree swing….. not to mention the gorgeous trails and creeks. Great price, and would absolutely come back.
I know this isn’t listed as a glamping site, but I think a couple small tweaks could really make this site shine - adding a couple surfaces for guests to place. Their items would be really useful. Our trip was extremely wet due to weather and I left a towel on the floor of the tent which attracted a harmless wood roach…. Just having another surface to elevate objects…..
Recommends
· August 2026
With pets ·
Tent2
We enjoyed our weekend at South Hill. Very close to buttermilk Falls State Park where the hiking and views are wonderful. We loved hiking the trails on site of the camp. There’s a creek and our puppy just loved it. It was such a peaceful stay!
Recommends
· July 2026
What a beautiful spot! We absolutely loved both our stay and South Hill Cider!
Recommends
· July 2026
Quiet, woke up to sounds of nature as I had done falling asleep. Comfortable mattress. Off the path but close to town.
Recommends
· July 2026
With pets ·
Tent 1
We had a nice weekend in South Hill Cider. Cute setup, picnic table and Adirondack chairs with a fire pit. Our toilet tent did not hold up, but the canvas tent itself was able to withstand the heavy t-storm we got that weekend.
Recommends
· July 2026
With pets ·
Tent2
Absolutely beautiful spot. We would come back in a heartbeat! We had solitude in our campsite in the woods, which is just a short walk to South Hill where the food and cider is delicious. Best of both worlds!
Recommends
· July 2026
The tent was just perfect. convenient for all local hiking and gorging, a beautiful quiet setup and the benefit of getting to go to the Orchard if you want. We loved it so much
We had a wonderful stay at this campsite over the weekend. The campground was clean, well-maintained, and offered a peaceful atmosphere that made it easy to relax and enjoy nature. We especially appreciated the quiet surroundings. We would definitely stay here again and recommend it to others looking for a great camping experience.
This spot is so serine and relaxing that we didn’t want to go home! So much attention to detail; wood chips all around the site, a perfect little pantry to put a cook stove on and food items and utensils in, even little bed side tables next to a realty comfortable queen sized bed! We stayed four nights and brought lots of water - three big camping jugs - that lasted the whole time. It poured rain one evening but the tents are so big we could fit our camp chairs and a little table in it plus we had lights and music and food, and enjoyed a cozy and completely dry evening. We showered over at the Robert H Treman state park which is 10 minutes away. Town is also 10 minutes away with so many great bars and restaurants to visit. We enjoyed hikes on the property and at various beautiful state parks close by. The evenings gave us lovely sunsets and visits of deer, bunnies, so many birds and bats in the field gobbling up mosquitos. The two tents were well spaced, farther apart than average tent sites in a camp ground. Steve was super responsive to any questions or needs we had. I could go on and on…, I highly recommend either tent site and look forward to going back!
Recommends
· June 2026
This tent and campsite were great! Lovely views, great location and came with everything we needed. Firepit, chairs, bed, tent, toilet, and easy parking!
The pictures don’t really do this spot justice. This was a perfect campsite and would 100% recommend to anyone. Try to stay for at least 2 nights, go over to the cidery at the end of your days. The Finger Lakes Trail is literally right outside your tent site which means an unlimited amount of hiking at your disposal.
This was an amazing spot for a long weekend, me and my boyfriend had a great time, the bed was comfy, the site came with some firewood, but we did end up having a buy way more for the weekend. The chairs and tent and picnic table set up were great and the view was perfect. We didn’t have too many issues with bugs in our tent for the most part, and we barely had to wear bug spray (but this could be different depending on the time of year your camping) . Had tons of deer run through the fields and campsite around us, and the distance between our tent and our neighbors was close, but not too close! The only issue we ran into was that we had to buy a few big jugs of water and refill them at the state parks whenever we could because there’s no running water. Wouldn’t reccomend staying here if your planning anything longer than 3-4 days unless your okay not showering for a while. Overall this was an amazing experience I couldn’t recommend this spot more!!!
Recommends
· May 2026
Group trip ·
Tent 1
My friends and I had a great time at this site! It is so beautiful and has everything you need.
Recommends
· October 2025
We had a great stay. The tents are right on a trail that goes along a gorge and waterfalls. It's also right near buttermilk falls state park and Robert h Treman state park.
Great stay no one bothered us the site was clean and prepped for us when we arrived and there was extra toilet supplies in the pop up potty tent. There is another tent site maybe 50 ft away. It poured the second night and everything stayed dry within the tent. We didn’t get any super amazing views from the lick brook falls trail and the lake Treman loop but it’s been very dry so the falls/lake were very low
Recommends
· October 2025
Tent ·
Camper site 1
I was in camper site 1 but I was in a tent. It was a nice spot, however, be aware that you are right next to a trail that goes through a nature preserve. I had people occasionally walking by which was not an issue for me.
Mixed feelings
· October 2025
Nice private place for a night
12 ft travel trailer · With kids ·
Camper site 1
Camper site 1 at Orchard and Gorge At South Hill
Our experience at this camp site was mixed. Finding the site was a bit challenging; clearer signage would have been helpful. The site itself is quite basic—just a peaceful spot nestled in the woods. There’s a large hill that obstructs the view of the field, but it did provide us with a private area to rest for the night. We appreciated being allowed to check in early since there were no other guests before us.
During our stay, we decided to visit the cidery for dinner. Unfortunately, the sandwiches we ordered were rather bland and on the pricey side. The only side available was a potato salad, I requested my sandwich without onions due to an allergy. However, they didn’t inform me that the potato salad was also loaded with onions. Thankfully, I noticed it, but it could have ruined the beginning of our vacation.
Despite these hiccups, the environment was peaceful, and the convenience of dining at the cidery after a long day of hiking was a plus. If we return to this camp site, we might still choose to eat there for its location, but with a cautious approach regarding our meal choices.
Overall, it's a simple site that serves its purpose for a night’s stay.
Mixed feelings
· October 2025
With pets ·
Tent2
The location is a very interesting place. Walk a few feet from the tent, and you are met with a wildflower field on one side, and an enclosed pasture with sheep on the other. The tent is located right along a trail that will take you to Buttermilk Falls, a popular hiking destination in Ithaca. The tent is also around a 10 minute drive to downtown Ithaca, so it is very convenient in case you need to run to the store.
However, there are a few cons. The tent is only a few feet away from the other tent on the property. If you care about a secluded camping experience, this place might not be for you. As advertised, the property is on the back end of a cider house. On weekends you can clearly hear the music and crowds. My biggest complaint was the maintenance of the camp site. As expected, the tent was covered in mildew and the interior has a rather damp, musky smell. The “toilet” is essentially a small, pop-up tent and it is clear the toilet hasn’t been emptied in a long time (if you know what I mean). There was trash also in the trash bin upon arrival which makes it uncertain how often the site is cleaned between bookings.
Overall, we had a nice weekend, but there were some shortcomings that make it questionable whether it is worth spending over $100 to camp at this location.
Camping at the cider orchard was a relaxing experience. The bed and raised platform canvas tent offered some comforts of home, but otherwise the site was a typical campsite with a fire pit, picnic table, and chemical toilet. You can see the other site from here if you’re curious. The price was a bit more than other hip camp sites we’ve stayed at for the amenities offered, but the location is convenient near Ithaca which made it worth the price for the weekend. The light that shines through the canvas tent was quite nice, diffused by the white cloth, pretty views of the field from the front door, and it felt safe at night. The nature preserve is literally steps from the site with beautiful trails, which adds to the value of the site, and there were a few finger lakes trail hikers passing by.
Recommends
· September 2025
We loved this campsite! Everything was set up when we arrived, and it was easy to find with Steve’s instructions. Loved waking up to beautiful birds (hello American Kestrel!) and some sweet sheep friends. Having the FLX trail right outside of the site was perfect- did a great 8 mile loop through Buttermilk falls state park. The cider at South Hill was delicious- being able to walk right down was another bonus. All in all a great stay and we’ll likely return.
Recommends
· September 2025
Tent ·
Camper site 1
Super convenient to Ithaca, pretty little spot! Bonus was hearing the live jazz music being played at the nearby cidery
Recommends
· September 2025
Perfect for a quick visit to see my college kid! Got peace & nature and music, good food & drink!
The site was great. Even in pouring rain, the inside of the tent stayed dry! Facilities were as advertised. It was so convenient. The bed was also comfortable. Already thinking of planning our next trip back!
Location
Ithaca, Tompkins, New York, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
Hosted by Steve S.
Joined in June 2024Things to do nearby
Similar campgrounds nearby
Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.