Best Camping in and near Cayuga Lake State Park

83% (6 reviews)

A small park with expansive views of, and easy access to, Cayuga Lake.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Cayuga Lake State Park

Public campgrounds in the park

Stay at a public campground in Cayuga Lake State Park

83%

(6)

Cayuga Lake State Park Campground

279 sites · RVs, Tents In Cayuga Lake State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Cayuga Lake State Park

99%

(588)

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%

(399)

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%

(228)

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%

(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

Booked 2 times

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.

100%

(392)

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!

100%

(98)

Camp Whitman on Seneca Lake

16 sites · Lodging117 acres · Penn Yan, NY

Camp Whitman on Seneca Lake is a residential summer camp operated by the Presbytery of Geneva in partnership with the Presbytery of Genesee Valley. The camp has been in operation since 1954. Prior to that the land was a working farm.The property hosts a summer camp each summer, but the cottages and cabins are available for group and family rentals outside of this timeframe. The property is marked by Seneca Lake on its eastern boundary, Punnett's Pond on its western boundary and streams and ravines on its north and south boundaries. The property additionally features a swimming pool, hiking trails, a small organic garden and farm animals and optional activities like archery, boating and more for guests at certain points in the season.

98%

(226)

Tempest Ranch camp

12 sites · Lodging40 acres · Watkins Glen, NY

40 secluded acres with 1850 feet of clear stream with a great swimming hole.mature pine tree grove Our fenced fields with sheds boarders 9100 acres Sugar Hill State Forest, hiking trails and a dirt seasonal road that connects to other dirt roads. We have a mature pine forest grove that you can pick a spot to camp next to,or walk our creek and find a cleared spot to tent or just sleep next to campfire. We have been here 20 years improving what was run down, and continue to add a few pines and special private site for great memories! Our sites sit along meads creek which is nice to sit and relax in. At the bridge along maple lane is a very fun swimming hole ,which has been so nice all summer let your dog swim with you and have a nice float .we have a picnic tabel and fire ring at most sites . We are constantly making new fun sites to enjoy . fire-ring and outhouse! We have a pond to feed fish and explore on a canoe or bring tubes .always horses and donkeys to see . I have 1850 foot of stream to hike along and explore wildlife.turkey,deer,fox the occasional coyotes howling . We have been getting eagles.few bear sightings. ..we have .some pretty private spots along the creek . And under the pine tree grove.we border 9100 acres of sugar hill state Forrest. Trails everywhere. Twelve miles of back dirt roads to get to Watkins Glen state park. 7 miles to the Glen race track .twelve miles to a great dirt track to see racing.we can accommodate horse camping ,either by ride ins or trailers with pASTURES TO PULL INTO. ! This site borders sugar hill state Forrest! Twelve miles to Watkins glen

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%

(69)

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.

The best camping near Cayuga Lake State Park guide

Overview

About

The highlight of this 188-acre park is its view of Cayuga Lake, the longest of the Finger Lakes. Drive the 87-mile scenic byway loop or boat or paddle along the 40-mile long lake. Located at the top of a gently rolling hill above the lake, the campground offers more than 250 campsites, 14 cabins, and a cottage, making it easy for campers to take advantage of the park’s many attractions, including a swim beach, boat launch, nature trails, playground, playing fields, picnic tables and pavilions. The lake is a great spot for fishing, including ice fishing in winter, when cross-country skiing is also popular.

Notable campgrounds

Best for RVs and lake access: The East Camp of the Cayuga Lake State Park Campground offers electric hookups and is the closest to the lake.
Best for families: The Carp loop in the West Camp is located closest to the playground.
Best for comfort: The cottage offers space for eight and includes a full kitchen, bathroom with hot shower, heat, and an enclosed porch.

Tips for snagging a campsite

You must have a reservation to camp. Book a site as soon as you know your dates. Reservations can be made up to nine months in advance.
If you’re planning to camp between mid May and Columbus Day, reservations can be made the same day up to 3pm.
Campsites may be reserved for one night only, while cabins and the cottage require a two-night minimum in the off-season, and a week or longer during the peak season.

When to go

The park is open year-round but the campground is only open from late April to October. Vehicle entrance fees are collected from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The beach is open from the end of June through Labor Day. Peak season generally runs from late June to the last Sunday before Labor Day, and will see the largest crowds, along with longer minimum stays for cabins and the cottage. Winter activities like ice fishing and cross-country skiing are weather dependent, so check the weather before finalizing plans.

Know before you go

Lifeguards are only on duty during peak season.
Fishing licenses are required for anyone 16 and older.
Highway noise can be an issue at the campground.
Accessible facilities include the cottage, pavilions, restrooms and showers, boat launches, and swimming beach.
Pets are not allowed in buildings, cabins, playgrounds, or guarded beaches. Pets are permitted in some camping loops. Mandatory certificate of rabies is required.
Small-game hunting is permitted from a boat in late season only, with appropriate licenses.
Do not bring firewood from more than 50 miles away from the park.

83%

6 ratings · 0 reviews