The best camping in Cayuga Lake State Park, NY

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Top-rated campgrounds

A-Frame In The Woods

98%
(25)
23mi from Cayuga Lake State Park · 1 site · Lodging · Dundee, NY
Welcome to your serene primitive campsite, perfect for a getaway and nestled right on the Finger Lakes wine trail. Enjoy the tranquility of this off-grid experience with a view of Seneca Lake from the hill. Key Features: -Primitive Camping Experience: Embrace the simplicity of off-grid living with no running water, detached outhouse for your convenience, and no electric amenities. This is a true escape into nature. -Cozy A-Frame Shelter: Find comfort in the contained A-frame shelter, featuring a queen-size loft mattress. Bring your own bedding. -Wood Stove and Campfire: Warm up inside by the wood stove or gather around a cozy campfire outside. It's the perfect way to create lasting memories with your loved ones. -Scenic Surroundings: Take in the beauty of the Finger Lakes wine trail and the stunning view of Seneca Lake from the hill. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the peaceful surroundings and the opportunity to reconnect with the outdoors. -4-wheel drive vehicle recommended if you want to drive straight to the A-frame. There is the option to park in the parking lot by the road and walk a couple hundred yards across the field to the A-frame. This primitive campsite invites you to step away from the hustle and bustle, allowing you to unwind, bond with family, and savor the simplicity of nature. Bring your own camping supplies, cooking materials, and a sense of adventure for an unforgettable off-grid camping experience.
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$99
 / night

Waterfall Creek

99%
(473)
39mi from Cayuga Lake State Park · 8 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · 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
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$59
 / night

Mission Hemlock Grove

92%
(243)
46mi from Cayuga Lake State Park · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · Conesus, NY
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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$26
 / night

Tempest Ranch camp

98%
(262)
42mi from Cayuga Lake State Park · 12 sites · Lodging · 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
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from 
$40
 / night

Sanctuary InTheWoods Tent/Yurt Camp

99%
(161)
42mi from Cayuga Lake State Park · 3 sites · Tents, Lodging · Newfield, NY
After traveling and living around the world, raising my kids... you can return home. I craved the seasons and the woods and some quiet peaceful land. I feel in love with this property as it had the perfect spot in the middle of the ten acres for camp, not to far from the house and driveway so very easy assess. A short walk up a trail. It is private and has lots of wildlife. We have 2 cabins for rent on land as well. It is a short 12 miles to Ithaca for provisions and activities, or stay and play on the land, hike, swing, rest, read, write, meditate, dream. come in peace or come to rediscover your peace. I look forward to meeting you Learn more about this land: We have 10 forested hilly acres 12 miles from Ithaca. We’ve built a camp with a yurt with a foam floor that sleeps a family of 4. Bring sleeping bags and pads or you have an air mattress you can blow up inside the yurt that is fun. in the photo s you will also see a dry lean-to with a double bed platform inside to put your sleeping bags or air mattress or to put supplies off the ground to keep dry. Also lots of room for tents. The campfire has a grill to cook over a wood fire, 2 benches & Adirondack chairs, a hammock and a picnic table. There’s also a fun homemade swing & seesaw. There are many marked walking trails around our land to enjoy. There is access to well water. Dry cut Firewood is available for $7 a bundle at the property or you can add extras with booking for $7.70 per bundle.  Portable toilet outside & outdoor hot water shower. It is very quiet here. We are close to Treman, Buttermilk And Taughannock State Parks which all have swimming. Watkins Glen State Park and racetrack is half an hour away. 150 breathtakingly magnificent waterfalls in this area. Great hiking. We are 14 miles from Cornell University and 10 miles from Ithaca College. We are between two finger lakes, Cayuga and Seneca, there are 60 wineries and breweries around the lakes. Woman’s Rights National Museum in Seneca Falls, Corning Museum of Glass is fabulous. Ithaca has theatres, many museums & lots for kids to do. Or just hang out in our forest & enjoy our 10 private acres of trails. Bob is in the Ithaca Art Trail so check out his workshop if you are interested. On Instagram and FB go to Robertroemischcreativearts.
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$44
 / night

Stars and Sage

100%
(5)
49mi from Cayuga Lake State Park · 1 site · Lodging · Mexico, NY
Our property will someday be our forever home but in the meantime we have decided to share this beautiful place with others. We will be under construction for quite sometime but we feel this is still an amazing location to enjoy. We will offer two spots to rent . One is a camping spot where you will bring your own camping supplies . The other is a glamping site where we offer a cozy canvas tent with a woodstove available situated right on the water for a magical view.Learn more about this land:Stars and Sage is a one acre wooded area on a beautiful stream. The stream Sage creek runs right along the property. This property is also on the Oswego County Snowmobile trail. This offers a great place for snowmobiling guests to stay overnight if you are brave enough to camp in a NY winter. If you are staying during another season you can walk the snowmobile trail. We are also in a very popular area to the Amish. They are great neighbors and we are sure you will see them pass by regularly with their horse and buggy. The property is also next to a show horse farm that has two donkeys so be prepared to hear them also . Very entertaining. We are currently a new site and are doing construction on the land. Please be patient with us. We have one other listing on the land so there may be times you do see other guests. We have a home under construction on the property so we also may be there at times. This site gives you a quiet wooded area to camp for the night or two with a porta potty for luxury camping. This site allows you to have a quiet place to camp without a lot of people and kid free. Most campgrounds have children but Stars and Sage does not allow children. Please feel free to bring your own camping needs as we only provide a fire area. The site is approximately 19 feet by 39 feet in dimension. You will be close to Mexico village and about 20 minutes from the city of Oswego. Plenty of biking areas all around . Enjoy a hike in the trail or take a short trip to Mexico point to put your Canoe or kayaks in to enjoy Lake Ontario. Lake Ontario is well known for fishing. You may see deer, Fox, muskrat, etc. you may hear coyotes in the distance. A flash light and a hatchet and bug spray are definitely recommended to have on hand.
Potable water
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from 
$80
 / night

Yost Ridge in the Finger Lakes

97%
(121)
6.9mi from Cayuga Lake State Park · 2 sites · RVs · Waterloo, NY
FULL HOOKUP site, 30, 50, 110 electric, WIFI, SEWER For hook-up or dump NOTE: THERE IS NO POTABLE WATER OR WATER HOOK-UP FROM 11/1/25-04/15/26. - LARGE DRIVEWAY ENTRANCE - LEVEL PARKING on pad - FIRE PIT Local firewood is for sale in the area- WE DO NOT PRIVIDE FIREWOOD This is a perfect area for fishing, kayaking, bicycling, kite flying, hiking, wine trailing or relaxing. Enjoy the well-maintained fire pit in the Adirondack chairs. Sunrise and sunset are spectacular here and stargazers will be delighted with the expansive views. Amish carriages and work horses are common sites. Park however it suits you for getting the best views. It's easy to back in or out with big rigs and trailers from the quiet road . The driveway entrance is extra large. There's plenty of space for a boat, trailer or second vehicle. YOST RIDGE is located between Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lakes ("Trout fishing capital of the World") in the Finger Lakes wine country, and is just a short distance from numerous wineries; Swedish Hill, Knapp Vineyards, Three Brothers, Thirsty Owl, Ventosa, Buttonwood Grove, and Hosmer wineries. Also located nearby are the National Women's Hall of Fame, and many state parks, including Cayuga Lake State Park, Seneca Lake State Park, Taughannock Falls State Park, Watkins Glen State Park, Buttermilk Fall State Park, within short distances of this site. Two boat launch sites a few miles away.
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from 
$18
 / night

Other options near Cayuga Lake State Park

The best camping in Cayuga Lake State Park, NY 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

  1. 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.
  2. If you’re planning to camp between mid May and Columbus Day, reservations can be made the same day up to 3pm.
  3. 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