Alpine, New York serves as a base for exploring the southern Finger Lakes region, where elevations range from 900 to 2,100 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F while evenings cool to 50-65°F. Camping options span from private RV resorts to state parks with varying amenities, most open from May through October when local attractions are fully operational.
What to do
Winery visits from camp: Two wineries offer direct walking paths from Finger Lakes RV Resort for easy wine tasting without driving. "They are bookended by two wineries with walking paths from the campground," notes one visitor, who appreciates this setup because it creates "very quiet and relaxing evenings sitting around the campfire."
Waterfall exploration: Within 30 minutes of most area campgrounds, dozens of waterfalls provide day trip opportunities. A visitor to Buttermilk Falls State Park Campground states, "Walking along the water from the upper and lower entrances is great. If you walk Gorge trail and Rim trail you connect to make a nice loop and see just about everything the park has to offer."
Swimming in natural settings: Several campgrounds offer swimming options in lakes or pools. At Park Station Campground, "This campground has a nice small beach area with sand for the kids. Water is very shallow however, so not the best place for swimming for older kids and there is no pool, but there are life guards and plenty of depth for young kids."
What campers like
Well-spaced campsites: Campers consistently mention site spacing at premium RV parks. A visitor to Finger Lakes RV Resort reports, "The campground sites are very large and spread out. Being a newer campground, the trees are small, but that did not take away from the experience."
Clean facilities: Facility maintenance stands out in visitor comments. "The bath house is immaculate and rivals those at Fort Wilderness Resort," notes one Finger Lakes RV Resort reviewer, while another states it's "operated by a friendly husband and wife who show great pride in the condition and cleanliness of every square inch."
Convenient location: Proximity to regional attractions rates highly. A Smith Memorial Park camper explains, "The real highlight is the park itself! The hiking trails are nice! Not too challenging, but very scenic." Another mentions its position is "the perfect spot for going to the wineries."
What you should know
Service limitations: Cell coverage and utility services vary significantly between campgrounds. At Watkins Glen/Corning KOA, campers can expect "full hookups were good, there was a concrete pad and nice fire ring in our site," but some visitors report inconsistent experiences with amenities: "There were some things that didn't work like the army truck ride, zipline, and playground."
Seasonal restrictions: Most RV sites near Alpine, New York operate within specific date ranges. Pine Valley RV Park runs "from May 1 to September 30" while Buttermilk Falls State Park Campground remains open "May 20 to October 10" according to their listings.
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. A Smith Memorial Park visitor advises, "Reserve ahead of time in summer." Many campgrounds can reach capacity, particularly on holiday weekends and during fall foliage season.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. Park Station Campground provides "a newer and good sized playground in the day visit area" and "multiple picnic areas scattered throughout allow you many options of scenery/shade/convenience while you cook and eat."
Kid-friendly water features: Some parks include special water attractions. Pine Valley RV Park offers "giant swimming inflatables" and "a giant slide" with a visitor noting there are "so many things for kids to do. From boating, to giant swimming inflatables, putt putt even a giant slide. All part of the price of the campground."
Activity planning: Campgrounds offer varying levels of scheduled activities. A Watkins Glen/Corning KOA visitor mentions it has "lots of activities for kids and families on site and near by" while another notes it's a "quiet campground with KOA expected cleanliness and staff courtesy."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: RV sites near Alpine offer different advantages based on location within each park. One visitor recommends, "We chose this section per a review we read to be away from the main road noise, but there really isn't much road noise to worry about, anyway."
Hookup details: Electrical service varies between campgrounds. Owasco Hill RV Campground provides fifty-amp hookups but not thirty-amp, while Spruce Row Campground offers thirty-amp but not fifty-amp service. Water and sewer connections are similarly variable, requiring advance planning for larger rigs.
Daily service offerings: Some premium RV parks provide extra services not common at all facilities. A Finger Lakes RV Resort visitor appreciates that "they drive by each site every morning to collect trash and recycling," which saves trips to communal dumpsters.
