Green Lakes State Park Campground offers cabin camping opportunities located 8 miles from Marietta in central New York. Situated in the gently rolling hills of Onondaga County at an elevation of 1,180 feet, the park features two meromictic lakes with waters that maintain distinct layers throughout the year. The campground sits amid mature hardwood forest, providing a mix of shaded and partially open camping areas with hookup sites that remain available through mid-October.
What to Do
Swimming and boating activities: At Cayuga Lake State Park Campground, visitors have lake access for swimming and water activities. "Kayaking in Cayuga Lake was not lacking some beautiful views," notes Laura Nicole A. The park has a boat launch area, and the designated swimming area is clean and easily accessible.
Waterfall exploration: Robert H. Treman State Park Campground features swimming at the base of a waterfall with distinctive amenities. "You can swim in the waterfall area here. Need I say more?" writes Matt G., who recommends visiting outside peak summer periods when the swimming area can get crowded.
Hiking options: Multiple trails with varying difficulty levels surround the camping areas. "The gorge trail can be very strenuous," advises Matt G. from Robert H. Treman, while at Watkins Glen State Park Campground, "the Rim Trail [provides] elevated views of the gorge, as well as more secluded footpaths through hemlock groves," according to one visitor.
What Campers Like
Privacy levels: Campsites at Sampson State Park Campground offer spacious layouts with good separation. "Spacious campsites, electric and water hook ups. Bathhouses are clean," reports Michele D. The sites are arranged to maximize distance from neighboring campers, with wooded areas between many sites.
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain well-serviced bathroom facilities. "The bathrooms were very clean and had dish washing stations in them," notes Stephanie C. from Sampson State Park, while at Watkins Glen, "some of the shower houses are better than others," according to Lori F.
Family-friendly amenities: Parks offer recreational options beyond natural features. "There is a nice pool for the kids. Well priced $42 per night for full hookups," comments Jim C. at Junius Ponds. Many campgrounds include playgrounds, game areas, and organized activities on weekends.
What You Should Know
Reservation requirements: Most glamping sites near Marietta require advance booking, especially during peak season. "Reservations recommended especially during summer weekends," advises Jim C. about Junius Ponds.
Site specifics: Campsite quality varies significantly within each park. "Electric sites are not the best though. Rocky and unlevel. Not made for large campers," warns Victoria about Robert H. Treman State Park.
Seasonal restrictions: Swimming areas and some facilities have limited operating seasons. "Bummed that we missed out on the waterfall and swimming area! The swimming area was closed for the season by the time we arrived," reports Emma N., who visited Robert H. Treman in September.
Park regulations: Lake Bluff Campground and other parks enforce quiet hours and visitor rules. "Due to Covid-19, there is to be no interaction with other campers and a mask must be worn when walking around campground," noted Eric B., though rules may have changed since that review.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground proximity awareness: Choose campsites strategically based on noise preferences. "Be weary that some of the camp sites are closer to playgrounds than they appear on the map," advises Jeremy T. from Cayuga Lake State Park.
Water safety considerations: Swimming areas vary in depth and supervision. "The beach area is wide and shallow in most areas," reports a camper from Green Lakes, while at Lake Bluff, one visitor mentions their "large, private plot in drumlin loop. Close to the beach which was very pretty and clean."
Activity planning: Parks offer scheduled programming for children. "They do events for kids every weekend," shares Sara H. about Lake Bluff Campground, which also features a "pool, frog pond, catch and release fishing."
Tips from RVers
Hookup logistics: Electric hookups at Sampson State Park require planning. "Electric service boxes are shared in-between sites. This could pose an issue if your power cord is not long enough," warns Amanda K., who also notes "There is only one source for water fill up. This could end up being a very very long wait."
Site selection guidance: Roads within some campgrounds present challenges. "The roads within the campground were kind of tight to get through with trees and curves," reports Laura L. about navigating Watkins Glen with a 30-foot motorhome.
Seasonal camper considerations: Some campgrounds have numerous permanent residents. "Too many seasonal campers and their golf carts. These fine folks never stop driving and take the time to walk," notes Ryan D. about Junius Ponds, though he concludes it's "all in all a very nice place to camp."
