Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Baldwinsville, NY

This is our 4th experience at a Jellystone. The campground was clean and staff was super nice. Organized the Halloween activities nicely. Yogi and the characters were very involved. For the fisherman, it's located on Salmon River and appears to have quite a lot of large salmon this time of year. I was shocked at the size of the fish that were being cleaned. My husband believes that area of the river was a private sector for the campground. Smaller campground than others I have been too but made it nice for kids to rides bikes safely since there weren't golf carts located at this campground. What I didn't enjoy as much. 1) The sites were muddy, especially when it had recently rained. Luckily we came after it rained and it had dried out some. 2) the dog park was a walking area, not a fenced in yard for them to let some of their energy out 3) No sewer hookups available but does had a dump station on your way out.

Have been camping here off & on since I was 12 (1975). Great place for trails, fishing, swimming & plain camping. There are electric & non-electric sites as well as a Cabin Colony. Pet friendly

My husband and I camped here from 6/17/22 - 6/19/22.

We had a great and relaxing time until Saturday evening when the three dogs at a neighboring site all slipped their collars and began running around the campground growling and charging at other patrons. One of them came at myself and my parents who were visiting. I absolutely came very close to being bit by a dog that was trying to charge at my mother but my husband intervened and began swinging a hot dog poker at the dog which caused it to bolt towards a campsite that had multiple little kids at it.

Someone called the Onondaga county police who came and spoke to the campground manager and I believe they warned the dog owners. But in the end the dogs were allowed to stay.

All in all we had a nice time. My only wish would be that the management would be more unaccepting of obviously dangerous pets.

There are mens and womens bathrooms, each with multiple stalls. Showers are available but a bit far from the actual campground. Water was warm but the water pressure wasn’t great. Ice and firewood for sale at the campsite.

This is a very nice campground. There are many sites with electric available at every site. There are some sites with full hook-up available and also specific areas that allow pets. Swimming is available at the large beach. You can rent a kayak and enjoy the beautiful lake. There are miles of trails to explore. There is a camp store, laundry room, recreation room, playgrounds and much more.

Jake from the Dyrt here!  Nature Lover's Paradise is new to the Dyrt and they have an awesome spot to share with access to a vast network of trails in upstate New York.  Check them out and make sure to share some pics of your adventure!

Taughannock Falls State Park is one of my favorite parks in New York. The camp grounds are excellent, there are TONS of trails nearby, the swimming area of the lake is close, and the water is very clean. The crown jewel of the place is Taughannock Falls, which is a short flat hike to one of the tallest single drop waterfalls on the east coast. It really is quite the sight. There are cool playgrounds for the kids, grills, restrooms, showers, and plenty of activities to do, such as stand up paddle boarding. Taughannock has it going on, and I will be back!

We camped here for 3 nights, I had an event in Geneva. Location was handy, easy in and out. It’s an old navy/Air Force base that was converted in the 60’s. Sites have a weird thing with one electric post per two sites… but they aren’t pull through. So, apparently, New York doesn’t care if you just park anywhere in the general area of your site, which is a vibe, but bring an extension cord. There’s some kind of “resort” co-located that appears to have more conventional hookups, but I’m unclear on how to book that. Price was fine, spot was ok, lake swim beach and playground were nice.

There is TONS of beach to explore at this little State Park in New York. I used to visit here as a kid years ago because my grandparents owned a cottage on the lake. Since they sold it, visiting Southwick is the next best thing. Lake Ontario is an amazing lake to be on and the water is pretty warm in the summer time. the waves don't get too big, so it is very safe for kids. Southwick itself has great camping spots right next to the beach. It is a little pricey if you only want to visit for the day, $8, but you can get a tent spot for $18 which is comparable to other state parks. Showers are available, and there are some short trails that are good for running or probably cross country skiing in the winter. There is also a sizable playground near the beach that is great for the kids.

Went for a quick getaway to this little gem of a state park in the finger lakes region of New York. I’ll be coy, and use their slogan ‘Ithaca is Gorges’ and Gorgeous!!! The falls trails were all well defined and excellent for a beginner, moderate hiker. More advanced trails were also offered as well as biking trails, so plenty for any level of adventurer!! Lots of educational posters along the way to keep you informed of what you were seeing and the history about how it was created. The locals were pleasant, and eager to share fun facts about their area. We stayed at the campground in the park. It was cozy, clean, and just right for a little off the grid fun. No electricity or water hook ups available, but nice big public baths and plenty of water access all around the camp ground. (Say one water spot every 3-4 camp sites). There was also a dump station and trash dumpsters easily accessible at the entrance. Can not wait to go back, planning a week long trip next year and will do all three tours, wine, beer, and cheese!! Till next September!! Stay Gorges!!!

Delta Lake State Park sits at the foothills of the Adirondack Park, just outside Rome, New York. Pretty and well-kempt, Delta Lake is a nice option for those looking to stay close to home and within proximity to civilization. You can enjoy the great outdoors, while only being a few miles away from a restaurant or grocery store.

The campground isn‘t the best I’ve experienced, a bit on the crowded side-similar to a woodsy suburb- but this could have been distinctive to Loop A where I stayed. I stayed in site 35 and was intermixed with all the campers and RV’s, so it got a bit noisy. Not that restful, secluded experience I typically go for, but I should have planned further in advance.

However, what the park lacked in terms of its campground, it totally made up for in its beach, swimming and picnic areas! This place was awesome for hosting a birthday party for my niece and relaxing at the beach/ day facilities. They have plenty of picnic tables, charcoal grills, a huge beach and locker rooms. This is really a great place to spend a day with your family!

We visited 6 state parks in the Finger Lakes region of New York this past summer. Fillmore Glen State Park was our favorite for hiking, but probably our least favorite for camping. The trails are uncrowded and well maintained. We hiked along the south rim trail and the gorge trail. The gorge trail is especially cool, with 9 foot bridges crisscrossing over the river. There are several gorgeous waterfalls, and the walk was shady and cool, even though it was a hot day. After hiking through the glen, we were hoping to cool off with a swim, but the swimming area was closed. Not sure why, but you can only swim when lifeguards are on duty, and there were No Swimming signs everywhere.

The campground at Fillmore Glen was totally full when we stayed there. The sites offered little privacy and were very close together, plus you could here road noise loud and clear all through the night. The water faucet near our site was out of order, and the bathrooms were only clean in the morning. The sites were all wooded and shaded, with nice flat spots for tents, but I probably wouldn’t stay there again during the busy summer months. If you’re headed out that way, I would definitely recommend Fillmore Glen for a day trip, but I’d camp at either Robert Treman or Buttermilk Falls state park in Ithaca.

This is a great example of what a state park should be. It not only preserves a place of unique biological diversity and geologic interest, it is also well set up and well maintained to maximize low impact outdoor recreation and environmental education. A new state of the art regional environmental education center is being built now that will open in spring, as well as new handicapped access kayaking docks that complement Accessible trails and campsites throughout the park. This is a great destination for families, handicapped campers, and natural history enthusiasts. There are several campgrounds, one is large and open and meant for large RVs, others are drive-in forested tent sites or trailer sites with hookups, and several walkin sites. There is also a colony of rustic camper cabins. The campgrounds have brand new restroom facilities and playgrounds, and the main lake has a new beach house. The lake is a fascinating meromictic lake with clear calcium-rich waters that are not only pristine and beautiful to look at, but also great for swimming and snorkeling as the waters are crystal clear and very deep. There are hiking trails, paved bike trails, a nature preserve for bird watching at Round Lake, a golf course, and great kayaking or canoeing. It is also located right next door to the Erie Canal State Park for those who want to hike or bike the historic Erie Canal. Though you might expect a park like this to be in a remote location, it is actually just a short distance east of the suburbs of the Syracuse metro area, so it is an easy park to get to, plus staying there also provides easy access to stores for supplies, or access to local cultural activities or restaurants for those who want that. One of my favorite state parks in New York!

This was our first experience at a Hipcamp site, but we took advantage of a $30 promotion from REI and decided to try one out. Camp Elderberry is located on an organic vegetable farm in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Weekend tours of the farm are available for a nominal fee. There are two sites here, both quite separate from each other so they are very private. You can camp in an RV or in a tent on the grass. Due to recent rains, the grass was quite tall, so we did not go deep into our site, which had a view of Seneca Lake. No hookups at either site. 

Communication with Lael was very good from the beginning, and he met us as we arrived to help us get settled. We arrived much later than planned due to a flat tire, so we did not spend much time exploring the property. There is also a ½ mile hike to the beach that I would have explored if we had arrived earlier. I had read there is a porta-potty, but we did not use it. There is also potable water and a cold-water shower. No WiFi, but the cell signal was strong on Verizon. There are many wineries nearby but again, because of our late arrival, they were all closed when we got there. 

We have been exploring a variety of camping options including Tentrr, Harvest Host, RV parks, Corps of Engineers campgrounds, county parks, state parks, and national parks. Hipcamp campsites vary widely by accommodation and price. The price for Camp Elderberry was not unreasonable ($50) but is more expensive than most standard (non-private) campsites. We did enjoy the unique experience, however!

Charles has beautiful property! Acres and acres to explore and admire! The most accessible is a patch of pines with several tent sites, a small cabin, stone outdoor stove and a cool clear pond that is stocked with fish! Follow the corn on foot or an 4 wheel drive vehicle to the back pasture a more open area with apple trees and another small pond, further out is more land and wooded area Charles is happy to offer to you! I stayed 3 nights with my daughter and dog and had a wonderful time! This is a perfect for a quick quiet getaway, or to camp and explore apple orchards in the area! Charles sells fresh meat on site and it is amazing!!! I highly recommended this property, Charles is a wonderful host willing to help with anything, very family friendly and dog friendly to boot!!!

Only about 15 minutes to the closest large town (Geneva), Sampson State park has it all. Recreation Hall, swimming, fishing, great lake front playground,camp store, hiking trails(many wheelchair friendly) and boating. This campground is also dog friendly.

I made a reservation for 7 nights for cabin #8. Plans changed and we arrived two days into our reservation intending to stay for 5 nights. We did not realized until the first morning that the pile of black stuff on the patio was bat dung. That morning we witnessed dozens of bats returning home for the night to the building we were staying in. On the third afternoon we saw a bat hanging from the outside of a screen door. My husband and I inspected the grounds for the bat but it had gone(or so we thought). He and I remained outside at the picnic table and a short time later I realized my arm was bleeding. When I cleaned the wound my husband and I both observed that I had two little distinct puncture wounds. I was at the emergency room until about 9PM and was told that I had to go home to New Hampshire to be treated with a series of shots that I will endure over the next couple of weeks. I camp often. This is my first time camping in NY. I believe it will be the last time. I knew that there was no bathroom in the cabin. I knew that there was no hot water. I knew that I had to bring a lot of stuff with us like bedding and cookware, But I did not think that I would be living in a bat house, full of flies.. I did not know that we would find rodent dung behind the microwave on the counter where I would be preparing food. I did not think there would be carpenter ants crawling all over that same counter. If I had known all that, I never would have rented the Hell hole. I get to visit with my daughter just once per year and that cabin completely ruined that visit. That building is unsuitable for people and pets. In addition, There is a highway that runs through it. The other guest were very quiet, but the traffic noise did not really add to the ambiance. The lake is across the street and the swimming area is small and too shallow for an adult to swim in. And the RVs are packed pretty tight. I would not recommend this place to anyone. I cannot think of one good thing to say about it. I am including pics that my daughter took hastally as we fled. But since it was dark you cannot really see the mouse turds on the kitchen counter. And the roof leaks. I keep forgetting that because it just seemed like something I should have expected. Most of what I have written I have already sent to the park and I think everyone should take a look at the response I got to my request, no my demand, for my money back(at least) and compensation for the hotel we had to stay in and my medical bills. I think if you are thinking about staying there you should read their response because I think it will help you decide if this place is really for you."Hello, We are very sorry that your experience at Cayuga Lake State Park was not a pleasurable visit. There is a very high population of wildlife in the area. Animals such as bats, mice, chipmunks, ants, flies, bees, birds, skunks, racoons, fox, coyote, etc are a normal occurrence when camping in a nature setting. We take precautions and continue to make improvements to try and minimize wildlife interactions. This area also has a very high bat population. It is not uncommon at all for the bats to roost on the outside of the buildings and under porch eves on the buildings in the park. Unfortunately there are times when wildlife such as mice, chipmunks, flies or bees find entry, occupy the space and may leave droppings or get into a food source. This may be very unappealing, but our cleaners do very well to ensure the dwelling is clean and ready for use when you arrive. Many times animals gain entry after the patron has arrived. We cannot issue a refund for your camping stay. You will not be reimbursed your hotel costs or your medical costs, as there was no negligence on the part of the park that caused what occurred."

We stayed here for Memorial Day Weekend and really enjoyed Sned Acres. The Grounds are well taken care of (although some areas around the playgrounds and pool could have been weed whacked better) there is a lot of grass and wide open areas for playing games, walking your dogs and you can let your dogs drag their leashes so they have free roam and feel like they are running free. The large pond is nice, there were a lot of campers fishing. The general store is well stocked and the family running the campground and store are very friendly. There is a nice pool for the kids. The only thing that would make Sned better is a little more spacing between the sites, they are close (we were in F130) to where if you open your window shades in your camper your neighbors are 5-10 feet away from you. Would definitely stay again if in the area.

This is a small campground set up on the periphery of Butternut Hill farm which is located on the main Route 20 in Bouckville NY.  At the time I submitted my review, I was not able to make edits on the basic campground listing;   I am not sure why the Dyrt platform wouldnt let me update the important details, but you can get more info and make reservations on the campground webpage which is here: 

https://butternuthill.net/

The campground is in a convenient location in Bouckville,  a small upstate NY village with a concentration of numerous antique shops, which is a draw for collectors in the area. There is also a famous Inn and restaurant, the Landmark Inn, which anchors the town, adjacent to a trailhead for a hiking trail along the historic Chenango Canal, an offshoot of the Erie Canal. 

The meadows and fields of Butternut Hill are the superb festival setting for several regional events, including several Antique shows, the Central New York Fiber Festival, a craft fair and a car show, events that are scheduled a few times a month throughout the summer. 

The campground is adjacent to the festival fields, lining a forest edge with expansive views of the surrounding valley. During special events, vendors and exhibitors have a convenient and inexpensive place to stay that is not far from the exhibit tents and festival fields, but people attending the events can stay there too, or campsites may be reserved at other times through the summer, on a daily, weekly or even monthly basis. 

Many of the sites are for RV's, which have electric and water hookups along with a picnic table and fire pit; rates fro these rang $40-50. There are also primitive tent sites which have a grassy tent area and fire pit but no picnic table and cost  $30 per night. There is a cozy log camper cabin available, at a very inexpensive price of $60 per night (bring your own linens). All camping spots are in close walking distance to the bath house, which has water, showers, and bathrooms. (Additional porta potties are set up during festival events.)  

I was there during the Fiber Festival, and I was impressed at how well organized the programing was, and how clean everything was despite large attendance. In addition, it rained really hard one day of the event, and though the access roads got a little muddy, the campsites seem well drained and did not get muddy. The campsites all back to the woods on the west side, so this serves as a good windbreak too. 

The campground office has some basic camping supplies available, but an advantage of being there during a festival event was a nice food tent and a variety of food trucks offering delicious fare!  If you were coming from a distance to attend one of the local special events, this is a good place to stay, though of course busy during the day. If you wanted to camp here at a non event time, you would find it to be a quiet pastoral location with access to some hiking and fishing spots in close proximity. For staying in the area, the camper cabin would be a great all-weather option if you can get it!

The property is beautiful and quiet. Cute market at check in. Plenty to do. Neighbors keep to themselves and kind of stare le us down when we pulled in and during dog walks…maybe just an outlier experience? Staff very kind. We just stayed one night so we were an easy in and out. Super buggy.

If you want something for everyone, this is the place. There are 2 Great Lakes to hike around with awesome views. Fishing and boat rental if you want to be closer to the water. Beach for swimming with concession stand with quite a full menu. Beach also has a great playground for kids that is perfect for play and swim. Dogs are welcome. I have been there many times in the summer to walk and/or camp.

Gear Review:

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I am one of the lucky ones that get to review outdoor gear from time to time. My husband, Hutch, and I each got a pair of the OOFOS OOriginal Sport Sandals and spent the last couple weeks hiking, cycling, and camping in them in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York. These are not your average pair of flip flops…they are amazing! We may never take them off.

What we love about these shoes:

• Unbelievably comfortable! Designed as a recovery shoe but can be worn for just about everything from the shower to the campground to light hiking and cycling.
• The toe thong is integrated into the sole, making them more durable and less likely to pull through/out. The rubber is so soft that it doesn’t irritate the area between the toes, even after walking in them for many hours.
• Stylish! I wore them with a nice outfit and my feet didn’t feel underdressed.
• They stay on your feet when walking in water. My previous pair of flip flops felt like they were coated in Vaseline when they got wet, but these sandals stay put. They float, which is plus if you lose them in the lake. Lose them in a river and all bets are off though.
• When people ask who makes them, it’s fun to say OOOFOOSS twice (because they never understand you the first time you say it).

What could be improved:

• I can typically find some constructive criticism about the products I review, but these are our new favorite shoes. Maybe a few more color options for men would be a nice addition to the line?

Thoughts and ideas:

• Can OOFOS make insoles for hiking boots? They’d be amazingly comfy.

Video Link: https://youtu.be/C0zOZm9q5qc

Campground Review:

From the gorgeous hike up the gorge to kayaking at sunset on Owasco Lake to enjoying some wine from the grapes grown in the region, the Finger Lakes region is hard to beat for total family entertainment. We came for a couple nights to check it out and stayed for over a week!

This campground is great for families and groups! Each site has a picnic table and fire ring and there are both electric and non-electric sties from which to choose. The sites in the middle section of the campground don’t really have designated boundaries, while those around the edges are more traditionally divided. There is literally no privacy between any of the sites.

We were at site 35 (in the middle section) and there were 2 large groups on either side of us who came for the weekend. The grassy field is great for kiddos to run-amok and there is a playground at the far end of it so parents can keep an eye on the kids while enjoying time with their friends and family.

The bathrooms are modern, kept very clean, and the showers are awesome. There are a couple picnic areas/shelters* and a gorgeous natural pool with lifeguard. *P.S. The picnic shelter up by the gorge is amazing! It’s worth the walk up the stairs.

But, the campground is only the beginning of what this area has to offer! Just a short walk from the campground, you will find the Village of Moravia which has everything you may need, including some great ice cream and pizza. It’s a cute little town filled with many historic homes so take the time to walk or cycle around. Also, Owasco Lake is a short drive from the campground and is great for all types of water sports.

We did our usual reservation-less “pull up and see what they have open” style of camping, but during the main season, this place is nuts! You’ll definitely need to plan ahead and make reservations if you plan to be here on the weekends during the silly season. Bonus: Prices are lower on weekdays and you get a reduced rate for your second night, too.