Looking for an adventure where you can explore Big Flats and then fall asleep in your tent? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your New York tent camping excursion.
89 wooded acres nestled between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes! Off grid property with no light solution and incredible star gazing! Walking distance to the Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) and Texas Hollow State Forest. A short drive and you can be wine tasting along the lakes. Plenty of activities nearby kayaking, biking and waterfall hikes. Only a few very spread out sites on this acreage. Veteran owned and operated. No fireworks allowed. Well behaved kids and dogs welcome.
$45 / night
Lawrence Recreation Area is a day-use facility on the south side of Cowanesque Lake. It is conveniently located on State Route 49 approximately 4 miles west of Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania. The area offers a great location for picnicking and shoreline fishing.
Cowanesque Lake is situated in the Endless Mountains region of Pennsylvania, along the Allegheny Plateau in the Appalachian Mountains. The surrounding land paints a scenic picture of rolling terrain and open fields.
Cowanesque Lake offers many outdoor activities including boating and fishing. A variety of native fish inhabits the areas streams and lakes. The North and South Tailrace areas provide access for fishing below the dam.
The fields and forests around the lake are popular destinations for hunters looking for large and small game species that inhabit the eastern hardwood forests.
Many miles of hiking trails surround the lake, including the Mid State Trail, which links the trails at Cowanesque and nearby Hammond Lake into a long path that extends all the way through Pennsylvania from Maryland to New York.
The Cayuga Shelter is reservable for group picnicking. It is fully accessible and comfortably accommodates groups of up to 100 people in a lovely lakeside setting.
$22 - $35 / night
South Shore Recreation Area is located on the south side of the Cowanesque Lake along State Route 49, just five miles west of Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania. The area is easily accessible from Route 15 and offers a great location for boating, picnicking and fishing.
Cowanesque Lake is situated in the Endless Mountains region of Pennsylvania, along the Allegheny Plateau in the Appalachian Mountains. The surrounding land paints a scenic picture of rolling terrain and open fields.
Cowanesque Lake offers a variety of outdoor activities including boating and fishing. A variety of native fish inhabits the areas streams and lakes. The North and South Tailrace areas provide access for fishing below the dam.
The fields and forests around the lake are popular destinations for hunters looking for large and small game species that inhabit the eastern hardwood forests.
Many miles of hiking trails circle the lake, including the Mid State Trail, which travels through the recreation area. It links the trails at Cowanesque and nearby Hammond Lake into a long path that extends all the way through Pennsylvania from Maryland to New York.
The recreation area offers three group shelters. The Iroquois and Oneida Shelters have electric and water hookups; the Mohawk Shelter has water hookups only. All three sites are fully accessible and comfortably accommodate groups of up to 100 people in a lovely lakeside setting.
Lambs Creek Recreation Area is located at the southern end of Tioga Lake, just north of the borough of Mansfield, PA. The recreation area is easily accessible from US Route 15 and offers a great location for picnicking, hiking and biking.
Lambs Creek is situated in the Endless Mountains region of Pennsylvania, along the Allegheny Plateau in the Appalachian Mountains. The surrounding land paints a scenic picture of rolling terrain and open fields.
A 3.2-mile paved rail trail travels south from the recreation area into Mansfield. It is open for hiking, biking and roller blading.
A boat ramp within the facility provides access to the 498-acre Tioga Lake, which is popular for water skiing, fishing and paddling.
Lambs Creek offers one group shelter. It is fully accessible and comfortably accommodates up to 100 people in a lovely wooded setting.
Guide
Very well maintained. Some sites are close and some a spread out. About half of them are in the sun and half get shade all day. I switched sites after a day to get some solar charging. Clean bathrooms with flush toilets. Sign in near bathrooms on arrival. Dogs must be on a leash but I found a spot down the hill to the south where there are no campsites to let them play fetch for a bit.
Guide
5/5 Stars!
I recently stayed at Sned Acres Campground, and it was an incredible experience! The campground is beautifully maintained with stunning views of Cayuga Lake. The staff was friendly, welcoming, and went out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed. The facilities were spotless, and the campsites were spacious and well-kept. Whether you’re RVing or tent camping, there’s plenty of space and privacy.
The location is perfect for exploring the Finger Lakes region, with wineries, hiking, and local attractions just a short drive away. The peaceful atmosphere and serene surroundings made for a relaxing getaway. I can’t recommend Sned Acres enough – we’ll definitely be back!
ScoutBig open campground with lots of sites both electric and non electric. Many rigs in non electric sites running generators 24 hours. Very noisy. Would not recommend
Guide
Right at the intersection of Potomac Road and Chicken Coop road in the Finger Lakes National Forest. If heading North on Potomac Road, turn left at the intersection and you’ll find a parking lot. Into the woods around the Lake you’ll find free dispersed camping.
My mom and I stayed just in the parking lot and had no issues and weren’t bothered. NO AMENITIES
Guide
I stayed here and it was very peaceful, but it was also pretty empty. Some of the sides are very close together, but if you look around, you can get one that has a little bit more privacy. Clean bathrooms, clean showers. Hikes from the site. Swimming as well!!
Traveler
We arrived on Saturday and departed the following Friday. The campground was exceptionally maintained, bathrooms and showers virtually spotless and the pool was clearly and consistently maintained at all times. Plenty of space to spread out and walk. All of the roads were paved and sites were very large.
ScoutNice quiet sites, good wifi, clean bathrooms, drinking water and power at all sites. Hosts are very friendly
Scout
Love being down here with the family.
Scout
As for RV camping, this place is outdated. Sites are on top of one another, but some have good shade. Ours, site 6 didn't. Really can't walk to beach area or store. Cheap enough at $25. T-storms knocked out power overnight.
GuideStayed at this campsite, taking our pop-up camper on its maiden voyage to the Grand Canyon of PA. Was able to choose a location that worked best for us. The area we selected was not busy. Campsite appeared to have a lot of seasonal campers. My husband does not like staying in crowded campgrounds with people surrounding you and up all night screaming and singing. We go camping to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. Not to listen to people pretending to relive their college days....lol. Area is open, not offering a lot of privacy, but we had shade and woods behind us, and the ground was grassy and level. The pool was nice and the rec center had a lot of activities for kids. The pond offered fishing and pedal boat rentals. We chose this campsite due to its proximity to the Leonard Harrison State Park. We had no issues here and would recommend.
ScoutAn ideal place to try difficult challenges geometry dash meltdown that I have never tried before.
GuideWe 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.
GuideWe stayed at Sugar Hill for about 10 days, arriving right after Memorial Day weekend. The campground offers a variety of great options for various rig sizes, accommodating different needs comfortably. Its location is convenient, just a 15-minute drive from Watkins Glen, making it an ideal base for exploring the area.
During our stay, the campsite never even got near half full, providing a peaceful and uncrowded experience. For those seeking more privacy, there are numerous secluded spots along the side roads throughout the park.
However, it's worth noting that WiFi and phone service are pretty limited, typically ranging between 1-2 bars. Despite this minor inconvenience, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would recommend Sugar Hill for its tranquility and proximity to local attractions.
Guide
Spent Memorial Day weekend at this campground and found it bustling with activity yet still retaining a serene charm. Despite the crowd, we snagged a spot by the stream, which added an extra layer of tranquility to our stay. As the holiday wound down, so did the crowd, leaving behind a peaceful ambiance. Its proximity to the PA Grand Canyon made it an ideal base for exploration. While the WiFi was a bit spotty, offering only two bars in certain areas, it encouraged us to disconnect and fully immerse ourselves in nature, especially during the mesmerizing stargazing nights. Although there were plenty of annual RV residents, the atmosphere remained quaint and inviting. Overall, a delightful spot for a camping getaway.
Guide
The sites are just pull offs along the road. the road isn't heavily traveled so it's not too bad. The problem was the night that I stayed there it had been raining non stop for several day and the whole campsite. was several inches of mud. there wasn't any grassy areas to park near. All in all not a bad place in dry conditions. it was reported to be free with a permit but the permit was about $15
Ranger
This was our families first SoLo trip with our camper. It had alot of things to do indoor/ outdoor pool, pirate ship, slide, big pillow, waterside, golf and rock wall. The campground and showers were clean. There were some things that didn't work like the army truck ride, zipline, and playground. The biggest downfall was being near the dump station and something going on with this makeshift site next to us where around our area smelled of sewer fumes all the time we went out for dinner one night because my 3 yr old was gaging. However the area was absolutely gorgeous we hiked so many waterfalls, went and rented a boat for the day to check out the lake, and drive to the next lake to check out the park.
Scout
A great place to visit, I really like this place. I often lie here admiring the scenery and playing suika game. I like everything that is peaceful and slow
Traveler
Good size sites, mostly back-in, some gravel and some grass. New owner making daily improvements. Great manager doing her best to accommodate every camper. Very limited to non existent cell service, Reason for 4 stars.
TravelerThis is now Finger Lakes Campground.
TravelerOwners on site, very friendly, and accommodating. Water and 30a, dump station. Some larger sites to accommodate up to 40’ rigs. Reasonable width sites.
Guide
Keuka Lake is small, boat launch, small beach playground at beach and camp ground. Hiking, biking. Not far from Penn Yan, nice city, winery's are all over. TV reception there is none, cell phone not great either. Lake is clean and clear, great for fishing, boating, and swimming. Park is clean and well maintained.
ScoutThe park itself is located in a great region, close to many other top attractions of the Finger Lakes region. There are few nice hiking trails right from the park, which our whole family enjoyed.
We camped as a small group in two sites across from each other. Where we were, the sites were close to the road, and the road noise was distracting. The sites were also very close to each other and rather shallow, thereby limiting privacy. Upper sites, closer to the falls looked a lot nicer, deeper, and quieter, but we had no choice since it was booked with short notice. Not much to say about park facilities. Basic restroom and shower facilities, but the ability to do dishes in the designated sink in the bathroom was a plus. Bathroom facilities were old and not well maintained. We barely saw any real cleaning either. So, that was a bummer.
All in all, if you are eager to get out and camp, and have no better choice, I would say you will be OK. Otherwise, there are nicer options around.
GuideVery convenient to Watkins Glenn State Park and the Speedway. Restrooms are modern clean and adequate. WiFi was good on a fall weekend with park pretty full. Some sites are concrete, ours was gravel and not particularly level. Good cable TV.
Scout
We stay every year usually a few times a year and always come back. This year the changes that have been happening are unreal. The new owners have renovated everything top to bottom. The biggest one being the brand new pool and deck
TravelerThis campground was so great to stay at! The hosts were lovely and very sweet, and created a wonderful place to stay off-grid. Our tent site was spacious and secluded nestled in a ton of trees. I was able to hang my hammock up and set up my 6 person tent no problem! We rarely heard anyone, and felt like we had the place to ourselves. Their outhouse has a camper toilet- it was super nice, not at all what I was expecting! They installed a gorgeous shower facility, which was so well appointed. They even had hotel shampoo/conditioner/soap sets in baggies for you! I went out and bought a towel just to shower (I usually never shower when camping). They have chickens which were so cute to look at, and a couple of sweet dogs. The place is very dark at night- a treat when there's a lot of light pollution. The only thing is, know that you will be woken up by a rooster! We have a 5 year old that wakes up at the same time, so it was no big deal for us! I can't say enough good things about these hosts and their spot- it was relaxing, low key, and we felt incredibly safe, and welcome.
Scout
Rolling hills, lots of room between sites, curved roads and loops (versus straight roads and everyone parked like a mobile home park) make for a very pleasant site. Lots of different settings to choose from.
ScoutStayed at Keuka Lake in July 2023. Nice spots, close to others but people were quiet and respectful after 10 PM. Lake was beautiful and fun for swimming with the kids. Nice bathroom facilities a short walk away and not too close by.
Camping near Big Flats, New York, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. With stunning landscapes and plenty of activities, it’s a great place to unwind and connect with nature.
Camping near Big Flats, New York, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors with family and friends. Whether you’re hiking, fishing, or just relaxing, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Big Flats, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Big Flats, NY is Harpy Hollow with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Big Flats, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near Big Flats, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
