Best Campgrounds near Brooktondale, NY

Brooktondale, New York serves as a gateway to numerous campgrounds in the Finger Lakes region, with several state parks offering cabins, tent sites, and RV camping options within short driving distance. The area includes Robert H. Treman State Park and Buttermilk Falls State Park, both providing established campgrounds with electric hookups and basic amenities. Visitors can also find glamping experiences at specialty sites like Firelight Camps or rustic cabin stays at Round Top Retreat. Most campgrounds in this region accommodate various camping styles, from primitive tent sites to RV-friendly areas with hookups, though availability varies by location.

Camping operations in the Finger Lakes region typically run from spring through fall, with most state park campgrounds opening in April or May and closing by early November. The terrain features rolling hills, forests, and numerous waterfalls, with many campsites positioned near hiking trails and gorges. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for summer weekends when waterfall swimming areas attract crowds. Weather conditions vary dramatically by season, with pleasant summers and sometimes harsh winters that limit camping options. A visitor noted, "Been here in all the seasons, each is beautiful. Campgrounds are wooded. Pretty basic facilities, nice though. None of the tent sites have exceptional views but you're a short walk from the creek/gorges."

Waterfall access represents the primary draw for many campgrounds in the Brooktondale area, with Robert H. Treman and Buttermilk Falls State Parks featuring swimming areas beneath cascading water during summer months. Reviews consistently highlight the hiking opportunities and natural beauty as standout features of camping in this region. One camper mentioned, "The Finger lakes region is so beautiful. Be sure to time your visit with the fall foliage change, or grab your snow shoes for a winter adventure." Sites vary in privacy levels, with some reviews noting close proximity between campsites, particularly in the more developed areas. For those seeking more seclusion, smaller campgrounds like Round Top Retreat offer more isolated experiences with descriptions like "very secluded" appearing in visitor feedback.

Best Camping Sites Near Brooktondale, New York (137)

    1. Robert H. Treman State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Ithaca, NY
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 273-3440

    $20 - $128 / night

    "Located in Tompkins County, Ithaca New York has beautiful gorges and hiking trails. Robert Treman is a treat and a gorgeous place to camp in the Ithaca, NY area."

    "The exception to this is cabin 14 which is a double cabin and is located near the playground and surrounded by standard electric camping sites."

    2. Buttermilk Falls State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    Ithaca, NY
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 273-5761

    $17 - $66 / night

    "Buttermilk Falls State Park is a great state park in central New York. The scenery is what makes this park stand out."

    "Short drive out of Ithaca proper near one of the Finger Lakes. Medium to easy trails (the ones near the gorges are steep but with nice rock steps)."

    3. Watkins Glen State Park Campground

    90 Reviews
    Watkins Glen, NY
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 535-4511

    $20 - $58 / night

    "Watkins Glen boasts one of New York’s most beautiful state parks! I last camped here in 2012 and absolutely loved hiking along the gorges. Also- the camping was next to perfect."

    "Definitely one of the top places to camp and visit in New York, Watkins Glen State Park never disappoints. Each time I come back, I find something new to discover and have a great time doing that."

    4. Taughannock Falls State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Jacksonville, NY
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 387-6739

    $20 - $67 / night

    "Taughannock Falls State Park is one of my favorite parks in New York."

    "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!!!"

    5. Pinecreek Campground

    8 Reviews
    Ithaca, NY
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 273-1974

    "Pinecreek is a beautiful park in a great area 10 minutes from downtown Ithica New York and Lake Cayuga. The area has everything you could possibly want or need."

    "Beautiful lake, woodland and natural surrounding. Friendly campground visitors and staff. Open to seasonal and day campers alike. Playground needs improving."

    6. Firelight Camps

    1 Review
    Ithaca, NY
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 229-1644

    "Even with the restrictions we had a great visit and felt safely distanced from other campers and staff. Great hiking trails because it is attached to Buttermilk Falls State Park."

    7. Round Top Retreat

    2 Reviews
    Harford, NY
    7 miles
    Website

    $85 / night

    "we just returned to philly after a long weekend here. this was our 6th consecutive summer visiting here. very secluded. we let the kids and dogs run pretty much wherever without worry. and close to ithaca"

    8. Park Station Campground

    8 Reviews
    Erin, NY
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 739-9164

    "Sandy beach, man-made lake with enough space to swim, and boating to explore. Nice trail around the lake to walk or bike with a little difficulty."

    "Convenient location to explore the Finger Lakes. 30-40 minutes from Watkins Glen, Ithaca and Corning."

    9. Fillmore Glen State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Moravia, NY
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 497-0130

    $17 - $67 / night

    "region of Upstate New York."

    "Awesome little park in the Finger Lakes region with nature on site and lots more to do and explore nearby (wine trails!)."

    10. Blueberry Patch Campground — Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests

    11 Reviews
    Hector, NY
    22 miles

    $15 / night

    "The only Finger Lakes National Forest designated campground, Blueberry Patch offers a secluded experience in the heart of this sometimes overlooked beautiful geographic region in the State of New York."

    "I ALWAYS recommend heading away from state parks and camping in state forests. There's always more privacy and more wilderness. Of course, this is a personal preference!"

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Recent Reviews near Brooktondale, NY

535 Reviews of 137 Brooktondale Campgrounds


  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    Would Stay again

    We stayed here for 2 nights car camping. quiet and clean. spots had fire rings and picnic tables. Bathrooms were clean and had potable water. There were lots of horses. There are hiking trails right out of the site! would absolutely stay here again!

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    Free camping with amenities!

    26 camp sites with bathrooms! That flush! Very quiet and the sites aren’t on top of each other. People bring their horses. You can drive to to your site and tent camp or camper camp. I would come back!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Watkins Glen State Park Campground

    Nice campground in a gorgeous state park.

    Nice pretty campground, only electric hookup for the RV sites, tho. The showers were cool, no hot water. Close to some gorgeous hiking tho! And town is about a mile away with shops, restaurants and on the edge of one of the Finger Lakes to make it beautiful!

  • Chelsea B.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Robert H. Treman State Park Campground

    Good location

    Location: This park is close to Ithaca which was the best part. Trails and Natural Features: We loved the waterfall, swimming area (seasonal so closed when we stayed), and the fall colors. Sites: They have very few electric sites so we decided to boondock. It surprised me that all the full hookup sites were reserved but very people actually showed up for their reservations while we stayed. Lame. And heads up that if you don’t stay in the big clearing for big rigs, there are tight turns between trees to get in and out of the non-electric sites. We ended up making a back-in site into a pull-through site… whoops. Starlink: I work remotely so internet is important. We weren’t camping in the clearing because those sites were booked, but even the Starlink struggled where we were and I ended up working from the library in town. So heads up if you need internet. Bathrooms: They were spacious but older. Temperature in the showers was tricky. Hot is cold and cold it hot. Cool stuff: They had compost bins and provide bags for all campers. That’s cool!

  • c
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Salt Springs State Park Campground

    Worked for me

    I stayed in late September in one of the drive in spots. There were no other campers bc of the season- and it’s mid week. I love this park and it’s close to my house so I just wanted to crash there and wake up early to hike. It was quiet all night. The bathrooms are very far from tne sites and it was visible where some people had relieved themselves in the bushes. There is no potable water anywhere so bring some. I enjoyed it but during the on season or busy times tnere is zero privacy between sites other than sites 13 and 14. Def wouldn’t stay here during summer for that reason.

  • Bare Soul  W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    South Slope Trail Head Dispersed Camp

    Relaxing

    There is one campsite near trail. There was more traffic than I expected. Also there is no cell service. No real tires

  • Mindie C.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Pinecreek Campground

    Overnight stay

    The campground is cute and quiet. Staff is friendly and helpful. My only complaint is the condition of the roads. They are in dire need of grading and new gravel. Be careful!

  • Lynsey M.
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Salt Springs State Park Campground

    Adventures!

    3 couples all ventured to Salt Springs and split the largest cabin for a few days. We electricity from a few outlets in the cabin if needed. Let me tell you that we spent very little time inside. We enjoyed the trials, waterfalls, and firepit cooked meals outside! Hemlock Grove, Penny Rock, and the saltspring kept us entertained! We cooled off under a waterfall :) I'm looking forward to visiting again! Bring some hotdogs/burgers for a yummy meal after a good day in PA!

  • Casey L.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Watkins Glen State Park Campground

    Busy campground

    Sites are level, some are more spaced apart than others but none seemed crowded as they seemed to all have trees between. Main complaint was most people speed way too fast through the campground. There was poison Ivy around the edges of our site and on the path to the bathroom. Bathroom was fairly modern and clean. It was nice to be able to access the gorge right from the campground.


Guide to Brooktondale

Camping near Brooktondale, New York, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking to hike, fish, or just relax by the campfire, there are plenty of options to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the stunning trails at Watkins Glen State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "The access to Watkins Glen! My site was in Loop D which has a direct hiking trail to the trail along Watkins Glen!"
  • Water Activities: Head to Sampson State Park Campground for kayaking and swimming. A visitor shared, "There are over 5 miles of paved and unpaved trails. And the park is right on the Lake so you can launch your kayaks straight from the shoreline."
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing at Chenango Valley State Park Campground. One reviewer noted, "The park is very family-friendly. It has numerous hiking and biking trails, two lakes, and a golf course for guests to enjoy."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Fillmore Glen State Park Campground said, "Great facilities, and very new playground."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A reviewer at Chenango Valley State Park Campground mentioned, "The camping sites are spacious and you are not on top of your neighbor."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds like Sampson State Park Campground provide lots of activities for kids. One camper said, "Place is great for kids. Lots to do with a couple of playgrounds, guarded swimming area, kayak rentals, movie nights, and a concession stand."

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have extensive amenities. A camper at Taughannock Falls State Park Campground noted, "The bathrooms were messy, with a couple of toilets not flushed/clogged."
  • Crowded During Peak Season: Expect busy campgrounds in the summer. A visitor at Watkins Glen State Park Campground advised, "It’s peaceful and easier to enjoy and take photos" if you go early.
  • Electric Hookups: Not all sites have electric hookups. A reviewer at Robert H. Treman State Park Campground mentioned, "Electric sites are not the best though. Rocky and unlevel."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities. A camper at Sampson State Park Campground highlighted, "Nice swimming beach & playgrounds for kids."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or snacks. One family at Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground enjoyed the "private dock" for fishing, making it easy to prepare meals.
  • Pack for Fun: Bring games and outdoor toys. A visitor at Fillmore Glen State Park Campground mentioned, "Great facilities, and very new playground."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Taughannock Falls State Park Campground noted, "The sites are not very large but sufficient."
  • Bring Extension Cords: Some sites have electric poles far from the pads. A visitor at Sampson State Park Campground mentioned, "The power poles are between sites and are often more than 20’ away."
  • Plan for Dump Stations: Be aware of the location of dump stations. A reviewer at Watkins Glen / Corning KOA said, "There is only one source for water fill up."

Camping around Brooktondale, New York, has something for everyone, whether you're in a tent, RV, or cabin. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Brooktondale, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Brooktondale, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 137 campgrounds and RV parks near Brooktondale, NY and 14 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Brooktondale, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Brooktondale, NY is Robert H. Treman State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 22 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Brooktondale, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 free dispersed camping spots near Brooktondale, NY.