144 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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. Campgrounds near Brooktondale range from developed sites with electric hookups to rustic tent camping beside waterfalls and gorges, giving campers a wide choice of settings and 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.
"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."
"A waterfall cascades through a gorge here, ending in a beautiful pool for swimming at the base of the falls, with a trout stream flowing out of it towards nearby Cayuga Lake. "
from $24 - $128 / night
Check Availability"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)."
from $21 - $66 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $20 - $58 / night
Check Availability"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!!!"
from $20 - $67 / night
Check Availability"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."
"This is a campground set in a nice forest location, but close by to Treman State Park and Ithaca, so a good base for day trips."
"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."
"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."
"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"
from $85 / night
Check Availability"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!"
from $15 / night
TravelerWe got here late at night and thought we weren’t at the right place with the fog and everything but trust keep driving. Campsites are easy to locate with a picnic table, fire pit with attached grill, and a standing little grill. There was no running water to use for dishes or filling water but the bathroom sink works along with flushing toilets!!! Overall and amazing stay!!
TravelerSpent a peaceful night car camping in site 151. Beautiful trees, nice shower houses, quiet neighbors. Just a beautiful and very affordable - $32 - stay. We’ll be back whenever we pass this way.
ScoutVery nice campground. Small. Quiet. Friendly owners. Clean bathhouse. Relaxing.
TravelerStopped for one night while traveling upstate and usually dispersed camping but it was getting late so we stopped in.
GuideThis was a great camping trip! We had site 29, nice spot with the North Rim trail right behind our site. Trails are beautiful. Restroom and shower close. You do need to be careful, lots of oaks trees and falling acorns! Easily dings you car hood, watch where you park. Close to down town for a visit to the awesome farmers market in Ithaca.
GuideSites are large and grassy but that comes at the cost of privacy. It appears this is a great place for camping a week or more in a large RV. Bathrooms are clean. There are 50 sites per loop so they are close together.
GuideNice small campground with only 9 sites. FF self pay station allows QR Code to recreation.gov to reserve online. Once you choose a site, just pay online and keep your cash tipping at the close by wineries!😉 The park is a bit neglected compared to the many other National Forrest we stay in. The potholes in the driving loop and gravel need repair. The Fire pits and pit toilets need attention. Overall, it has been quiet and convenient to the region around. We stayed 4 days so even the negatives were not a deterrent.
GuidePros: clean, good location,nice bathrooms,hot showers nice playground.
Cons: this cabin was on main thoroughfare,so people and traffic, stiff mattresses, very large religious group singing and playing loud music.
TravelerThis site was awesome. Still semi private and there were bathrooms which weren’t bad at all! Only draw back is you’re kind of close to other campers meaning you can hear them too. If you’re in for a more social dispersed experience this is it! I just prefer to have no one around for miles!
Camping near Brooktondale offers both established and rustic options within the forested hillsides of central New York, where elevations range from 800-1,200 feet. The area's glacially-carved landscape creates natural swimming holes and waterfalls that draw campers during the summer months when temperatures typically reach 75-85°F. Sites in national forest areas provide more seclusion than the popular state parks, with many campgrounds requiring advance planning during peak season.
Swimming at natural pools: Robert H. Treman State Park features a natural swimming area beneath waterfalls with diving board access. "You can swim in the waterfall area here. Need I say more? Actually, it can be VERY busy in the summer time in the swimming area, making it difficult to find your own 'space,'" notes a visitor to Robert H. Treman State Park.
Explore multiple hiking trails: The gorge trails range from beginner to moderate difficulty with various terrain options. "The hiking trails are nice! Not too challenging, but very scenic. 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," according to a camper at Buttermilk Falls State Park.
Stargazing from open fields: Several campgrounds feature open areas ideal for night sky viewing. At Blueberry Patch, "there are in fact blueberries! And a great field to see the stars from." The site is particularly valued because it's "located right in the middle of the national forest and finger lakes area."
Well-maintained facilities: Most established campgrounds receive positive feedback for their upkeep. "Bathrooms are very clean and close to all campsites. Kids loved the park and swimming in the waterfall beach," reports a visitor to Fillmore Glen State Park.
Privacy levels vary significantly: Sites range from exposed to secluded depending on location. "The campground is wooded and lovely but the tent sites don't have views of the falls or anything, couldn't hear water at night. Deer outside the tent, wildflowers through summer, great leaves in fall," notes a camper at Buttermilk Falls.
Spacious campsite options: Several campgrounds offer larger sites for groups. At Taughannock Falls State Park, "Site 42 is very large, flat, nonelectric and well shaded with areas of sun. A long walk to the restroom. Beautiful waterfall swimming pool is very cold, but great on a hot day."
Reservation requirements vary by season: Summer weekends fill quickly at most campgrounds. "Reserve ahead of time in summer," advises a Buttermilk Falls visitor. For Blueberry Patch, a camper notes, "You can stay at this site for up to 14 days at $15 per night (bring cash). There are two bathrooms on the site and bear proof dumpsters as well."
Water access considerations: Not all sites have convenient water sources. "BRING WATER. There are no water sources near the site. There is a gas station about 15 minutes away on route 79 so make sure to fill up on water and snacks," warns a visitor to Blueberry Patch Campground.
Noise levels fluctuate by location: Some campgrounds experience more noise than others. "The hill you climb to the camp sites is riddled with pot holes. The bathroom was not very upkept/updated and kinda dirty. The road noise at night (from rt13 below) and the sound of the bathroom door slamming did not help with getting a good night sleep," reports a Buttermilk Falls camper.
Playground accessibility: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. 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. There is also a newer and good sized playground in the day visit area."
Swimming options vary by age: Different parks cater to different swimming abilities. "The campground is amazing and GO SEE THOSE FALLS!" emphasizes a Buttermilk Falls visitor, while another notes that Robert H. Treman is "great for older kids that can swim."
Additional attractions nearby: Consider day trips to supplement camping. "There are Stables nearby where you can book a trail ride, we did not do this only because you have to be 8 years old to ride but look forward to doing it in the future!" shares a Watkins Glen visitor.
Site conditions for larger vehicles: Some campgrounds better accommodate RVs than others. "Beautiful park. Electric sites are not the best though. Rocky and unlevel. Not made for large campers," notes a camper at Robert H. Treman State Park.
Hookup placement matters: Setup logistics can be challenging at certain sites. At Watkins Glen State Park, "We stayed in a 30 ft. motorhome, and the roads within the campground were kind of tight to get through with trees and curves."
Gravel pads can be beneficial: Some sites offer better surface conditions. At Park Station, "Gravel sites help keep the camper clean and keeps the mud down. Convenient location to explore the Finger Lakes. 30-40 minutes from Watkins Glen, Ithaca and Corning."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Brooktondale, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Brooktondale, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 144 campgrounds and RV parks near Brooktondale, NY and 16 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 16 free dispersed camping spots near Brooktondale, NY.
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