147 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The Camillus area in central New York provides access to several established campgrounds with varying amenities and natural settings. Green Lakes State Park Campground, located about 10 miles east of Camillus, serves as one of the primary developed camping destinations with accommodations for tents, RVs, and cabins. Several mixed-use campgrounds populate the region, including Oneida Shores County Park to the north and Pleasant Lake Campground, both offering water recreation opportunities alongside camping facilities. Most campgrounds in the area maintain seasonal operations, typically opening from May through mid-October, allowing visitors to experience the region's distinct seasons.
Camping permits and reservations are strongly recommended throughout the region, particularly during summer weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly. Most established campgrounds provide electric hookups, water access, and sanitation facilities, though amenities vary significantly between locations. "We had a great time. The beach was nice and clean. Life guards around. Nice playground and bathrooms available. Staff was nice," noted one visitor about Oneida Shores. The regional terrain features a mix of lakefront properties and wooded areas, with several campgrounds situated near bodies of water including Oneida Lake, Cross Lake, and Green Lakes. Cell service remains reliable throughout most of the area, though visitors seeking more seclusion might find fewer amenities at smaller properties like Woonton Family Farms.
Waterfront camping opportunities represent a major draw for visitors to the Camillus region, with several campgrounds providing direct lake access. According to one camper, "This is a fantastic place for kids and adults. There are tent, RV sites and cabins. The RV sites are spacious enough that you don't feel like you are too close. A beautiful private lake for fishing, swimming and other water sports." Developed campgrounds tend to receive higher ratings when they offer a balance of natural settings with modern conveniences like showers and electric hookups. Tent camping areas typically feature fire rings and picnic tables, while RV sites often include additional amenities such as hookups for water, electric, and in some cases, sewer connections. Proximity to the New York State Fair and Syracuse makes the area particularly appealing for weekend getaways combining outdoor recreation with regional attractions.
"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"
"The sites are nice, some are little close to each other but nice for group camping. A short distance (walk or by car) to the beach. The lake is a little chilly sometimes but very refreshing."
from $20 - $116 / night
Check Availability"Great access to beach. Friendly campers and quiet. Easy to find. Not a lot of shade. Showers not conveniently located."
"And Nice bathhouse over near beach with pass entry for campers only for showers. Close to beach. Only issue. Camp host actually came and took our wood for our campfire!"
"Close to the nice village Skaneateles. It was a welcome difference from the common/look-alike campgrounds everywhere else. We will definitely come back! The Breuk family from the Netherlands"
"Woonton Family Farms is new to the Dyrt and offer a stunning farm with trails, water and forest to explore. Check them out and make sure to leave a review of your stay here on the Dyrt!"
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability"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!)."
from $17 - $67 / night
Check Availability"I was too busy playing in the lake, hiking, and riding my bike on some paths. I also saw a few people fishing in the lake, but not really sure what kind of fish you can catch."
"One of my favorite parks in the area, this one is on the largest of the Finger Lakes, Cayuga. Visit in the fall for unrivaled scenery (better than New England in my opinion!)."
from $17 - $107 / night
Check Availability"A beautiful private lake for fishing, swimming and other water sports. Beautiful woodsy location. Special events that the family will enjoy."
"I found this location to have very clean sites with plenty of amenities. Had no issues with the Wi-Fi watching Bills games and play a few video games."
"Access to water and swimming. Nice playgrounds. We kayaked in the lake it was a lot of fun."
"Nice close packed little campground just thr sites by the lake can sometimes be under water."
"throughout the state forest, this is a group of ten established and well maintained primitive campsites right on Spruce Pond with fishing available and an amazing network of hiking and cross country ski trails"
"Campsite 5 was very overgrown, but site 6 had a nice flat area of pine needles with a path to the road once you see it. However, I couldn't locate the fire ring for site 6."
ScoutI didn’t realize how much I needed a few days away from screens and work until we got here. Most of our time was spent reading outside, making food at the campsite, and taking walks. By the second day I had completely stopped checking the time. That is exactly what I want out of a camping trip.
GuideOverall best camp in the area. Cabins A++,Bathrooms A+, swimming,activities,views,location,nearby town. All the best.
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.
ScoutThis was our kids’ first proper camping trip, so we weren’t sure how they would handle sleeping somewhere completely different. They ended up loving the whole experience.
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!
ScoutRiverbend East was where we decided to take our new camper for its first real trip. We were still figuring out where everything went and probably took twice as long as everyone else to get settled, but it ended up being a great weekend. Having the hookups available made our first trip much less intimidating. We are already looking forward to getting back out again.
TravelerIn short it was perfect! This is a small family pet friendly campground. There is a pond that you can kayak and c&r fishing, just no swimming, there is snapping turtles! There is some handmade items in the office to purchase, also some camping needs, fire starters and firewood (6 dollars a bundle). There is a bath house, though we didn't use it so I can't tell you anything about it. There is also a trail but we didn't get to check it out. The owners can be seen here and there all over the property keeping it looking beautiful! It is clear just by watching them how much care they put into making this a great time to all that come there. On the weekends they offer meals that can be brought right to your site. We were there from Saturday till Wednesday morning and it was very peaceful. This is definitely be a place we will come back to. The only downfall to the place is that it has placed a high bar for other campgrounds to compare!
ScoutWe really like keeping our RV here for the summer. It’s easy to come up for the weekend, settle in, and enjoy some time outside without having to set everything up again.
ScoutWe keep our fifth wheel at Riverbend East for the season and have been very happy with the amount of space around our site. We never feel packed in, and there is plenty of room to sit outside, cook, and enjoy a fire. The water views and access to fishing are a big part of why we chose this campground. It is a simple, comfortable place where we can disconnect and enjoy the summer.
Camping near Camillus, New York provides several seasonal options with varied access to the region's natural waterways and forests. The area sits at approximately 500 feet above sea level in central New York's glacial terrain, where spring brings muddy conditions and summer nights average around 60°F. Most primitive campsites in state forests require permits that can be obtained online or at regional DEC offices.
Hiking at Morgan Hill State Forest: Visit the Spruce Pond Camping Area with its network of trails accessible directly from campsites. "There are fire grills and nicely developed tent sites, one nestled in the woods and three with their own pond access, and one is actually handicapped accessible with its own accessible fishing landing," notes Janet R. about this primitive camping area.
Swimming in natural settings: Green Lakes State Park Campground offers a unique swimming experience with unusually colored water. "The water is Crystal clear and very blue, you will think you are in the Caribbean Islands. We visit this park very frequently to rent a boat or to hike the trails," explains Kenneth S. The swimming area includes a lifeguarded beach open from late June through Labor Day.
Kayaking and canoeing: Seasonal visitors to the Camillus area can explore multiple waterways including Oneida Lake. A visitor to Woonton Family Farms mentioned, "We had an excellent stay at the farm of the Woonton Family Farms with our RV, it was a cozy and beautiful campsite with personal attention of the owner. We had a great campfire, fresh blackberries and the option of canoeing."
Private lake access: Pleasant Lake Campground offers exclusive water recreation opportunities away from more crowded public beaches. "A beautiful private lake for fishing, swimming and other water sports. Beautiful woodsy location. Special events that the family will enjoy," reports Victoria B., highlighting the campground's dedicated waterfront.
Modern bathroom facilities: Recent renovations have improved comfort at several area campgrounds. "The bathrooms have been remodeled and most are private with a toilet, shower and sink which makes this a wonderful family campground," notes Sheri S. about Green Lakes State Park Campground.
Proximity to local towns: Cayuga Lake State Park Campground offers easy access to nearby communities. "Close to Ithaca, a wonderful 'hippie' college town," mentions Amber A., while another camper appreciated being "honestly one of my favorite places to visit and spend time with family and friends."
Site selection considerations: Choose carefully as terrain and privacy vary widely between campgrounds. "Tent camping here felt like we were camping in a neighborhood backyard. We could hear so many different families talking and really doing everything you do while camping but the area felt so open and unobstructed," explains meg about Cayuga Lake State Park.
Seasonal challenges: Spring camping often means dealing with wet conditions. According to Jeff A. at Fillmore Glen State Park Campground, "Nice Campground very quiet due to lots of rain this year I can see where it might get crowded in the fields but there are a couple nice loops clean bathrooms great free showers."
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be problematic, particularly at waterfront sites. "The mosquitoes were awful! We went in June," warns Sara H. about Riverforest Park Campground, highlighting the need for proper repellent during summer months.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. "Kids loved the park and swimming in the waterfall beach," reports Charyssa G. about Fillmore Glen State Park, which maintains a playground near camping areas.
Noise considerations: Family-friendly doesn't always mean quiet. At Oneida Shores County Park, one camper noted both positives and negatives: "We had a great experience 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."
Budget-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer affordable recreation options. "The hiking includes an easy 3.1 mile loop with much shade around two glacier formed turquoise lakes," mentions a visitor to Green Lakes, where boat rentals cost $7/hr for rowboats.
Hook-up availability: Electrical service varies between campgrounds. "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," explains Cindy H. about Green Lakes State Park.
Site spacing: RV sites offer varying degrees of privacy. At Pleasant Lake Campground, "The RV sites are spacious enough that you don't feel like you are too close," according to Victoria B., making it suitable for larger rigs.
Wi-Fi reliability: Internet access can be important for longer stays. "I found this location to have very clean sites with plenty of amenities. Had no issues with the Wi-Fi watching Bills games and play a few video games," notes Ryan G. about Pleasant Lake Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Camillus, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Camillus, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 147 campgrounds and RV parks near Camillus, NY and 16 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Camillus, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Camillus, NY is Green Lakes State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 42 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Camillus, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 free dispersed camping spots near Camillus, NY.
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