Best Campgrounds near Candor, NY

Camping options surround Candor, New York with several established campgrounds and RV parks within a 30-minute drive. Aspen Family Campground, located directly in Candor, provides tent and RV sites with full hookups, while surrounding state parks like Robert H. Treman and Buttermilk Falls offer more diverse accommodation including cabins and tent sites. The Finger Lakes region creates a backdrop for these mixed-use campgrounds, with many facilities situated near water features including lakes, rivers, and waterfalls.

The camping season in this region typically runs from May through October, with most campgrounds closing during winter months. Robert H. Treman State Park operates from April to November, while Aspen Family Campground has a shorter season from mid-May to late September. Advance reservations are highly recommended, especially for weekend stays during summer months when facilities reach capacity. Many campgrounds provide water and electric hookups, though amenities vary significantly between state parks and private facilities. Access to most campgrounds involves paved roads suitable for passenger vehicles and RVs. A camper noted about Hickories Park: "Green grass, perfect space for kids to play. Came in late, got a spot and took care of everything in the morning. Fall is a very pretty time up here."

State parks in the area consistently receive high ratings for their natural features and recreational opportunities. Watkins Glen State Park Campground maintains the highest visitor rating at 4.6 out of 5, with campers frequently mentioning the spectacular gorge trails. Several campgrounds provide waterfront access, with Hickories Park offering sites directly on the river. "The river is very close, some campsites are right on the river. There are facilities, and the park has a playground and many soccer fields," according to one review. Campground proximity to hiking trails represents a common theme in positive reviews, with multiple state parks featuring waterfall access. Noise levels vary between locations, with some reviewers noting highway sounds at certain campgrounds while others praise the peaceful settings of more secluded options.

Best Camping Sites Near Candor, New York (138)

    1. Robert H. Treman State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Ithaca, NY
    16 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
    16 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
    29 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. Hickories Park Campground

    8 Reviews
    Owego, NY
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 687-1199

    "i pulled in at about 6pm mid week, the ranger station was closed drove around & found tent site 79 open, it's next to the river."

    "Lovely but simple views all around and rolling green hills in the distance. Campground is well-kept and relatively modern but not particularly memorable. Nice little stopover on a road trip."

    5. Aspen Family Campground

    1 Review
    Candor, NY
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (607) 659-7865

    6. Greenwood County Park

    5 Reviews
    Berkshire, NY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 778-2193

    $30 / night

    "Typical New York weather. Overall, the park is more than I expected for a county park."

    "The lake is pretty, the beach and picnic area is well kept, the campground is like a high quality state park—bravo to the Broome County Parks Department!"

    7. 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."

    8. Pinecreek Campground

    8 Reviews
    Ithaca, NY
    19 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."

    9. Taughannock Falls State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Jacksonville, NY
    25 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!!!"

    10. Chenango Valley State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Chenango Forks, NY
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 648-5251

    $17 - $123 / night

    "This is a beautiful park, the hiking is great with varied trails, nice changes in elevation due to the glacial geology of the landscape, and scenic vistas overlooking 2 beautiful lakes."

    "The only downfall is that there really isn't much else to do around the area."

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Recent Reviews near Candor, NY

525 Reviews of 138 Candor 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 Candor

Camping near Candor, New York, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for hiking trails, fishing opportunities, or just a peaceful place to unwind, there’s something for everyone.

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: Enjoy swimming and kayaking at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground. A visitor shared, "There is a nice beach for swimming, the lake felt clean and wasn't too cold in July."
  • Fishing: Cast a line at Keuka Lake State Park Campground. One reviewer noted, "The lake is clean and clear, great for fishing, boating, and swimming."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained restrooms and showers at Chenango Valley State Park Campground. A visitor said, "The grounds and bathrooms are very well maintained and the sites are level for those RV or tent camping."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy campsites at Sampson State Park Campground. One camper remarked, "Sites are generous in size but the power poles are between sites and are often more than 20’ away."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Families love the playgrounds and swimming areas at Buttermilk Falls State Park Campground. A reviewer mentioned, "The playgrounds are better than most we’ve seen."

What you should know

  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell service at Worlds End State Park Campground. One camper noted, "There is absolutely no cell service, however, and we had to go all the way down the mountain to get texts or make calls."
  • Crowded on Weekends: Expect busy campgrounds during weekends, especially at Taughannock Falls State Park Campground. A visitor shared, "The crowd was definitely loud and nosy."
  • Basic Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Robert H. Treman State Park Campground, have basic facilities. One camper said, "The bathrooms were messy, with a couple of toilets not flushed/clogged."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Campgrounds with Playgrounds: Look for spots like Sampson State Park Campground that offer playgrounds and swimming areas. A camper mentioned, "There are 2 convenient stores on the campground property, one also serves hot food to order."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities, like hiking and fishing, especially at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground. One visitor said, "We spent every day hiking and biking."
  • Pack Snacks: Bring plenty of snacks for the kids, especially if you plan to spend the day hiking at places like Watkins Glen State Park Campground. A reviewer noted, "We went paddleboarding nearby."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Electric Hookups: Make sure to verify the availability of electric hookups at campgrounds like Keuka Lake State Park Campground. One camper said, "Only the inner sites had shared water connections out on the loop roads."
  • Bring Extension Cords: Since some sites have power poles far from the pads, like at Sampson State Park Campground, it’s wise to bring extension cords. A visitor mentioned, "Electric service boxes are shared in-between sites."
  • Plan for Dump Stations: Be aware of the location of dump stations, especially at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground. One camper noted, "There is only 2 dump stations."

Camping near Candor, New York, has a lot to offer, from beautiful parks to family-friendly activities. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Candor, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Candor, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 138 campgrounds and RV parks near Candor, NY and 14 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Candor, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Candor, 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 Candor, NY?

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

What parks are near Candor, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 parks near Candor, NY that allow camping, notably Cowanesque Lake and Tioga-Hammond Lakes.