Camping options near Caroline, New York center around the region's natural lakes and gorges. Located in the eastern section of the Finger Lakes, Caroline sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation with a humid continental climate featuring cold, snowy winters and warm summers. The camping season typically runs from May through mid-October, with most facilities closing before the first significant snowfall.
What to do
Waterfall swimming: At Robert H. Treman State Park, visitors can enjoy a unique swimming area built around a natural waterfall. "Everyone says how great the water falls are. And yes they are. But this is truly a great place to camp. From the wilderness sites and nice bath houses to the hiking trails," reports Paully B. The swimming area features a diving board into the waterfall-fed pool, making it a popular cooling spot during summer months.
Star-gazing: The Finger Lakes National Forest offers exceptional night sky viewing. "There is a great field to see the stars from," notes Emily S. about Blueberry Patch Campground. Located away from major light pollution sources, the campground sits at a higher elevation, providing clearer night sky viewing than lakeside locations.
Winery tours: Use your campsite as a base for exploring local vineyards. "The best part about this campground is you are perfectly situated in the heart of NY wine country! Seneca Lake is just a couple miles west and has more wineries than you can possibly visit," suggests Shari G. Many campers recommend Catharine Valley Winery for its views of vineyards and the lake.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Taughannock Falls State Park offers camping with decent separation between sites. "Nice camp ground with well-kept bathrooms. Close to hiking trails along the gorge and Cayuga Lake access for swimming and boating," writes Stephanie B. The upper section of the campground provides more seclusion than the lower area near the entrance.
Fishing opportunities: Local parks offer various fishing spots for anglers. "The fishing is great, the amenities are very clean and there is not a bad site in the park," mentions Ryan D. about Park Station Campground. The man-made lake supports various fish species and provides shore fishing access at multiple points.
Off-season camping: Fall brings colorful foliage and fewer crowds. "Went in the fall, very quiet and peaceful. Woke to snow on the tent. Had a great time listening to the birds and enjoying the trails," shares Scott M. Many campgrounds remain open through mid-October, offering cooler temperatures and changing leaf colors.
What you should know
Site conditions vary: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for tent setup. "Sites are rocky and unlevel. Not made for large campers," warns Victoria about certain electric sites at Robert H. Treman State Park. Many campgrounds in the region feature gravel pads rather than grass, requiring additional padding for tent campers.
Limited water availability: Some campgrounds require you bring all water supplies. "BRING WATER. There are no water sources near the site. There is a gas station about 15 minutes away on route 79," advises Neil H. about Blueberry Patch Campground. Even at developed campgrounds, water spigots may be shared between multiple sites.
Reservation requirements: Watkins Glen State Park and other popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends. "Friendly staff, good patrols at night to keep people from being too noisy, tent sites are nice and shaded," notes Lori F. Reservations for summer weekends often need to be made 3-6 months in advance for the most popular parks.
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Some campgrounds offer better facilities for children than others. "Great playgrounds for the kids. Good central location for exploring the Finger Lakes, Watkins Glen, Seneca Falls, Cornell and Ithaca," recommends not S. about Robert H. Treman State Park.
Consider camp store access: Pinecreek Campground offers helpful amenities for families. "The store is big and plentiful!" notes Martha B. Having on-site supplies can reduce stress when camping with children who may need unexpected items.
Check swimming options: Swimming areas vary considerably between parks. "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," explains Jessica G. about Park Station Campground.
Tips for RVers
Site access challenges: Many campgrounds in the Finger Lakes region have narrow access roads. "The roads within the campground were kind of tight to get through with trees and curves. The gorge trail is a MUST," shares Laura L. about Watkins Glen State Park. Larger RVs should carefully research site accessibility before booking.
Hookup locations: Check the position of utilities when booking. "Some sites have shared fresh water hookup between the sites," notes Jennifer D. Some campers report needing extra-long cords and hoses at certain campgrounds where hookups aren't optimally positioned.
Road conditions: Campground roads may present challenges. "My only complaint is the condition of the roads. They are in dire need of grading and new gravel. Be careful!" warns Mindie C. Spring camping can be particularly challenging after winter damage to campground roads.
