143 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
State parks with developed campgrounds define the camping landscape around Caroline, New York, with notable options like Robert H. Treman and Buttermilk Falls state parks approximately 10-15 miles southwest in the Finger Lakes region. Both parks offer tent and RV sites with electric hookups, plus cabins for those seeking more comfort. Additional accommodation options include glamping at Firelight Camps near Ithaca and traditional campgrounds like Pinecreek Campground in Newfield, which provides tent, RV, and cabin facilities.
The camping season in the Finger Lakes region typically runs from mid-April through October, with most state parks closing for winter. "We have stayed here on two separate occasions. It is close to so many waterfalls and gorges and some of my favorite hiking trails. The lack of amenities drives a lot of people away - we have never felt crowded while here," noted one visitor to Buttermilk Falls State Park. Campground infrastructure varies considerably, with some sites offering full hookups including water, electric, and sewer connections, while others provide more basic facilities. Most developed campgrounds in the area require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holiday periods when facilities reach capacity.
Campers consistently highlight the natural attractions that complement the camping experience in this region. The Finger Lakes area offers numerous hiking opportunities with trails leading to scenic waterfalls and gorges. Swimming at natural waterfall pools ranks among the most popular activities, with Robert H. Treman State Park featuring a swimming area at the base of a waterfall. A visitor observed, "The park itself is wonderful. Beautiful walking trails, waterfalls and a natural swimming area. The playgrounds are better than most we've seen." Campers should note that site locations within campgrounds near Caroline can significantly impact the experience, with some visitors recommending specific site numbers to avoid challenges like difficult parking or limited access to water spigots.
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Caroline, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Caroline, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 143 campgrounds and RV parks near Caroline, NY and 15 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Caroline, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Caroline, 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 Caroline, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 free dispersed camping spots near Caroline, NY.
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