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Best Campgrounds near Elmira, NY

540 Reviews

Several good camping areas are within easy reach of Elmira, New York. Sned Acres Campground has bigger sites with views of Cayuga Lake that many campers appreciate. You can fish at Keuka Lake State Park Campground and walk the hiking trails that start near the camping area. If you want to disconnect, Worlds End State Park Campground has poor cell service and quiet surroundings for a more peaceful trip. Cherry Springs State Park Campground draws stargazers because the dark skies make for excellent night viewing. Most campgrounds around Elmira have basic needs covered with bathrooms and drinking water. If you're bringing an RV, you'll find some places with electric hookups, though tent campers have plenty of options too. The Finger Lakes area near Elmira has wineries and nice scenery worth checking out during your stay. Weather varies significantly by season - summer days can get hot while winter camping requires serious cold-weather gear. It's always smart to call ahead about rules and site availability before driving out. Tent and RV campers alike find good spots throughout the Elmira area.

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Best Camping Sites Near Elmira, New York (149)

    1. Watkins Glen State Park Campground

    89 Reviews
    Watkins Glen, NY
    19 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."

    "Each site comes equipped with a picnic table and fire ring, making it easy to prepare meals after a day spent exploring the park’s famous Gorge Trail."

    2. Watkins Glen / Corning KOA

    18 Reviews
    Montour Falls, NY
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 535-7404

    "We were looking to spend a couple of nights near Watkins Glen to hit the wineries, waterfalls, and nearby museums around the finger lakes of New York and this park seemed to be in a good location for us"

    "There is amazing hiking trails along the gorge with views of waterfalls! There is a nice pool and playgrounds. It’s close to downtown Watkins glen with lots of restaurants."

    3. Park Station Campground

    8 Reviews
    Erin, NY
    12 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."

    4. Ferenbaugh Campground

    7 Reviews
    Big Flats, NY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 962-6193

    "Near the entrance is the Pull Through Area. Behind a row of trees there are several sites with full hookups including cable TV and Wi-Fi. The sites are open, reasonably level, and a good size."

    "Near many attractions close to Watkins Glen. Clean and the staff was a pleasure to deal with"

    5. Newtown Battlefield State Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Elmira, NY
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 732-6067

    $17 - $81 / night

    "Pretty self serve, rangers drive through often but never seems to be anyone at the check-in. You can reserve a site or a cabin, or you can show up after three and see what is open."

    6. Gardner Hill Campground

    1 Review
    Elmira, NY
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 732-9827

    "I happened upon this campground by following the blue tent sign on the highway. No frills but very comfy and nice views. Don’t forget to look for the Peace sign."

    7. Robert H. Treman State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Ithaca, NY
    25 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."

    8. Ives Run

    15 Reviews
    Middlebury Center, PA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 835-5281

    $24 - $100 / night

    "It was a great spot and happily, I was totally alone as no one had booked any of the sites near me( the closest people were about 400m away)."

    "Lake Hammond is beautiful with great access."

    9. Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    11 Reviews
    Tyrone, NY
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 622-8282

    "We stayed here during an anniversary trip to the Finger Lakes. Easy proximity to Seneca Lake and Watkins Glen State Park. Nice wooded area kept us far enough away from other campers. Great location!"

    "Will be returning, I found a lovely spot tucked into a back corner and has the most relaxing weekend."

    10. Havana Glen

    4 Reviews
    Montour Falls, NY
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 535-9476

    "Short trail with lots of steps to a lovely waterfall in a typical Finger Lakes kind of gorge. Camp sites wooded and short walk from good views."

    "Great place for young families sure to the playground, short hike to the falls, bathrooms, pavilions, and very close to Seneca Lake and the Finger Lakes Trail and the Catherine Valley Trail."

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Recent Camping Photos near Elmira, NY

206 Photos of 149 Elmira Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Elmira, NY

540 Reviews of 149 Elmira Campgrounds

  • B
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Leonard Harrison State Park Campground

    Small campground with clean bathrooms

    We stayed here Wednesday through Saturday of Labor Day weekend.  On Wednesday and Thursday nights there were about 5 sites that were taken. By Friday they were all full

    The campground is a simple loop of 28 sites.  19 are non -electric and 9 are electric. Sites are spacious and easy to back in to. I believe there are two pull throughs. Water spigots are continently located around the campground.  

    The PA Grand Canyon Visitor center and the Turkey Path (main path down into the canyon) are a short 5 minute walk across the parking lot from the campground.  For biking there is the  Pine Creek Rail Trail, that runs the length of the canyon at the bottom. To access from the campground you can drive there in 16 minutes Darling Run trail access area.

  • 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!

  • David A.
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Tiadaghton Campground — Tioga State Forest

    Tiadaghaton State Forest, PA

    Roadside site 1/4 mile from the nearest site. You can drive right to the site on Hackett Rd. Very secluded and peaceful. Picnic table and fire ring, but no water or latrine.

  • 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.

  • MacKenzi G.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Yellow Lantern Kampground

    Would stay again

    Me and my husband stayed here to visit a local friend and it wasn’t bad it was very private and quiet. The property was well maintained and the owners were very friendly as well. We would definitely come back here in the future.

  • Sarah M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Finger Lakes National Forest

    Quiet site near a small pond

    The road in (a loop) is steep on both sides (a truck or vehicle with clearance would be helpful but you could also park at the bottom if you needed to). The site was trashy so we picked up a lot of what we could. A bonus—the site was quiet, roomy and once at the ‘top’ is quite level. Not vehicles came in or out all night (and it was a Saturday!).

  • Sienna L.
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Harpy Hollow

    Great spot in the Finger Lakes

    This was a great visit! The owners were amazing and accommodating. We had everything we needed.

  • not S.
    Jul. 17, 2025

    Robert H. Treman State Park Campground

    Finger Lakes camping

    Site 54 at Robert H Treman 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. The new loop is a large field--we got one of the few shady sites in the new loop. Old loop has plenty of trees, but sites are much smaller. Restrooms were ok--not terrible, but could use updates. Great playgrounds for the kids. Good central location for exploring the Finger Lakes, Watkins Glen, Seneca Falls, Cornell and Ithaca.

Guide to Elmira

Camping near Elmira, New York, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. From scenic views to family-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone in this area.

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, “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 Lyman Run State Park Campground. A visitor remarked, “The site and facilities were very well kept and clean.”
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy campsites at Sampson State Park Campground. One camper said, “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 Chenango Valley State Park Campground. A reviewer mentioned, “A very pleasant park with a family atmosphere.”

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds, like Worlds End State Park Campground, have little to no cell service. One camper noted, “Absolutely no cell service, however, and we had to go all the way down the mountain to get texts or make calls.”
  • Seasonal Availability: Some campgrounds, such as Cherry Springs State Park Campground, are only open from April to November. A visitor shared, “Great place for stargazing and astronomy!”
  • No Alcohol Policies: Campgrounds like Stony Brook State Park Campground do not allow alcohol. One camper mentioned, “No alcohol permitted in the whole campgrounds.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Plan for Activities: Look for campgrounds with amenities like swimming and playgrounds. Sampson State Park Campground has “lots to do with a couple of playgrounds, guarded swimming area, kayak rentals.”
  • Choose the Right Campsite: Opt for sites that offer some privacy. A camper at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground said, “Pick a site on the outside of a loop and you’ll be good.”
  • Pack Essentials: Bring along items like sunscreen and bug spray. One visitor at Robert H. Treman State Park Campground noted, “The park itself is wonderful. Beautiful walking trails, waterfalls and a natural swimming area.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookup Availability: Make sure to confirm if your site has electric and water hookups. A camper at Lyman Run State Park Campground mentioned, “The bathrooms were newer with a nice, new system for ‘composting’ I guess.”
  • Bring Extension Cords: Some sites may have power poles far from your RV. A visitor at Sampson State Park Campground advised, “Electric service boxes are shared in-between sites. This could pose an issue if your power cord is not long enough.”
  • Explore Nearby Attractions: Take advantage of local attractions like wineries near Keuka Lake State Park Campground. One camper said, “Not far from Penn Yan, nice city, wineries are all over.”

Camping around Elmira, NY, is a great way to enjoy nature and create lasting memories with family and friends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds near Elmira, NY?

The Elmira area offers several excellent camping options within a short drive. Robert H. Treman State Park Campground in Ithaca features stunning gorges, numerous waterfalls, and well-maintained hiking trails. Sites include bathrooms, showers, and picnic facilities. Closer to Elmira, Newtown Battlefield State Park Campground provides drive-in access with reservable sites and big-rig friendly facilities. Both offer a perfect mix of natural beauty and convenient amenities for weekend getaways or longer stays in the Finger Lakes region.

What tent camping sites are available near Elmira?

Tent campers near Elmira have several appealing options. Watkins Glen State Park Campground offers tent sites nestled in hardwood forests with a perfect balance of sun and shade. Each site includes a fire ring and picnic table, with the bonus of 19 spectacular waterfalls along the gorge trails. For a more secluded tent camping experience, Blueberry Patch Campground in the Finger Lakes National Forest provides a simpler, more rustic experience with basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables in a peaceful forest setting.

Are there any kid-friendly camping options in the Elmira area?

Families with children will find Taughannock Falls State Park Campground particularly appealing, featuring clean swimming areas in the lake, numerous hiking trails suitable for various ages, and the impressive Taughannock Falls accessible via a short, flat trail that's manageable for young hikers. Another excellent option for families is Buttermilk Falls State Park Campground, which offers memorable scenery and outdoor activities that children love. Both parks provide the essential amenities families need while camping, including clean facilities and open spaces for kids to explore and play.

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