Best Tent Camping near Cayuga, NY

Nice modern-esque camp site with great views of the lake. They have cabins but we tent camped. Tent sites are open. On site they have swimming, boat launch, and (I think) a playground. Lots of other places to hike in the area too, plus attractions like wine trails, breweries, quaint amusement parks.

We have stayed in the 300 Loop and 400 loop on different occasions. These are non-electric tent camping loops, bathrooms are a short walk from spots, if you have kids there is a playground by the more open spots in the inner part of each loop or you can stay in the more secluded outer ring of the loops. We loved these spots and for anyone camping in the Finger Lakes region I would definitely recommend Cayuga Lake State Park. They have cabin and RV spots as well but we prefer tent camping.

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!). Great area for biking, kayaking, swimming, hiking, fishing, plus winery tours. Close to Ithaca, a wonderful "hippie" college town.

Nice State Park campground, clean & good facilities. Mostly tent/camper camping, also cabins (I've only tent camped). Nice large sites and while not super private it is serene (as long as you're not too close to the playground or highway). Shady, usually a bit of a breeze. Accessible sites are really very accessible.

Tent camping is $15/ night. You can get in to the park for free between 7 and 10pm though.

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 voices carried and in the evening when everyone was building campfires the smoke could be overwhelming at times.

Picturesque Finger Lakes state park with a day’s worth of hiking trails on site. The campground is wooded and lovely but the tent sites don’t have views of the falls or anything, couldn’t hear water at night. Deer outside the tent, wildflowers through summer, great leaves in fall.

The tent sites on the west camp were roomy and reasonably private, but there weren't many water locations and no electric on that side of the park. The facilities were about as nice as you can expect at a state run campground. We're already planning to go back next year for more nights.

Seneca Lake and Taughannock Gorge Trail with waterfall is beautiful. However, swimming in lake is mediocre, and lots of steps on the hike. Only 2 showers in each bathhouse and low-end. Toilets are old and a bit dirty. Tent sites are

spacious and somewhat private. Electric sites are small and close to neighbor.

Ashley here with The Dyrt. Let's give a warm welcome to your hosts Sheryl & Matt! This is the perfect place to car or tent camp. Enjoy a private fire-pit and dive into Lake Seneca! Only a 4 min drive from Watkins Glenn. This place has it all. Lots of sites to choose from, some even have hammocks! Dog friendly. Check them out and leave them some love!

Been here in all the seasons, each is beautiful. Campgrounds are wooded. Pretty basic facilities, nice though. None of the tent sites have exceptional views but you’re a short walk from the creek/gorges. Reserve ahead of time in summer. Lots of woods, wildlife here and in the many other state parks close by to keep all ages occupied.

Great campground for kids, events, and hiking. Plenty of room on each site for whatever you need. Multiple playgrounds which are clean & well maintained. Only downside is that the RV sites don’t have much shade but the tent sites do. Also make sure to bring plenty of leveling blocks as some sites are far from level.

Great secluded tent camping (recomend numbers 7 and 8), cabins are new and ample beds and space. Camper camping is close to everything, but less privacy. Numerous pavilions that are wonderful for parties or weddings. Stunning overlook that is breathtaking (also great for weddings). Hiking, bike trails, fishing pond, playground, open fields for sports, much more!!! Great for photo shoots, weekend stress getaways etc. I live close by and visit a few times a month.

Beautiful lakes! The walking/hiking trails are fabulous. They also offer an activity booklet for the kids to fill out during their stay to earn a patch. We camped with our 30 foot trailer on an obvious tent site as it was a bit hard to back in between the trees, but the site was nice and flat and clean. Definitely can’t wait to go back!

We stayed on a Monday night and it was very quiet. A lot of empty spaces. And a lot of seasonal campers were gone for the week. The owner was super nice and it was close enough to the State Park to run over to the beach. Nice large, flat spot with full shade. Maybe I'm still on Midwest pricing, but I get annoyed when I have to pay for a shower when I've played $25 for a non-electric and no water tent site. The bathrooms were clean.

This campground offers so much for people of all ages.

• Crafts
• Games
• Activities
• Playground
• Pool
• Bouncy pillow
• Twice Daily wagon rides with Yogi and Boo Boo
• Bike parades
• River access
• Fishing
• Tubing
• Lounging

Our family camps at Yogi on the river at least twice a year. We always attend candy bar bingo, lounge by the river, play games with friends, get the little ones in the bike parades, and hang out with the friendly owners. With the cabins, park model rentals, tent sites, RV sites, everyone can come, no matter what their accommodations are.

Sites are well maintained, the campers are friendly, and the staff is helpful.

This is a great example of what a state park should be. It not only preserves a place of unique biological diversity and geologic interest, it is also well set up and well maintained to maximize low impact outdoor recreation and environmental education. A new state of the art regional environmental education center is being built now that will open in spring, as well as new handicapped access kayaking docks that complement Accessible trails and campsites throughout the park. This is a great destination for families, handicapped campers, and natural history enthusiasts. There are several campgrounds, one is large and open and meant for large RVs, others are drive-in forested tent sites or trailer sites with hookups, and several walkin sites. There is also a colony of rustic camper cabins. The campgrounds have brand new restroom facilities and playgrounds, and the main lake has a new beach house. 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 and very deep. There are hiking trails, paved bike trails, a nature preserve for bird watching at Round Lake, a golf course, and great kayaking or canoeing. It is also located right next door to the Erie Canal State Park for those who want to hike or bike the historic Erie Canal. Though you might expect a park like this to be in a remote location, it is actually just a short distance east of the suburbs of the Syracuse metro area, so it is an easy park to get to, plus staying there also provides easy access to stores for supplies, or access to local cultural activities or restaurants for those who want that. One of my favorite state parks in New York!

Charles has beautiful property! Acres and acres to explore and admire! The most accessible is a patch of pines with several tent sites, a small cabin, stone outdoor stove and a cool clear pond that is stocked with fish! Follow the corn on foot or an 4 wheel drive vehicle to the back pasture a more open area with apple trees and another small pond, further out is more land and wooded area Charles is happy to offer to you! I stayed 3 nights with my daughter and dog and had a wonderful time! This is a perfect for a quick quiet getaway, or to camp and explore apple orchards in the area! Charles sells fresh meat on site and it is amazing!!! I highly recommended this property, Charles is a wonderful host willing to help with anything, very family friendly and dog friendly to boot!!!

Close to wine country you will find this gem of a family campground. Dog and kid friendly with activities such as wagon rides, arts and crafts, movie night and various themed weekend events. The hosts were super friendly and welcoming during our entire stay. An easy back in site with full hookups (B10) backed against a row of trees and a field that provided much entertainment of squirrels and birds. There is a camp store with very reasonable prices and accepts credit cards. Wood ($4) and ice ($2) are also for sale. There are two small cabins to rent along with a couple of family tent sites. The bathrooms/showers were clean near the camp store. Amenities include a pool, mini golf ($1/person), two playgrounds, horseshoes, a recreation center with games and movies, basketball and shuffle board. There are many seasonal campers at this campground, but all seemed friendly and welcoming as well. It truly seemed like one big happy family there.

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). If you can only go to one park in the Finger Lakes I’d pick this one. Wading in some spots in summer. Tenting sites are shady and semi-private but I don’t think any of them have direct views of the gorges. Nice wildlife too.