Best Campgrounds near Alpine, NY

Campgrounds near Alpine, New York offer a range of camping experiences from developed facilities to more rustic options within the scenic Finger Lakes region. Popular developed campgrounds include Watkins Glen State Park Campground and Robert H. Treman State Park Campground, both offering tent, RV, and cabin accommodations. Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite provides dispersed camping opportunities approximately 10 miles west of Alpine. The area features numerous mixed-use campgrounds that accommodate both tent and RV campers, with several locations also offering cabin and glamping options for those seeking more comfort.

Seasonal considerations greatly impact camping availability in the area, with most developed campgrounds operating between April and October. "This campground was so great to stay at! The hosts were lovely and very sweet, and created a wonderful place to stay off-grid," noted one visitor about Harpy Hollow, highlighting the appeal of less developed options. Several campgrounds feature electric hookups and water access, while others provide more primitive experiences. Weather can change rapidly in the Finger Lakes region, particularly during spring and fall, making advance reservations advisable for peak summer weekends. Most campground options within 20 miles of Alpine require reservations, though some dispersed camping areas may allow first-come, first-served access with different permit requirements.

Campers consistently praise the natural beauty surrounding Alpine's campground options, with waterfront access being a particularly valued feature. The numerous lakes and waterfalls in the region create scenic backdrops for camping experiences. Park Station Campground receives positive reviews for its family-friendly amenities, with one camper noting: "It's a classic, a staple in my childhood experiences. Sandy beach, man-made lake with enough space to swim, and boating to explore." Sites at Watkins Glen and Robert H. Treman State Parks provide access to hiking trails through famous gorges and waterfalls. Some developed campgrounds in the area provide amenities like showers, sanitary dump stations, and picnic tables, while more remote sites offer greater privacy but fewer facilities. The region's mixed-use campgrounds typically accommodate various camping styles, from basic tent sites to areas with full RV hookups.

Best Camping Sites Near Alpine, New York (127)

    1. Watkins Glen State Park Campground

    90 Reviews
    Watkins Glen, NY
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 535-4511

    $24 - $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."

    2. Robert H. Treman State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Ithaca, NY
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 273-3440

    $24 - $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."

    3. Watkins Glen / Corning KOA

    18 Reviews
    Montour Falls, NY
    9 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."

    4. Buttermilk Falls State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    Ithaca, NY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 273-5761

    $21 - $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)."

    5. Park Station Campground

    8 Reviews
    Erin, NY
    6 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."

    6. Blueberry Patch Campground — Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests

    11 Reviews
    Hector, NY
    12 miles

    $15 / night

    "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!"

    7. Taughannock Falls State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Jacksonville, NY
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 387-6739

    $24 - $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!!!"

    8. Pinecreek Campground

    8 Reviews
    Ithaca, NY
    9 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. Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    13 Reviews
    Tyrone, NY
    15 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. Harpy Hollow

    4 Reviews
    Burdett, NY
    6 miles
    +1 (610) 781-2101

    $45 / night

    "Harpy hollow not only has a great location in northern New York but is veteran owned and operated and ready to host more campers.  Check them out and leave a review on the Dyrt when you stay!"

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Recent Reviews near Alpine, NY

535 Reviews of 127 Alpine 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!

  • 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

  • Dayne B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill

    Inexpensive, Peaceful.

    I've stayed here on 3 separate occasions, twice in RV 12 and once in RV 6. 

    I used the 30 AMP hookup and had zero issues.

    Beautiful playground for my son to enjoy and meet other kiddos. Deer, chipmunks and rabbits will say hi in the early and late hours.

    Large dumpsters near entrance. 

    Dump stations are present, but I haven't used them yet. 

    Potable water is present at a small spigot. 

    The washrooms facility is very close and speaking for the men's side, it had 2 stalls, 2 urinals, 2 showers, multiple sinks, and a sturdy baby changing station.

    Hiking trails with gorgeous views of the valley within a 5 min walk of my campsite.

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Stay Bristol Woodlands

    Well maintained and friendly Staff!

    Campground is adorable, you can see a lot of other campers, but the spots are spaced out. Showers were nice, didn’t get to try the pool out as it was a quick stopover, but this seems like a fun place to spend some time


Guide to Alpine

Camping near Alpine, New York, offers a fantastic escape into nature with beautiful parks and campgrounds. Whether you're looking for hiking trails, fishing spots, or just a peaceful place to unwind, this area has 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 paddleboarding or fishing at Keuka Lake State Park Campground. A visitor shared, "The lake is clean and clear, great for fishing, boating, and swimming."
  • Family Fun: Check out the activities at Sampson State Park Campground. One reviewer noted, "Place is great for kids. Lots to do with a couple of playgrounds, guarded swimming area, kayak rentals, movie nights, and a concession stand!"

What campers like

What you should know

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have poor cell reception. A camper at Taughannock Falls State Park Campground mentioned, "TV reception there is none, cell phone not great either."
  • Reservations Recommended: Popular spots fill up quickly. A visitor at Sampson State Park Campground advised, "Book quickly because they fill up fast and then you’re waiting for cancellations."
  • No Full Hookups: Some campgrounds lack full hookups for RVs. A camper at Keuka Lake State Park Campground noted, "Only the inner sites had shared water connections."

Tips for camping with families

  • Playgrounds and Activities: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities. One reviewer at Sampson State Park Campground highlighted, "Lots to do with a couple of playgrounds."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring food and snacks, as some campgrounds have limited stores. A camper at Watkins Glen State Park Campground mentioned, "No camp store, but firewood & ice were available at check-in station."
  • Nature Exploration: Encourage kids to explore nature. A visitor at Buttermilk Falls State Park Campground said, "Great camping if you love hiking, trail running or waterfalls."

Tips from RVers

  • Bring Extension Cords: Some sites have electric posts far from the pads. A camper at Sampson State Park Campground noted, "The power poles are between sites and are often more than 20’ away."
  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Taughannock Falls State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites are not very large but sufficient."
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. A camper at Watkins Glen / Corning KOA said, "The crowd was definitely loud and nosy."

Camping near Alpine, New York, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With beautiful parks and plenty of activities, you're sure to have a memorable experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Alpine, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Alpine, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 127 campgrounds and RV parks near Alpine, NY and 8 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Alpine, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Alpine, NY is Watkins Glen State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 90 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Alpine, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 free dispersed camping spots near Alpine, NY.

What parks are near Alpine, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 parks near Alpine, NY that allow camping, notably Cowanesque Lake and Tioga-Hammond Lakes.