Best Tent Camping near Central Square, 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.

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

We stayed through this weekend and had a great time and got to see some awesome sunsets. It was a little bit of a walk to get water but we were tent camping so we didn’t really mind. Our site had electric hook ups which we really didn’t need being in a tent but it was nice for charging our phones. Overall had a great time.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Small, family owned campground w/173 sites. Very quiet, rural area. Sites are very large and well maintained. Sites along the creek and lagoon have shade trees; tent sites to FHU’s; creekside beach; swings, patio agility course, many planned activities for kids: hayrides, sandcastle contests, Santa visit in July. Live bands or DJ’s on holiday weekends. Many fishing areas and several boat launch places with water access to large Oneida Lake. Bathrooms and showers are immaculate and well stocked. Staff members and owners are very pleasant and friendly.

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!!!

This is an extremely popular campground, and fills up quickly in the summer, especially on holiday weekends. Many local people I know in Syracuse will even camp here on a weekend, just to get away. Recent renovations to one of the two campgrounds will allow more room and hookups for RVs, in addition to the available tent sites. Cabins are also available, including one handicap accessible cabin. At least one of the campgrounds has a playground and there is another playground by the beach.

From the campgrounds there is access to the two miromictic lakes, one of which has a large beach area that is popular with many locals; the other is a National Natural Landmark and very scenic, but swimming is not allowed there. The trails near the lakes get very crowded but there are a total of 18 miles of trails in the park and many of them are less crowded. Trails from the campgrounds lead to a large tract of old-growth forest, a bird conservation area, and mountain biking trails. The park also has a golf course, frisbee golf course, and boat rentals and fishing access (on Green Lake near the beach)

When we pulled in, we felt like outsiders. Many people have seasonal sites and some of the activities are geared toward seasonal campers. We were excited to build a boat out of cardboard and duct tape for the Redneck Yacht Club weekend, but we later discovered that this contest was just for seasonal campers. Bummer. We are going back for Halloween weekend in August and plan to have our kids participate. I’m hoping that they will be able to. Anyway, they have a nice pool. It’s just a little small. The playground is old and outdated, but my kids didn’t seem to mind. The arcade was a bummer. Half of the games did not work. My kids are young enough that they didn’t mind. The staff is really nice. They offered a cute little wagon ride through the grounds and were always friendly and greeted you when they saw you. My five year old, husband, and Dad all signed up for laser tag. They had such an awesome time! That certainly is a fabulous amenity. We will come back for that alone because my son had so much fun. It is $10 per person but so worth it. The sites are close together. I’m used to more of a community vibe when I camp, but people seemed to keep to themselves for the most part. There are camper sites with full hookup, some with just water and electric, And a few electric only. There are also tent sites. The boat launch is kind of run down. There isn’t a dock per se, and the metal dock that is there is unstable. If they developed this area a bit, it would be much for inviting for fisherman and recreational boaters. This isn’t my favorite place, but it’s good for my kids. Very family oriented. Sorry about the people in the pics. I didn’t take any of just the grounds.

This review is for the Morgan Hill primitve campsites at Spruce Pond. Although dispersed primitive camping is allowed elsewhere throughout the state forest, this is a group of ten established and well maintained primitive campsites right on Spruce Pond with fishing available and an amazing network of hiking and cross country ski trails along with mountain biking along the forest roads. There are fire grills and nicely developed tents sites, one nestled in the woods and three with their own pond access, and one is actually handicapped accessible with its own accessible fishing landing and an easy access to the parking lot. There is a brand new outhouse with wide accessible doorway as well. The setting is scenic and peaceful, and you can easily paddle or fish on the pond. You can also easily hike from here to the Labrador Hollow overlook where area hang-gliders launch, you might see some in action or at least get an amazing view of the Labrador Valley!

Note: a detailed map of the campground is here: https://extapps.dec.ny.gov/docs/regions_pdf/sprucepond.pdf

You may camp at this campground for free, but you do need a permit and should review the campground map to select your preferred site

There is TONS of beach to explore at this little State Park in New York. I used to visit here as a kid years ago because my grandparents owned a cottage on the lake. Since they sold it, visiting Southwick is the next best thing. Lake Ontario is an amazing lake to be on and the water is pretty warm in the summer time. the waves don't get too big, so it is very safe for kids. Southwick itself has great camping spots right next to the beach. It is a little pricey if you only want to visit for the day, $8, but you can get a tent spot for $18 which is comparable to other state parks. Showers are available, and there are some short trails that are good for running or probably cross country skiing in the winter. There is also a sizable playground near the beach that is great for the kids.

Jake from the Dyrt here!  Nature Lover's Paradise is new to the Dyrt and they have an awesome spot to share with access to a vast network of trails in upstate New York.  Check them out and make sure to share some pics of your adventure!

We visited 6 state parks in the Finger Lakes region of New York this past summer. Fillmore Glen State Park was our favorite for hiking, but probably our least favorite for camping. The trails are uncrowded and well maintained. We hiked along the south rim trail and the gorge trail. The gorge trail is especially cool, with 9 foot bridges crisscrossing over the river. There are several gorgeous waterfalls, and the walk was shady and cool, even though it was a hot day. After hiking through the glen, we were hoping to cool off with a swim, but the swimming area was closed. Not sure why, but you can only swim when lifeguards are on duty, and there were No Swimming signs everywhere.

The campground at Fillmore Glen was totally full when we stayed there. The sites offered little privacy and were very close together, plus you could here road noise loud and clear all through the night. The water faucet near our site was out of order, and the bathrooms were only clean in the morning. The sites were all wooded and shaded, with nice flat spots for tents, but I probably wouldn’t stay there again during the busy summer months. If you’re headed out that way, I would definitely recommend Fillmore Glen for a day trip, but I’d camp at either Robert Treman or Buttermilk Falls state park in Ithaca.

Delta Lake State Park sits at the foothills of the Adirondack Park, just outside Rome, New York. Pretty and well-kempt, Delta Lake is a nice option for those looking to stay close to home and within proximity to civilization. You can enjoy the great outdoors, while only being a few miles away from a restaurant or grocery store.

The campground isn‘t the best I’ve experienced, a bit on the crowded side-similar to a woodsy suburb- but this could have been distinctive to Loop A where I stayed. I stayed in site 35 and was intermixed with all the campers and RV’s, so it got a bit noisy. Not that restful, secluded experience I typically go for, but I should have planned further in advance.

However, what the park lacked in terms of its campground, it totally made up for in its beach, swimming and picnic areas! This place was awesome for hosting a birthday party for my niece and relaxing at the beach/ day facilities. They have plenty of picnic tables, charcoal grills, a huge beach and locker rooms. This is really a great place to spend a day with your family!

Gear Review:

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I am one of the lucky ones that get to review outdoor gear from time to time. My husband, Hutch, and I each got a pair of the OOFOS OOriginal Sport Sandals and spent the last couple weeks hiking, cycling, and camping in them in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York. These are not your average pair of flip flops…they are amazing! We may never take them off.

What we love about these shoes:

• Unbelievably comfortable! Designed as a recovery shoe but can be worn for just about everything from the shower to the campground to light hiking and cycling.
• The toe thong is integrated into the sole, making them more durable and less likely to pull through/out. The rubber is so soft that it doesn’t irritate the area between the toes, even after walking in them for many hours.
• Stylish! I wore them with a nice outfit and my feet didn’t feel underdressed.
• They stay on your feet when walking in water. My previous pair of flip flops felt like they were coated in Vaseline when they got wet, but these sandals stay put. They float, which is plus if you lose them in the lake. Lose them in a river and all bets are off though.
• When people ask who makes them, it’s fun to say OOOFOOSS twice (because they never understand you the first time you say it).

What could be improved:

• I can typically find some constructive criticism about the products I review, but these are our new favorite shoes. Maybe a few more color options for men would be a nice addition to the line?

Thoughts and ideas:

• Can OOFOS make insoles for hiking boots? They’d be amazingly comfy.

Video Link: https://youtu.be/C0zOZm9q5qc

Campground Review:

From the gorgeous hike up the gorge to kayaking at sunset on Owasco Lake to enjoying some wine from the grapes grown in the region, the Finger Lakes region is hard to beat for total family entertainment. We came for a couple nights to check it out and stayed for over a week!

This campground is great for families and groups! Each site has a picnic table and fire ring and there are both electric and non-electric sties from which to choose. The sites in the middle section of the campground don’t really have designated boundaries, while those around the edges are more traditionally divided. There is literally no privacy between any of the sites.

We were at site 35 (in the middle section) and there were 2 large groups on either side of us who came for the weekend. The grassy field is great for kiddos to run-amok and there is a playground at the far end of it so parents can keep an eye on the kids while enjoying time with their friends and family.

The bathrooms are modern, kept very clean, and the showers are awesome. There are a couple picnic areas/shelters* and a gorgeous natural pool with lifeguard. *P.S. The picnic shelter up by the gorge is amazing! It’s worth the walk up the stairs.

But, the campground is only the beginning of what this area has to offer! Just a short walk from the campground, you will find the Village of Moravia which has everything you may need, including some great ice cream and pizza. It’s a cute little town filled with many historic homes so take the time to walk or cycle around. Also, Owasco Lake is a short drive from the campground and is great for all types of water sports.

We did our usual reservation-less “pull up and see what they have open” style of camping, but during the main season, this place is nuts! You’ll definitely need to plan ahead and make reservations if you plan to be here on the weekends during the silly season. Bonus: Prices are lower on weekdays and you get a reduced rate for your second night, too.

Camp facilities were clean and well maintained. However, we were the only tent campers around and the RV groups were loud late and early. We struggled to sleep because of the noise. Tent campers beware.

This is a really nice campground. Friendly staff, small shop with some last minute items and firewood, beautiful spots with nice flat tent beds, bathrooms are exceptionally nice. We will stay here again and again!

Camped here all the time growing up. We had a 19ft boat and always enjoyed a day. A night in a tent afterward with marshmallows over the fire was perfect.