Best Campgrounds near Cincinnatus, NY

Campgrounds in the Cincinnatus, New York area include state parks, primitive sites, and dispersed camping options throughout the surrounding forests. Bowman Lake State Park Campground, located about 14 miles north of Cincinnatus, provides developed camping with electric hookups for RVs and tent sites in wooded settings. Long Pond Campground offers more rustic, dispersed camping opportunities with drive-in sites for tents and small RVs. The region also features several primitive hike-in tent sites along the Finger Lakes Trail, including Pharsalia Woods Lean-To and Jackson Pond Tent Sites, which provide secluded backcountry experiences.

Road access and camping conditions vary significantly across the area, with some sites requiring high-clearance vehicles or short hikes. Most established campgrounds operate seasonally from May through October, while dispersed camping in state forests is available year-round with proper permits. As noted in one review, "Campsite 1 is adjacent to the handicapped fishing pier, and is supposedly an accessible campsite. Though an all terrain wheelchair could navigate from car to campsite, a regular one could not due to gravel." Many primitive sites lack amenities like potable water or garbage service, requiring campers to pack in supplies and pack out waste. Cell service is spotty throughout the region, particularly in the more remote areas of Pharsalia Woods and Balsam Swamp State Forest.

Fishing access represents a major draw for campers throughout the Cincinnatus area, with multiple ponds and streams offering productive angling opportunities. A visitor described Long Pond as "a short drive in and I was able to score a spot right on the pond next to a dock. People have driven in to fish and kayak so I don't feel isolated and afraid." Most campgrounds provide some degree of water access, with sites at Bowman Lake State Park featuring swimming areas with lifeguards during summer months. Several primitive sites in state forests feature fire rings and established tent pads but minimal other amenities. Campers seeking solitude should consider the more remote walk-in sites, while those wanting more facilities might prefer the established campgrounds with showers and electric hookups.

Best Camping Sites Near Cincinnatus, New York (136)

    1. Bowman Lake State Park Campground

    8 Reviews
    Oxford, NY
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 334-2718

    $17 - $65 / night

    "We had never been to site before so when we booked, we thought we were next to a bathroom. Turns out you had to walk through woods to get there in the mud."

    "There was a potable water spigot a few sites over and a bathroom with showers a short walk away. This is a great spot for tent camping, so if that’s your vibe this place is perfect."

    2. Long Pond Campground

    4 Reviews
    Georgetown, NY
    9 miles

    "Aside from that this was a short drive in and I was able to score a spot right on the pond next to a dock."

    "While this is next to the road, it is also within 40 yards of the only potta potty in the park. About 100 yards away was the public fishing dock and another camp site."

    3. Chenango Valley State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Chenango Forks, NY
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 648-5251

    $17 - $123 / night

    "This is a beautiful park, the hiking is great with varied trails, nice changes in elevation due to the glacial geology of the landscape, and scenic vistas overlooking 2 beautiful lakes."

    "The only downfall is that there really isn't much else to do around the area."

    4. Live The Outdoors LLC

    1 Review
    Georgetown, NY
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (657) 790-1984

    $45 - $50 / night

    5. Pharsalia Woods Lean-To Campsite

    1 Review
    South Plymouth, NY
    10 miles

    "Trail advocate Ed Sidote."

    6. Pharsalia Y Pond

    1 Review
    South Plymouth, NY
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 753-3095

    "This campsite is a hike in stop on the Finger Lakes Trail, but can also be accessed by a short walk-in from Elmer Jackson Rd, or by paddling in from the parking area in the west side of the pond."

    7. Country Hills Campground

    1 Review
    Marathon, NY
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 849-3300

    $34 - $39 / night

    "Nice area, beautiful small lake … great place to stay"

    8. Balsam Swamp State Forest

    1 Review
    Cincinnatus, NY
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 674-4017

    9. Jackson Pond Tent Sites

    1 Review
    South Plymouth, NY
    10 miles
    Website

    "This is a great primitive campsite located close to Jackson Pond with access from a small parking area and trailhead of the Finger Lakes Trail, or via canoe or non-motorized boats from a nearby boat launch"

    10. Ludlow Creek Lean-To Campsite

    1 Review
    Oxford, NY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 674-4017

    "This is a beautiful primitive hike-in campsite alongside the Ludlow Creek section of the Finger Lakes Trail in Chenango County, New York."

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Recent Reviews near Cincinnatus, NY

415 Reviews of 136 Cincinnatus Campgrounds


  • D C.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Live The Outdoors LLC

    Peaceful & Private Getaway🏞️

    Really enjoyed staying here. It’s super private and peaceful, and we loved that it’s not a crowded campground. The land is open and easy to access, and you can tell the owners are constantly upgrading and improving things. We were even able to fish here, which was a bonus. Would definitely recommend if you appreciate privacy, nature, and a peaceful place with the freedom to relax and do your own thing.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    Pine Crest Campground

    Great place

    Nice private campground. Host was very generous. Used Coin operated laundry facilities. Full hookups for a reasonable price. Would return again.

  • Chelsea B.
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Green Lakes State Park Campground

    Good camp sites

    The sites are good, level, and the campsite is pretty but as clean as the bathrooms are, the showers still suck. I’ll never understand why parks use the misting shower heads. Maybe TMI, but sorry ladies, you’ll never get the soap out of your bits. It’s best to use the ADA bathrooms because those shower heads are normal and have wands. I can’t say much about the amenities since we camped in the off season (really bummed not to rent a boat), but the trails around the lake are great! Beautiful water and various difficulties on the trails make it pretty fun to explore. Overall a good stay but took a star away for the showers and the landscapers. They spent at least 5-6 hours the Monday we were here mowing around our campsite, coming within inches of our power and Starlink cords. Really annoyed by that and when we called the park office, they said they’d take care of it but we still endured 4 more hours of multiple mowers going over the same areas multiple times. Honestly think they were messing with us at that point…

  • 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!

  • c
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Salt Springs State Park Campground

    Worked for me

    I stayed in late September in one of the drive in spots. There were no other campers bc of the season- and it’s mid week. I love this park and it’s close to my house so I just wanted to crash there and wake up early to hike. It was quiet all night. The bathrooms are very far from tne sites and it was visible where some people had relieved themselves in the bushes. There is no potable water anywhere so bring some. I enjoyed it but during the on season or busy times tnere is zero privacy between sites other than sites 13 and 14. Def wouldn’t stay here during summer for that reason.

  • S
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Oneida Shores County Park

    Nice park for a reasonable price

    Campground is recently paved. Lots of geese, therefore lots of goose poop. Sites are small and close together. Nice wooded setting on the lake.

  • 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

  • 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!


Guide to Cincinnatus

The camping sites near Cincinnatus, New York sit within the rolling hills of central New York state at elevations ranging from 1,000-1,600 feet. Winter temperatures can drop below 0°F, while summer days typically reach the mid-70s to 80s with cool evenings. The area's state forests feature a mix of hardwoods and conifers with numerous small ponds and streams that attract wildlife and provide recreation opportunities.

What to do

Fishing the productive waters: Several ponds throughout the region offer excellent angling opportunities for various fish species. At Long Pond Campground, visitors note the pond "is quite large compared to other area ponds, and there are three accesses for fishing: a regular boat launch with parking lot and dock, a carry-in kayak access near campsite 6, and a handicapped accessible fishing pier near campsite 1." The pond is known to be "very productive for fisherman." Nearby at Pharsalia Y Pond, campers find "deep and clear" water "stocked with brook trout" in an "idyllic setting."

Hiking the trail network: The Finger Lakes Trail passes through much of the region, connecting various camping areas. At Pharsalia Y Pond, you can access "day hikes on the Finger Lakes Trail" or "walk or drive along various state forest roads to several other ponds in the Wildlife Management area for good birdwatching." The trail system offers varied terrain and difficulty levels suitable for most hikers.

Water recreation beyond fishing: Many campgrounds provide multiple water-based activities. At Chenango Valley State Park Campground, there's "a perfect lake for kayaking for beginner or seasoned," plus "swimming in the lake" and boat rentals. One camper noted the "beach area is well staffed and clean. Changing areas are available as well as a splash pad for the little kids."

What campers like

Private, wooded sites: Many campsites offer good separation from neighbors. At Bowman Lake State Park Campground, the "campground is a maze of campsites through densely wooded forests so it's pretty private and shady even though it's full no matter what season." Another camper praised how "secluded and in the woods" their site was, "right next to the lake as well."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: The natural setting provides chances to observe various animals. One camper at Chenango Valley noted seeing "great wildlife (wood ducks & kingfishers)" while another mentioned "deer are all over. Watch out for them on the roads. We had four that were feeding behind our site in the morning."

Free, rustic sites: For those seeking more primitive experiences, several free campgrounds exist in the state forests. The Ludlow Creek Lean-To Campsite is "a beautiful primitive hike-in campsite alongside Ludlow Creek" located in "a beautiful, unspoiled and seldom visited region of state forest, providing a wilderness type experience fairly close to several nearby villages."

What you should know

Campsite conditions vary widely: Some sites require preparation for primitive conditions. At Long Pond Campground, there is "no water or garbage services at this site" and "most camping spots are ideal for tents or very small campers or trailers." Another camper observed the "campsites are level and long enough for a very small trailer. The trees are so thick we could not feed our solar panel."

Bathroom facilities are limited: Even established campgrounds may have minimal facilities. As one Chenango Valley camper noted, "the bathhouses are maybe the only negative to our whole experience." At Jackson Pond Tent Sites, there are "no potable water, garbage disposal or latrines, so be prepared."

Reservation and permit requirements: Some sites require permits or advance booking. For Jackson Pond, "camping in this DEC Wildlife Management Area is limited, and requires a permit" from the regional DEC office, with campers needing to "allow one week for permit to be processed."

Tips for camping with families

Suitable campgrounds for kids: Some sites are more family-friendly than others. Yellow Lantern Kampground has "tons of activities for kids to do" and is described as "clean and fun activities to keep kids busy." At Chenango Valley, families will find a "shallow swimming area for children with life guards and a sandy beach and new bath house."

Biking opportunities: Several campgrounds have terrain suitable for family bike rides. At Chenango Valley, one visitor recommends to "bring your bikes" as there are "miles of trails to hike and roads to bike." The park's layout makes it easy for children to ride safely within the campground.

Wildlife education: The abundant wildlife provides learning opportunities. One family at Chenango Valley mentioned they "have so many birds, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits and insects that it was a veritable wonderland." This natural setting makes for impromptu nature lessons with children.

Tips from RVers

Site limitations for larger rigs: Most campgrounds in the area have restrictions on RV size. At Long Pond Campground, sites are described as "ideal for tents or very small campers or trailers." One camper specified that their site was "level and long enough for a very small trailer" but noted challenges with solar power due to tree coverage.

Electric hookup availability: Only certain campgrounds offer electrical connections. Bowman Lake has "no hookups but that means people have generators, though the campsites are big and you won't necessarily hear your neighbor running theirs." At Chenango Valley, "electricity at about 1/3 of the sites" is available.

Weather contingencies: The area's variable weather can impact RV camping. One Bowman Lake camper shared that "our entire campsite was flooded so we just set up our tent on my brothers site with them" after heavy rain. RVers should have backup plans for inclement weather conditions, especially in spring and fall.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Cincinnatus, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Cincinnatus, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 136 campgrounds and RV parks near Cincinnatus, NY and 14 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Cincinnatus, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cincinnatus, NY is Bowman Lake State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 8 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 free dispersed camping spots near Cincinnatus, NY.