Best Campgrounds near Waterloo, NY

Waterloo, NY is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Find the best campgrounds near Waterloo, NY. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.

Best Camping Sites Near Waterloo, New York (134)

    1. Cayuga Lake State Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    Cayuga, NY
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 568-5163

    $17 - $107 / night

    "I was too busy playing in the lake, hiking, and riding my bike on some paths. I also saw a few people fishing in the lake, but not really sure what kind of fish you can catch."

    "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!)."

    2. Sampson State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Willard, NY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 585-6392

    $24 - $350 / night

    "The bathrooms are great with showers and each camp spot has plenty of distance away from the next one."

    "Potable water fill station and dump tanks at entrance/exit. Bathrooms were very clean and had dish washing stations in them. Loop 5 has beautiful views of the lake."

    3. Junius Ponds

    10 Reviews
    Phelps, NY
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 781-5120

    $39 - $999 / night

    "They had a oversized, long pull through available (site 88) that made entering and exiting the site nice and easy. 50amp and water was used, didn’t dump."

    "These fine folks never stop driving and take the time to walk and enjoy the the beauty of their surroundings."

    4. Sned Acres Campground

    9 Reviews
    Aurora, NY
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 869-9787

    $25 - $99 / night

    "The Grounds are well taken care of (although some areas around the playgrounds and pool could have been weed whacked better) there is a lot of grass and wide open areas for playing games, walking your"

    "The campground is beautifully maintained with stunning views of Cayuga Lake. The staff was friendly, welcoming, and went out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed."

    5. Waterloo Harbor Campground

    2 Reviews
    Waterloo, NY
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (315) 539-8848

    6. Cheerful Valley Campground

    3 Reviews
    Phelps, NY
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 781-1222

    $30 - $110 / night

    7. Watkins Glen State Park Campground

    89 Reviews
    Watkins Glen, NY
    37 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."

    "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."

    8. Keuka Lake State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Branchport, NY
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 536-3666

    $20 - $27 / night

    "Stayed at Keuka Lake in July 2023. Nice spots, close to others but people were quiet and respectful after 10 PM. Lake was beautiful and fun for swimming with the kids."

    "A dumping station right near the entry/exit.There is a large park area with beach for swimming, fishing, plenty of room for launching your kayak, dock and launch for your boat or using one of their grills"

    9. Finger Lakes — Long Point State Park

    4 Reviews
    Aurora, NY
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 497-0130

    $163 / night

    "Tons of lakes scattered between Canada and the USA on Lake Ontario provide endless recreation opportunities."

    "Plenty of sites to go around and great hiking. A different feel that typical NY but loved it! Be sure to do a boat ride in the area."

    10. Canandaigua-Rochester KOA

    12 Reviews
    Farmington, NY
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (585) 398-3582

    "Campers exploring the Canandaigua area discover a delightful mix of lakeside retreats, wooded state parks, and family-friendly RV resorts."

    "Road Noise: There will some noise at sites near Town Line Rd. Traffic is minimal Through Traffic in campground: None Electric Hookup: Yes Sewer Hookup: Some sites."

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Recent Reviews near Waterloo, NY

590 Reviews of 134 Waterloo Campgrounds


  • 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.The Dyrt PRO User
    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

  • Ken B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Canandaigua-Rochester KOA

    Lovely KOA

    The campground is clean and well maintained. The staff are ALL so nice. The amenities are plentiful and well cared for. The sites are level, in great shape, and has a wonderful large wooded area. Thank you!

  • 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!).

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Bluff Camping Area — Fair Haven Beach State Park

    Shaded camping with Great Lake access

    I booked this site for one night and ended up staying three. Trying to avoid the heat, I was relieved that the shaded electric camping area staved off most of the days heat. I was in site 63 the first night and 68 the other two. 63 has more shade but 68 is right next to the bathroom and water spout if that’s important. I was able to find shade.

    Some people may find the sites too close together, I didn’t mind since I’m solo camping and feel a bit of safety with closer neighbors. The loop was majority RVs and campers but it was still quiet all night and until late morning.

    The showers and bathrooms are mostly clean and well stocked and there is a dedicated sink outside the building for dishes.

    What I really loved is how far into the park the camping is, you’re really surrounded by woods. There is also excellent and easy access to Lake Ontario.

    The park store has firewood, ice, and lots of other items like corn hole for rent. There is also a small boat shanty for boat rentals.


Guide to Waterloo

Camping near Waterloo, NY, offers a fantastic mix of outdoor fun and beautiful scenery. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

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 kayaking at Letchworth State Park Campground. A visitor shared, "We went paddleboarding... You can paddle down to Hector Falls and see it from the water."
  • Sightseeing: Visit nearby waterfalls and parks. One camper at Keuka Lake State Park Campground noted, "The lake is clean and clear, great for fishing, boating, and swimming."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review from Letchworth State Park Campground stated, "The bathrooms were clean and functional."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer generous space between sites. A visitor at Sampson State Park Campground mentioned, "Most sites are pretty spacious."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds like Watkins Glen / Corning KOA have plenty of activities for kids. One family said, "The campground and showers were clean... there were some things that didn't work... However, the area was absolutely gorgeous."

What you should know:

  • Site Proximity: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A camper at Robert H. Treman State Park Campground noted, "Electric sites are not the best though. Rocky and unlevel."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have stores or markets. A visitor at Stony Brook State Park Campground mentioned, "No camp store, but firewood & ice were available at check-in station."
  • Noise Levels: Some sites can be noisy due to road proximity or other campers. A review from Taughannock Falls State Park Campground stated, "The sites were also very close to each other and rather shallow, thereby limiting privacy."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities. One camper at Sampson State Park Campground said, "There are lots of things to do with a couple of playgrounds, guarded swimming area, kayak rentals."
  • Plan for Meals: Some campgrounds have limited food options. A visitor at Green Lakes State Park Campground noted, "You can rent kayaks... and it was all very handicap accessible which I thought was very impressive."
  • Pack for Activities: Bring gear for hiking, swimming, and other activities. A camper at Buttermilk Falls State Park Campground mentioned, "The campground is amazing and GO SEE THOSE FALLS!"

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Accessibility: Some sites may require long extension cords. A review from Sampson State Park Campground stated, "Electric service boxes are shared in-between sites."
  • Book Early: Popular campgrounds fill up fast. A visitor at Watkins Glen State Park Campground advised, "Book quickly because they fill up fast and then you’re waiting for cancellations."
  • Explore Nearby Attractions: Many campgrounds are close to wineries and parks. A camper at Keuka Lake State Park Campground noted, "Not far from Penn Yan, nice city, wineries are all over."

Camping near Waterloo, NY, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With a variety of campgrounds and activities, there's something for everyone!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Waterloo, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Waterloo, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 134 campgrounds and RV parks near Waterloo, NY and 7 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Waterloo, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Waterloo, NY is Cayuga Lake State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 14 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Waterloo, NY.