The Finger Lakes region around Dundee offers diverse camping experiences across elevations ranging from 700 to 1,100 feet. Sites vary from lakeside locations to forest settings with hardwood canopies that provide natural shade during summer months when temperatures typically range from 75-85°F. Most campgrounds in this area remain open from April through October, with peak season bringing higher visitor numbers in July and August.
What to do
Gorge hiking and waterfall viewing: At Taughannock Falls State Park, trails accommodate various skill levels. "The fall itself is amazing and the location is unbeatable since you're camping in the State Park. The hikes are moderately difficult with lots of walkway in between steps so it's not just up up up more steps," notes one camper. The park features 19 waterfalls along the main trail.
Swimming in natural settings: Robert H. Treman State Park offers a unique swimming experience. "You can swim in the waterfall area here. However, it can be VERY busy in the summer time in the swimming area, making it difficult to find your own space," shares one visitor. The swimming area includes a diving board into a natural pool at the base of a waterfall.
Military history exploration: History buffs can visit Sampson State Park. "It was a Naval training base during WWll. It has a Naval museum with many authentic items from that era. If you like wildlife you may run into some animals that are indigenous to Central/Western NY," explains a camper. The museum typically opens daily from 10am-4pm during peak season.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Watkins Glen State Park Campground earns praise for site layout. "The sites are good sized, they offer cabins as well. The bathhouses are clean and well lit at night. This is definitely a large family area," says one repeat visitor. Sites in the wooded sections offer more shade and separation than open areas.
Clean facilities: Cleanliness consistently appears in reviews. "The bathrooms were fine. So basically it hits all the must haves. I guess I am more accustomed to staying at state parks. Would I stay there again, yes, but it wouldn't be my first choice," notes a camper at Clute Park and Campground, where sites are closer together than state parks but well-maintained.
Welcoming touches: Campers appreciate personal attention. "We really enjoyed our stay. They were so helpful as we were first time campers. We loved the friendship bread when we arrived," shares a visitor at Sned Acres Campground. Several privately owned campgrounds in the region offer similar welcome gestures for guests.
What you should know
Site selection matters: At Sampson State Park, "Loop 5 has beautiful views of the lake. Great little beach and swimming area; water was very clean. Potable water fill station and dump tanks at entrance/exit." Planning early is essential as lakeside sites book quickly, especially for summer weekends.
Seasonal availability: Most camping options near Dundee operate seasonally. Robert H. Treman stays open from "April 22 to November 20" while Taughannock Falls operates from "April 15 to October 16." Off-season camping is limited, with few campgrounds remaining open during winter months.
Crowd levels vary: Summer weekends bring more visitors. "The campground is popular on weekends (and almost daily in summer) but even with a bit of a crowd absolutely worth it when you're in the Finger Lakes," explains a visitor to Watkins Glen. Midweek stays typically offer quieter experiences with less competition for facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Families value recreation areas. "There is a huge new playground for the kids and lots of area to walk around the loops if you don't want to hike the gorge trail," mentions a Watkins Glen camper. Several campgrounds feature multiple playground areas distributed throughout the camping loops.
Swimming options: Harpy Hollow offers glamping in Dundee, New York with amenities unexpected at primitive sites. "They installed a gorgeous shower facility, which was so well appointed. They even had hotel shampoo/conditioner/soap sets in baggies for you," reports a visitor, making this spot suitable for families new to camping or those seeking glamping near Dundee.
Educational opportunities: Turn camping into learning experiences. At Sampson State Park, families can "definitely go on both visual and audio tours" of the military museum. Many campgrounds provide nature programs or historical information that engages children while teaching about local ecosystems and history.
Tips from RVers
Hookup logistics: RVers should note setup details. At Pinecreek Campground, "Electric service boxes are shared in-between sites. This could pose an issue if your power cord is not long enough. There is only one source for water fill up." Bringing extension cords and additional water hoses helps overcome these challenges.
Site dimensions: Size matters for larger rigs. At Watkins Glen, "The sites are quite wooded with plenty of space in between. We stayed in a 30 ft. motorhome, and the roads within the campground were kind of tight to get through with trees and curves." Pre-booking sites designated for larger units and careful navigation upon arrival helps prevent issues.
Reservation timing: Book well in advance for luxury glamping near Dundee, New York and surrounding areas. At Camp Elmbois, there are "Some larger sites to accommodate up to 40' rigs. Reasonable width sites," but with only 22 total sites available, securing reservations early is essential, especially during peak season.
