Mollie D.
Scout
ScoutRiverbend East Campground
Outside All Day
We ended up extending our stay by another night because we werent ready to leave. The weather was perfect and it was just nice being outside all day. Definitely worth the trip.
Camping near Earlville, NY
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The Earlville, New York area contains a variety of camping options throughout the surrounding state forests and managed recreation areas. Dispersed camping is available at Whaupaunaucau State Forest and Bear Wallow Pond in Pharsalia Woods, while more developed facilities can be found at Bowman Lake State Park Campground and Lebanon Reservoir Campground. Charles E. Baker State Forest offers primitive camping with designated sites featuring fire pits and picnic tables. The region includes a mix of accommodation types ranging from tent-only areas to full-service RV campgrounds with hookups, as well as cabin rentals at select locations like Bowman Lake State Park and Lebanon Reservoir.
Camping permits are required at several locations in the area, particularly within DEC Wildlife Management Areas. "Camping in this DEC Wildlife Management Area is limited, and requires a permit. Visit the regional DEC office or call 607-753-3095; allow one week for permit to be processed," notes one visitor about Pharsalia Y Pond. Many state forest locations allow free primitive camping but require campers to follow standard backcountry regulations, staying at least 150 feet from water sources. The camping season generally runs from May through mid-October, with Bowman Lake State Park operating from May 13 to October 9. Winter access is limited, though some areas remain open for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling during colder months.
Campers report high satisfaction with waterfront locations across the region. Lebanon Reservoir Campground receives praise for its scenic boating opportunities and well-maintained facilities. According to one visitor, "The sites themselves are all in the open, with a nice forest behind you. Way easy access, but not a ton of shade or privacy." Primitive sites in state forests offer greater seclusion and lower costs, with Charles E. Baker State Forest described as a "beautiful forest with miles of trails" offering both official camp spots with water access and dispersed sites. Several reviews mention the excellent hiking opportunities on the Finger Lakes Trail, which connects multiple state forests in the area and provides access to primitive lean-to shelters maintained by volunteer hiking clubs.
Best Campgrounds near Earlville (138)
1. Charles E. Baker State Forest
"Only found one designated campsite, which was available, but there’s a lot of good space for dispersed camping right nearby. Access at the end of a long, but well maintained, dirt road."
"Beautiful forest with miles of trails. I found this spot passing through on my bike and had no problem pitching a tent in a secluded spot in the woods."
2. Bowman Lake State Park Campground
"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."
from $21 - $65 / night
Check Availability3. Lebanon Reservoir Campground
"The sites themselves are all in the open, imagine parallel parking your rig off the side of a road, with a nice forest behind you. That's kind of the deal here."
4. Butternut Hill RV Campground
"There is also a famous Inn and restaurant, the Landmark Inn, which anchors the town, adjacent to a trailhead for a hiking trail along the historic Chenango Canal, an offshoot of the Erie Canal. "
5. Stoney Pond State Forest Camping Area
"The spots are big and great walks as well if you have dogs. Easy access to the pond too. 20 minutes to waterfall state park & there is a maple shop not too far as well for treats etc."
"There are 15 drive-in campsites widely spaced and set into the woods, and two developed walk-in sites on the west shore."
6. Hunts Pond State Forest
"The campground is still being minimally maintained as a group of 8 drive-in campsites on the north side, and 4 other scattered sites on the east and of the pond."
7. Green Lakes State Park Campground
"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"
"The sites are nice, some are little close to each other but nice for group camping. A short distance (walk or by car) to the beach. The lake is a little chilly sometimes but very refreshing."
from $24 - $116 / night
Check Availability8. Whaupaunaucau State Forest
"This is a relatively unknown oasis outside of the county, but this state forest has a network of miles of trails for both hiking and criss country skiing."
9. Pharsalia Y Pond
"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."
10. Bear Wallow Pond Dispersed Campsite in Pharsalia Woods
"The site is adjacent to a small parking area and fishing access on a really beautiful pond, which is unnamed on the map but is an impoundment of Bear Wallow Creek so it can be considered Bear Wallow Pond"
Drive Time
- 43 min from Utica, NY
- 55 min from Syracuse, NY
- 1 hr 5 min from Binghamton, NY
- 1 hr 24 min from Ithaca, NY
Recent Camping Photos near Earlville, NY
156 Photos of 138 Earlville Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Charles E. Baker State Forest
Butternut Hill RV Campground
Butternut Hill RV Campground
Stoney Pond State Forest Camping Area
Lizzie's Campground Corporation
Bowman Lake State Park Campground
O Land
Tentrr Signature Site - Christmas Tree Farm Hideaway
Coyote Hollow ParkC
Coyote Hollow ParkC
Morgan Hill Forest—Onondaga Trailhead campground
Spruce Pond Camping Area - Morgan Hill State ForestN
Recent Reviews near Earlville, NY
399 Reviews of 138 Earlville Campgrounds
Ethel C.ScoutRiverbend East Campground
Around The River
The location worked out really well for us. We were able to explore during the day and come back to camp in the evening. The area is beautiful, especially around the river.
- EEthan M.Scout
Riverbend East Campground
Wants To Camp
Great spot for anyone who just wants to camp and enjoy the outdoors. We spent the day exploring and came back to cook dinner at the site. No complaints here.
- BBlake D.Scout
Riverbend East Campground
Made The Trip
The river was gorgeous and there were some really nice spots to sit and enjoy it. We took our coffee down there every morning. Small things like that made the trip.
- IIsabella D.Scout
Riverbend East Campground
Exactly what we needed
Had a really fun weekend here with the kids. They spent most of the day outside while we relaxed around the fire at night. Exactly what we needed.
Thomas B.
RangerTilden Hill Farm
Perfect Overnight Stay
Stopped here on my way from Maine to Ohio. I booked via Harvest Hosts and chose to boondock since they had a market (pay for food instead of a booking fee) and I was pleasantly surprised with the overall location. The entire farm is in great condition, the roads are marked well, there are several trails, plenty of wildlife, and just a generally pleasant experience. Loaded up on some goods at the market.
- KKing T.Scout
Riverbend East Campground
Enjoyed The Area
We stopped here on our way through and ended up wishing we had booked a longer stay. Really enjoyed the area and the campsite was comfortable.
Izabella K.ScoutRiverbend East Campground
Nice Place
Loved waking up to the sound of the water. Such a nice place to unplug for a few days.
- GGreg F.Scout
Cooperstown KOA
Great location and campground
Spaces were easy in/out. Mature trees between sites. Pool, office, pickleball, k9kamp, bathrooms were all nice.
Guide to Earlville
The Earlville, New York area encompasses several state forests and recreational areas offering varied camping experiences. Charles E. Baker State Forest provides free primitive camping with hike-in and walk-in access points suitable for tent campers seeking solitude. Meanwhile, developed facilities like Lebanon Reservoir Campground and Bowman Lake State Park accommodate both tent and RV campers with electric hookups, showers, and water access. The region includes a mix of established campgrounds with amenities and dispersed sites in places like Whaupaunaucau State Forest and Bear Wallow Pond, where campers can experience more secluded surroundings.
Camping permits and regulations vary across the region's public lands. Many state forest sites require advance permits despite being free, particularly in wildlife management areas. According to one visitor at Pharsalia Y Pond, "Camping in this DEC Wildlife Management Area is limited, and requires a permit. Visit the regional DEC office or call; allow one week for permit to be processed." Road access ranges from well-maintained routes to challenging forest roads marked as "low maintenance." Most campgrounds operate seasonally from May through October, with Bowman Lake State Park and Lebanon Reservoir Campground closing by mid-October. Winter conditions can make access difficult, and some roads may become impassable during spring thaw or after heavy rainfall.
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw throughout the region. Several primitive sites cluster around small ponds and reservoirs, offering fishing and non-motorized boating opportunities. Bear Wallow Pond provides "a clearing for tenting adjacent to a small parking area and fishing access on a really beautiful pond," as one camper described. The area's state forests feature interconnected trail systems, including segments of the Finger Lakes Trail that provide backpacking routes between camping areas. Campers seeking more developed experiences gravitate toward Lebanon Reservoir Campground and Bowman Lake State Park, which feature amenities like hot showers, picnic tables, and boat rentals. Sites throughout the region vary considerably in terms of privacy, with state forest campgrounds typically offering more seclusion than developed parks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Earlville, NY?
What camping is available near Earlville, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Earlville, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 138 campgrounds and RV parks near Earlville, NY and 13 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Earlville, NY?
Which is the most popular campground near Earlville, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Earlville, NY is Charles E. Baker State Forest with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Earlville, NY?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Earlville, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 free dispersed camping spots near Earlville, NY.
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