Best Campgrounds near Elmira, NY

My family of 4 stopped at the Leonard Harrison campground for a 2-night camp while on our way to Maine from Indiana. It was a lovely 2-night stay and awesome area to explore as we discovered the “Pennsylvania Grand Canyon”!!! Who knew!?

The campground is situated directly next to the beautiful and accessible overlook area with new restrooms and completely new outdoor area to explore the canyon views and get direct access to hiking trails. It also had a new nature center that my kids enjoyed.

The campground had nice & clean restrooms and shower areas. And a larger room that’s perfect for camping families with little ones so you can shower & use the restroom all in a one single, larger secure room.

There was a cute little playground onsite. And the ranger station was next to the campground with friendly staff giving trail maps, advice and directions.

100% recommend exploring this area AND driving to nearby Kolten State Park. It has amazing outlook views and trails that are fun and run along the canyon.

If you’re a cyclist- definitely ride the nearby paved Pine Creek Trail. My husband rode a century on his own on Fathers Day while here. The trail goes through small towns and has spots to grab a bite to eat.

Don’t sleep on this area. It’s really cool and unknown for those looking for a neat spot to explore!

Health kinda made it impossible to really do much. But the setting, weather, views, and timing made sitting around the fire with family more than good enough. It feels like you're in another world, or at least separated from the daily hassles and vexations of society, with a wall of a mountain between you and them. Only got to spend a few days, but without a doubt we will be returning to enjoy the serenity and time together, with nature. Definitely a good spot or you're searching for peace and quiet. Also there's pretty much zero cell service, which is a good thing in my opinion.

I love that despite there being so many sites, you don’t feel on top of each other in Seneca Village. It’s a state campground so don’t expect it to be anything close to dispersed camping. Trees separated me from my neighbors on either side, woods behind my tent, lots of quiet, no one blasted music or anything like that. I woke up to seeing trees above me and hearing birds. The bathroom was clean, with multiple ways to enter it without going near someone else’s site. The campground felt safe, and you are able to buy firewood (I didn’t due to quite a bit of rain). To get to the gorge trail, you have to walk over to the next site (Oswego I think) but it’s not too far. I would most likely stay at that loop next time though because it seemed to have even more space on each site. I didn’t see any bears and asked a few workers but only one had seen a bear the entire time they’ve been there. Definitely recommend this location. Lots of beautiful trails, red cat wine slushies were delicious, grounds were fun to explore and people were either friendly or kept to themselves which was great. Super dog friendly and I met many of them! Just a note, dogs are NOT allowed on the gorge trail.