130 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Newtown Battlefield State Park Campground provides well-maintained grounds where pets are welcomed alongside campers. This campsite features tidy, mowed sites with accessible facilities and accommodates tent, RV, and cabin camping options. Each site includes a convenient combination grill/fire ring and individual trash can. Rangers regularly patrol the grounds ensuring safety for pets and owners alike. Campers report that while self-service check-in is common, the reservation process works efficiently for those bringing animals. Park Station Campground also permits pets with spacious lots on gravel sites that help keep camping areas clean and mud-free when it rains. Both pet-friendly campgrounds near Elmira maintain strict leash requirements for all pets, with designated pet waste disposal areas throughout the facilities.
Surrounding hiking trails connect many of these pet-friendly campgrounds, with clear signage at intersections making navigation straightforward for dog owners. The well-worn paths near Newtown Battlefield provide ample exercise opportunities for pets, though visitors should check for ticks after walks as black leg ticks have been reported in the area. Park Station offers a convenient location for exploring the broader Finger Lakes region with pets, positioned just 30-40 minutes from Watkins Glen, Ithaca, and Corning. Sites are routinely maintained for cleanliness and safety, with grassy areas between campsites providing space for pet breaks. During summer months, the area can become quite hot, so campers should ensure pets have adequate shade and water access throughout their stay.
"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."
"I absolutely love coming to Watkins Glen Campground, especially when I went to get away from the busy city. This park has gorgeous waterfalls, and great paths to walk and hike on."
from $20 - $58 / night
Check Availability"We were looking to spend a couple of nights near Watkins Glen to hit the wineries, waterfalls, and nearby museums around the finger lakes of New York and this park seemed to be in a good location for us"
"The weather was great, so we had a great view of the forest around us & the sky was amazing! KOA does a great job of keeping everything organised & clean.
It was nice & quiet. "
"Sandy beach, man-made lake with enough space to swim, and boating to explore. Nice trail around the lake to walk or bike with a little difficulty."
"Convenient location to explore the Finger Lakes. 30-40 minutes from Watkins Glen, Ithaca and Corning."
"Near the entrance is the Pull Through Area. Behind a row of trees there are several sites with full hookups including cable TV and Wi-Fi. The sites are open, reasonably level, and a good size."
"Near many attractions close to Watkins Glen. Clean and the staff was a pleasure to deal with"
"Pretty self serve, rangers drive through often but never seems to be anyone at the check-in. You can reserve a site or a cabin, or you can show up after three and see what is open."
from $21 - $81 / night
Check Availability"I happened upon this campground by following the blue tent sign on the highway. No frills but very comfy and nice views. Don’t forget to look for the Peace sign."
"Located in Tompkins County, Ithaca New York has beautiful gorges and hiking trails. Robert Treman is a treat and a gorgeous place to camp in the Ithaca, NY area."
"A waterfall cascades through a gorge here, ending in a beautiful pool for swimming at the base of the falls, with a trout stream flowing out of it towards nearby Cayuga Lake. "
from $20 - $128 / night
Check Availability"We stayed here during an anniversary trip to the Finger Lakes. Easy proximity to Seneca Lake and Watkins Glen State Park. Nice wooded area kept us far enough away from other campers. Great location!"
"Will be returning, I found a lovely spot tucked into a back corner and has the most relaxing weekend."
"Large fields behind most sites for activities.
full hook ups available
numerous hiking trails, large lake for boating, fishing and swimming."
"It was a great spot and happily, I was totally alone as no one had booked any of the sites near me( the closest people were about 400m away)."
from $24 - $100 / night
Check Availability"Short trail with lots of steps to a lovely waterfall in a typical Finger Lakes kind of gorge. Camp sites wooded and short walk from good views."
"Great place for young families sure to the playground, short hike to the falls, bathrooms, pavilions, and very close to Seneca Lake and the Finger Lakes Trail and the Catherine Valley Trail."
TravelerWonderful location and marvelous hosts. We were welcomed with chocolate chip cookies as we checked in. Bathrooms were beautiful and clean. Two wineries we could walk to and dozens more nearby. Our site was spacious and the dog park gave our pups plenty of time off leash. We definitely plan on returning.
RangerThe park itself is pretty small but it’s in a really cute area with a lot of outdoor recreational activities. Lovely but simple views all around and rolling green hills in the distance. Campground is well-kept and relatively modern but not particularly memorable. Nice little stopover on a road trip. Lots of day use activity. Dog park is kind of annoying with all the barking and owners shouting futile commands, try to camp away from it. Ditto for train noise, stay by the river. It does what it does well, so five stars!
GuidePinecreek is a beautiful park in a great area 10 minutes from downtown Ithica New York and Lake Cayuga. The area has everything you could possibly want or need. Fabulous State Parks with spectacular waterfalls, a farmers market right on the lake front, Cornell University and so much more. That being said it may be the reason the campground doesn't offer any planned activities. They do have a swimming pool and what appears to be a large clubhouse/meeting area that is not or was not used while we were there, nor were any activities publicized. They do have a small arcade but it did not stay open past 8 pm and did not appear to be air-conditioned.
Our campsite was a full hookup with a large grassy area for setting up our outside chairs and picnic table. Although we enjoyed our stay we felt it was a bit overpriced for not having much to offer. They also have a very long list of rules & while they do allow pets there is a list of breed restrictions you need to be aware of before booking a reservation. They also charge for electricity on any stays one week or longer which we had not encountered previously at campgrounds where we have stayed.
Overall we enjoyed our stay but not sure we would stay again.
RangerWatkins 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. Sites are decently sized and well secluded from one another.
in addition, the park is so well situated within the Finger Lakes and all the various wine trails! Made for a perfect girls weekend! Definitely recommend!
GuideIt is a very nice open area to camp in. It is a first come first serve campground. The dog park is a great addition to the park. There is always something going on. Also allows for an easy place right off Route I-86 to rest while driving across MY. Some of the best river access there is to paddle through a great small town.
GuideI absolutely love coming to Watkins Glen Campground, especially when I went to get away from the busy city. This park has gorgeous waterfalls, and great paths to walk and hike on. It's located in Upstate New York, so it's close enough to the city but you feel like you are far away from the city. The campsites are great, clean and well kept. This park does get pretty busy though, because it is open to campers and people who just want to visit for the day to walk the trails. I love that they have trails that lead very close to the waterfalls..lots of rim trails that literally overlook the waterfalls and gorges. In the campground they do offer a pool, which again, does get busy because it's open to everyone regardless if you are camping or not. There also is tours you can take in the summer that will take you along the waterfalls and gorge, they have a playground for kids and an area with picnic tables. I went mid July and it was extremely busy, not sure when a good time to go during the summer when it's not as busy. That was the only downside I would say, is how crowded it was. There is also Seneca Lake nearby that many people go to fish in, however I didn't go on this trip but plan to next time. There are restrooms on site, however I didn't think they were that clean. Toilet paper and seat covers were out in most stalls, so I would advise to bring your own when you go. There is also some gift shops and food stands set up...one food stand has some pretty good hot dogs! The hikes to the gorge and waterfalls is pretty well maintained, however there are quite a bit of stairs. There were some people with kids in strollers that had to turn around because the stairs made it difficult. Not handicap friendly. I would advise to wear a good pair of walking shoes, and not sandals because it is slippery in some spots and again, a lot of stairs! I would highly recommend coming here, even if you don't decide to stay the night!
LegendJust off US 15 at the New York border. All roads and parking pads are paved. The sites are closer together than most other COE parks where we’ve stayed. We stayed in the Bench Loop which is very busy since it is waterfront. Our first week, we were on site 54 (W/E 50A) and waterfront. Our second week, we stayed on site 44 (FHU 50A) right across from the seldom used playground. Quite wooded here but we managed to get satellite TV. No Verizon phone service and very slow internet with a booster. This area is pretty with rolling hills all around so we enjoyed a couple of scenic drives. About an hour away is the Pine Creek Rail Trail in the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.
LegendJake here from the Dyrt! Harpy hollow not only has a great location in northern New York but is veteran owned and operated and ready to host more campers. Check them out and leave a review on the Dyrt when you stay!
GuideDefinitely 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. Pair awesome trails and camping space with world class wineries up the lake, you cannot go wrong.
Camping near Elmira, New York offers a balance of forested sites and lakeside recreation within the southern Finger Lakes region. The area sits at approximately 850 feet elevation with humid summer temperatures averaging 80°F during peak camping season. Sites throughout the region feature both wooded camping with hardwood shade and open areas with valley views, creating varied camping environments depending on location.
Gorge hiking with waterfall views: At Watkins Glen State Park Campground, the main attraction is the dramatic gorge with 19 waterfalls. "Watkins Glen was absolutely beautiful. The gorge trail is a MUST. Definitely go check this campsite out!" notes Laura L. The gorge trail features numerous stone steps and walkways connecting the cascades.
Local wine exploration: The Finger Lakes wine region provides numerous tasting opportunities near camping areas. At Watkins Glen / Corning KOA, you'll find yourself positioned near several wineries. "Nearby wineries and many wine drinkers camp here along with enjoying beautiful finger Lakes," mentions Rob M., highlighting the popularity of wine tourism among campers.
Swimming in natural settings: Several campgrounds offer swimming opportunities during summer months. At Havana Glen, campers can enjoy a unique swimming experience at Eagle Cliff Falls. "This camp ground has a beautiful waterfall you can hike up to and swim in," shares Sara M., describing the natural swimming hole formed by the waterfall.
Spacious, level sites: Many campgrounds in the Elmira area provide well-maintained sites with good spacing. At Park Station Campground, "What a great campground! Small, beautifully kept and the staff is absolutely amazing. The fishing is great, the amenities are very clean and there is not a bad site in the park," reports Ryan D.
Child-friendly amenities: Families appreciate the recreational facilities available at several campgrounds. Jennifer W. shares about Watkins Glen State Park: "This camp ground has a beautiful waterfall you can hike up to and swim in, also the sites are nice and have everything you'd need. Seneca lake is a short drive away for great fishing, kayaking and swimming."
Free camping options: Budget-conscious campers can find no-cost sites with basic amenities. At Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite, "26 camp sites with bathrooms! That flush! Very quiet and the sites aren't on top of each other. People bring their horses. You can drive to your site and tent camp or camper camp," explains Hannah G., highlighting the unusual combination of free camping with developed facilities.
Water quality varies by location: Some campgrounds have issues with water quality that may affect your experience. At Ferenbaugh Campground, Gary V. notes: "I have found the staff to be accommodating. They offer 30/50 amp sites, also have full hook ups and some primitive sites. The only bad comment I would make is there water is very smelly and brown. I actually bought a dual stage water filter and change it every two weeks."
Reservation requirements: Many popular sites fill quickly during peak season, especially on weekends. Availability can be limited without advance planning.
Pet policies beyond leash rules: While most campgrounds allow pets, specific trails may have restrictions. At Watkins Glen State Park, Lindsay C. points out: "Dogs are allowed but they are not allowed on the gorge trail. I'm ok with this I just wish I had know before we got there."
Playground access: Several pet-friendly camping areas near Elmira feature playgrounds for children. At Robert H. Treman State Park Campground, "Site 54 at Robert H Treman is very large, flat, nonelectric and well shaded with areas of sun. A long walk to the restroom. Beautiful waterfall swimming pool is very cold, but great on a hot day. Great playgrounds for the kids," shares reviewer not S.
Swimming options with various difficulty levels: When camping with children, consider the swimming areas carefully. Kelly J. notes about Robert H. Treman: "Great water for older kids that can swim. Lots of hiking trails that were along the gorge with water scenic views."
Educational opportunities: The region offers chances for children to learn about local history and nature. Several campgrounds provide interpretive trails and wildlife viewing areas suitable for family exploration.
Site surface considerations: RV campers should note the composition of sites when booking. Mike C. from Park Station Campground recommends: "Great place, low key camping with power. Nice spacious lots. Gravel sites help keep the camper clean and keeps the mud down."
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have tight access roads for larger rigs. Laura L. cautions about Watkins Glen State Park: "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."
Hook-up placement: At some locations, hook-ups may be oddly positioned relative to RV pads. Consider carrying extra-long hoses and cords to ensure proper connections regardless of site configuration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Elmira, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Elmira, NY is Watkins Glen State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 90 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Elmira, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 130 dog-friendly camping locations near Elmira, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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