Endicott camping areas sit within New York's Southern Tier at approximately 840 feet elevation. The region experiences four distinct seasons with winter temperatures dropping below freezing and summer highs reaching into the 80s. Most campgrounds near Endicott operate seasonally from May through October, with some extending into early November depending on weather conditions.
What to do
Lake activities: fishing and swimming: Chenango Valley State Park Campground provides access to two lakes where fishing for trout and bass is popular. "Plenty of space to swim, and the walking trails are well maintained. You can also fish in the lake for trout and bass," notes Matt G.
Hiking the local trails: Robert H. Treman State Park Campground offers numerous hiking options through glacially formed landscapes. "Don't let the beginning steps fool you, the rim trail can be very strenuous," shares Matt G., highlighting the challenging nature of some trails.
Mountain biking: Chenango Valley State Park Campground features multi-use trails suitable for mountain biking. One visitor noted, "There's is a perfect lake for kayaking for beginner or seasoned, as well as great hiking and mountain biking trails. Keep your eye peeled for the resident bald eagle."
Bird watching opportunities: The area provides excellent wildlife viewing. "Nice green park on the water. Short easy trails. Lots of info about the glaciers that formed the lakes you can swim in. Great wildlife (wood ducks & kingfishers)," explains Dan N.
What campers like
Peaceful wooded settings: Pine Valley RV Park & Campground offers a tranquil environment. "I have been camping at Pine Valley for over 15 years and considerate a family oriented relaxing campground. They have hayrides in the summer and swimming in the lake. Lakeside sites are spacious and reasonably priced," reports Mark L.
Yurt accommodations: Oneida Campground & Lodge provides alternative lodging options including yurts for those seeking yurt camping near Endicott, New York. "Went first time in cabin rental. Nice room, amenities, and fire ring. Small but nice little getaway," says Tj C.
Wildlife encounters: The area's campgrounds offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. "We had four deer that were feeding behind our site in the morning," notes Mary S., describing her experience at Chenango Valley State Park.
Clean facilities: Hickories Park Campground maintains well-kept facilities. "I pulled in at about 6pm mid week, the ranger station was closed. Drove around & found tent site 79 open, it's next to the river. The campground is well maintained, the porta potty in the tent area was very clean, I felt very safe," shares alyssa F.
What you should know
Seasonal operating schedules: Most campgrounds near Endicott have limited seasons. "This is a gated campground that we stayed at 6/30/19-7/04/19," notes a visitor to Oneida Campground & Lodge, highlighting the importance of checking operating dates.
Weather considerations: The area can experience unexpected weather changes. "Went in the fall, very quiet, and peaceful. Woke to snow on the tent," shares Scott M. about his experience at Robert H. Treman State Park.
Site differences: Campground areas within the same park can vary significantly. "Our first visit was at the Pine Bluff camping area and our second was the Chipmunk Bluff. The campground is well kept and spacious with several different areas to camp in," explains Eammon C. about Chenango Valley State Park.
Wildlife awareness: "Beware of raccoons. They are brazen thieves here...and every campground they inhabit. Just don't leave your food out," advises Mary S., warning about common wildlife encounters.
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds and special amenities: Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground caters specifically to families. "The owners do a fantastic job keeping the campground shipshape. Restrooms/showers are immaculate any time of day. Heated swimming pool and the splash pad for kiddies is spotless as well," notes Cheryl W.
Consider themed weekend events: Many campgrounds host special activities. "There was a rainy weekend and the kids still had a blast. We had the Moms due that paint and sip event for Mother's Day and it was well planned and enjoyed!" shares Jared M.
Choose sites with open play areas: Some locations provide better spaces for children. "They have so many birds, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits and insects that it was a veritable wonderland. Playground and shallow swimming area for children with life guards and a sandy beach and new bath house," describes Mary P.
Check for accessible trails: Watkins Glen State Park Campground offers options for various ages. "Watkins Glen Watkins Glen is beautiful and scenic. If you enjoy hiking and scenery this is the place for you. I would describe the hikes as moderately difficult. The main one has a lot of steps but lots of walkway in between them so it's not just up up up more steps," explains Jennifer W.
Tips from RVers
Check site surface type: Different camping areas have varying site conditions. "Parking pads in the non-electric section are dirt/grass. Some of the pads are short; this section is geared toward tent campers. Parking pads in the electric loops (30 amps and 50 amps) have a good amount of gravel," advises Mary S.
Research hookup availability: Robert H. Treman State Park Campground provides varied utility options. "Some sites have shared fresh water hookup between the sites," notes Jennifer D., highlighting an important consideration for water access.
Consider site levelness and size: Not all sites accommodate larger vehicles. "Electric sites are not the best though. Rocky and unlevel. Not made for large campers," warns Victoria about Robert H. Treman State Park.
Be prepared for tight access roads: Some campgrounds have challenging internal roads. "Watkins Glen was absolutely beautiful. 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," cautions Laura L.
