The Marietta region sits in central New York's Finger Lakes area at approximately 1,200 feet elevation, characterized by rolling hills and glacial valleys. Several rv campgrounds near Marietta, New York operate seasonally from May through October due to winter temperature drops that can reach below freezing. Most campgrounds close by mid-October when nighttime temperatures consistently fall below 40°F.
What to do
Winery access: Finger Lakes RV Resort in Hector provides walking paths to two adjacent wineries. "Two wineries are even walkable! Owners are clearly dedicated to excellence," notes Laura W., highlighting the convenience for wine enthusiasts.
Gorge hiking: Within 30 minutes of Marietta camping areas, visitors can access multiple waterfall trails. "We've been hiking the last few days - Watkins Glen State Park - Gorge Trail (go early or it gets REALLY crowded), Taughannock State Park - Gorge & North Ridge Trail over on Cayuga Lake," reports Steve A. from Finger Lakes RV Resort.
Casino entertainment: Free shuttles operate 24 hours between The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone and the casino complex. "Convenient to the highway with 24 hour shuttles to the casino 5 minutes away, yet quiet and beautifully maintained," says April L., making it accessible for evening entertainment without driving.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the generous site spacing at newer facilities. At Finger Lakes RV Resort, Craig F. notes, "The campground sites are very large and spread out. Being a newer campground, the trees are small, but that did not take away from the experience."
Family activities: Campgrounds north of Marietta offer organized weekend events for children. Sara H. at Lake Bluff RV Park shares, "They do events for kids every weekend. If you camp 6 nights in one season you get a night free!"
Farm camping experience: For a different camping style, small family farms near Marietta offer personal attention. At Woonton Family Farms, Willemien V. reports, "We had an excellent stay at the farm of the Woonton Family Farms with our RV, it was a cozy and beautiful campsite with personal attention of the owner. We had a great campfire, fresh blackberries and the option of canoeing."
What you should know
Seasonal differences: RV campgrounds in Marietta, New York have distinctly different atmospheres between weekdays and peak weekends. Robert M. from Brennan Beach Campground observed, "Very large thousand trail campgrounds. Very large I believe it's 1300+ sites. We went late summer show it was becoming offseason. Most amenities close down."
Cell service variations: Signal strength varies significantly between campgrounds, with stronger coverage near Syracuse. Michael O. notes at The Villages RV Park, "The only real negatives would be the proximity to some railroad tracks, which can be somewhat active and very audible in some spots."
Site location considerations: Request sites away from internal roads at busier campgrounds to avoid traffic noise. Jodi from Spruce Row Campground explains, "We were on an end spot at an intersection inside the campground. Lots of golf carts whizzing around and due to our campsite location they unfortunately were able to shine their lights on us every time they turned the corner after dark."
Tips for camping with families
Off-peak advantages: Book family trips during weekdays when possible for reduced crowds. Victoria notes about Lake Bluff, "Have been to lake buff twice this year and will definitely be back next year! The owners are so personable, accommodating and kind! Kids activities are great. Even with COVID they have stuff to keep them busy."
Recreation facilities: Check for specific kid amenities that match your family's interests. Jay P. explains, "Had a large, private plot in drumlin loop. Close to the beach which was very pretty and clean. Hiking trails, kayaking, and lots of other fun activities."
Special event camping: Time your visit to coincide with regional festivals for added family entertainment. Janet R. at Butternut Hill RV Campground shares, "The campground is in a convenient location in Bouckville, a small upstate NY village with a concentration of numerous antique shops, which is a draw for collectors in the area."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Request sites away from main roads for quieter stays. Thomas R. advises, "About 10 yards to the next campsite in either direction, zero privacy, although luckily all the other tent sites were empty, because I was the only tent camper fool enough to stay here."
Short-term stays: Marietta area campgrounds can serve as convenient overnight stops during longer journeys. Frank M. from The Villages RV Park notes, "Very pleasant and knowledgeable staff, well maintained and pleasantly arranged spaces. There were a lot of campers set up when we were there but we never felt crowded."
Reservation planning: Book well in advance for summer weekends, especially for holiday periods. Jen O. explains, "We scheduled a pull through for 1 night last minute due to an unexpected change in plans. We are a full-time traveling family (2 kids - 8 & 13) and 2 English Bulldogs. We have a Class A motorhome and flat tow a Jeep."
