Georgetown, New York sits in the central part of the state at around 1,300 feet elevation, experiencing cold winters and mild summers typical of the region's continental climate. The area features numerous lakes and ponds nestled among rolling hills and mixed hardwood forests. Camping options near Georgetown range from primitive forest sites without facilities to developed campgrounds with full hookups, with most open from mid-May through early October.
What to do
Hiking the Finger Lakes Trail: Access multiple trail sections near Ludlow Creek Lean-To Campsite where campers can explore the heavily wooded terrain. "This is a beautiful primitive hike-in campsite alongside the Ludlow Creek section of the Finger Lakes Trail in Chenango County, New York. It is located in a beautiful, unspoiled and seldom visited region of state forest, providing a wilderness type experience fairly close to several nearby villages," notes Janet R.
Fishing for multiple species: Try Pharsalia Y Pond for brook trout in a secluded setting. "The pond is deep and clear and stocked with brook trout, and the campsite on the east side of the pond is in an idyllic setting with good camping, fishing (canoe or kayak only), and day hikes on the Finger Lakes Trail," explains Janet R. Fishing is also popular at Long Pond Campground where many locals gather.
Swimming and water recreation: Chenango Valley State Park offers a developed swimming area with lifeguards. As Fred C. mentions, "The beach area is well staffed and clean. Changing areas are available as well as a splash pad for the little kids." For kayaking, Courtney Z. recommends the same park: "Bring your bikes, the swimming is great and the entire swimming/boating area just underwent a major renovation. You can rent kayaks and paddle boards."
Mountain biking on multi-use trails: Several state forests provide trail access for mountain bikers. According to Mary S. at Chenango Valley State Park, the park offers "multi-use trails for hiking or mountain biking" making it suitable for cyclists of different skill levels.
What campers like
Secluded, private sites: Bowman Lake State Park Campground offers spacious, shaded campsites spread throughout a dense forest. Katarina M. states, "This campsite was beautiful. It was very secluded and in the woods, right next to the lake as well. I enjoyed how spread out this campground is compared to most and the location is beautiful." Another camper, Kim B., adds, "Campground is a maze of campsites through densely wooded forests so it's pretty private and shady."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds in the area provide chances to observe local wildlife. Mary S. at Chenango Valley notes, "Deer are all over. Watch out for them on the roads. We had four that were feeding behind our site in the morning." Bob D. at Cook Park mentions, "The highlight may be the wildlife, including a beaver family."
Year-round access at select sites: While most campgrounds close for winter, Chenango County Cook Park provides options for off-season use. Janet R. explains, "This is a small county park and campground located east of Greene NY. It gets a lot of day use for fishing, hiking and picnicking." For winter activities, Brian O. notes that Bowman Lake State Park is "opened for winter activities such as xcountry skiing and snow mobiling."
Free camping options: Several state forests near Georgetown offer no-cost camping. Balsam Swamp State Forest provides free camping with Janet R. noting, "You are also allowed to make your own dispersed campsite at any location of your choice within the Balsam Swamp State Forest, as long as you are more than 150 feet from the lakeshore."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the area operate from mid-May through early October. Chenango Valley State Park runs from "May 13 to October 9," while Long Pond Campground operates primarily during warm months with no winter maintenance.
Limited facilities at primitive sites: Kevin C. notes about Long Pond, "Site has no water, no garbage service and no phone signal." Similar limitations exist at other state forest sites. Another Long Pond reviewer mentions, "There is a port-a-potty near the entrance but otherwise a 'leave no trace' situation."
Weather considerations: The area experiences significant seasonal changes. Gerald L. at Bowman Lake notes, "We went up for a weekend trip. Tent camping. Site was sufficiently private and tucked away, but water/bathrooms/showers were close enough." Kelly J. warns about potential weather issues: "Our entire campsite was flooded so we just set up our tent on my brothers site with them."
Permit requirements: Some sites require advance permits. Janet R. explains that camping at Pharsalia Y Pond "requires a permit. Visit the regional DEC office at 1285 Fisher Ave., Cortland NY or call 607-753-3095, or email at Info.R7@dec.ny.gov; allow one week for permit to be processed."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with dedicated children's areas: Greenwood County Park offers family-friendly amenities. Kayti D. shares, "This is a beautiful and quiet campground- a hidden gem in Broome County! There are boats available for rent, a waterfront swimming area, great fishing, and lots of trails to hike!" Another parent, Matt G., adds, "There are grills and picnic tables, but you have to get there pretty early to claim them."
Choose sites with playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. Mary P. notes about Chenango Valley, "Playground and shallow swimming area for children with life guards and a sandy beach and new bath house. They have so many birds, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits and insects that it was a veritable wonderland."
Consider cabins for family comfort: Dog friendly campgrounds near Georgetown often include cabin options. Oleńka S. at Bowman Lake suggests, "We booked this as our first real camping trip with our new trailer, can't recommend that for everyone lol, but we had a lovely time." For those without camping equipment, cabins provide a comfortable alternative.
Select campgrounds with educational opportunities: Kayti D. recommends Chenango Valley for families, stating, "Fun with Grandparents! This was a great campground – very family-friendly. My kids spent a week with my parents there, there were lots of sites that were separated from each other by small patches of words, which made it more private."
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions before booking: RV sites vary considerably in size and levelness. Kevin C. observes that at Long Pond, "Campsites are level and long enough for a very small trailer. The trees are so thick we could not feed our solar panel." For larger rigs, Gerald L. notes that Bowman Lake has "Site was sufficiently private and tucked away, but water/bathrooms/showers were close enough."
Consider generator restrictions: Many pet friendly campgrounds near Georgetown have noise limitations. Kim B. at Bowman Lake explains, "No hookups but that means people have generators, though the campsites are big and you won't necessarily hear your neighbor running theirs."
Verify hookup availability: Campgrounds offer varying levels of services. Bob D. at Cook Park mentions, "Clean shower house and grounds. Very quiet with primarily seasonal campers." He adds, "Some sites may be a challenge for the largest of rigs."
Plan for seasonal openings: Most RV-friendly campgrounds close during winter. Country Hills Campground runs "April 25 to October 5," making late spring through early fall the primary camping season for RVs in the Georgetown area.
Legend
