Glamping near Hemlock, New York sits at 1,500 feet above sea level, providing cooler summer temperatures than surrounding lowland areas. The region receives significant snowfall in winter, with accumulations often reaching 24+ inches in January and February. The elevated terrain features hardwood forests dominated by sugar maple, beech, and the namesake hemlock trees that create dense shade in summer months.
What to do
Hike the gorge trails: At Letchworth State Park Campground, trails connect directly to campsites for easy access to the park's 66 miles of hiking paths. "When we lived in Rochester we'd take out of town guests either here or to Watkins Glen. The campgrounds are basic and very nice given the relatively high popularity," notes Harry H.
Enjoy water activities: The natural swimming area at Stony Brook State Park Campground provides cooling relief during summer months. "This park is beautiful and has a unique swimming area- a 'pool' carved from the mountain! There are lots of paths and picnic areas, as well as beautiful hiking trails and creeks to cool off in," shares Kayti D.
Visit during fall foliage: October brings spectacular color changes to the forests around Hemlock. A visitor to Ontario County Park noted, "Great secluded tent camping (recommend numbers 7 and 8), cabins are new and ample beds and space. Numerous pavilions that are wonderful for parties or weddings."
Explore cycling routes: Paved roads through Letchworth State Park provide excellent cycling opportunities with minimal vehicle traffic. Amber A. mentions, "Not technically in the Finger Lakes but still one of the most beautiful parts of Western New York State. I love taking visitors here in all seasons but in autumn it is exceptional."
Fish in stocked ponds: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing opportunities without needing a boat. At Ontario County Park, a visitor simply noted "Fishing pond" as one of the amenities, while The Ridge Campsite features "multiple fishing ponds" according to Nick O.
What campers like
Well-maintained facilities: Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill receives consistent praise for cleanliness. "I've stayed here on 3 separate occasions, twice in RV 12 and once in RV 6. The washrooms facility is very close and speaking for the men's side, it had 2 stalls, 2 urinals, 2 showers, multiple sinks, and a sturdy baby changing station," reports Dayne B.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning and evening wildlife sightings enhance the camping experience. "Deer, chipmunks and rabbits will say hi in the early and late hours," notes Dayne B. about Ontario County Park. Jenise P. shares about Canandaigua-Rochester KOA: "I'm a birder and my tent site here is next to a little grove of trees where I counted 12 species of birds this morning."
Variety of accommodation options: Watkins Glen State Park Campground offers diverse sleeping arrangements. "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," Laura L. explains.
Affordable prices: Compared to resort accommodations, glamping near Hemlock provides excellent value. A reviewer of Stony Brook mentioned, "Affordable, Family friendly, loved the waterfalls."
Secluded sites: Tent campers appreciate the privacy at certain campgrounds. "Great secluded tent camping (recommend numbers 7 and 8)," notes Sarah C. about Ontario County Park, while Olivia R. says about Stony Brook, "Sites are a good size."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Book early for peak season at Canandaigua-Rochester KOA. "We lucked out with a nice private site in the back. The sites here for the most part are lacking in privacy," cautions Greg S.
Weather variability: The Finger Lakes region experiences significant fluctuations, even in summer. Jeff A. notes about Letchworth: "Beautiful state park, very lush green from all the rain unfortunately the smoke from the Canadian fires near have made it unhealthy here, especially strenuous outdoor activities."
Site leveling needs: Uneven terrain at some campgrounds requires preparation. Jonathan G. advises about Ontario County Park: "Make sure to bring plenty of leveling blocks as some sites are far from level."
Wildlife concerns: Rodents have been reported at some campgrounds. One candid review of Stony Brook noted: "Most of the camp areas washed out from rain with water running through them. Rats and mice all over... The mice were all around the campsites."
Connectivity limitations: Cell service can be non-existent. Lela S. warns about Flint Creek Campgrounds: "Don't expect any cell phone service. I've had friends who climbed up on top of their RV and still, no signal."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: The Ridge Campsite features multiple play areas. "Had a wonderful weekend and the owner and family were amazing. The kids had so much fun on the playgrounds and with all of the other kids," shares Marissa R.
Pool availability timing: Swimming facilities often open later in the season. A visitor to Watkins Glen noted: "One thing that we were kind of disappointed in, is that the campground pool doesn't open until the end of June."
Pet restrictions: Dogs aren't permitted on all trails. Lindsay C. cautions about Watkins Glen: "Dogs are allowed but they are not allowed on the gorge trail. I'm ok with this I just wish I had known before we got there."
Evening entertainment: Plan for campfire activities after dark. Lisa M. described Letchworth as having a "Quiet relaxing atmosphere, lots of hiking trails and family friendly with parks and a pool for the kids to play."
Educational opportunities: Several parks feature interpretive signage. Seth S. notes about Letchworth: "The roads, and trails, and lookout points are all well constructed, and flow well. The scenery is remarkable, and there is a lot of informative boards, dedicated benches that provide a lot of interesting history and information."
Tips from RVers
Site size limitations: Larger rigs face challenges at some campgrounds. Laura L. cautions about Watkins Glen: "We stayed in a 30 ft. motorhome, and the roads within the campground were kind of tight to get through with trees and curves."
Full hookup locations: Southwoods RV Resort offers comprehensive RV services. Nancy W. explains: "We chose a back-in 50-amp full hook-up site (M28) at $42/night. All the utilities were placed appropriately so we didn't need any extensions. The water pressure and electric were good."
Weekend crowding: Expect changes in atmosphere on weekends. Nancy W. notes about Southwoods: "We stayed four nights (which included a weekend) and experienced the park going from half full and quiet to packed with lots of music, all-day fires, and big gatherings."
Dump station access: Some campgrounds provide this essential service. "Dump stations are present, but I haven't used them yet," mentions Dayne B. about Ontario County Park.
Generator policies: Check regulations before arrival, as some parks restrict generator use. Southwoods RV Resort provides full electrical service, eliminating the need for generators, with a visitor noting the park is "very well managed, peaceful, friendly and well maintained."
