Best Campgrounds near Horseheads, NY

The Horseheads, New York area features several established campgrounds offering diverse lodging options within short drives of local attractions. Watkins Glen State Park Campground, located approximately 20 miles southwest of Horseheads, provides tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin accommodations. Park Station Campground in Erin offers tent and RV sites with electric hookups around a man-made lake. The region includes multiple KOA locations with full-service amenities, while Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite presents more rustic opportunities for those seeking a less developed camping experience.

Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from May through October, with few remaining open during winter months. Road access to most camping areas consists of well-maintained paved and gravel routes suitable for standard vehicles. One camper noted that "Campsites are VERY close to neighbors" at Park Station, highlighting the importance of site selection for those wanting privacy. Water quality varies between locations, with some visitors reporting sediment issues requiring filtration. Weather patterns typically feature warm summers and cool spring and fall seasons, with higher elevations experiencing cooler temperatures even during peak summer months. Many established campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly for weekend stays and holiday periods.

Several visitors emphasized the family-friendly nature of the mixed-use campgrounds. Ferenbaugh Campground received positive reviews for its amenities, with one visitor commenting that it offers "Lots of Trees and Shade OR Plenty of Grass and Sun; whichever is your preference, they have you covered!" The camping areas near Watkins Glen provide convenient access to regional attractions including wineries, Seneca Lake, and Watkins Glen State Park's gorge trails. Park Station Campground features a sandy beach area with swimming access described as "shallow water" that works well for younger children but may not satisfy older swimmers. Most established campgrounds in the region provide standard amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and restroom facilities, while the more developed locations offer full hookups, camp stores, and recreational activities like mini-golf and swimming pools.

Best Camping Sites Near Horseheads, New York (140)

    1. Watkins Glen State Park Campground

    90 Reviews
    Watkins Glen, NY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 535-4511

    $24 - $58 / night

    "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."

    "Definitely 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."

    2. Watkins Glen / Corning KOA

    18 Reviews
    Montour Falls, NY
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 535-7404

    "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"

    "There is amazing hiking trails along the gorge with views of waterfalls! There is a nice pool and playgrounds. It’s close to downtown Watkins glen with lots of restaurants."

    3. Park Station Campground

    8 Reviews
    Erin, NY
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 739-9164

    "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."

    4. Ferenbaugh Campground

    7 Reviews
    Big Flats, NY
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 962-6193

    "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"

    5. Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    13 Reviews
    Tyrone, NY
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 622-8282

    "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."

    6. Robert H. Treman State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Ithaca, NY
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 273-3440

    $24 - $128 / night

    "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."

    "The exception to this is cabin 14 which is a double cabin and is located near the playground and surrounded by standard electric camping sites."

    7. Havana Glen

    4 Reviews
    Montour Falls, NY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 535-9476

    "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."

    8. Newtown Battlefield State Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Elmira, NY
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 732-6067

    $21 - $81 / night

    "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."

    9. Buttermilk Falls State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    Ithaca, NY
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 273-5761

    $21 - $66 / night

    "Buttermilk Falls State Park is a great state park in central New York. The scenery is what makes this park stand out."

    "Short drive out of Ithaca proper near one of the Finger Lakes. Medium to easy trails (the ones near the gorges are steep but with nice rock steps)."

    10. Gardner Hill Campground

    1 Review
    Elmira, NY
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 732-9827

    "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."

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Recent Reviews near Horseheads, NY

552 Reviews of 140 Horseheads Campgrounds


  • Terri H.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Holiday Hill Campground

    Such a great place to stay!

    Wonderful owners, tons of activities for kids and adults. The sites are spacious and very well kept. Highly recommend!

  • julian S.
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Tiadaghton Campground — Tioga State Forest

    Very crowded with bikers

    Nice campsite and cool view but be prepared to have a lot of bikers walking around the campground or stopping for lunch at near by sites. Also would recommend 4 wheel drive vehicles to drive to site, steep dirt roads to access it. It has a nice water front view but if seclusion is something you would like this spot may not be for you.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    Would Stay again

    We stayed here for 2 nights car camping. quiet and clean. spots had fire rings and picnic tables. Bathrooms were clean and had potable water. There were lots of horses. There are hiking trails right out of the site! would absolutely stay here again!

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    Free camping with amenities!

    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 to your site and tent camp or camper camp. I would come back!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Watkins Glen State Park Campground

    Nice campground in a gorgeous state park.

    Nice pretty campground, only electric hookup for the RV sites, tho. The showers were cool, no hot water. Close to some gorgeous hiking tho! And town is about a mile away with shops, restaurants and on the edge of one of the Finger Lakes to make it beautiful!

  • Chelsea B.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Robert H. Treman State Park Campground

    Good location

    Location: This park is close to Ithaca which was the best part. Trails and Natural Features: We loved the waterfall, swimming area (seasonal so closed when we stayed), and the fall colors. Sites: They have very few electric sites so we decided to boondock. It surprised me that all the full hookup sites were reserved but very people actually showed up for their reservations while we stayed. Lame. And heads up that if you don’t stay in the big clearing for big rigs, there are tight turns between trees to get in and out of the non-electric sites. We ended up making a back-in site into a pull-through site… whoops. Starlink: I work remotely so internet is important. We weren’t camping in the clearing because those sites were booked, but even the Starlink struggled where we were and I ended up working from the library in town. So heads up if you need internet. Bathrooms: They were spacious but older. Temperature in the showers was tricky. Hot is cold and cold it hot. Cool stuff: They had compost bins and provide bags for all campers. That’s cool!

  • Bare Soul  W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    South Slope Trail Head Dispersed Camp

    Relaxing

    There is one campsite near trail. There was more traffic than I expected. Also there is no cell service. No real tires

  • Dayne B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill

    Inexpensive, Peaceful.

    I've stayed here on 3 separate occasions, twice in RV 12 and once in RV 6. 

    I used the 30 AMP hookup and had zero issues.

    Beautiful playground for my son to enjoy and meet other kiddos. Deer, chipmunks and rabbits will say hi in the early and late hours.

    Large dumpsters near entrance. 

    Dump stations are present, but I haven't used them yet. 

    Potable water is present at a small spigot. 

    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.

    Hiking trails with gorgeous views of the valley within a 5 min walk of my campsite.

  • B
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Leonard Harrison State Park Campground

    Small campground with clean bathrooms

    We stayed here Wednesday through Saturday of Labor Day weekend.  On Wednesday and Thursday nights there were about 5 sites that were taken. By Friday they were all full

    The campground is a simple loop of 28 sites.  19 are non -electric and 9 are electric. Sites are spacious and easy to back in to. I believe there are two pull throughs. Water spigots are continently located around the campground.  

    The PA Grand Canyon Visitor center and the Turkey Path (main path down into the canyon) are a short 5 minute walk across the parking lot from the campground.  For biking there is the  Pine Creek Rail Trail, that runs the length of the canyon at the bottom. To access from the campground you can drive there in 16 minutes Darling Run trail access area.


Guide to Horseheads

Camping near Horseheads, New York, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the stunning trails at Watkins Glen State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "The access to Watkins Glen! My site was in Loop D which has a direct hiking trail to the trail along Watkins Glen!"
  • Paddleboarding: Enjoy some time on the water at nearby Seneca Lake. A visitor shared, "We went paddleboarding... You can paddle down to Hector Falls and see it from the water."
  • Fishing: Cast a line at Worlds End State Park Campground. A reviewer noted, "Great hiking and vistas. Beautiful river and great fishing."

What campers like

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. One reviewer at Lyman Run State Park Campground said, "The site and facilities were very well kept and clean."
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer generous spacing between sites. A camper at Sampson State Park Campground mentioned, "Most sites are pretty spacious."
  • Family-friendly activities: Campgrounds like Keuka Lake State Park Campground provide playgrounds and swimming areas. A visitor remarked, "The lake was beautiful and fun for swimming with the kids."

What you should know

  • Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have poor cell reception. A camper at Worlds End State Park Campground noted, "Awesome quiet campground with no cell phone service allowing you to be really be in peace."
  • No camp stores: Some campgrounds, like Stony Brook State Park Campground, lack on-site stores. A reviewer mentioned, "No camp store, but firewood & ice were available at check-in station."
  • Water hookups may be limited: At places like Cherry Springs State Park Campground, water fill stations are available, but there are no direct hookups. A visitor pointed out, "Okay for one night. Pretty open campground."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose a campground with activities: Look for places like Sampson State Park Campground that offer playgrounds and swimming areas. A camper said, "Place is great for kids. Lots to do with a couple of playgrounds."
  • Plan for meals: Since some campgrounds don’t have stores, bring enough food. A visitor at Buttermilk Falls State Park Campground mentioned, "The facilities were clean and well stocked."
  • Check for nearby attractions: Campgrounds like Chenango Valley State Park Campground are close to family-friendly spots. A reviewer noted, "A very cool brewery is just 4 miles away."

Tips from RVers

  • Bring extension cords: Many sites have power poles that are far from the pads. A camper at Sampson State Park Campground advised, "Electric service boxes are shared in-between sites... bring an extension cord."
  • Check site sizes: Some campgrounds have specific requirements for RVs. A visitor at Robert H. Treman State Park Campground mentioned, "Electric sites are not the best though. Rocky and unlevel."
  • Look for dump stations: Ensure your chosen campground has easy access to dump stations. A camper at Lyman Run State Park Campground noted, "The dump station is big and easy access."

Camping near Horseheads, New York, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some lasting memories!

Frequently Asked Questions

What fishing opportunities are available at camping sites near Horseheads?

The Horseheads region offers excellent fishing opportunities at nearby campgrounds. Robert H. Treman State Park Campground in Ithaca features numerous fishing holes along with beautiful gorges and waterfalls. Taughannock Falls State Park Campground provides clean lake waters perfect for fishing, with excellent campgrounds and trails nearby. Both parks are within easy driving distance from Horseheads and offer diverse aquatic habitats for anglers of all skill levels.

How far is Horseheads from Watkins Glen for day trips while camping?

Horseheads is approximately 20-25 minutes (about 15 miles) from Watkins Glen State Park Campground, making it an ideal distance for day trips. Watkins Glen boasts one of New York's most beautiful state parks with gorgeous gorges, waterfalls, and excellent hiking trails. The park's strategic location in the Finger Lakes region also provides easy access to world-class wineries along the lake. For a unique experience, Havana Glen in nearby Montour Falls is even closer to Horseheads and offers another excellent day trip option.

Are there any RV rental services available in Horseheads, New York?

While specific RV rental services directly in Horseheads are limited, several camping options in the area accommodate RVs. Watkins Glen/Corning KOA is a nearby option that caters to RV campers and may offer rental information. Ferenbaugh Campground near Corning is another RV-friendly option with big-rig accessibility. For rentals, check with local RV dealerships in the broader Elmira-Corning area, as they often provide rental services or can direct you to nearby rental companies.

What campgrounds are available near Horseheads, NY?

The Horseheads area offers several excellent camping options. Park Station Campground near Erin provides drive-in sites with water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly. Just across the Pennsylvania border, Tompkins offers paved roads and parking pads with waterfront sites available in the Bench Loop. For those seeking a more secluded experience, Newtown Battlefield State Park Campground near Elmira features reservable sites with toilet facilities and big-rig accessibility.