The Horseheads area sits at the southern edge of New York's Finger Lakes region, with elevations ranging from 800-1,200 feet above sea level. Camping spots near Horseheads, New York offer access to both valley floor and hilltop sites, with typical summer temperatures reaching 80-85°F during peak season. Road conditions to most camping areas remain accessible even during spring rain periods when some trails become muddy.
What to do
Swimming at natural pools: At Buttermilk Falls State Park Campground, the waterfall is integrated directly into the swimming area. "Been here in all the seasons, each is beautiful. Campgrounds are wooded. Pretty basic facilities, nice though," notes Harry H.
Hiking on interconnected trails: Take advantage of trail systems that connect multiple natural features. "Walking along the water from the upper and lower entrances is great! If you walk Gorge Trail and Rim trail you connect to make a nice loop and see just about everything the park has to offer," says Sara S. about Buttermilk Falls.
Explore fire towers: Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite offers hiking opportunities with rewarding views. "Easy proximity to Seneca Lake and Watkins Glen State Park. Nice wooded area kept us far enough away from other campers," reports Brittany S.
Bird watching and wildlife: The wooded areas provide habitat for diverse wildlife. At Buttermilk Falls, one camper observed "deer outside the tent, wildflowers through summer, great leaves in fall."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Robert H. Treman State Park Campground offers generous camping areas. "Sites were really flat with some tree coverage for shade," notes Kelly J., while another camper mentioned "Site 54 at Robert H Treman is very large, flat, nonelectric and well shaded with areas of sun."
Clean facilities: Restroom maintenance varies between campgrounds. At Watkins Glen State Park Campground, Lori F. reports "Friendly staff, good patrols at night to keep people from being too noisy, tent sites are nice and shaded. Some of the shower houses are better than others."
Privacy between sites: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of privacy. At Sugar Hill, a camper noted, "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."
Free camping options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate that Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite is free. "26 camp sites with bathrooms! That flush! Very quiet and the sites aren't on top of each other," comments Hannah G.
What you should know
Water quality concerns: Several campgrounds have water issues. At Ferenbaugh Campground, a camper reports, "The only bad comment I would make is there water is very smelly and brown. I actually bought a dual stage water filter and change it every two weeks."
Site locations matter: Campgrounds often have distinct sections with different features. "This CG has two distinct sections. 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," notes Michael H. about Ferenbaugh Campground.
Reservation systems: Some campgrounds have inconsistent staffing at registration. At Newtown Battlefield, a camper observed, "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."
Road noise: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise. At Buttermilk Falls, a camper mentioned "The road noise at night (from rt13 below) and the sound of the bathroom door slamming did not help with getting a good night sleep."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming areas for children: Swimming options vary between parks. At Park Station Campground, Becky S. notes, "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."
Playground facilities: Several campgrounds have play areas for children. At Buttermilk Falls, a camper mentioned, "There are a lot of amenities on the actual campgrounds such as fields for playing games or taking a stroll but there are also gorges and waterfalls you can hike to!"
Educational opportunities: Combine camping with learning experiences. "Watkins Glen was absolutely beautiful. The sites are quite wooded with plenty of space in between. The gorge trail is a MUST. Definitely go check this campsite out!" recommends Laura L.
All-ages activities: Look for campgrounds with versatile recreation options. Jessica G. says about Park Station, "Nice picnicing area with an older playground, but also baseball field and gaga ball area. If youre up for the small hike up to the waterfall there is a nice little swim area to enjoy."
Tips from RVers
Road conditions within campgrounds: Some campgrounds have challenging interior roads. Laura L. notes about Watkins Glen, "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."
Leveling considerations: Site conditions vary even within the same park. At Robert H. Treman, one RVer warned, "Electric sites are not the best though. Rocky and unlevel. Not made for large campers."
Full hookup availability: Hookup options differ between campgrounds and specific sites. At Ferenbaugh, a camper explained, "They offer 30/50 amp sites, also have full hook ups and some primitive sites."
Seasonal considerations: Plan RV trips according to park schedules. Most campgrounds in the region operate from May through October, with limited off-season options. Newtown Battlefield typically operates from "May 20 to October 16."
