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The Finger Lakes region surrounding Jacksonville, New York features multiple state park campgrounds offering a variety of accommodations. Taughannock Falls State Park Campground provides access to one of the tallest waterfalls in the eastern United States with tent, RV, cabin, and glamping options. Nearby Robert H. Treman State Park Campground and Buttermilk Falls State Park Campground offer similar mixed-use camping areas with access to scenic gorges and waterfalls. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally, typically from April or May through October or November, making them unavailable during winter months.
Road access to camping areas varies throughout the region, with many state parks featuring well-maintained entrance roads suitable for most vehicles. Campground facilities typically include bathrooms with showers, picnic tables, and fire rings at each site. "The sites are not very large but sufficient. We loved the hiking trails around the area and visiting the beautiful Taughannock Falls," noted one visitor about Taughannock Falls State Park. Seasonal considerations impact camping availability, with most campgrounds opening mid-spring and closing mid-fall. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends and holidays when campgrounds frequently reach capacity, especially for sites with electrical hookups and prime locations.
Campers consistently rate waterfall proximity and hiking trail access as standout features of camping in this region. Several visitors mention the Gorge Trail at Taughannock Falls as particularly noteworthy for its accessibility and views. RV sites with hookups tend to be more limited and closer together than tent-only areas. Several campers note that sites near entrance roads can experience traffic noise, particularly at Taughannock Falls where some sites are near Route 89. The Pine Creek Campground offers a more private alternative with tent, RV, and cabin camping options available from May through October. Sites situated in the upper loops of state park campgrounds typically provide more privacy and shade compared to those near park entrances. Bathroom cleanliness and maintenance varies, with multiple reviewers mentioning facilities at some parks need updating.
"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."
from $20 - $58 / night
Check Availability"Taughannock Falls State Park is one of my favorite parks in New York."
"Went for a quick getaway to this little gem of a state park in the finger lakes region of New York. I’ll be coy, and use their slogan ‘Ithaca is Gorges’ and Gorgeous!!!"
from $20 - $67 / night
Check Availability"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."
"A waterfall cascades through a gorge here, ending in a beautiful pool for swimming at the base of the falls, with a trout stream flowing out of it towards nearby Cayuga Lake. "
from $24 - $128 / night
Check Availability"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)."
from $21 - $66 / night
Check Availability"The only Finger Lakes National Forest designated campground, Blueberry Patch offers a secluded experience in the heart of this sometimes overlooked beautiful geographic region in the State of New York."
"I ALWAYS recommend heading away from state parks and camping in state forests. There's always more privacy and more wilderness. Of course, this is a personal preference!"
from $15 / night
"Pinecreek is a beautiful park in a great area 10 minutes from downtown Ithica New York and Lake Cayuga. The area has everything you could possibly want or need."
"This is a campground set in a nice forest location, but close by to Treman State Park and Ithaca, so a good base for day trips."
"We ended up having to come to this location. It was actually perfect for our small popup, but the horse riders that camp here were not pleased with us."
"Call Finger Lakes National Forest to make sure trails aren’t closed due to weather, spring melt, etc. You need a permit to camp here but the permit and site are free."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"region of Upstate New York."
"Awesome little park in the Finger Lakes region with nature on site and lots more to do and explore nearby (wine trails!)."
from $21 - $67 / night
Check Availability"It's still nice to be on the outskirts. We also chose this section per a review we read to be away from the main road noise, but there really isn't much road noise to worry about, anyway."
"I can't stop talking about the Finger Lakes RV park and the great experience we had there. FLRV opened in the last couple years and is a great addition to the camping options around the Finger Lakes."
from $80 - $89 / night
Check Availability"The bathrooms are great with showers and each camp spot has plenty of distance away from the next one."
"Potable water fill station and dump tanks at entrance/exit. Bathrooms were very clean and had dish washing stations in them. Loop 5 has beautiful views of the lake."
from $28 - $350 / night
Check Availability
GuidePros: clean, good location,nice bathrooms,hot showers nice playground.
Cons: this cabin was on main thoroughfare,so people and traffic, stiff mattresses, very large religious group singing and playing loud music.
TravelerThis site was awesome. Still semi private and there were bathrooms which weren’t bad at all! Only draw back is you’re kind of close to other campers meaning you can hear them too. If you’re in for a more social dispersed experience this is it! I just prefer to have no one around for miles!
TravelerIn short it was perfect! This is a small family pet friendly campground. There is a pond that you can kayak and c&r fishing, just no swimming, there is snapping turtles! There is some handmade items in the office to purchase, also some camping needs, fire starters and firewood (6 dollars a bundle). There is a bath house, though we didn't use it so I can't tell you anything about it. There is also a trail but we didn't get to check it out. The owners can be seen here and there all over the property keeping it looking beautiful! It is clear just by watching them how much care they put into making this a great time to all that come there. On the weekends they offer meals that can be brought right to your site. We were there from Saturday till Wednesday morning and it was very peaceful. This is definitely be a place we will come back to. The only downfall to the place is that it has placed a high bar for other campgrounds to compare!
TravelerLarge water front. Modern restrooms. Very spacious grounds. Assume tent sites and comfortable RV sites. Very nice people.
ScoutTerrible service/wifi in spot 1. Numerous open campsites yet we were pushed right next to dump station. And im talking half this campground is empty.
ScoutVery clean place.
TravelerIf you like nature well this is the place for you.
ScoutBeautiful spot with facilities and fire pits. Peaceful and quiet.
ScoutSpent 7 days here with the family. Campsite is packed with things to do and very family friends. Great for kids. Activities and live band on Saturday’s.
Near Jacksonville, New York, camping opportunities stretch across the forested hills between Seneca and Cayuga lakes. This section of the Finger Lakes region has an elevation ranging from 400 to 900 feet, creating varied terrain for camping. Sites typically receive 36-40 inches of rainfall annually, making summer months ideal for outdoor activities when temperatures average 75-85°F.
Gorge trail hiking: Access the 19-waterfall trail at Watkins Glen State Park Campground, where trails range from easy to moderate difficulty. "The gorge trail is a MUST. Definitely go check this campsite out!" notes Laura L., who appreciates the dramatic scenery along the stone pathway.
Swimming in natural pools: Cool off at Fillmore Glen State Park Campground where a natural swimming area awaits. "Bathrooms are very clean and close to all campsites. Kids loved the park and swimming in the waterfall beach," shares Charyssa G. This unique swimming experience differs from standard pool facilities.
Wine tasting: Walk to vineyards directly from several campgrounds. "Two wineries are even walkable!" says Laura W. about Finger Lakes RV Resort. The region contains dozens of wineries within 15-30 minutes of most campgrounds, making day trips convenient without designated drivers.
Outdoor movies: Watch films under the stars at Sampson State Park during summer weekends. Amenities include "an arcade room, outdoor movie screen, nice playgrounds, military museum," according to Amanda K., making it an entertainment hub beyond typical camping activities.
Privacy in national forest camping: Find seclusion at Blueberry Patch Campground where sites are more separated than at state parks. "Large camp sites with a picnic table large enough for 6 adults (squeezed together), metal fire pit with grill, large tent footprint and space for 2-3 vehicles to park," reports Neil H., highlighting the generous space allocation.
Lakefront accessibility: Enjoy water activities directly from Sampson State Park Campground, where spacious sites accommodate various equipment. "Large tent and RV sites most with electric. Potable water fill station and dump tanks at entrance/exit. Bathrooms were very clean and had dish washing stations in them," notes Stephanie C.
Woodland camping ambiance: Experience forest immersion in shady sites throughout the region. "The campground is wooded and lovely but the tent sites don't have views of the falls or anything, couldn't hear water at night. Deer outside the tent, wildflowers through summer, great leaves in fall," describes Justin S. at Buttermilk Falls, capturing the woodland camping experience.
Well-maintained bathhouses: Find clean facilities at most state parks in the area. "The bathrooms are modern, kept very clean, and the showers are awesome," shares Shari G. about Fillmore Glen State Park, a sentiment echoed across multiple campgrounds in the region.
Site reservation timing: Book early for summer weekends, particularly at popular state parks. "We were told it was a small campground, pretty quiet, and better than most state park campgrounds due to its size - that was absolutely correct. It was SO nice to have a small campground to stay in!" shares Sara S. about Buttermilk Falls, emphasizing the value of smaller campgrounds.
Weather variability: Prepare for sudden changes in conditions, particularly in spring and fall. Temperature swings of 30°F within 24 hours aren't uncommon, and rain can make gorge trails slippery. "Went in the fall, very quiet, and peaceful. Woke to snow on the tent," reports Scott M. at Robert Treman State Park.
Campground noise levels: Consider location preferences based on desired quietude. "We were at site 35 (in the middle section) and there were 2 large groups on either side of us who came for the weekend. The grassy field is great for kiddos to run-amok," notes Shari G. at Fillmore Glen, indicating the social nature of central sites.
Limited water hookups: Plan water usage carefully at several campgrounds. "Some sites have shared fresh water hookup between the sites," mentions Jennifer D. about Robert Treman State Park. At other locations, water fill stations may be limited, creating waits during peak check-in times.
Choose loops for privacy: Select upper loops at Robert H. Treman State Park for quieter family camping. "This was a total surprise when we stayed at this site. Sites were really flat with some tree coverage for shade. Great water for older kids that can swim. Lots of hiking trails that were along the gorge with water scenic views," recommends Kelly J.
Find kid-friendly swimming areas: Seek out parks with supervised swimming facilities. "It is very cool to listen to the water at night as well," notes Sara S. about Buttermilk Falls, highlighting how water features enhance camping experiences beyond daytime swimming.
Look for playgrounds: Select campgrounds with recreational facilities for children. "There is a huge new playground for the kids and lots of area to walk around the loops if you don't want to hike the gorge trail," Lindsay C. mentions about Watkins Glen, pointing out alternatives to the main attractions.
Consider cabin options: Book cabins for easier family camping experiences. Multiple state parks offer cabin rentals with varying amenities. "We would like to try the cabins there. The sites are nice and flat and the grounds have lots of good amenities, restrooms with showers," suggests Elliott B. about Taughannock Falls.
Site selection for larger rigs: Choose carefully at Taughannock Falls State Park where some sites have limitations. "Check out which side the hookups are on. Some not situated on the right side so you'll need extra long cords," advises Beth, highlighting practical considerations for setup.
Electric site availability: Reserve electric sites well in advance during peak season. "Electric sites are not the best though. Rocky and unlevel. Not made for large campers," cautions Victoria about Robert Treman State Park, suggesting careful research before booking.
Dump station timing: Plan for potential waits at single-station facilities. "There is only source for water fill up. This could end up being a very very long wait if you arrive at the same time as other campers. Only 2 dump stations," warns Amanda K. about Sampson State Park.
Road conditions: Navigate carefully on campground roads. "Watkins Glen was absolutely beautiful. 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," explains Laura L., emphasizing maneuvering challenges for larger vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Jacksonville, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Jacksonville, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 141 campgrounds and RV parks near Jacksonville, NY and 13 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Jacksonville, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Jacksonville, NY is Watkins Glen State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 93 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Jacksonville, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 free dispersed camping spots near Jacksonville, NY.
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