Best Campgrounds near Johnson City, NY
State parks and county facilities within a 30-minute drive of Johnson City, New York provide a range of camping experiences from full-service RV sites to primitive tent camping. Chenango Valley State Park Campground, located about 15 miles north in Chenango Forks, offers tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping options with boat-in access to its lakes. Closer to Johnson City, Greenwood County Park provides year-round camping with electric hookups and shower facilities. Private campgrounds like Pine Valley RV Park in Endicott and Belden Hill Campgrounds in Harpursville expand the options with amenities catering to both tent campers and RVers seeking more developed facilities.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from April or May through October, with limited winter camping options. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends when facilities fill quickly, especially at state parks. As one camper noted about Chenango Valley State Park: "You're only about 20 minutes from the Binghamton/Johnson City area. For us, that means food and craft beer." Weather conditions can change rapidly in this part of New York, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 60-85°F and occasional thunderstorms. Wildlife encounters are common, with campers reporting deer sightings and warnings about raccoons that are "brazen thieves" requiring proper food storage.
Campers frequently mention water access as a highlight of the region's campgrounds. Swimming areas at county parks like Greenwood "can get VERY crowded in the summer time, but for good reason. The swimming is excellent," according to visitor reviews. Sites with more privacy tend to be located on the outer loops of campgrounds or in the less developed areas. Highway noise affects some locations, with one Hickories Park visitor noting it was "great for a one night stay or longer if you're accustomed to the noise." Families appreciate the playgrounds and recreational facilities at many of the established campgrounds, while those seeking more solitude can find primitive camping options in the surrounding state forests.
