Best Campgrounds near Keuka Park, NY

Keuka Park, New York sits in the heart of the Finger Lakes region, surrounded by diverse camping options ranging from state parks to private RV resorts. Keuka Lake State Park Campground offers tent and RV sites with boat-in access, while Sampson State Park Campground provides cabins and glamping opportunities about 20 miles north. Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite near Watkins Glen offers dispersed camping with more primitive facilities. The region's campgrounds typically feature fire rings, picnic tables, and access to hiking trails, with many sites positioned to take advantage of lake views and water recreation opportunities.

Camping seasons in the Finger Lakes generally run from May through October, with most developed campgrounds closing for winter. "The campground at Fillmore Glen was totally full when we stayed there. The sites offered little privacy and were very close together," noted one visitor about weekend crowding. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends and holiday periods when lakefront sites fill quickly. Weather can change rapidly, with summer thunderstorms common and fall bringing cooler temperatures ideal for hiking. Many campgrounds in the area provide electric hookups, water access, and shower facilities, though amenities vary significantly between state parks and private campgrounds. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, though coverage may be spotty in more remote areas.

The Finger Lakes region's campgrounds receive consistently high ratings for their proximity to wineries, waterfalls, and lake activities. Watkins Glen State Park Campground, approximately 15 miles west of Keuka Park, draws campers for its dramatic gorge featuring 19 waterfalls. A camper described it as "one of the top places to camp and visit in New York" with "awesome trails and camping space." Keuka Lake State Park earned nearly perfect ratings from visitors who appreciated its boat-in access and electric hookups. Many campgrounds in the area serve as convenient bases for exploring the region's wine trails, with several visitors mentioning the benefit of staying at campgrounds situated between multiple lakes. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, various bird species, and occasional fox sightings, particularly in the more wooded camping areas away from the lakeshores.

Best Camping Sites Near Keuka Park, New York (143)

    1. Watkins Glen State Park Campground

    90 Reviews
    Watkins Glen, NY
    20 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. Keuka Lake State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Branchport, NY
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 536-3666

    $24 - $31 / night

    "Stayed at Keuka Lake in July 2023. Nice spots, close to others but people were quiet and respectful after 10 PM. Lake was beautiful and fun for swimming with the kids."

    "A dumping station right near the entry/exit.There is a large park area with beach for swimming, fishing, plenty of room for launching your kayak, dock and launch for your boat or using one of their grills"

    3. Sampson State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Willard, NY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 585-6392

    $28 / night

    "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."

    4. Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    13 Reviews
    Tyrone, NY
    16 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."

    5. Back-Achers Campsites

    4 Reviews
    Dresden, NY
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 243-7926

    "This park is located equidistant between Geneva and Watkins Glenn, NY on the shores of Seneca lake.  There are like 40 wineries close by to choose from. "

    6. Country Charm Campground

    4 Reviews
    Middlesex, NY
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (585) 739-1841

    "Conveniently located to allow us to visit family/friends, sightseeing, visiting the many local wineries, and the best ice cream shop, Seneca Farms, in the US!!"

    7. Finger Lakes RV Resort

    7 Reviews
    Hector, NY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 375-7587

    $80 - $89 / night

    "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."

    8. Blueberry Patch Campground — Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests

    11 Reviews
    Hector, NY
    17 miles

    $15 / night

    "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!"

    9. Flint Creek Campgrounds

    3 Reviews
    Middlesex, NY
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (585) 554-3567

    "Close to wine country you will find this gem of a family campground. Dog and kid friendly with activities such as wagon rides, arts and crafts, movie night and various themed weekend events."

    10. Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill

    8 Reviews
    Naples, NY
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (585) 374-6250

    "Camper camping is close to everything, but less privacy. Numerous pavilions that are wonderful for parties or weddings. Stunning overlook that is breathtaking (also great for weddings)."

    "Ontario County lookout is a quick easy walk away from the campground that is never crazy busy. Great prices and cleaned up campgrounds."

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Recent Reviews near Keuka Park, NY

633 Reviews of 143 Keuka Park Campgrounds


  • 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!

  • Roger V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Palmers Pond State Forest

    beautiful spots near pond or in woods

    if the lake spots are busy check the woods, there are a bunch more nice spots. dispersed free LNT style. no services. would stay here again.

  • 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.

  • Mindie C.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Pinecreek Campground

    Overnight stay

    The campground is cute and quiet. Staff is friendly and helpful. My only complaint is the condition of the roads. They are in dire need of grading and new gravel. Be careful!

  • Casey L.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Watkins Glen State Park Campground

    Busy campground

    Sites are level, some are more spaced apart than others but none seemed crowded as they seemed to all have trees between. Main complaint was most people speed way too fast through the campground. There was poison Ivy around the edges of our site and on the path to the bathroom. Bathroom was fairly modern and clean. It was nice to be able to access the gorge right from the campground.


Guide to Keuka Park

Camping near Keuka Park, New York, offers a fantastic mix of outdoor fun and beautiful scenery. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to relax and enjoy nature.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the stunning trails around the area. Many campers rave about the access to nearby waterfalls and scenic views. One reviewer from Watkins Glen State Park Campground said, "The access to Watkins Glen! My site was in Loop D which has a direct hiking trail to the trail along Watkins Glen!"
  • Water Activities: Enjoy swimming, fishing, or paddleboarding at the lakes. A visitor at Keuka Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "The lake is clean and clear, great for fishing, boating, and swimming."
  • Family Fun: Many campgrounds have playgrounds and activities for kids. One camper at Sampson State Park Campground noted, "Lots to do with a couple of playgrounds, guarded swimming area, kayak rentals, movie nights, and a concession stand."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A reviewer at Letchworth State Park Campground said, "Clean site, clean bathroom with hot water, access to Watkins Glen, no issues while staying there."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer generous space between sites. A visitor at Sampson State Park Campground mentioned, "Most sites are pretty spacious."
  • Natural Beauty: The picturesque surroundings are a big draw. One camper at Buttermilk Falls State Park Campground shared, "The campground is amazing and GO SEE THOSE FALLS!"

What you should know:

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Campgrounds with Activities: Look for places with playgrounds and organized events. A camper at Letchworth State Park Campground highlighted, "The rec center had tons of activities and sports for the kids to do."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring food or check for nearby dining options. A visitor at Watkins Glen / Corning KOA mentioned, "Two pizza places in Watkins Glen will deliver directly to your site."
  • Pack for Water Fun: Don’t forget swimsuits and water toys for lake days. A camper at Keuka Lake State Park Campground said, "Nice bathroom facilities a short walk away and not too close by."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Amenities: Make sure to confirm electric and water hookups. A reviewer at Sampson State Park Campground noted, "Electric service boxes are shared in-between sites."
  • Bring Extension Cords: Some sites may require longer cords for power. A camper at Sampson State Park Campground advised, "Bring an extension cord."
  • Book Early: Popular campgrounds fill up fast, especially in summer. A visitor at Letchworth State Park Campground mentioned, "Book quickly because they fill up fast."

Camping near Keuka Park, New York, offers a great mix of outdoor activities and family-friendly fun. Whether you're hiking, swimming, or just relaxing, there's something for everyone!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Keuka Park, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Keuka Park, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 143 campgrounds and RV parks near Keuka Park, NY and 11 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Keuka Park, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Keuka Park, NY is Watkins Glen State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 90 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Keuka Park, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 free dispersed camping spots near Keuka Park, NY.