The Finger Lakes region surrounding Keuka Park, New York offers RV campers diverse terrain at elevations ranging from 700 to 2,000 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds in this area feature gravel sites situated on rolling hills with mixed forest and lake views. Seasonal operations typically run from mid-April through mid-October, with fall color peaking in early October.
What to do
Winery trails access: Two wineries are directly accessible by walking paths from Finger Lakes RV Resort in Hector. "Located about 1/3 of the way up the eastern side of Seneca Lake, the location provides easy access to the wineries, distilleries, and breweries along the lake," notes camper Craig F.
Waterfall hunting: Numerous state parks with waterfalls are within 30-minute drives of most campgrounds. "Easy drive to Watkins Glen, Lake Seneca, Ithaca, and the greater Finger Lakes region," explains Matt S. about Finger Lakes RV Resort's location.
Kayaking and fishing: The Erie Canal at Red's Twilight on the Erie RV Resort offers flat water paddling with rental options nearby. "Kayak launches and boat marina nearby," mentions Rachel T.
Hiking network: Interconnected trail systems link many camping areas with lakeshores. At Lake Bluff RV Park, campers appreciate "Hiking trails, kayaking, and lots of other fun activities," according to Jay P.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathhouses receive consistently high marks at most Finger Lakes campgrounds. A camper at Finger Lakes RV Resort noted, "The bath house is immaculate and rivals those at Fort Wilderness Resort."
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the room between sites at newer facilities. As Kathleen R. observed at Finger Lakes RV Resort, you'll find "large sites, level and graveled parking pad" that provide privacy.
Reliable utilities: Water pressure and electrical connections are consistently rated highly. "The WiFi is strong and consistent. We're using 30amps, but they also have 20 and 50amp service to each site. The water pressure is great," reported Steve A.
Trash service: Some campgrounds offer daily trash pickup directly from sites. At Finger Lakes RV Resort, "They also drive by each site every morning to collect trash and recycling," according to a reviewer.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Most campgrounds fill completely during summer weekends and fall foliage season. Booking 3-6 months ahead is recommended.
Site selection strategy: Request perimeter sites when possible for added privacy. At Stay Bristol Woodlands, "Site was level and well equipped (waste water disposal attach site!)," noted Jody M.
Variable connectivity: WiFi quality varies significantly between campgrounds. Some newer facilities like Finger Lakes RV Resort offer "WiFi strong enough to do work calls," according to Laura W.
Elevation challenges: Some access roads have steep grades requiring careful navigation. At Lakeview Campsites, be aware of the "Gravel inclined access road that may not be for new RV owners," cautions Marty A.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly speed limits: Some campgrounds enforce very slow driving to accommodate children. At Red's Twilight on the Erie RV Resort, "The speed limit is 5 MPH and they mean it.... Kids on bikes and having a good time in the enormous play area."
Weekend activities: Many parks offer structured events for children on weekends. Lake Bluff RV Park "do events for kids every weekend," shares Sara H.
Game rooms: Several campgrounds maintain indoor recreation options for rainy days. "Near the play ground they have a nice game room pool, air hockey, video games," notes a Lake Bluff RV Park camper.
Swimming options: Pools are available at select campgrounds, though not all. Spruce Row Campground has a pool, though one camper notes it's "a very large campground" with sites that are "very close together."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Many sites require significant leveling. At Red's Twilight on the Erie RV Resort, "Almost all of the sites are not even close to level. Not a big issue with a fifth wheel but a real hassle with a motorcoach," advises Donna C.
Spacing considerations: Newer parks typically offer more generous site spacing. At Finger Lakes RV Resort, "all of the sites are very nicely spread out with generous spacing," making it suitable for larger RVs.
Dump station access: Most parks have on-site dump stations, but availability of full hookups varies. Owasco Hill RV Campground offers full hookups at its 7 RV sites, operating seasonally from mid-May to mid-October.
Tree coverage: Older campgrounds provide more shade while newer facilities may lack mature trees. As one camper noted about Finger Lakes RV Resort, "There's no shade from trees or otherwise. If you're visiting during the summer, be sure your air conditioning and awnings are working."
