Surrounded by the scenic Finger Lakes region, Lansing offers a diverse landscape of forests, waterfalls, and vineyards at elevations between 400-1,200 feet. Summer temperatures range from 55-85°F, while spring and fall camping brings cooler evenings in the 40s with daytime highs in the 60-70°F range. Most campgrounds in this area operate from May through October, closing during the harsh Upstate New York winter.
What to do
Gorge trail hiking: 3 miles round-trip at Robert H. Treman State Park offers multiple waterfall views and swimming spots. "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. There are endless waterfalls, hiking trails, fishing holes and bird watching opportunities," notes Carlyne F.
Lake fishing: 30 minutes north of Lansing at Sampson State Park provides shoreline access for anglers. The park features "a marina convenience store with pontoon boat rentals, fishing, swimming, ice cream and concessions stand, arcade room, outdoor movie screen, nice playgrounds, military museum, and paved loops - good for bikes and scooters," according to Amanda K.
Wine trail exploration: 12+ wineries within 30 minutes of Lansing. Watkins Glen State Park serves as a central base for winery visitors. "The Seneca Lake Wine Trail runs right through this area and makes for a fun diversion to your hiking trip!" recommends Erin H.
Bird watching: Multiple species visible in the woodland areas surrounding Lansing campgrounds. Round Top Retreat offers secluded observation spots. "Very secluded. We let the kids and dogs run pretty much wherever without worry. The yard is surrounded by wild berry bushes and every year the kids walk up the lane and pick beautiful wildflower bouquets," shares Tara D.
What campers like
Spacious sites with natural privacy: Taughannock Falls State Park offers tree-lined camping spots with moderate separation. "This is a beautiful campground. I stayed at site 42, which was mostly shady. The upper part of the campground is pretty private, while the lower end near the entrance/exit is more open," explains Barbara S.
Swimming options: Natural pools at multiple state parks near Lansing. "The campground is very walkable to the swimming area, which goes to 12 feet deep and has a dock to jump off of. The hiking to the waterfall is very manageable," notes Barbara S. about Taughannock Falls.
Year-round seasonal beauty: Fall camping brings colorful foliage while spring offers wildflower displays. "Went in the fall, very quiet and peaceful. Woke to snow on the tent. Had a great time listening to the birds and enjoying the trails," shares Scott M. about his experience at Robert H. Treman State Park.
Off-grid glamping close to Lansing, New York: Harpy Hollow provides rustic luxury camping with thoughtful amenities. "Their outhouse has a camper toilet- it was super nice, not at all what I was expecting! They installed a gorgeous shower facility, which was so well appointed. They even had hotel shampoo/conditioner/soap sets in baggies for you!" reports Lara Star M.
What you should know
Seasonal operating dates: Most campgrounds near Lansing operate from mid-April through mid-October. Water facilities often close earlier in fall. "Robert H Treman is open from April 22 to November 20," according to park information.
Limited bathroom facilities: Some campgrounds have centralized bathrooms requiring longer walks. "Site 54 at Robert H Treman is very large, flat, nonelectric and well shaded with areas of sun. A long walk to the restroom," notes reviewer not S.
Electric hookup challenges: For RV campers at Sampson State Park, "Electric service boxes are shared in-between sites. This could pose an issue if your power cord is not long enough. 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," warns Amanda K.
Mixed weather conditions: Finger Lakes region experiences rapid weather changes, particularly in spring and fall. "Even with the pool open on a hot sunny day because rain was in the forecast," shares one camper about their experience at Pine Creek Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with playground access: Pine Creek Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "Beautiful setting...loved the sunsets, kid friendly, pool well maintained, Catch and Release Pond was lots of fun...the store is big and plentiful!!" shares Martha B.
Reserve swimming areas early in day: Natural pools can become crowded by midday, especially during summer months. "It can be VERY busy in the summer time in the swimming area, making it difficult to find your own 'space,'" warns Matt G. about Robert H. Treman.
Consider age restrictions for activities: Some area attractions have minimum age requirements. "There are Stables nearby where you can book a trail ride, we did not do this only because you have to be 8 years old to ride," notes Jennifer W. about options near Watkins Glen.
Budget for additional fees: Many family-friendly campgrounds charge per-person rather than per-site. "The weekend got pretty pricey after adding our children to the site. They even charged us extra for our 8 month old," reports Sarah S. about her Pine Creek experience.
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions and terrain: Some RV sites may be challenging to level. "Beautiful park. Electric sites are not the best though. Rocky and unlevel. Not made for large campers," cautions Victoria about Robert H. Treman.
Consider campground road navigation: Watkins Glen State Park has some tight turns for larger rigs. "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," warns Laura L.
Reserve full hookup sites early: Limited availability at premium sites with complete hookups. "We got a full hookup with a large grassy area for setting up our outside chairs and picnic table," shares Cheryl W. about Pinecreek Campground, though noting it was "a bit overpriced for not having much to offer."
Plan for water fill delays: Single-point water fill stations can create bottlenecks during peak check-in times. "There is only one 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," notes Amanda K. about Sampson State Park.
