Robert H. Treman State Park Campground accommodates pets at its tent, RV and cabin sites about 20 minutes from Lansing. Buttermilk Falls State Park Campground, Taughannock Falls State Park Campground and Watkins Glen State Park Campground all maintain pet-friendly policies throughout their campgrounds. Leashed pets are permitted on most trails and in designated camping areas. The sites feature spacious camping spots with enough room for pets to rest comfortably beside tents or RVs. The campgrounds maintain picnic tables and fire rings at each site, with clean bathroom facilities that include showers. Campers note the bathrooms are generally well-maintained though occasionally busy during peak season. Most campgrounds in this region require pets to be leashed at all times outside vehicles or camping units.
Dogs can access many of the gorge trails and waterfall viewing areas throughout the Finger Lakes region state parks, though swimming with pets is typically prohibited in designated swimming areas. The region offers numerous hiking opportunities along the edge of Cayuga Lake where dogs can cool off. Trails range from easy walks to moderate climbs with rock steps providing access to scenic gorge views. Visitors should carry waste bags as pet waste stations are limited in some areas. Wildlife encounters are possible in these wooded campgrounds, so maintaining control of pets is essential. The proximity to Ithaca means emergency veterinary care is available within a 15-20 minute drive. The campgrounds operate seasonally, typically from April or May through October, with specific opening and closing dates varying by location.
$20 - $128 / night
"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. "
$20 - $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."
"I absolutely love coming to Watkins Glen Campground, especially when I went to get away from the busy city. This park has gorgeous waterfalls, and great paths to walk and hike on."
$20 - $67 / night
"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!!!"
$21 - $66 / night
"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)."
"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."
$17 - $67 / night
"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!)."
"Even with the restrictions we had a great visit and felt safely distanced from other campers and staff. Great hiking trails because it is attached to Buttermilk Falls State Park."
$25 - $99 / night
"The Grounds are well taken care of (although some areas around the playgrounds and pool could have been weed whacked better) there is a lot of grass and wide open areas for playing games, walking your"
"The campground is beautifully maintained with stunning views of Cayuga Lake. The staff was friendly, welcoming, and went out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed."
TravelerWonderful location and marvelous hosts. We were welcomed with chocolate chip cookies as we checked in. Bathrooms were beautiful and clean. Two wineries we could walk to and dozens more nearby. Our site was spacious and the dog park gave our pups plenty of time off leash. We definitely plan on returning.
GuidePinecreek 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. Fabulous State Parks with spectacular waterfalls, a farmers market right on the lake front, Cornell University and so much more. That being said it may be the reason the campground doesn't offer any planned activities. They do have a swimming pool and what appears to be a large clubhouse/meeting area that is not or was not used while we were there, nor were any activities publicized. They do have a small arcade but it did not stay open past 8 pm and did not appear to be air-conditioned.
Our campsite was a full hookup with a large grassy area for setting up our outside chairs and picnic table. Although we enjoyed our stay we felt it was a bit overpriced for not having much to offer. They also have a very long list of rules & while they do allow pets there is a list of breed restrictions you need to be aware of before booking a reservation. They also charge for electricity on any stays one week or longer which we had not encountered previously at campgrounds where we have stayed.
Overall we enjoyed our stay but not sure we would stay again.
RangerThe park itself is pretty small but it’s in a really cute area with a lot of outdoor recreational activities. Lovely but simple views all around and rolling green hills in the distance. Campground is well-kept and relatively modern but not particularly memorable. Nice little stopover on a road trip. Lots of day use activity. Dog park is kind of annoying with all the barking and owners shouting futile commands, try to camp away from it. Ditto for train noise, stay by the river. It does what it does well, so five stars!
RangerWatkins 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. Sites are decently sized and well secluded from one another.
in addition, the park is so well situated within the Finger Lakes and all the various wine trails! Made for a perfect girls weekend! Definitely recommend!
LegendJake from the Dyrt here! Nature Lover's Paradise is new to the Dyrt and they have an awesome spot to share with access to a vast network of trails in upstate New York. Check them out and make sure to share some pics of your adventure!
GuideIt is a very nice open area to camp in. It is a first come first serve campground. The dog park is a great addition to the park. There is always something going on. Also allows for an easy place right off Route I-86 to rest while driving across MY. Some of the best river access there is to paddle through a great small town.
GuideI absolutely love coming to Watkins Glen Campground, especially when I went to get away from the busy city. This park has gorgeous waterfalls, and great paths to walk and hike on. It's located in Upstate New York, so it's close enough to the city but you feel like you are far away from the city. The campsites are great, clean and well kept. This park does get pretty busy though, because it is open to campers and people who just want to visit for the day to walk the trails. I love that they have trails that lead very close to the waterfalls..lots of rim trails that literally overlook the waterfalls and gorges. In the campground they do offer a pool, which again, does get busy because it's open to everyone regardless if you are camping or not. There also is tours you can take in the summer that will take you along the waterfalls and gorge, they have a playground for kids and an area with picnic tables. I went mid July and it was extremely busy, not sure when a good time to go during the summer when it's not as busy. That was the only downside I would say, is how crowded it was. There is also Seneca Lake nearby that many people go to fish in, however I didn't go on this trip but plan to next time. There are restrooms on site, however I didn't think they were that clean. Toilet paper and seat covers were out in most stalls, so I would advise to bring your own when you go. There is also some gift shops and food stands set up...one food stand has some pretty good hot dogs! The hikes to the gorge and waterfalls is pretty well maintained, however there are quite a bit of stairs. There were some people with kids in strollers that had to turn around because the stairs made it difficult. Not handicap friendly. I would advise to wear a good pair of walking shoes, and not sandals because it is slippery in some spots and again, a lot of stairs! I would highly recommend coming here, even if you don't decide to stay the night!
LegendJake here from the Dyrt! Harpy hollow not only has a great location in northern New York but is veteran owned and operated and ready to host more campers. Check them out and leave a review on the Dyrt when you stay!
GuideNew York State pretty much has abandoned this park. Trees fallen down across the sites. Might be ok for a tent but that’s all.
Robert H. Treman State Park Campground occupies a wooded area in New York's Finger Lakes region at 1,050 feet elevation. The park features glacier-carved landscapes with swimming areas fed by natural springs. Campsites range from heavily wooded tent sites to more open RV areas with partial hookups.
Hiking near waterfalls: Robert H. Treman State Park Campground offers multiple trails with stunning gorge views. "The hiking trails are awesome. Don't let the beginning steps fool you, the rim trail can be very strenuous," notes camper Matt G. Trails range from easy walks to challenging routes with elevation changes.
Swimming in natural pools: The park features unique swimming opportunities beneath cascading water. "You can swim in the waterfall area here. Need I say more? Actually, it can be VERY busy in the summer time in the swimming area, making it difficult to find your own 'space,'" according to a visitor.
Wine country excursions: Buttermilk Falls State Park Campground serves as a convenient base for winery tours. "Location in the Finger Lakes region makes it a good base camp for winery tours," states Chris D. Most wineries open daily from 10am-5pm with tasting fees ranging from $5-15.
Access to multiple waterfalls: Watkins Glen State Park Campground features a dramatic gorge with 19 waterfalls. "Watkins Glen was absolutely beautiful. The sites are quite wooded with plenty of space in between. The gorge trail is a MUST," writes Laura L. The main gorge trail spans 1.5 miles with 832 stone steps.
Spacious, shaded campsites: Many campgrounds offer generous sites with tree cover. "Site 54 at Robert H Treman is very large, flat, nonelectric and well shaded with areas of sun," notes camper Not S. The newer loop has larger, more open sites while the older loop offers more trees but smaller spaces.
Proximity to lake recreation: Taughannock Falls State Park Campground provides easy access to Cayuga Lake. "This is a beautiful campground. I stayed at site 42, which was mostly shady. The campground is very walkable to the swimming area, which goes to 12 feet deep and has a dock to jump off of," reports Barbara S.
Winter camping options: Some campgrounds operate seasonally but offer winter activities. "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 Robert H. Treman State Park.
Swimming area limitations: Natural swimming areas have seasonal restrictions. "The swimming area was closed for the season by the time we arrived. I would definitely return," explains Emma N. Most swimming areas operate from late June through early September, weather permitting.
Varying bathroom conditions: Fillmore Glen State Park Campground maintains clean facilities. "Bathrooms are very clean and close to all campsites. Kids loved the park and swimming in the waterfall beach," notes Charyssa G. However, other campers mention that facilities at some parks need updating.
Playground access: Look for campgrounds with recreational facilities for children. "Great playgrounds for the kids. Good central location for exploring the Finger Lakes, Watkins Glen, Seneca Falls, Cornell and Ithaca," reports a visitor at Robert H. Treman.
Dog breed restrictions: Pine Creek Campground allows pets but has specific rules. "While they do allow pets there is a list of breed restrictions you need to be aware of before booking a reservation," advises Cheryl W. Most dog friendly campgrounds near Lansing require vaccination records and leashes under 6 feet.
Noise considerations: Family-oriented sites vary in noise levels. "This is definitely a large family area. Expect to hear your neighbors once and a while," mentions Deb S. about Watkins Glen. Quieter loops typically include sites numbered 50-75 at most area campgrounds.
Site selection for larger rigs: Electric sites vary in accessibility. "Beautiful park. Electric sites are not the best though. Rocky and unlevel. Not made for large campers," warns Victoria about Robert H. Treman State Park. RVs over 30 feet should request sites in newer camping loops.
Dump station access: Most pet-friendly campgrounds include sanitation facilities. "The campground has bathrooms, showers, picnic tables, a playground and a dump station," notes Carlyne F. Dump stations typically close one hour before quiet hours begin.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. "The roads within the campground were kind of tight to get through with trees and curves," advises Laura L. about navigating Watkins Glen with a 30-foot motorhome. Many campgrounds recommend arriving before 3pm to ensure adequate daylight for setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Lansing, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Lansing, NY is Robert H. Treman State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 22 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 97 dog-friendly camping locations near Lansing, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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