Cabins and glamping sites around Willard, New York offer access to the Finger Lakes region from mid-April through October when average temperatures range from 45-80°F. Most luxury camping options sit at elevations between 500-1,200 feet above sea level, with sites positioned along lakeshores or in forest settings. The seasonal window coincides with peak wine tourism in the region.
What to do
Swimming with waterfalls: Robert H. Treman State Park Campground features a unique swimming area directly beneath a waterfall. "You can swim in the waterfall area here... the hiking trails are awesome. Don't let the beginning steps fool you, the rim trail can be very strenuous," notes one visitor to Robert H. Treman State Park Campground.
Military history exploration: Sampson State Park preserves a former naval training base with historical exhibits. "It has a Naval museum with many authentic items from that era... If you like wild life you may run into some animals that are indigenous to Central/Western NY," explains a camper who visited Sampson State Park Campground.
Gorge hiking: The Finger Lakes region features dramatic gorge formations with multiple trail options. A visitor to Watkins Glen State Park explains, "There is amazing hiking trails along the gorge with views of waterfalls! It's close to downtown Watkins Glen with lots of restaurants. It is also very close to Seneca Lake where there is swimming, boating, awesome hiking in the national Forest."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many glamping locations around Willard provide generous camping spaces. At Cayuga Lake State Park, campers appreciate the room to spread out: "We stayed in the 800 loop along the tree line. Sites were very spacious! Great camping location with plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy or just sit and enjoy the peace," reports a reviewer at Cayuga Lake State Park Campground.
Proximity to wine trails: The regional wine scene enhances the glamping experience with convenient tasting options. A visitor at Flint Creek Campgrounds notes its location, "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."
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards receive consistent positive feedback. As one camper at Sned Acres Campground observed, "Very clean campground with very nice owners. The sites are nicely spaced so you aren't on top of each other. Great place to call home base while exploring the finger lakes."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Some glamping sites have connectivity challenges. A visitor to Flint Creek warns, "Don't expect any cell phone service. I've had friends who climbed up on top of their RV and still, no signal. It's out in the middle of nowhere, hard to find but extremely worth it."
Site selection matters: Location within campgrounds can significantly impact your experience. At Taughannock Falls State Park Campground, "The upper part of the campground is pretty private, while the lower end near the entrance/exit is more open. There is a small playground for kids."
Seasonal facilities: Not all amenities operate year-round. One visitor noted, "One thing that we were kind of disappointed in, is that the campground pool doesn't open until the end of June. Seneca lake is a short drive away for great fishing, kayaking and swimming."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Several glamping sites feature play areas for children. At Junius Ponds, families will find "nice pool and playgrounds. We love camping here. Friendly and helpful staff. Clean facilities."
Educational opportunities: Multiple parks offer learning experiences alongside recreation. "The gorges speak for themselves, lots to do in the nature here. Each campsite is pretty big and shady, but can get noisy. The campground is popular on weekends (and almost daily in summer)."
Water activities: Swimming access varies by location. At Harpy Hollow, amenities exceed expectations: "They installed a gorgeous shower facility, which was so well appointed. They even had hotel shampoo/conditioner/soap sets in baggies for you!"
Tips from RVers
Hookup configurations: Electric service setup can pose challenges at some sites. 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."
Leveling challenges: Some luxury glamping locations present terrain issues. At Watkins Glen / Corning KOA, "We got lucky and got a good site with shade but most sites are tiny and wide open. The full hookups were good, there was a concrete pad and nice fire ring in our site."
Length restrictions: Not all sites accommodate larger RVs. "Robert Treman was a total surprise when we stayed at this site. We thought we were going to go to another park to camp but this one was so nice we ended up staying... Sites were really flat with some tree coverage for shade."
