Camping near Montour Falls, New York offers access to the unique ecological transition zone between the northern hardwood forests and Allegheny highlands. Sites typically sit at elevations between 900-1,200 feet, experiencing average summer highs of 80°F with cooler evening temperatures dropping to the mid-50s. Most local campgrounds remain open from mid-April through late October, though several primitive sites in Finger Lakes National Forest maintain year-round accessibility.
What to do
Hiking the fire tower trail: At Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite, visitors can climb the restored lookout tower for panoramic views. "The view from the tower is pretty nice too!" notes Cam F., who appreciated the "lush green clearing with plenty of bird life" surrounding the campground.
Blueberry picking: The aptly named Blueberry Patch Campground offers seasonal wild berry picking from mid-July through August. "There are in fact blueberries! And a great field to see the stars from," confirms Emily S., adding it's "a great way to see Watkins Glen without having to camp right next to someone else."
Wine trail exploration: Many campers use their campsite as a base for exploring local vineyards. Kevin C. at Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite notes, "Weekends are very busy but weekdays there were no more than 7 or 8 campsites occupied each night," making mid-week visits ideal for less crowded wine tours.
What campers like
Free camping options: Budget-conscious travelers appreciate that Sugar Hill provides no-cost camping with surprising amenities. Joel M. notes, "This campground is basically a big field surrounded by the forest. The sites are really nice, each one has a table with benches and a fire place." Another camper adds, "Free garbage service daily, water faucets were placed all over the campground."
Swimming in natural settings: Robert H. Treman State Park Campground offers one of the region's most unique swimming experiences. Barbara S. describes, "The campground is very walkable to the swimming area, which goes to 12 feet deep and has a dock to jump off of." Paully B. adds, "Sure there is a diving board into a swimming hole filled by a waterfall which draws so many but the camping is great too."
Secluded sites: For those seeking privacy, some campgrounds offer better separation between sites. At Harpy Hollow, Lara Star M. found "Our tent site was spacious and secluded nestled in a ton of trees. I was able to hang my hammock up and set up my 6 person tent no problem! We rarely heard anyone, and felt like we had the place to ourselves."
What you should know
Bathroom quality varies widely: While some campgrounds boast excellent facilities, others offer more rustic options. At Blueberry Patch Campground, Neil H. advises, "There are two bathrooms on the site and bear proof dumpsters as well... BRING WATER. There are no water sources near the site." In contrast, at Harpy Hollow, Lara Star M. was surprised that "Their outhouse has a camper toilet- it was super nice, not at all what I was expecting!"
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. Gavin T. warns about Blueberry Patch: "On a week day in early summer, 3 of the 9 campsites were occupied. Can see it filling up on weekends." Maggie A. adds, "My only recommendation is that you arrive earlier and set up if you're camping during the busy season. Otherwise it fills up fast."
Unexpected noise factors: Campgrounds may have natural wake-up calls. At Harpy Hollow, a reviewer mentions, "The place is very dark at night- a treat when there's a lot of light pollution. The only thing is, know that you will be woken up by a rooster!" At Watkins Glen / Corning KOA, Amy H. notes it can be "Too crowded... super close campsites. None of the 3 toilets flushed well... For a couple with a dog, it was too crowded and loud."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. Jennifer W. at Watkins Glen State Park Campground mentions, "There is a huge new playground for the kids and lots of area to walk around the loops if you don't want to hike the gorge trail." Lindsay C. adds, "Dogs are allowed but they are not allowed on the gorge trail."
Swimming options for different ages: Robert H. Treman State Park has natural swimming areas suitable for families. Kelly J. reports, "Great water for older kids that can swim. Lots of hiking trails that were along the gorge with water scenic views." Another camper notes the "great playgrounds for kids."
Seasonal timing considerations: If swimming is a priority, be aware of facility opening dates. Jennifer W. cautions, "One thing that we were kind of disappointed in, is that the campground pool doesn't open until the end of June." For alternatives, she suggests, "Seneca lake is a short drive away for great fishing, kayaking and swimming."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Finger Lakes RV Resort, experienced RVers recommend choosing sites carefully. Steve A. notes, "We chose this site because there was a lot of room around it and we're used to really tightly packed RV parks. But what we found is that all of the sites are very nicely spread out with generous spacing."
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds present challenges for larger rigs. At Robert H. Treman State Park, Victoria warns, "Electric sites are not the best though. Rocky and unlevel. Not made for large campers." Matt S. at Finger Lakes RV Resort adds important advice: "There's no shade from trees or otherwise. If you're visiting during the summer, be sure your air conditioning and awnings are working."
Connectivity considerations: WiFi quality varies significantly between campgrounds. Laura W. at Finger Lakes RV Resort reports, "Wifi was strong enough to do work calls," while others note spotty coverage in more remote locations, particularly during peak usage hours on weekends.
