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Tent Camping near Montour Falls, NY

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    Several tent camping options dot the countryside near Montour Falls, New York, providing easy access to the natural attractions of the Finger Lakes region. Gardner Hill Campground offers tent sites with picnic tables and drinking water, located just a short drive from Watkins Glen State Park. Pooh's Corner provides private tent camping spots within minutes of town, making it convenient for exploring local hiking trails and waterfalls.

    Tent sites in the Montour Falls area typically feature basic amenities for primitive camping experiences. Most locations offer fire rings or designated fire areas, though campers should verify current fire regulations as restrictions may apply seasonally. According to one visitor at Pooh's Corner, "The facility is perfect for couple of people, private all you need is there, fireplace, fire wood, bathroom." While some campgrounds provide toilets and drinking water, others have more limited facilities, so tent campers should come prepared with necessary supplies including water and waste disposal plans.

    The tent camping experience near Montour Falls balances accessibility with natural immersion. Areas closer to Watkins Glen provide convenience for day trips while still offering peaceful overnight accommodations. A camper noted that Pooh's Corner is "small, clean, private and the owners are wonderful!" Walk-in tent sites at Camp Earth Connection, located northeast of Montour Falls, provide more secluded camping opportunities with fewer neighboring campers. Most tent campgrounds in the region maintain quieter atmospheres than larger RV-focused facilities, making them ideal for those seeking a more authentic outdoor experience. Seasonal considerations affect the camping experience, with fall offering colorful foliage but cooler nights that require appropriate sleeping gear.

    Best Tent Campgrounds near Montour Falls (11)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. South Slope Trail Head Dispersed Camp

      4.0(1)7mi from Montour FallsTents

      "There is one campsite near trail. There was more traffic than I expected. Also there is no cell service. No real tires"

      2. Gardner Hill Campground

      5.0(1)21mi from Montour FallsRVs, Tents

      "I happened upon this campground by following the blue tent sign on the highway. No frills but very comfy and nice views. Don’t forget to look for the Peace sign."

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      3. Lawrence Recreation Area

      4.5(2)31mi from Montour FallsTents

      "Had a great few days here camped in RV next to lake. Amazing driftwood to be had. Good kayaking. Peaceful. Trees. Nice sites if close. I'd go back mid week or off season."

      from $40 - $100 / night

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      4. Empire Haven Nudist Park

      5.0(1)34mi from Montour FallsRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "The campground is as quiet and peaceful as anyone would like, but the community enables campers the freedom to socialize and share meals whenever you want to reach beyond the family who came with you."

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      5. Holiday Hill Campground

      4.3(3)41mi from Montour FallsTents

      "Lots of trails, and Hemlock and Canadice Lake so close by. Mostly known for Reynolds GUlly, and Johnson Hill trails! Tons to do in the area but town isn't too far."

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      6. Camp Earth Connection

      Be the first to review28mi from Montour Falls12 sitesTents, Cabins, Glamping

      from $45 - $175 / night

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      7. Riverside Acres Campground

      3.0(2)46mi from Montour FallsTents

      "Good tentable spaces on river. Second row has water/electric, shade trees and lawn frontage. Pavilion has tables, a braizer, and one electric outlet. Lawn big enough to play your sport."

      from $22 - $35 / night

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      8. Upper Lisle Park

      2.0(1)45mi from Montour FallsTents

      9. Lambs Creek Recreation Area

      Be the first to review38mi from Montour FallsTents

      from $75 / night

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      10. Cold Weather Camping in the Finger Lakes

      Be the first to review44mi from Montour FallsTents, Glamping

      from $65 - $90 / night

    View all 11 campgrounds

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    Recent Tent Camping Photos near Montour Falls, NY

    7 Photos of 11 Montour Falls Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers

    Tent Camping Reviews near Montour Falls, NY

    528 Reviews of 11 Montour Falls Campgrounds

    • Nancy W.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 31, 2026

      Robert H. Treman State Park Campground

      Beautiful waterfalls!

      This is a really great state park which has a nice campground, beautiful scenery, interesting attractions nearby, and great hiking trails. The biggest attraction are the 12 waterfalls in the park. Some are easy, short walks, and others are moderate and longer. The Rim and Gorge Trails make a loop which makes for a really good workout with lots of stairs and elevation change. Personally, I think the views from the Gorge Trail are better. Or, you can park in the upper lot and walk down (approximately 1/3 mile) to see Lucifer Falls and walk back. Fall is a great time to visit and enhances the views. 

      All campsites are back-in and have fire pits and picnic tables. Some are in the open(#49-72)with a scattering of trees, while others are tucked in the woods with lots of shade. The open sites are much easier for big rigs to navigate and back into. There is no water or sewer at sites but water spigots are located throughout the campground and the dump station is easy to access on your way out and has a dedicated water fill station away from the dump site. Our site (#52) was open which we appreciated in because the fall weather was cool and we had a clear sky for Dish satelitte. The pad was gravel and level. The patio is grass and there is nice distance between you and your neighbors Some sites are dry camping and other have electric that varies from 30 or 50-amp and the price reflects which you choose. Our site was electric only (50-amp which worked well) and we were close enough to a shared water spigot so we could add water. There are signs that say you can only hookup to the spigots for five minutes and “Y” connectors are not allowed. Swimming is allowed in the pools and river but has certain daily hours and is only open from late-June to Labor Day. Your receipt and park pass allow you access to other NY state parks in the area. Definitely check out Buttermilk Falls State Park which is just a couple of miles away and has nice hiking trails and more beautiful waterfalls. We visited the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (which is free) and has interesting exhibits, short films, and hiking trails.

    • RThe Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 9, 2026

      Watkins Glen State Park Campground

      Great Car Camping Stay

      Spent a peaceful night car camping in site 151. Beautiful trees, nice shower houses, quiet neighbors. Just a beautiful and very affordable - $32 - stay. We’ll be back whenever we pass this way.

    • MJ W.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 20, 2026

      Taughannock Falls State Park Campground

      Great Place to camp

      This was a great camping trip! We had site 29, nice spot with the North Rim trail right behind our site. Trails are beautiful. Restroom and shower close. You do need to be careful, lots of oaks trees and falling acorns! Easily dings you car hood, watch where you park. Close to down town for a visit to the awesome farmers market in Ithaca.

    • Dana M.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 19, 2026

      Keuka lake state park

      Nice clean family campground

      Sites are large and grassy but that comes at the cost of privacy. It appears this is a great place for camping a week or more in a large RV. Bathrooms are clean. There are 50 sites per loop so they are close together.

    • Dana M.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 17, 2026

      Blueberry Patch Campground — Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests

      Rustic and Quiet

      Nice small campground with only 9 sites. FF self pay station allows QR Code to recreation.gov to reserve online. Once you choose a site, just pay online and keep your cash tipping at the close by wineries!😉 The park is a bit neglected compared to the many other National Forrest we stay in. The potholes in the driving loop and gravel need repair. The Fire pits and pit toilets need attention. Overall, it has been quiet and convenient to the region around. We stayed 4 days so even the negatives were not a deterrent.

    • Judy W.
      Sep. 3, 2026

      Cayuga Lake State Park Campground

      Stay by the lake

      Pros: clean, good location,nice bathrooms,hot showers nice playground.

      Cons: this cabin was on main thoroughfare,so people and traffic, stiff mattresses, very large religious group singing and playing loud music.

    • MThe Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 30, 2026

      Blueberry Patch Campground — Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests

      Beautiful site but close to folks

      This site was awesome. Still semi private and there were bathrooms which weren’t bad at all! Only draw back is you’re kind of close to other campers meaning you can hear them too. If you’re in for a more social dispersed experience this is it! I just prefer to have no one around for miles!

    • Beck A.
      Aug. 26, 2026

      Country Hills Campground

      Our First Stay

      In short it was perfect! This is a small family pet friendly campground. There is a pond that you can kayak and c&r fishing, just no swimming, there is snapping turtles! There is some handmade items in the office to purchase, also some camping needs, fire starters and firewood (6 dollars a bundle). There is a bath house, though we didn't use it so I can't tell you anything about it. There is also a trail but we didn't get to check it out. The owners can be seen here and there all over the property keeping it looking beautiful! It is clear just by watching them how much care they put into making this a great time to all that come there. On the weekends they offer meals that can be brought right to your site. We were there from Saturday till Wednesday morning and it was very peaceful. This is definitely be a place we will come back to. The only downfall to the place is that it has placed a high bar for other campgrounds to compare!

    Guide to Montour Falls

    Tent campsites near Montour Falls, New York range from primitive to full-service. The surrounding landscape features rolling hills with elevations between 800 and 1,800 feet. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during daytime hours, while nights can drop to 50-60°F even in peak season. The region experiences humidity levels between 60-80% from June through August.

    What to do

    Water recreation at nearby lakes: Visitors can kayak at Lawrence Recreation Area where the lake offers peaceful paddling opportunities. "Had a great few days here camped in RV next to lake. Amazing driftwood to be had. Good kayaking. Peaceful," reports Rebecca E.

    Hiking the regional trails: The area surrounding Holiday Hill Campground provides extensive trail networks. "Lots of trails, and Hemlock and Canadice Lake so close by. Mostly known for Reynolds GUlly, and Johnson Hill trails! Tons to do in the area but town isn't too far," explains Peter.

    River fishing: The Susquehanna River provides fishing opportunities for tent campers staying at riverside campgrounds. Bruce H. notes, "The river in front of first row sites is 200 m broad. Eagles fish here. You can too. Good beginning or end for a canoe trip."

    What campers like

    Privacy and seclusion: Smaller campgrounds in the region provide more intimate camping experiences. At Empire Haven Nudist Park, one camper observed: "The campground is as quiet and peaceful as anyone would like, but the community enables campers the freedom to socialize and share meals whenever you want to reach beyond the family who came with you."

    Natural wildlife viewing: The Finger Lakes region supports diverse wildlife including bald eagles. Bruce H. mentions spotting eagles fishing along the Susquehanna at Riverside Acres Campground.

    Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. Terry F. reports, "The campground has clean bathrooms and Verizon reception is consistent at 3 bars" when describing their stay at Holiday Hill Campground.

    What you should know

    Reservation policies vary significantly: Some campgrounds require advance booking while others operate on a first-come basis. One camper warned about Riverside Acres Campground: "Spoke to the owner 6 weeks prior to our intended stay, and planed on a 3 month stay. Called to confirm 2 weeks out as instructed and was informed she had no recollection she spoke with us."

    Cell coverage is inconsistent: While some campgrounds report good connectivity, many remote tent sites have limited or no service. Holiday Hill Campground reports consistent Verizon service with "3 bars" according to recent visitors.

    Limited facilities at some locations: Not all campgrounds offer full amenities. Paully B. cautions about Upper Lisle Park: "Other than a nice place to launch the kayak in the upper river and into Dorchester lake. There is nothing here."

    Tips for camping with families

    Look for campgrounds with play areas: Holiday Hill Campground offers activities for younger campers. "There is a lot to do for kids & teens, but that makes it loud with kids running through your site. So if that bothers you, plan ahead to get a site away from the main area," advises Terry F.

    Consider noise levels: Family-oriented campgrounds can be louder than more remote options. At Gardner Hill Campground, one visitor described it as "Folksy and Nice" with "No frills but very comfy and nice views."

    Pack for variable weather: Even summer nights can drop to 50°F in the Finger Lakes region. Bring appropriate sleeping gear for children who may be sensitive to temperature changes.

    Tips from RVers

    Site access limitations: Many tent campgrounds in the area have limited space for larger vehicles. Terry F. noted at Holiday Hill: "We had to maneuver a lot to back our 25' trailer into a tight spot, but sites are clean and spacious side to side."

    Seasonal availability affects hookups: Full-hookup sites may be occupied by seasonal campers. "There seemed to be a lot of regulars and seasonal sites here, which meant that short term full hook up sites were harder to get," according to Terry F.

    Budget-friendly options exist: Tent campgrounds near Montour Falls offer economical alternatives to larger RV parks. "As was cost- $43 per night for end of the season weekend isn't bad," reports a camper about Holiday Hill Campground.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular tent campsite near Montour Falls, NY?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Montour Falls, NY is South Slope Trail Head Dispersed Camp with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

    What is the best site to find tent camping near Montour Falls, NY?

    TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Montour Falls, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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