Looking to get away and reconnect with nature? Glamping near Newark is the perfect choice. The Dyrt lets you enjoy a unique, rustic Newark experience while glamping. You're sure to find glamping for your New York camping excursion.
Watkins Glen State Park is the most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks, with a reputation for leaving visitors spellbound. Within two miles, the glen's stream descends 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs, generating 19 waterfalls along its course. The gorge path winds over and under waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade. Rim trails overlook the gorge. Camping near Watkins Glen allows you to enjoy the Olympic-size pool, scheduled summer tours through the gorge, tent and trailer campsites, picnic facilities and excellent fishing in nearby Seneca Lake or Catherine Creek, which is renowned for its annual spring run of rainbow trout.
Located in Western New York state, about 45 miles southwest of Rochester, Letchworth State Park is known as the “Grand Canyon of the East.” Straddling the Genesee River for 17 miles the park encompasses more than 14,000 acres of deep river canyon and dense woodlands. The area was purchased in 1859 by William Pryor Letchworth, who recognized its natural and scenic value. He then granted it to the state in 1906 to be preserved as a public park. The park’s main attraction is the three dramatic waterfalls on the Genesee, which pour over escarpments up to 100 feet high. In addition to the spectacular scenery, the park also offers year-round outdoor recreation, from hiking, fishing and birdwatching to a variety of snow play.
The large campground in Letchworth State Park makes a good basecamp for exploring the area’s many sights and recreation opportunities. It contains 270 tent, trailer and RV sites in eight separate loops. All sites have electrical hookups, and there are water spigots, restrooms with showers, recycling stations and a dump station available. Additional accommodations in the park include camping cabins and the Glen Iris Inn. Visitors also have access to several picnic areas and playgrounds, a swimming pool, sports fields, trout pond, a museum, and nature center. Campsite rates range from $24–$26/night, plus additional fees; cabin and lodge rates vary; reservations recommended.
The best way to see many of the park’s sights is to get out and walk, hike or bike on any of the 66 miles of multiuse trails that wind through the park, and vary in distance and difficulty. The waterfalls are best viewed along the 7-mile Gorge Trail. One of the more unique and exciting ways to see the park is by hot air balloon. Other activities in the park include paddling on the river, nature programs, guided walks, and interpretive exhibits. The park also offers some of the best birdwatching in the state. In winter, many of the park’s trails become snowshoe and cross-country ski routes, and a few are even open to snowmobiles, so no matter what time of year you visit, there’s a way to play outdoors.
Nestled among the blue waters of Lake Ontario in northern New York, Lake Bluff Campground is a family-oriented Wayne County campground just one mile from Chimney Bluffs State Park. Bring the whole family and truly get away from the push and pull of your everyday life! Whether you stay for a weekend, month, or longer, our Lake Ontario RV resort is the ideal place for your next family vacation, romantic weekend getaway, or family reunion.
$48 - $999 / night
Finger Lakes Family Camping At Junius Ponds If you're looking for a peaceful campground setting with a family-friendly atmosphere, and tons of activities, then Junius Ponds Cabins & Campground is the perfect spot for you! Join us by pitching a tent, renting a cabin, or by parking your RV. We've got sites you will fall in love with after just one stay that will make you want to start a family tradition. Whether you are just passing through or planning a vacation with us you will not be disappointed with your stay. We simply offer the best camping experience you can have within the Finger Lakes location, complete with camping amenities and a broad selection of camping activities. There is something to do for everyone, check out our activities for our different weekend events.
$36 - $999 / night
$25 - $99 / night
$30 - $110 / night
Traveler
Thanks for this wonderful article. It was very enlightening and useful. Solar
Legend
Jake 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!
Guide
Definitely one of the top places to camp and visit in New York, Watkins Glen State Park never disappoints. Each time I come back, I find something new to discover and have a great time doing that. Pair awesome trails and camping space with world class wineries up the lake, you cannot go wrong.
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!
Ranger
Not technically in the Finger Lakes but still one of the most beautiful parts of Western New York State. Splurge and eat at the Glen Iris Inn! Great for cycling and hiking but no swimming. I love taking visitors here in all seasons but in autumn it is exceptional. I’ve stayed in a few tent sites and all are wooded and pretty private with your standard basic amenities. This is a popular park so make reservations.
Guide
Taughannock Falls State Park is one of my favorite parks in New York. The camp grounds are excellent, there are TONS of trails nearby, the swimming area of the lake is close, and the water is very clean. The crown jewel of the place is Taughannock Falls, which is a short flat hike to one of the tallest single drop waterfalls on the east coast. It really is quite the sight. There are cool playgrounds for the kids, grills, restrooms, showers, and plenty of activities to do, such as stand up paddle boarding. Taughannock has it going on, and I will be back!
Ranger
We camped here for 3 nights, I had an event in Geneva. Location was handy, easy in and out. It’s an old navy/Air Force base that was converted in the 60’s. Sites have a weird thing with one electric post per two sites… but they aren’t pull through. So, apparently, New York doesn’t care if you just park anywhere in the general area of your site, which is a vibe, but bring an extension cord. There’s some kind of “resort” co-located that appears to have more conventional hookups, but I’m unclear on how to book that. Price was fine, spot was ok, lake swim beach and playground were nice.
ScoutI went to college right near Letchworth State Park so I spent many wonderful weekends there! There is a reason why they call it the Grand Canyon of the East. Not only can you check out the beautiful waterfalls, but there are also many awesome trails, rivers, and caves to check out. When I would camp, we would rent a camp site with our tent but, you could camp with your RV or even rent a cabin. Ive gone every month of the year, but these pictures were from my birthday in January. Letchworth is one of the best parks in New York state and a definite must see!
LegendLetchworth State Park is known as the Grand Canyon of the East and is located in Mt. Morris New York. My husband and I visited regularly when we lived near Rochester, NY. The park is stunning and is fit for camping whether you’re in a tent, RV or choosing to rent a gorgeous cabin. There are many walking and hiking trails for adventurers of all types. Make sure you bring your camera as the views are all photo worthy. The camping price is right due to the fact that the park is run by the state. A great place to stay especially in the Summer!!
GuideWent 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!!! The falls trails were all well defined and excellent for a beginner, moderate hiker. More advanced trails were also offered as well as biking trails, so plenty for any level of adventurer!! Lots of educational posters along the way to keep you informed of what you were seeing and the history about how it was created. The locals were pleasant, and eager to share fun facts about their area. We stayed at the campground in the park. It was cozy, clean, and just right for a little off the grid fun. No electricity or water hook ups available, but nice big public baths and plenty of water access all around the camp ground. (Say one water spot every 3-4 camp sites). There was also a dump station and trash dumpsters easily accessible at the entrance. Can not wait to go back, planning a week long trip next year and will do all three tours, wine, beer, and cheese!! Till next September!! Stay Gorges!!!
ScoutOkay, we all get that there is awesome hiking, scenery, wineries, racing, and more in the Watkins Glen area. So let’s just chat about the campground.
The bathhouses were A+. Clean, well maintained, newer…just overall impressive!
There were water fill up stations EVERYWHERE! We camped in the dry camping loop - it was the only one available to us in our 35’ class A. We didn’t miss anything!
The playground was OUTSTANDING! All adults in our party and we couldn’t help but jump on some of the swings. It’s a newer type playground and is hands down the best I’ve ever seen!
Last, and certainly not least…personnel.
We had the opportunity to speak with the campground ranger, facilities engineer, and gate attendants. Everyone was accommodating, friendly, warm, helpful, and more. :).
One of the BEST campgrounds out there! Thank you New York State, the NYState park system and all the folks at Watkins Glen State Park Campground who make the magic happen!!!
One mention: our site was rated for a 25’ RV, we were 35’ long and fit nicely. Other sites rated for 35’ RV were NOT long enough. (We had to switch sites).
LegendIn most states, those without falls like Niagara, this state park would be the pride of the land. With three serious drops in as many miles, the Genesse River winds it’s way through what locals call the “Grand Canyon of the East.” Many states try to make such claims, but this might be the closest any come to actually living up to such. It is stunning!
Along the river this park gives the motorist the distinct feel that she is on a parkway, not unlike Shenendoah, or Blue Ridge. Every few miles the winding pavement breaks out onto a few of the ridges and valley below, before ducking back into the forest of Western New York.
The campground, which is about 15 miles from the major falls area, offers what many come to expect from state parks. There are a wide variety of campsites, all reservable online, which can accommodate lots of different types of camping, large RV’s, small tents, and everything in between. Most, if not all, campsites offer electrical and water is available close by.
The bathrooms are practically luxurious by most camping standards, with single-use restroom/ showers available at all hours. The camp store offered a few grocery items, along with cold drinks, firewood and ice in addition to laundry facilities. Within a short walk were many hiking trails, an old-school fitness path, and a stellar playground where anyone under 9 years of age should get a great workout.
But let’s be honest, we’re not coming here for the campground, it’s the rest of the park that makes the drive worth it. So, check it out and get to know this stunning place first hand and be sure to bring a picnic basket.
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!
Legend**Ranger Review: Men’s Rebel Stretch Shell Jacket at Letchworth State Park **
CampgroundReview:
I’ve visited Letchworth State Park, known as the Grand Canyon of the East, in the winter and the summer, but this is the first time in autumn and the first time camping. Although this very large state park is starkly beautiful, the campground is not as nice as other New York state parks we have recently been to. We were in the 600 loop, the farthest from the camp office and closest to the Genesee River (although we could not see it from our site). The sites on the outside of the 600 loop were larger and more private; most of them were pie-shaped and had many trees that provided ample separation. The sites on the inside of the loop were much smaller and less private. The bathrooms were reasonable but dated. The showers did not look very inviting and although I did not use them, I overheard someone comment they were the worst showers they had ever experienced!
I highly recommend the free tour of the Mt. Morris Dam on the other side of the river from the campground. The tour is interesting and lasts approximately one hour. Offered at 2 pm in the offseason and twice per day during the summer.
It rained almost the entire time we were there, so we didn’t take any long hikes. We did a short hike to the Lower Falls. The footbridge was closed for repairs when we were there. The Middle Falls and Upper Falls can be seen with very short walks. There is also a restaurant in the park which was ok but not fantastic
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Product Review:
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get to test products. At this campground, we tested the Men’s Rebel Stretch Shell Jacket by Red Ledge. The price of this jacket is much less than many other available brands, so we were interested in checking it out and ordered one for my husband.
Positives:
Affordable price
Workmanship appears to be solid and of good quality.
Seams are all sealed. Feels comfortable, although the material has a slightly rubbery feel
Water beads up very well
The waist is adjustable.
Negatives:
Bottom line:
Although it is well made and a good value for the price, it is not as functional as my husband would have liked.
Guide
Individuals working at the front desk were helpful and nice. The campground was nice. More of an open campground vs. secluded. I didn't use their bathrooms or showers. Many seasonal campers. Live music and friendly neighbors. It was a nice stop as I headed up. I would stay here again if I need an overnight place to stop.
I gave it 4 stars since I didn't stay there for more than one night and didn't experience the campground fully. People were fishing in the river, and kids had places to play. Lots of open places for activities. I'm more interested in the boondocking style of camping.
TravelerThe campground is on a beautiful spot - I could stare at the views all day. We didn’t get to check out the entire property, but was happy with what we saw.
My only concerns were the cleanliness of the bathrooms and clear communication regarding the pool closure.
GuideThis I saw a great place to relax. The creek is wonderful to fish in and sit by. There are things for kids to do and they have planned activities. The spring can be tricky with the rain, some sites can get messy.
Scout
Went there for a holiday weekend and had a good time. Pros: it was clean, staff was helpful and friendly, there is a nice pool and lots of activities for the kids. RV sites are a good size. Cons: most of the sites are for seasonal guests so it can be difficult to get a reservation.
GuideThe campground is well maintained and has clean restrooms. There are many options for different sites. They offer themed weekends and have activities for kids.
GuideVery weird layout of the area. Not much to do. Seasonals are a little rude.
GuideWell maintained and friendly staff. Clean facilities. Most sites can accommodate large rigs with full hookups. Reservations recommended especially during summer weekends. Well priced $42 per night for full hookups. Campground offered two free hours of WiFi which is week but is currently being updated. This campground offers a well maintained-non heated pool although costs $2 per person to use even for campers. Overall excellent campground
TravelerWe stopped here for the night and it was very pretty, quiet, and clean. The roads are narrow and hilly, but we pull a 36’ 5th wheel (mid-profile) and we had. I issues with branches. They had a oversized, long pull through available (site 88) that made entering and exiting the site nice and easy. 50amp and water was used, didn’t dump. The office staff was polite and kind, chatted with a couple campers that were also very pleasant. A little highway noise, but would still recommend staying here. My teenagers even enjoyed the playground! Very nice yard games area with many options, grounds well maintained, we didn’t use the bathrooms.
TravelerA would be beautiful campground is over run with seasonal campers and their golf carts. These fine folks never stop driving and take the time to walk and enjoy the the beauty of their surroundings. I have no issues with seasons campers but I do have an issue with so many people driving these things until late at night while drinking and being loud. I have camped in over 100 campgrounds along the east coast but I have never seen this anywhere else. All in all a very nice place to camp.
ScoutWe love camping here. Friendly and helpful staff. Clean facilities. Nice pool and playgrounds.
GuideThis was one of our favorite campgrounds of our cross country journey so far. We were in a long pull through near the front of the campground and it had a large grassy section to the side. There were a lot of seasonal campers here and they were all friendly. There was a little road noise cause it's not far from the highway, but it didn't bother us.
LegendLots of permanent campers but nothing bad looking. Nice campground. Lots to do for kids.
ScoutWell taken care of place. Friendly staff. Plenty of space between sites. Nice pool and games to play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Newark, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Newark, NY is Watkins Glen State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 86 reviews.
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