Dispersed camping options near Painted Post, New York provide alternatives to the area's established campgrounds, with Sugar Hill Fire Tower Recreation Area offering free designated sites about 25 miles from Painted Post. The region sits at the southern edge of the Finger Lakes where elevations range from 900-1,900 feet, creating distinct camping microclimates. Fall camping brings temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night, requiring proper layering and sleeping gear.
What to do
Hiking the gorges: At Watkins Glen State Park Campground, campers can access the park's famous Gorge Trail featuring 19 waterfalls. "The gorge trail is a MUST. Definitely go check this campsite out!" notes Laura L. For those with children, the trail offers manageable sections. "I would describe the hikes as moderately difficult. The main one has a lot of steps but lots of walkway in between them so it's not just up up up more steps," explains Jennifer W.
Horseback riding: Sugar Hill Recreation Area accommodates equestrians with designated facilities. "You can stay horses here, each site has a fire pit and it feels safe," reports Adam P. The area has multiple trail options. "We found a site right away. Ranger is super friendly. Our area was slightly isolated but a trail was next to it so horseback riders just appear occasionally to bright your day," adds Darrell K.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer lake access for anglers. At Ives Run, the large man-made lake provides multiple fishing spots. Jeremy C. notes the campground has "swimming area and multiple boat launch locations on large man-made lake." Christopher D. adds that some sites at Ives Run "all had a small piece of water access which allowed you to sit by the water."
What campers like
Privacy options: Some campgrounds near Painted Post offer secluded sites for those seeking quieter experiences. At Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping, "the campsite never even got near half full, providing a peaceful and uncrowded experience. For those seeking more privacy, there are numerous secluded spots along the side roads throughout the park," according to Paulina B. Andrew S. adds, "Some sites are close and some a spread out. About half of them are in the sun and half get shade all day."
Clean facilities: Campers frequently praise the well-maintained bathrooms at campgrounds in the region. At Hills Creek State Park Campground, "the shower and bathroom facilities looks brand new," according to Dave G. This attention to cleanliness extends to other campgrounds like Sugar Hill Fire Tower Recreation Area, where Joel M. notes "clean bathrooms with actual toilets and running water!"
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the area provide larger-than-average sites. At Watkins Glen State Park Campground, "The sites are quite wooded with plenty of space in between," says Laura L. Similarly, at Hills Creek State Park, Amanda H. reports, "When we arrived we were pleasantly surprised by the size of the sites and many sites now offer full hook up! The site was very spacious!"
What you should know
Water quality varies: Some campgrounds in the area have water issues visitors should prepare for. At Ferenbaugh Campground, Gary V. warns, "The only bad comment I would make is there water is very smelly and brown. I actually bought a dual stage water filter and change it every two weeks." Michael H. confirms this observation: "Make sure you use a water filter, there was a lot of sediment in the water when we were there."
Site selection matters: Campground layouts vary significantly, affecting the camping experience. At Watkins Glen/Corning KOA, Amy H. notes, "Lots of cars, lots of people, super close campsites. None of the 3 toilets flushed well. Sink was a little clogged. It WAS clean though." In contrast, at Pine Loop in Ives Run, Katherine T. shares, "The Pine loop is a pleasant escape for tent campers hoping for a good view of the lake."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity can be unreliable at some campgrounds. Paulina B. reports that at Sugar Hill Recreation Area, "WiFi and phone service are pretty limited, typically ranging between 1-2 bars." This is important for those needing to stay connected for work or emergency purposes during their stay.
Tips for camping with families
Activity-focused campgrounds: For families with children, look for campgrounds with dedicated recreation facilities. At Watkins Glen/Corning KOA, there are numerous activities to keep children engaged. "Lots of activities for kids and families on site and near by. Quite campground with KOA expected cleanliness and staff courtesy," says Amy T. Nick O. elaborates, "Very clean, campsites are very nice plenty of room had a 50 amp and 30 amp service box in a pull through site plenty of stuff for the kids to do nice pool and bounce pad."
Dog-friendly options: Families camping with pets should note varying policies. At Sugar Hill Fire Tower Recreation Area, Andrew S. advises, "Dogs must be on a leash but I found a spot down the hill to the south where there are no campsites to let them play fetch for a bit." At Watkins Glen State Park Campground, Lindsay C. cautions, "Dogs are allowed but they are not allowed on the gorge trail. I'm ok with this I just wish I had know before we got there."
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds offer learning experiences for children. At Hills Creek State Park, Amanda H. notes, "The rangers offer educational programs that are free of charge!" These programs often focus on local wildlife, plants, and conservation efforts, making them valuable additions to a family camping trip.
Tips from RVers
Site hookup placement: RVers should check hookup locations when booking. At Ives Run, Kayla N. warns, "some site you will need 2 hoses for your water because the hook ups are far from the sites and some of them will have the hook up facing the front of your camper." This preparation can prevent frustration upon arrival.
Reservation timing: Due to popularity, early booking is essential for RV sites. James P. advises about Ives Run, "the only draw back is that it fills up quickly and you need to reserve many months ahead of time especially for holidays." Similar patterns exist at other popular campgrounds in the area.
Road navigation: Some campgrounds have challenging internal roads for larger rigs. Laura L. shares about Watkins Glen State Park Campground, "We stayed in a 30 ft. motorhome, and the roads within the campground were kind of tight to get through with trees and curves." This information helps RVers plan arrivals and departures more effectively.
