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Best Tent Camping near Painted Post, NY

514 Reviews

Tent campers near Painted Post, New York have access to several established campgrounds in the surrounding region. Gardner Hill Campground in nearby Lowman offers tent sites with amenities including drinking water, electric hookups, showers, and toilets. Colton Point State Park Campground, situated about 40 miles west in Pennsylvania's Pine Creek Gorge area, provides more rustic tent camping options with walk-in sites that offer more privacy than drive-up locations.

Most tent campgrounds in the Painted Post area maintain basic amenities with varying levels of service. Sites typically feature picnic tables and fire rings, though fire permissions differ by location. Gardner Hill operates year-round, while seasonal restrictions apply at other locations like Colton Point, which runs from mid-April to mid-October. Tent campers should note that several campgrounds, including Lawrence Recreation Area and South Shore Recreation Area, have electric hookups but lack drinking water facilities. A reviewer at Colton Point mentioned, "The campsites are private and you get to hike in varying amounts of distance," highlighting the walk-in nature of these tent sites.

The tent camping experience around Painted Post offers scenic advantages particularly for those seeking natural settings. The western Finger Lakes region provides forested sites with varied terrain. Colton Point State Park Campground sits on the rim of Pine Creek Gorge, nicknamed "The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania," offering tent campers direct access to hiking trails and canyon overlooks. One camper noted that Colton Point "isn't a tourist hub" compared to other nearby parks, making it more appealing for tent campers seeking quieter experiences. Most tent sites in the region offer good shade coverage during summer months, with state forest locations generally providing more seclusion than private campgrounds. Access to fishing spots and hiking paths makes the area particularly suitable for tent campers looking to explore the Southern Tier and northern Pennsylvania wilderness.

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Best Tent Sites Near Painted Post, New York (23)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Painted Post, NY

15 Photos of 23 Painted Post Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Painted Post, NY

514 Reviews of 23 Painted Post Campgrounds

  • Gavin T.
    Oct. 23, 2017

    Blueberry Patch Campground — Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests

    Simple

    The only Finger Lakes National Forest designated campground, Blueberry Patch offers a secluded experience in the heart of this sometimes overlooked beautiful geographic region in the State of New York. This campground offers a simple experience, with fire rings and picnic tables at each site and seems to accommodate just tent and small campers. Vault toilets available. On a week day in early summer, 3 of the 9 campsites we’re occupied. Can see it filling up on weekends. Enjoy!

  • Sophie D.
    Oct. 5, 2016

    Watkins Glen State Park Campground

    Friendly, beautiful, and well organized

    I ended a two-day backpacking trek through the Finger Lakes National Forest at Watkins Glen. After grunting all the way up the long hill to the campground, I checked in with a wonderful and helpful employee. She gave me all the information about the campground and park that I could ever want, and then we laughed a little about the antics of young husky mixes (I had my dog with me on the hike). The campground is dog-friendly, provided that you have a current rabies certificate and keep him/her on leash.

    I stayed at a tent site, which has no electricity. RV sites, which cost a little more, provide electric hookups. My camp site and all the neighboring ones were clean. Water from spigots is easily accessible, as are showers and toilets.

    The campground is situated walking distance from the main attractions of the park; during the summer, a large swimming pool is a popular place to hang out with family. Hiking trails parallel the creek with beautiful falls. I was disappointed to find that dogs are not allowed on the Gorge Trail, which is closest to all of the falls.

    All in all, I loved this campground. It was a very relaxing place to spend the night.

  • N
    Jun. 14, 2019

    Blueberry Patch Campground — Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests

    Great site

    What does blueberry patch campground offer? Large camp sites with a picnic table large enough for 6 adults (squeezed together), metal fire pit with grill, large tent footprint and space for 2-3 vehicles to park.

    For you fellow hammock campers reading this don’t worry! Most of the sites are compatible for hammocks, some sites you may have to be more creative to make it work.

    You can stay at this site for up to 14 days at $15pn (bring cash). There are two bathrooms on the site and bear proof dumpsters as well. There are many locals selling fire wood bundles for $5 each so no problems getting a fire going. Lastly for this part BRING WATER. There are no water sources near the site. There is a gas station about 15 minutes away on route 79 so make sure to fill up on water and snacks.

    The site is great. Lots of amenities and individual sites. They aren’t too far away from each other so you don’t feel completely isolated but far enough away to allow some privacy. There are some trails nearby and are worth a hike.

    Neil

  • Amy R.
    Jul. 16, 2019

    Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground

    RV/tent campground in a beautiful setting

    This is a gated campground that we stayed at 6/30/19-7/04/19. We are NOT an RV. We own a Napier tent that hooks to our truck so that we can sleep up in the bed. However, due to it being a holiday week, the tent sites were completely booked and they only have 4(which also have water& electric). The tent sites are located in the back of the campground behind the sports field within the trees. I unfortunately didn’t get a chance to see them but they have them pictured on their website. They let us book an RV site and it was rough setting up on a gravel RV site but we understood that we were not within a normal tent element and placed an extra tarp under the tent. The campground is located at the top of some beautiful and scenic driving through farmland in Pennsylvania and you will be 30 minutes from anything like shopping or small town amenities(we drove to Walmart after setting up to get our perishables since we drive up from Virginia). Our site had water and electric, was a drive through spot for a typical RV with a section to the side of the drive through for the fire pit and picnic table. We were located right next to the shower/bathrooms/playground and had some tree coverage and shade. A lot of the RVs in the campground are permanent sites and our neighbors never showed so we had a quiet buffer but it was not a noisy campground. It appeared that they cleaned the bathrooms twice daily and we were impressed with the cleanliness of the bathroom/showers. There were 4 in the building so we never had to wait. The staff were friendly and helpful. They had a store right next to the pool area that offered common items and RV'er might need with a small grocery area as well which included bundles of wood($6 honor system after hours) and Ice($1.78 per bag). We were allowed to run an account which we paid at the end of our stay. Our campsite was required to be paid at check in. The campground is 18 acres with gravel roads, a sports field, fishing, horse shoes, bocce ball, multiple playgrounds, a rec center with some games, claw machines etc. a splash pad and salt water pool. You will be doing a lot of walking or bring your bicycles like we did. They offer scheduled activities for holidays etc and various weekend activities. You can rent non electric boats and they offer catch& release fishing without a PA license in the lake. My son caught 2 sunfish :) They have guidelines for visitors and quiet hours(my cousin came to visit us in the evenings as she lived close by). We enjoyed camping here even if we were on an RV site. We booked site 211 which had the little bit of tree coverage and was located right next to the showers/bathrooms/playground with a quick walk to the lake for fishing. Most of the other available sites in the road ahead of us had no tree coverage but closer to the lake had more trees and shade. OR, just get an actual tent site :) but they are all the way at the back of the campground, furthest from the lake so I actually preferred our site.

  • David A.
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Tiadaghton Campground — Tioga State Forest

    Tiadaghaton State Forest, PA

    Roadside site 1/4 mile from the nearest site. You can drive right to the site on Hackett Rd. Very secluded and peaceful. Picnic table and fire ring, but no water or latrine.

  • Kari M.
    Sep. 21, 2016

    Smith Memorial Park

    Great hiking trails, and beach nearby!

    Smith Memorial Park has a pretty great set up. You can camp and hike, while enjoying the beach and water activities. It is the best of both worlds. I camped here a few summers ago, and enjoyed my stay. I love hiking, and there were some really good trails nearby with some great views. The campground was great, each campsite has its own picnic table and fire ring. They also have restrooms and showers available for use too- I stayed a few nights so the showers worked out great. Our spot was fairly close, so it was within walking distance. What I really like about his campground is it is sort of secluded, and not very crowded. The campsite I stayed at was called "The Point" and it was quite and a great location. My sisters went one evening to a winery that was really close to our campsite called JR Dill, and we went to a great brewing company for dinner one night. The campground does provide firewood-which they offer for a pretty low cost. We did this, and enjoyed making smores over the campfire both nights we stayed. The beach is nice and is pretty close to the campground, within walking distance. Great for swimming, and I saw some people out on the lake with their boats. Enjoyed my stay, and would definitely come back again at some point!

  • Dan N.
    Jul. 18, 2016

    Kanakadea Park - Almond Lake

    Lake right off rt 86

    This is a park with a lake. In the green rolling hills of the Finger Lakes. Grassy open fields are nice but not private. Used the basic tent setup. Clean, grounds kept up nice, simple, no water. Lots of state lands and water nearby. Deer by the tent in the morning. Great stopover or base camp, not much to do right on site.

  • Michael B.
    Sep. 3, 2020

    Stony Brook State Park Campground

    Beautiful park. Too bad we missed the pool.

    Had a great time at Stony Brook State Park this week! The campground side doesn't open until around 11 we were told, and we reached at 8am, so we started at the North (day-use) side, parked there, hiked, ate, and eventually drove back to the other side, checked in, and set up camp. 😁 It was a very nice time. Due to the COVID-19 regulations, masks need to be worn in the bathhouse (except when brushing teeth or showering). Was a good, quiet, fun time, with a few other families nearby. The only negatives: *According to their website, the natural pool would be open the day we went. It was not. ☹️ *No alcohol permitted in the whole campgrounds. Fine for us, but annoying for many. From the trash in the bathhouse, looks like some were anyways. *No "camp store" - so if you forgot an essential item, you've got to go out from the park. Positive part: town is only 8 minutes away via car. Also, we got GREAT and easy burning from the people selling wood for $5/bundle just outside the campground entrance.

    All in all, a GREAT time! We all enjoyed it!

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 1, 2023

    Six Circles Farm (Camp Elderberry)

    Beautiful and peaceful

    This was our first experience at a Hipcamp site, but we took advantage of a $30 promotion from REI and decided to try one out. Camp Elderberry is located on an organic vegetable farm in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Weekend tours of the farm are available for a nominal fee. There are two sites here, both quite separate from each other so they are very private. You can camp in an RV or in a tent on the grass. Due to recent rains, the grass was quite tall, so we did not go deep into our site, which had a view of Seneca Lake. No hookups at either site. 

    Communication with Lael was very good from the beginning, and he met us as we arrived to help us get settled. We arrived much later than planned due to a flat tire, so we did not spend much time exploring the property. There is also a ½ mile hike to the beach that I would have explored if we had arrived earlier. I had read there is a porta-potty, but we did not use it. There is also potable water and a cold-water shower. No WiFi, but the cell signal was strong on Verizon. There are many wineries nearby but again, because of our late arrival, they were all closed when we got there. 

    We have been exploring a variety of camping options including Tentrr, Harvest Host, RV parks, Corps of Engineers campgrounds, county parks, state parks, and national parks. Hipcamp campsites vary widely by accommodation and price. The price for Camp Elderberry was not unreasonable ($50) but is more expensive than most standard (non-private) campsites. We did enjoy the unique experience, however!

Guide to Painted Post

Tent camping options around Painted Post, New York extend beyond established campgrounds into surrounding state forests and recreation areas. The region sits at the northern edge of the Allegheny Plateau where elevations range from 850 to 2,000 feet. Weather patterns can shift quickly due to the varied terrain, with temperature differences of 10-15 degrees between valley floors and higher elevations. Several campgrounds operate without potable water facilities, requiring campers to bring their own supply.

What to do

Hiking Pine Creek Gorge: At Colton Point State Park Campground, visitors can access multiple trail systems with varying difficulty levels. Gary O. noted, "Incredible views, nicknamed the Grand Canyons of Pennsylvania." The Turkey Path Trail descends 800 feet to the canyon floor along a steep 2-mile route.

Fishing access: Riverside Acres Campground provides direct access to the Susquehanna River. "Eagles fish here. You can too. Good beginning or end for a canoe trip," explains Bruce H. The broad 200-meter river section fronting the campground offers prime fishing spots for smallmouth bass and walleye.

Kayaking opportunities: Lawrence Recreation Area sits adjacent to Cowanesque Lake, providing paddling options. Rebecca E. mentioned, "Had a great few days here camped in RV next to lake. Amazing driftwood to be had. Good kayaking." The lake features several calm inlets suitable for beginners.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: At Tiadaghton Campground in Tioga State Forest, campers appreciate the secluded setting. According to David A., "Roadside site 1/4 mile from the nearest site. You can drive right to the site on Hackett Rd. Very secluded and peaceful."

Family-friendly amenities: Holiday Hill Campground offers structured activities for younger campers. Terry F. observed, "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."

Scenic overlooks: The West Rim Trail accessed from several area campgrounds provides dramatic vistas. Aaron B. simply stated about Colton Point, "Great hiking with great views!" Many campsites sit within a 10-minute walk of canyon observation points.

What you should know

Reservation limitations: Many campgrounds in the area operate on first-come, first-served basis. For Colton Point State Park, Sadie S. advised, "It doesn't have modern bathrooms, and you can't pre-book your stay."

Seasonal restrictions: Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally. Holiday Hill Campground runs from May 1 to October 14, limiting late fall and winter camping options. Colton Point State Park operates from "2nd Fri April to 3rd Sun October."

Limited facilities: Several recreation areas lack full amenities. David A. noted about Tiadaghton Campground, "Picnic table and fire ring, but no water or latrine." At least four campgrounds within 30 miles of Painted Post operate without drinking water.

Tips for camping with families

Pack for hiking: Family groups visiting Colton Point should prepare for trail exploration. Heather D. shared, "I love this camping area! I used to go with my school when i was in high school. And since i graduated i have always enjoyed coming back to this wonderfull place! It is full of adventure."

Consider walk-in sites: Some campgrounds offer walk-in sites requiring short hikes. Sadie S. advised about Colton Point, "I love the walk in sites. They take a small hike so don't over pack!"

Check cell reception: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Holiday Hill Campground, Terry F. reported, "Verizon reception is consistent at 3 bars," making it suitable for families needing to stay connected.

Tips from RVers

Site access challenges: RV campers should research site dimensions before arrival. Terry F. noted at Holiday Hill Campground, "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 site availability: Full-hookup sites fill quickly with long-term 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.

Campground layout: Gardner Hill Campground offers basic amenities in a rural setting. Avery R. shared, "I happened upon this campground by following the blue tent sign on the highway. No frills but very comfy and nice views."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Painted Post, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Painted Post, NY is Lawrence Recreation Area with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Painted Post, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 23 tent camping locations near Painted Post, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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