Green Lakes State Park Campground near Nedrow, New York offers rustic tent sites and modern camper accommodations, accessible by a 15-minute drive northeast from the village. The region sits within the Finger Lakes area at elevations between 400-600 feet, creating diverse camping experiences across its rolling glacial terrain. Seasonal camping typically operates May through October, with most Nedrow-area glamping sites closing before the first frost.
What to Do
Lake swimming and paddle sports: At Green Lakes State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy the distinctive blue-green waters. One visitor noted, "You can rent a kayak and enjoy the beautiful lake. There are miles of trails to explore." The park restricts personal watercraft, as another camper mentioned, "You cannot bring your own kayaks you have to rent."
Fishing opportunities: The Yogi Bears Jellystone Park Camp Resort provides excellent fishing access. A guest reported, "For the fisherman, it's located on Salmon River and appears to have quite a lot of large salmon this time of year. I was shocked at the size of the fish that were being cleaned." The season typically runs from late summer through fall.
Military history exploration: Visitors to the Nedrow region can explore historical sites at Sampson State Park Campground, where one camper noted, "It has a Naval museum with many authentic items from that era. It was a Naval training base during WWll." The museum provides self-guided tours throughout the camping season.
What Campers Like
Private bathroom facilities: Campers appreciate the modern restroom setup at many glamping locations close to Nedrow. At Robert H. Treman State Park Campground, visitors mentioned, "The bathrooms were clean, with multiple free, hot showers. I believe there were separate dishwashing sinks inside the restrooms."
Waterfront access: Proximity to water ranks highly among camper preferences. One visitor at Cayuga Lake State Park Campground stated, "Nice modern-esque camp site with great views of the lake. They have cabins but we tent camped. Tent sites are open. On site they have swimming, boat launch, and a playground."
Family welcome gifts: At Sned Acres Campground, campers receive a special arrival treat. Multiple reviews mentioned this touch: "We were welcomed with a fresh loaf of bread" and another noted, "They even provide homemade breakfast bread." This tradition continues throughout the camping season.
What You Should Know
Shared electric hookups: Some campgrounds have electrical boxes positioned between sites. At Sampson State Park, one camper advised, "Electric service boxes are shared in-between sites. This could pose an issue if your power cord is not long enough."
Limited privacy at certain campgrounds: Many glamping options near Nedrow feature open layouts. One camper at Cayuga Lake State Park Campground noted, "Tent camping here felt like we were camping in a neighborhood backyard. We could hear so many different families talking and really doing everything you do while camping but the area felt so open and unobstructed."
Water access limitations: Some parks restrict personal watercraft. At Green Lakes State Park, a visitor explained, "You cannot bring your own kayaks you have to rent." Check specific park regulations before transporting personal boats.
Tips for Camping with Families
Look for campgrounds with organized kids' activities: Family-oriented parks offer structured programming. A visitor to Yogi Bears Jellystone Park noted, "The staff here is excellent, and are always willing to do what they can to make sure you're having a great stay... So many activities for the kids, a great pool, mini-golf, parades, just non stop action to keep them going and tire them out!"
Choose sites near playgrounds strategically: While convenient, playground-adjacent sites can be noisy. At Sampson State Park, one camper advised, "They have nice playgrounds" but warns families to consider "some loops are closer to playgrounds than they appear on the map."
Utilize campground education programs: Several parks near Nedrow offer educational activities. At Taughannock Falls State Park Campground, trails include "educational posters along the way to keep you informed of what you were seeing and the history about how it was created."
Tips from RVers
Back-in requirements: Some campgrounds have specific parking policies. A Sampson State Park visitor noted, "They don't allow pull-in camping. Campers MUST be backed in."
Leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven sites at some parks. A camper at Robert H. Treman State Park warned, "Electric sites are not the best though. Rocky and unlevel. Not made for large campers."
Strategize water and dump stations: Plan for potential waits at fill stations. At Sampson State Park, one RVer noted, "There is only one source for water fill up. This could end up being a very very long wait if you arrive at the same time as other campers. Only 2 dump stations."
