The Finger Lakes region offers several camping sites near Penn Yan, New York, with options ranging from state parks to private campgrounds. The area sits at elevations between 700-1,200 feet and experiences seasonal temperature variations from winter lows around 15°F to summer highs near 80°F. Most campgrounds remain open from May through October, with limited winter camping available at select locations.
What to do
Hiking through gorges: Watkins Glen State Park Campground provides direct access to dramatic hiking trails. "Watkins Glen was absolutely beautiful. The gorge trail is a MUST. Definitely go check this campsite out!" notes Laura L. The park is located about 20 miles southwest of Penn Yan and features 19 waterfalls along its signature trail.
Water recreation options: Sampson State Park Campground offers multiple water activities on Seneca Lake. "There is a nice public beach fully staffed with life guards. A store and rec center is located at entrance area of camp ground as well as a big playground for the children," says Brian O. The park also maintains a boat launch and dedicated fishing areas.
Exploring historic sites: Visit the military museum at Sampson State Park for a cultural experience. "This park is very clean, good size sites. Has a very nice military museum," mentions Carrie N. The museum preserves the area's naval history and offers educational exhibits about the former training base.
Wine tasting excursions: Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite serves as a central base for vineyard visits. "It is an easy drive around Keuka Lake which is surrounded by award winning wineries, breweries and distilleries," explains one visitor. Many wineries offer tastings year-round, though summer and fall harvest seasons bring larger crowds.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Keuka Lake State Park Campground offers well-spaced camping areas. "Spacious, private campsites, well maintained. Dogs welcome!" says Lynda M. Another camper notes, "The sites are large and many have electric. Mature trees surround campsites and separate the loops from each other."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the maintenance standards at campgrounds throughout the region. "The bathroom/shower facility in our loop was modern and kept very clean. The roads leading to the sites, and the within the loops, are paved, and the sites are quite level," reports Helen H. about Keuka Lake State Park.
Affordability options: Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite provides free camping with basic amenities. "26 camp sites with bathrooms! That flush! Very quiet and the sites aren't on top of each other. People bring their horses. You can drive to to your site and tent camp or camper camp," mentions Hannah G. This makes it an economical alternative to paid campgrounds in the area.
Waterfront access: Back-Achers Campsites features direct lake access. "This park is located equidistant between Geneva and Watkins Glenn, NY on the shores of Seneca lake. The beach is absolutely wonderful," says Whistle P. Most waterfront sites fill quickly during peak season, especially on weekends.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require advance bookings, especially during summer. "We arrived late on a Thursday night but were able to find one spot. My only recommendation is that you arrive earlier and set up if you're camping during the busy season. Otherwise it fills up fast," advises Maggie A. about Blueberry Patch Campground.
Seasonal limitations: Camping facilities typically operate from late April through early November. "We stayed here for Memorial Day Weekend and really enjoyed Sned Acres. The Grounds are well taken care of although some areas around the playgrounds and pool could have been weed whacked better," notes David M. Some amenities like pools may not open until late June.
Cell service challenges: Several campgrounds have limited connectivity. "However, don't expect any cell phone service. I've had friends who climbed up on top of their RV and still, no signal. It's out in the middle of nowhere, hard to find but extremely worth it," warns Lela S. about Flint Creek Campgrounds.
Electrical access variations: Power hookup configurations differ between campgrounds. "Electric service boxes are shared in-between sites. This could pose an issue if your power cord is not long enough," explains Amanda K. about Sampson State Park. Many sites provide 30-amp service, with some offering 50-amp connections.
Tips for camping with families
Recreation facilities: Sned Acres Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "We loved our stay at Sned-Acres! Our two-year-old adored playing on the playground just 15' or so from our campsite and we particularly loved checking out our beautiful lake view while we sat around the campfire," shares Julie S. The campground provides open spaces for children to play.
Educational opportunities: Consider campgrounds with learning experiences. "Bring bicycles and definitely go on both visual and audio tours," suggests Victoria O. regarding Sampson State Park, which offers military history exhibits suitable for school-age children.
Entertainment options: Some campgrounds provide organized activities. "Dog and kid friendly with activities such as wagon rides, arts and crafts, movie night and various themed weekend events," notes Sheri S. about Flint Creek Campgrounds. These scheduled events typically occur on weekends during peak season.
Swimming availability: Look for campgrounds with designated swimming areas. "This campground is close to home, easily accessible, close to grocery stores and has a beautiful beach and playground for kids," mentions Alyssa C. about Keuka Lake State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site access considerations: Watkins Glen State Park Campground has some navigation challenges. "We stayed in a 30 ft. motorhome, and the roads within the campground were kind of tight to get through with trees and curves," cautions Laura L. Larger rigs may require careful maneuvering on interior roads.
Water fill logistics: Plan for water acquisition at some campgrounds. "There is only 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," explains Amanda K. about Sampson State Park, which also has only two dump stations available.
Parking regulations: Some campgrounds have specific requirements for RV placement. "They don't allow pull-in camping. Campers MUST be backed in," notes a visitor to Sampson State Park. This affects site selection and setup procedures for larger vehicles.
Hookup availability: Finger Lakes RV Resort provides full-service connections. "Easy maneuverability, great wifi and water pressure, along with level sites make it a great place to stay," reports Craig F. The resort caters specifically to RVs with appropriately sized sites and reliable utilities.
