Penn Yan offers several RV camping options within the Finger Lakes region of New York, located at approximately 750 feet elevation on the northeast arm of Keuka Lake. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 70-80°F during peak camping months of June through August. Winter snowfall can exceed 60 inches annually, contributing to spring water levels in lakes and creating muddy conditions at some campgrounds in early May.
What to do
Winery walking trails: Access two wineries directly from Finger Lakes RV Resort via dedicated walking paths. "There are walking paths from the campground to two different wineries," notes Matt S., who adds this makes the location "a great place to stay for wine and waterfalls."
Waterfall hiking: Visit nearby gorge trails within 30-minute drives. "We've been hiking the last few days - Watkins Glen State Park- Gorge Trail (go early or it gets REALLY crowded), Taughannock State Park- Gorge & North Ridge Trail over on Cayuga Lake," reports a visitor to Finger Lakes RV Resort.
Kayaking: Lake Bluff RV Park provides water access points. "Had a large, private plot in drumlin loop. Close to the beach which was very pretty and clean. Hiking trails, kayaking, and lots of other fun activities," mentions Jay P.
Farm exploration: Smaller campgrounds like Woonton Family Farms offer agricultural experiences. "We had an excellent stay at the farm of the Woonton Family Farms with our RV, it was a cozy and beautiful campsite with personal attention of the owner. We had a great campfire, fresh blackberries and the option of canoeing," writes Willemien V.
What campers like
Clean bathhouse facilities: RV parks near Penn Yan prioritize bathroom cleanliness. "The bath house is immaculate and rivals those at Fort Wilderness Resort," reports Craig F. about Finger Lakes RV Resort, adding "Amazing RV park! I can't stop talking about the Finger Lakes RV park and the great experience we had there."
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer adequate separation between sites. "All of the sites are very nicely spread out with generous spacing," notes one visitor to Finger Lakes RV Resort, while another mentions "the campground sites are very large and spread out."
Family-operated businesses: Personal touches distinguish several campgrounds. At Stay Bristol Woodlands, "The new owners have brought this place to a new level. Great amenities, real Wi-Fi and a great pool," according to Donald R. Similarly, at Lake Bluff RV Park, a visitor noted it was a "friendly family owned" campground.
Reliable WiFi: Unlike many rural campgrounds, several RV parks in the Penn Yan region maintain strong internet connections. "WiFi was strong enough to do work calls," reports Laura W. about her stay at Finger Lakes RV Resort, where they would "give it 6 stars if that was an option."
What you should know
Water quality issues: Bring filtration systems when connecting to local water. At Hejamada Camping Resort, campers reported "sewage smells from the leech fields" during a Labor Day weekend stay. Multiple campgrounds throughout the region recommend water filters for RV connections.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds operate May through October with limited off-season availability. Red's Twilight on the Erie RV Resort runs April 15 to October 31, while Lake Bluff RV Park operates mid-April through October.
Limited shade at newer parks: Recently established campgrounds have younger trees. At Finger Lakes RV Resort, a visitor noted, "Being a newer campground, the trees are small, but that did not take away from the experience," while another advised, "There's no shade from trees or otherwise. If you're visiting during the summer, be sure your air conditioning and awnings are working."
Reservation requirements: Peak season demands advance booking, especially weekends. One visitor to Stay Bristol Woodlands mentioned they "have been staying at this Jewel of a campground for years," suggesting its popularity requires planning ahead.
Tips for camping with families
Speed restrictions benefit young cyclists: Campgrounds with strict driving rules provide safer environments. At Red's Twilight on the Erie RV Resort, "The speed limit is 5 MPH and they mean it.... Kids on bikes and having a good time in the enormous play area and the pool far enough from the campsites but close to the store and watchful eye of the staff," reports Rachel T.
Activities vary by campground: Some parks focus on quieter experiences while others program regular events. At Red's Twilight on the Erie, a visitor noted "Live music on Friday Night (weather permitting) and plenty of activities for the family on the weekends," while another mentioned "the pool is nice and staff friendly."
Weekend programming: Schedule your stay during organized event weekends for maximum family entertainment. At Lake Bluff RV Park, a visitor shared, "They do events for kids every weekend. If you camp 6 nights in one season you get a night free!"
Pet policies differ: Confirm pet restrictions before booking. While most RV parks near Penn Yan permit dogs, some enforce breed limitations or require designated walking areas. At Finger Lakes RV Resort, Rosa J. appreciated that "the dog park gave our pups plenty of time off leash."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Prepare leveling blocks for some campgrounds. At Red's Twilight on the Erie RV Resort, one camper noted, "Almost all of the sites are not even close to level. Not a big issue with a fifth wheel but a real hassle with a motorcoach. We changed sites three times and finally resigned ourselves to not being leveled."
Site selection strategy: Request sites away from main roads and activity centers for quieter stays. At Stay Bristol Woodlands, a visitor noted, "Site was level and well equipped (waste water disposal attach site!)."
Insect protection: Pack extra mosquito repellent during summer months. At Hejamada Camping Resort, visitors experienced "an insane amount of mosquitos" during Labor Day weekend.
Access road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging approach roads. At Lakeview Campsites, a visitor warned of a "gravel inclined access road that may not be for new RV owners" despite describing it as an "incredible experience, very clean, quiet secure campground."
