Best Campgrounds near Phelps, NY

Camping options around Phelps, New York include several established campgrounds with cabin accommodations and RV facilities. Junius Ponds and Cheerful Valley Campground both operate from mid-April through mid-October, offering cabin, tent, and RV camping options with full hookups. The Canandaigua-Rochester KOA in nearby Farmington provides cabins and glamping opportunities with additional amenities. Several state parks within driving distance, including Sampson State Park and Cayuga Lake State Park, offer cabin camping with access to lakefront areas and hiking trails.

Most campgrounds in the Phelps area require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays. The camping season typically runs from mid-April through mid-October, with some sites extending into early November. "We spent father's day weekend at the KOA. Our kids rented cabins and some used tents. The campground has so much to do between swimming, golf, bike and paddle boat rentals," noted one visitor about the Canandaigua-Rochester KOA. Weather conditions can vary significantly, with spring sometimes bringing muddy conditions. According to a camper at Cheerful Valley: "The spring can be tricky with the rain, some sites can get messy."

The cabin accommodations in the Phelps area range from basic to well-appointed. Many sites provide fire pits, picnic tables, and access to shower facilities. Visitors consistently rate the waterfront locations highest, with Sampson State Park and Cayuga Lake State Park offering water views and swimming access. Multiple campgrounds feature programmed activities for families, particularly at the KOA location which includes recreational amenities. Several visitors mentioned the cleanliness of facilities as a determining factor in their satisfaction. The proximity to the Finger Lakes region provides campers with opportunities for wine tours, hiking, and water activities during their stay. Sites are generally well-maintained but can be crowded during peak season, with many locations hosting seasonal campers in addition to short-term visitors.

Best Camping Sites Near Phelps, New York (127)

    1. Junius Ponds

    10 Reviews
    Phelps, NY
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 781-5120

    $39 - $999 / night

    "They had a oversized, long pull through available (site 88) that made entering and exiting the site nice and easy. 50amp and water was used, didn’t dump."

    "These fine folks never stop driving and take the time to walk and enjoy the the beauty of their surroundings."

    2. Canandaigua-Rochester KOA

    12 Reviews
    Farmington, NY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (585) 398-3582

    "Campers exploring the Canandaigua area discover a delightful mix of lakeside retreats, wooded state parks, and family-friendly RV resorts."

    "Road Noise: There will some noise at sites near Town Line Rd. Traffic is minimal Through Traffic in campground: None Electric Hookup: Yes Sewer Hookup: Some sites."

    3. Sampson State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Willard, NY
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 585-6392

    $24 - $350 / night

    "The bathrooms are great with showers and each camp spot has plenty of distance away from the next one."

    "Potable water fill station and dump tanks at entrance/exit. Bathrooms were very clean and had dish washing stations in them. Loop 5 has beautiful views of the lake."

    4. Cayuga Lake State Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    Cayuga, NY
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 568-5163

    $17 - $107 / night

    "I was too busy playing in the lake, hiking, and riding my bike on some paths. I also saw a few people fishing in the lake, but not really sure what kind of fish you can catch."

    "One of my favorite parks in the area, this one is on the largest of the Finger Lakes, Cayuga. Visit in the fall for unrivaled scenery (better than New England in my opinion!)."

    5. Cheerful Valley Campground

    3 Reviews
    Phelps, NY
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 781-1222

    $30 - $110 / night

    6. The PineApple Farm

    1 Review
    Newark, NY
    8 miles

    $109 - $150 / night

    7. Waterloo Harbor Campground

    2 Reviews
    Waterloo, NY
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 539-8848

    8. Keuka Lake State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Branchport, NY
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 536-3666

    $20 - $27 / night

    "Stayed at Keuka Lake in July 2023. Nice spots, close to others but people were quiet and respectful after 10 PM. Lake was beautiful and fun for swimming with the kids."

    "A dumping station right near the entry/exit.There is a large park area with beach for swimming, fishing, plenty of room for launching your kayak, dock and launch for your boat or using one of their grills"

    9. Lake Bluff RV Park

    13 Reviews
    Sodus Point, NY
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 291-6866

    $40 - $999 / night

    "Solar"

    "Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, there is to be no interaction with other campers and a mask must be worn when walking around campground. Everything for the kids was closed due to social distancing."

    10. Watkins Glen State Park Campground

    90 Reviews
    Watkins Glen, NY
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 535-4511

    $20 - $58 / night

    "Watkins Glen boasts one of New York’s most beautiful state parks! I last camped here in 2012 and absolutely loved hiking along the gorges. Also- the camping was next to perfect."

    "Definitely one of the top places to camp and visit in New York, Watkins Glen State Park never disappoints. Each time I come back, I find something new to discover and have a great time doing that."

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Recent Reviews near Phelps, NY

598 Reviews of 127 Phelps Campgrounds


  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    Would Stay again

    We stayed here for 2 nights car camping. quiet and clean. spots had fire rings and picnic tables. Bathrooms were clean and had potable water. There were lots of horses. There are hiking trails right out of the site! would absolutely stay here again!

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite

    Free camping with 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. I would come back!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Watkins Glen State Park Campground

    Nice campground in a gorgeous state park.

    Nice pretty campground, only electric hookup for the RV sites, tho. The showers were cool, no hot water. Close to some gorgeous hiking tho! And town is about a mile away with shops, restaurants and on the edge of one of the Finger Lakes to make it beautiful!

  • Chelsea B.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Robert H. Treman State Park Campground

    Good location

    Location: This park is close to Ithaca which was the best part. Trails and Natural Features: We loved the waterfall, swimming area (seasonal so closed when we stayed), and the fall colors. Sites: They have very few electric sites so we decided to boondock. It surprised me that all the full hookup sites were reserved but very people actually showed up for their reservations while we stayed. Lame. And heads up that if you don’t stay in the big clearing for big rigs, there are tight turns between trees to get in and out of the non-electric sites. We ended up making a back-in site into a pull-through site… whoops. Starlink: I work remotely so internet is important. We weren’t camping in the clearing because those sites were booked, but even the Starlink struggled where we were and I ended up working from the library in town. So heads up if you need internet. Bathrooms: They were spacious but older. Temperature in the showers was tricky. Hot is cold and cold it hot. Cool stuff: They had compost bins and provide bags for all campers. That’s cool!

  • Bare Soul  W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    South Slope Trail Head Dispersed Camp

    Relaxing

    There is one campsite near trail. There was more traffic than I expected. Also there is no cell service. No real tires

  • Ryan G.
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Pleasant Lake Campground

    Clean and Quiet

    I found this location to have very clean sites with plenty of amenities. Had no issues with the Wi-Fi watching Bills games and play a few video games.

  • Dayne B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill

    Inexpensive, Peaceful.

    I've stayed here on 3 separate occasions, twice in RV 12 and once in RV 6. 

    I used the 30 AMP hookup and had zero issues.

    Beautiful playground for my son to enjoy and meet other kiddos. Deer, chipmunks and rabbits will say hi in the early and late hours.

    Large dumpsters near entrance. 

    Dump stations are present, but I haven't used them yet. 

    Potable water is present at a small spigot. 

    The washrooms facility is very close and speaking for the men's side, it had 2 stalls, 2 urinals, 2 showers, multiple sinks, and a sturdy baby changing station.

    Hiking trails with gorgeous views of the valley within a 5 min walk of my campsite.

  • Mindie C.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Pinecreek Campground

    Overnight stay

    The campground is cute and quiet. Staff is friendly and helpful. My only complaint is the condition of the roads. They are in dire need of grading and new gravel. Be careful!

  • Casey L.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Watkins Glen State Park Campground

    Busy campground

    Sites are level, some are more spaced apart than others but none seemed crowded as they seemed to all have trees between. Main complaint was most people speed way too fast through the campground. There was poison Ivy around the edges of our site and on the path to the bathroom. Bathroom was fairly modern and clean. It was nice to be able to access the gorge right from the campground.


Guide to Phelps

Camping near Phelps, New York, offers a fantastic escape into nature with beautiful parks and campgrounds. Whether you're looking for hiking trails, fishing spots, or just a peaceful place to unwind, there’s something for everyone.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the stunning trails at Watkins Glen State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, “The access to Watkins Glen! My site was in Loop D which has a direct hiking trail to the trail along Watkins Glen!”
  • Water Activities: Enjoy paddleboarding or kayaking at Letchworth State Park Campground. A visitor shared, “We went paddleboarding... You can paddle down to Hector Falls and see it from the water.”
  • Fishing and Swimming: Head to Keuka Lake State Park Campground for fishing and swimming. One reviewer noted, “The lake was beautiful and fun for swimming with the kids.”

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Green Lakes State Park Campground said, “The bathrooms are great! Super modern and clean and hot, free showers!”
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer generous space between sites. A camper at Sampson State Park Campground mentioned, “Most sites are pretty spacious.”
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds like Letchworth State Park Campground provide playgrounds and organized activities. One family said, “The rec center had tons of activities and sports for the kids to do.”

What you should know

  • Site Proximity: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A camper at Taughannock Falls State Park Campground noted, “The sites were also very close to each other and rather shallow, thereby limiting privacy.”
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have stores or markets nearby. A visitor at Stony Brook State Park Campground mentioned, “No camp store, so if you forgot an essential item, you've got to go out from the park.”
  • Old Facilities: Some parks have older facilities that may need maintenance. A reviewer at Robert H. Treman State Park Campground said, “Bathroom facilities were old and not well maintained.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities for kids, like Sampson State Park Campground. One camper said, “There are nice playgrounds for kids.”
  • Plan for Meals: Bring your own food or check for nearby markets. A camper at Hamlin Beach State Park Campground noted, “No market, but firewood & ice were available at check-in station.”
  • Pack for Activities: Bring bikes or kayaks for extra fun. A visitor at Green Lakes State Park Campground mentioned, “Great playgrounds everywhere and you can rent kayaks.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Hamlin Beach State Park Campground advised, “If you go here in a camper you better be super confident & comfortable maneuvering it.”
  • Bring Extension Cords: Some sites have electric posts far from the pads. A visitor at Sampson State Park Campground noted, “The power poles are between sites and are often more than 20’ away.”
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Popular campgrounds can get busy, especially on weekends. A camper at Taughannock Falls State Park Campground mentioned, “The crowd was definitely loud and nosy.”

Camping near Phelps, New York, has its perks and quirks. With a little planning, you can enjoy a great outdoor experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Phelps, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Phelps, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 127 campgrounds and RV parks near Phelps, NY and 5 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Phelps, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Phelps, NY is Junius Ponds with a 3.9-star rating from 10 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Phelps, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Phelps, NY.