3 MONTHS FREEPlan your New York trip with offline maps, RV Trip Planner, and the Free Camping Map.Try PRO
Try PRO free for 3 months
The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Get the app

Tent Camping near Phelps, NY

Search destinations
    Add dates

    Tent campsites near Phelps, New York offer several established options within a short drive of town. The PineApple Farm provides tent camping with amenities including drinking water, showers, and toilets. Holiday Hill Campground in Springwater offers tent sites with electric hookups and picnic tables from May 1 to October 14. Cross Lake Park Campgrounds in Cato provides another tent camping option in the region, though with fewer amenities listed.

    Most tent campgrounds in the Phelps area feature fire rings where fires are permitted, though campers should verify current fire regulations before arrival. Sites typically include picnic tables, and many offer basic amenities like toilets and trash disposal. The terrain varies across campgrounds, with some offering more level sites than others. Holiday Hill Campground provides electric hookups for tent campers who prefer some conveniences, while maintaining a natural setting. Seasonal availability is important to note, as many campgrounds in the region operate only from spring through mid-fall due to New York's winter conditions.

    Tent camping experiences in the Finger Lakes region surrounding Phelps provide access to numerous outdoor activities. The area features multiple lakes, hiking trails, and natural attractions within short driving distances. Holiday Hill Campground's proximity to Hemlock and Canadice Lakes makes it popular for water-based recreation. A reviewer noted, "Lots of trails, and Hemlock and Canadice Lake so close by. Mostly known for Reynolds Gully, and Johnson Hill trails!" Cross Lake Park Campgrounds offers water access for swimming and paddling, with one camper mentioning, "We kayaked in the lake it was a lot of fun." Most tent campgrounds in the area maintain clean facilities and provide enough space between sites for a comfortable outdoor experience.

    Best Tent Campgrounds near Phelps (8)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPets

      1. The PineApple Farm

      5.0(1)8mi from Phelps1 siteTents, Cabins, Glamping

      "We're happy to welcome this new property to our platform. Check them out and come back here to leave some love!"

      Campground full next weekend

      from $109 - $150 / night

      Check Availability

      2. Red's Twilight on the Erie RV Resort

      4.0(3)16mi from Phelps153 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Live music on Friday Night (weather permitting) and plenty of activities for the family on the weekends. We stayed here during our home renovations and fell in love with the place."

      "Clean bathrooms with activity and entertainment on site and near by."

      Campground full next weekend

      Check Availability

      3. Holiday Hill Campground

      4.3(3)34mi from PhelpsTents

      "Lots of trails, and Hemlock and Canadice Lake so close by. Mostly known for Reynolds GUlly, and Johnson Hill trails! Tons to do in the area but town isn't too far."

      Check Availability

      4. Cross Lake Park Campgrounds

      4.0(1)32mi from PhelpsTents

      "Access to water and swimming. Nice playgrounds. We kayaked in the lake it was a lot of fun."

      5. South Slope Trail Head Dispersed Camp

      4.0(1)37mi from PhelpsTents

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

      6. Empire Haven Nudist Park

      5.0(1)41mi from PhelpsRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "The campground is as quiet and peaceful as anyone would like, but the community enables campers the freedom to socialize and share meals whenever you want to reach beyond the family who came with you."

      Check Availability

      7. Cold Weather Camping in the Finger Lakes

      Be the first to review34mi from PhelpsTents, Glamping

      from $65 - $90 / night

      8. Lakeshore Grocery & Otisco Lake Campground

      Be the first to review42mi from PhelpsRVs, Tents

      from $35 - $139 / night

      Check Availability
    View all 8 campgrounds

    2026 Explorer Giveaway

    Presented byLifeStraw

    Review campgrounds, win gear.

    Enter to Win

    Phelps Contest

    Enter to Win

    Drive Time

    Recent Tent Camping Photos near Phelps, NY

    2 Photos of 8 Phelps Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers

    Tent Camping Reviews near Phelps, NY

    578 Reviews of 8 Phelps Campgrounds

    • Nancy W.The Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 31, 2026

      Robert H. Treman State Park Campground

      Beautiful waterfalls!

      This is a really great state park which has a nice campground, beautiful scenery, interesting attractions nearby, and great hiking trails. The biggest attraction are the 12 waterfalls in the park. Some are easy, short walks, and others are moderate and longer. The Rim and Gorge Trails make a loop which makes for a really good workout with lots of stairs and elevation change. Personally, I think the views from the Gorge Trail are better. Or, you can park in the upper lot and walk down (approximately 1/3 mile) to see Lucifer Falls and walk back. Fall is a great time to visit and enhances the views. 

      All campsites are back-in and have fire pits and picnic tables. Some are in the open(#49-72)with a scattering of trees, while others are tucked in the woods with lots of shade. The open sites are much easier for big rigs to navigate and back into. There is no water or sewer at sites but water spigots are located throughout the campground and the dump station is easy to access on your way out and has a dedicated water fill station away from the dump site. Our site (#52) was open which we appreciated in because the fall weather was cool and we had a clear sky for Dish satelitte. The pad was gravel and level. The patio is grass and there is nice distance between you and your neighbors Some sites are dry camping and other have electric that varies from 30 or 50-amp and the price reflects which you choose. Our site was electric only (50-amp which worked well) and we were close enough to a shared water spigot so we could add water. There are signs that say you can only hookup to the spigots for five minutes and “Y” connectors are not allowed. Swimming is allowed in the pools and river but has certain daily hours and is only open from late-June to Labor Day. Your receipt and park pass allow you access to other NY state parks in the area. Definitely check out Buttermilk Falls State Park which is just a couple of miles away and has nice hiking trails and more beautiful waterfalls. We visited the Cornell Lab of Ornithology (which is free) and has interesting exhibits, short films, and hiking trails.

    • Renee R.
      Oct. 15, 2026

      Letchworth State Park Campground

      One of the coolest parks ever!

      It's no wonder they call this park the Grand Canyon of the East!  This is a vast green oasis with grandeur to spare.  

      Pro's:

      - Glen Iris Inn was a treat.  It is right next to the middle falls, which to me were like the Niagara Falls' little sister.  So spectacular.  

      - The restrooms on loop 100 were newish and great.  All singleton-style restrooms and some with showers.

      - Really, just everything.  Wish we could have stayed longer!

      Con's:

      - I heard someone complain about the lack of cell service, but to me this is secretly a Pro! :)

      - Oh and having to use ReserveAmerica to book the site was is a bit of nuisance.

    • RThe Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 9, 2026

      Watkins Glen State Park Campground

      Great Car Camping Stay

      Spent a peaceful night car camping in site 151. Beautiful trees, nice shower houses, quiet neighbors. Just a beautiful and very affordable - $32 - stay. We’ll be back whenever we pass this way.

    • PThe Dyrt Pro User
      Oct. 4, 2026

      Letchworth State Park Campground

      Beautiful, dog friendly, really helpful staff!

      The staff at check-in were incredibly friendly, sharing with me their favorite hikes and viewpoints. My golden retriever and I settled into our site in the 100 loop which was spacious and clean. The restroom and showers were immaculate. The road running the length of the park was flanked by miles of stone walls constructed by the CCC. All paths were well maintained gravel.

    • MJ W.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 20, 2026

      Taughannock Falls State Park Campground

      Great Place to camp

      This was a great camping trip! We had site 29, nice spot with the North Rim trail right behind our site. Trails are beautiful. Restroom and shower close. You do need to be careful, lots of oaks trees and falling acorns! Easily dings you car hood, watch where you park. Close to down town for a visit to the awesome farmers market in Ithaca.

    • Dana M.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 19, 2026

      Keuka lake state park

      Nice clean family campground

      Sites are large and grassy but that comes at the cost of privacy. It appears this is a great place for camping a week or more in a large RV. Bathrooms are clean. There are 50 sites per loop so they are close together.

    • Dana M.The Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 17, 2026

      Blueberry Patch Campground — Green Mountain & Finger Lakes National Forests

      Rustic and Quiet

      Nice small campground with only 9 sites. FF self pay station allows QR Code to recreation.gov to reserve online. Once you choose a site, just pay online and keep your cash tipping at the close by wineries!😉 The park is a bit neglected compared to the many other National Forrest we stay in. The potholes in the driving loop and gravel need repair. The Fire pits and pit toilets need attention. Overall, it has been quiet and convenient to the region around. We stayed 4 days so even the negatives were not a deterrent.

    • RThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 9, 2026

      Pleasant Lake Campground

      Nice Friendly Rv park

      Clean, safe RV park off a small lake. Functioning electric and water hookups as well as sewage. Very kind and helpful owners and friendly campers.

    Guide to Phelps

    Tent camping options around Phelps, New York extend beyond established campgrounds to include riverside sites and family-friendly destinations within a 30-mile radius. The area sits in the northern Finger Lakes region at elevations ranging from 700 to 1,000 feet, creating varied camping environments from lakeshores to forested hills. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing from November through March, limiting most camping operations to the warmer months.

    What to do

    Kayaking on Cross Lake: Cross Lake Park Campgrounds provides direct water access for paddlers. "Fun place. Access to water and swimming. Nice playgrounds. We kayaked in the lake it was a lot of fun," notes camper Sara H.

    Explore hiking trails: The region surrounding Holiday Hill Campground offers extensive trail systems. "Lots of trails, and Hemlock and Canadice Lake so close by. Mostly known for Reynolds GUlly, and Johnson Hill trails! Tons to do in the area but town isn't too far," explains Peter.

    Canal-side activities: Red's Twilight on the Erie RV Resort provides access to the historic Erie Canal. "Kayak launches and boat marina nearby. 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," mentions Rachel T.

    What campers like

    Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained grounds. "The campground has clean bathrooms and Verizon reception is consistent at 3 bars," notes Terry F. about Holiday Hill Campground.

    Community atmosphere: Some campgrounds foster social connections. At Empire Haven Nudist Park, "The campground is as quiet and peaceful as anyone would like, but the community enables campers the freedom to socialize and share meals whenever you want to reach beyond the family who came with you," says Joseph S.

    Recreational amenities: Swimming pools and playgrounds enhance the best tent camping near Phelps, New York. "The pool is nice and staff friendly. Clean bathrooms with activity and entertainment on site and near by," reports Amy T. about Red's Twilight on the Erie.

    What you should know

    Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds in the region have limited operating seasons. Holiday Hill Campground specifically operates from "May 1 to October 14" according to their listing information.

    Site leveling challenges: Not all sites are naturally level. At Red's Twilight, "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," warns Donna C.

    Campground transitions: Some properties may operate under multiple names. Holiday Hill is also known as "Tamarack Campground" according to Peter's review, which could cause confusion when searching for tent camping near Phelps, NY.

    Tips for camping with families

    Kid-friendly speed rules: Look for campgrounds with strict speed limits. At Red's Twilight on the Erie, "The speed limit is 5 MPH and they mean it.... Kids on bikes and having a good time in the enormous play area," notes Rachel T.

    Site selection strategy: Position your campsite strategically. "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," advises Terry F.

    Organized activities: Some campgrounds offer structured entertainment. Red's Twilight provides "plenty of activities for the family on the weekends" and even features "Live music on Friday Night (weather permitting)," according to Rachel T.

    Tips from RVers

    Hookup availability: Full-hookup sites can be harder to secure at popular campgrounds. "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," mentions Terry F. about Holiday Hill.

    Backing challenges: Some sites require maneuvering skills. Terry F. notes, "We had to maneuver a lot to back our 25' trailer into a tight spot, but sites are clean and spacious side to side."

    Alternative accommodations: For those seeking tent camping alternatives near Phelps, NY, The PineApple Farm offers cabin and glamping options alongside traditional tent sites, with amenities including drinking water, showers, and toilet facilities.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular tent campsite near Phelps, NY?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Phelps, NY is The PineApple Farm with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Phelps, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.

    Keep Exploring

    2. View all New York cities for camping