Shay S.
Traveler
TravelerSpruce Row Campsite
Great Family campground
They are super family friendly, its very quiet and peaceful. The pool is beautiful and a cool and unique shape. They have activities on the weekends and its very safe for kids.
Camping near Preble, NY
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
The Finger Lakes region surrounding Preble, New York contains several established campgrounds and dispersed camping areas within a 15-mile radius. Morgan Hill State Forest offers primitive dispersed camping at the Onondaga Trailhead campground and Spruce Pond Camping Area, both allowing tent and RV camping without hookups. More developed options include Green Lakes State Park Campground near Fayetteville, featuring tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping accommodations. Fillmore Glen State Park Campground in Moravia provides tent, RV, and cabin camping with electric hookups, showers, and toilets, while Yellow Lantern Kampground in Cortland offers full RV hookups with both 30 and 50-amp service.
Camping in the Preble area follows seasonal patterns with most established campgrounds operating from May through early October. Many sites at state parks require advance reservations during peak summer months, particularly for weekend stays. Unpaved forest roads in Morgan Hill State Forest may become difficult to navigate during spring thaw or after heavy rains. Cell phone coverage is generally available at developed campgrounds but can be limited in forested areas. Winter camping options are severely restricted, with Yellow Lantern Kampground being one of the few year-round facilities. A camper noted, "Morgan Hill State Forest offers free camping with fire rings, though lacking amenities like toilets or drinking water."
Water access constitutes a key feature at several campgrounds, with Green Lakes State Park built around its namesake meromictic lakes. Campers report excellent swimming opportunities and crystal-clear waters for kayaking and canoeing. Sites positioned farther from water features typically offer more seclusion and quieter camping experiences. The region's terrain varies from open meadows to densely wooded areas, with campgrounds reflecting these differences in their layouts and privacy levels. Proximity to hiking trails represents another significant consideration, as many campsites connect to the extensive Finger Lakes Trail system. State park campgrounds generally provide more amenities but fill quickly, especially during summer weekends and holidays. According to one review, "The campground at Fillmore Glen was totally full when we stayed there. The sites offered little privacy and were very close together, plus you could hear road noise all through the night."
Best Campgrounds near Preble (149)
1. Fillmore Glen State Park Campground
"region of Upstate New York."
"Awesome little park in the Finger Lakes region with nature on site and lots more to do and explore nearby (wine trails!)."
from $21 - $67 / night
Check Availability2. Green Lakes State Park Campground
"The lake is a fascinating meromictic lake with clear calcium-rich waters that are not only pristine and beautiful to look at, but also great for swimming and snorkeling as the waters are crystal clear"
"The sites are nice, some are little close to each other but nice for group camping. A short distance (walk or by car) to the beach. The lake is a little chilly sometimes but very refreshing."
from $24 - $116 / night
Check Availability3. Spruce Pond Camping Area - Morgan Hill State Forest
"throughout the state forest, this is a group of ten established and well maintained primitive campsites right on Spruce Pond with fishing available and an amazing network of hiking and cross country ski trails"
"Campsite 5 was very overgrown, but site 6 had a nice flat area of pine needles with a path to the road once you see it. However, I couldn't locate the fire ring for site 6."
4. Yellow Lantern Kampground
5. Morgan Hill Forest—Onondaga Trailhead campground
"This is a small state forest campground in the Morgan Hill forest from which you can directly access the Onondaga Trail branch of the National North Country scenic trail."
6. Lighthouse Landing Campground
7. Morgan Hill State Forest Dispersed
"This location has a set of 2 large trailhead parking lots for hikers and backpackers accessing the vast trail network of the Morgan Hill State Forest."
8. Empire Haven Nudist Park
9. Nature Lover's Paradise
"Nature Lover's Paradise is new to the Dyrt and they have an awesome spot to share with access to a vast network of trails in upstate New York. "
from $79 - $149 / night
Check Availability10. Cortlands Country Music Park and Campground
Drive Time
- 18 min from Syracuse, NY
- 39 min from Ithaca, NY
- 41 min from Binghamton, NY
- 1 hr 4 min from Utica, NY
Recent Camping Photos near Preble, NY
171 Photos of 149 Preble Campgrounds
Neil L.
Spruce Pond Camping Area - Morgan Hill State Forest
Kelly J.
Yellow Lantern Kampground
Janet R.
Morgan Hill Forest—Onondaga Trailhead campground
The Dyrt
Tentrr Signature Site - Christmas Tree Farm Hideaway
Michelle L.
Fillmore Glen State Park Campground
renee M.
Shady Pines Camp at CBG Farm - CLOSED
The Dyrt
Tentrr Signature Site - Rhodes End Retreat - Coleman Outfitted Site
Kelly J.
Green Lakes State Park Campground
Eshay R.
Camp Earth Connection
Janet R.
Stoney Pond State Forest Camping Area
Barbara S.
Taughannock Falls State Park Campground
Kevin C.
Long Pond Campground
Recent Reviews near Preble, NY
569 Reviews of 149 Preble Campgrounds
Pam R.
GuideOneida Shores County Park
Beautiful and peaceful
We had a great stay at Oneida Shores Campground. Over the weekend it was nearly full, but it never felt crowded. The other campers were friendly and there were no issues. At 10 pm, it got very quiet, no issues. The newly paved sites are level. The grounds are well kept. I wouldn't say the sites were too close together. We had plenty of room. The tent area is shaded by trees, the rv section is not. We encountered several park employees, all were very friendly and helpful. Never saw any geese. The only negative is that the showers and restrooms need a deep clean and upgrade, but they were serviceable.
What E.TravelerLake Chalet Motel and Campground
Clean, Quiet & Beautiful!!
This campground is beautiful. The lake is good sized and clean. The property has beautiful fields and a creek that runs along the back. This is not a party campground and people are not packed in on top of each other. The little store is cute & affordable and the owners are on site 24/7.
Elizabeth D.
ScoutThe Villages RV Park at Turning Stone
Excellent park
Space was adequate with both shade and some sun, trash service and shuttle service was a plus . Pool and walking paths were well kept. Dog waste stations were available but the park didn't have a dog park. Bummer for fino.
- HHeather B.Traveler
Tall Pines Campground & Canoeing
Sweetest Campground Around
This was the sweetest campground around!! They deliver fire wood right to your site along with anything else you need. Free delivery of amazing pizza on Friday nights(delivered by a 1969 pink beetle!!). There is a giant river, a dog park and the camp ground is close to town, but far enough away so that you still feel like your camping! Amazing bathroom/shower facilities and a clean swimming pool:)
Lisa S.ScoutSpruce Pond Camping Area - Morgan Hill State Forest
Peaceful forest site
Stayed at this very serene camping spot with abundant fireflies and no biting insects on June 26, 2026 for a quick overnight on a roadtrip. Arriving after dark, it was very difficult to find the sites. Campsite 5 was very overgrown, but site 6 had a nice flat area of pine needles with a path to the road once you see it. However, I couldn't locate the fire ring for site 6. I loved the sounds of the frogs at night and the birds at dawn, but if you're a very light sleeper, you might want ear plugs. Short hike up to the hang glider launch site was worthwhile. Nice, clean, accessible port-a-potty in the parking lot. Had spotty but mostly okay cell service (AT&T).
April S.ScoutPleasant Lake Campground
The worst campground I've ever experienced.
The problems started before we even arrived. When I called to make a reservation, the owner was rude and impatient, repeatedly complaining that he couldn't hear me, despite me having full service. I discovered cell service at the campground was spotty, which made his attitude even more frustrating in hindsight. I told him it would be us and our dog, his immediate response was,"IT'S NOT A PIT BULL, IS IT?" in a hostile tone. I said no, she's an American Staffordshire, and my husband's service dog. He rudely replied that it was"THE SAME THING" and that they have breed restrictions. When I asked whether he was denying us, he avoided answering and demanded"legal paperwork" for her. I told him that no such paperwork exists, but she is trained to perform a task. He completed the reservation, took my payment, gave us a site number, and hung up. Since the office was closed and we had already been assigned a site number and paid, we assumed we could go directly to our site and finish any details in the morning. While setting up, the owner drove over and confronted us for not reporting to the office first. He then demanded proof of rabies vaccination, which is reasonable. We apologized that we had forgotten the paperwork and said we'd email it to him first thing in the morning. We were extremely annoyed that we saw multiple pit bulls as soon as we pulled in the campground. The next morning, we emailed the records to the campground around 10:10 AM, exactly as promised, as soon as our vet's office had opened. About 11:00, the owner left a voicemail demanding that we leave the property immediately because he had not received the paperwork. I called back and asked him to check his email again, he accused me of sending it to the wrong address. I told him that if he still couldn't find it after checking again, I would come to the office once I was dressed. 30 minutes later, he left another voicemail saying he had escalated it to the sheriff's office because we had not complied. Meanwhile, my husband was already walking to the office to handle things and the owner informed him that we were no longer welcome and that he had called the sheriff's office. Again, my husband told them to check their spam folder, and the email had been there all along. We communicated throughout the entire process and did exactly what we said we would do. The owner's son was far more reasonable and they did apologize, but it didn't make the situation right. The sites were tight, muddy, unlevel, and had awkwardly placed hookups. We were packed so close together that the row behind us overlapped the rear of our camper by a few feet. We had to share water with the neighboring site through a splitter at the spigot. We didn't use the restrooms or amenities because after our interactions with management, we felt completely unwelcome. We only stayed because we were in town for our grandson's first birthday and couldn't find another campground on such short notice.
- TTed D.Traveler
Watkins Glen State Park Campground
Watkins Glen worth the trip
Campground is quiet, bathrooms are OK. Some sites have power, some don’t, none have water or sewer. Lots of things to do here. Been here 5 days and still haven’t done it all.
- TTed D.Traveler
Watkins Glen State Park Campground
Not bad
Site 80 is across from water access. But only 5 minutes to fill your tank. If you book an inside loop close to #80 you will be close to water.
Guide to Preble
The Finger Lakes region near Preble, New York sits at elevations ranging from 1,100 to 2,000 feet, creating distinct microclimates throughout the area. Camping options span from free primitive sites in Morgan Hill State Forest to full-service campgrounds with varying seasonal availability. Winter temperatures frequently drop below freezing, with summer highs typically reaching the mid-80s Fahrenheit.
What to do
Hiking trail access: Morgan Hill State Forest features multiple access points for hiking, including the Onondaga Trailhead campground which connects directly to the North Country Scenic Trail. One reviewer noted, "You can directly access the Onondaga Trail branch of the National North Country scenic trail" and "Hiking the trail west on a day trip will bring you to the beautiful Tinker Falls."
Tubing and kayaking: Water activities provide cooling recreation during summer months near campsites around Preble. Lighthouse Landing Campground offers "tubing, kayaking and canoeing right on the river that leads to the campground," according to a visitor who highlighted this as a standout feature.
Swimming in natural settings: Several campgrounds provide swimming options beyond standard pools. At Fillmore Glen State Park Campground, "Kids loved the park and swimming in the waterfall beach," while another reviewer mentioned the "gorgeous natural pool with lifeguard."
What campers like
Unique water features: The color and clarity of lakes draw many campers to the area. At Green Lakes State Park Campground, the water is described as "Crystal clear and very blue, you will think you are in the Caribbean Islands." Another camper noted the lake is "beautiful with green/blue hue in which the park gets its name."
Clean facilities: Bathroom quality matters to campers visiting the Preble area. Fillmore Glen received praise: "Bathrooms are very clean and close to all campsites." Green Lakes also maintains high standards, with campers noting, "The bathrooms have been remodeled and most are private with a toilet, shower and sink which makes this a wonderful family campground."
Fishing opportunities: Several sites around Preble offer fishing access. Spruce Pond Camping Area in Morgan Hill State Forest is frequently visited by anglers, with one reviewer noting, "Lots of fisherman frequent the pond" and another highlighting "its own accessible fishing landing."
What you should know
Sound considerations: Natural and human noise can affect sleep quality at campsites near Preble. At Spruce Pond, "the animals at the pond are very active and made a lot of noise in the night." At Fillmore Glen State Park, tent campers reported, "We were the only tent campers around and the RV groups were loud late and early. We struggled to sleep because of the noise."
Permit requirements: For dispersed camping in Morgan Hill State Forest, specific rules apply. While general areas are free, some locations require permits. At Nature Lover's Paradise, access to "70 acres of hiking trails" makes it "the perfect getaway for anyone looking to reconnect with nature."
Site spacing and privacy: Campgrounds vary significantly in site separation. While Morgan Hill offers "plenty of distance between neighboring campers," Fillmore Glen has sites that are "a little close" with "no privacy between any of the sites."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Campgrounds with play areas keep children entertained. Fillmore Glen State Park offers "playgrounds and areas for various sports" while Green Lakes has "a great playground for kids that is perfect for play and swim."
Swimming depth awareness: Water safety varies by location. Green Lakes "beach area is wide and shallow in most areas," making it suitable for younger swimmers, while at Fillmore Glen, "there are some pretty steep drop offs so watch the kids close."
Activity planning: Scheduling family-friendly recreation helps maximize enjoyment. Empire Haven Nudist Park creates opportunities to "socialize and share meals whenever you want to reach beyond the family who came with you," creating a "quiet and peaceful" environment.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: RV sites with services vary widely around Preble. Cortlands Country Music Park and Campground offers "Electric and water at site" for RVs, though it's described as a "Small campground near NY finger lakes."
Big rig considerations: Several campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles, but access roads may present challenges. At Green Lakes, full hookups are available, with one RVer noting it's "one of the few that offer full hook ups."
Winter camping options: Most campgrounds near Preble close during winter months, but Yellow Lantern Kampground remains open from April through mid-November, offering RV sites with "full RV hookups with both 30 and 50-amp service."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Preble, NY?
What camping is available near Preble, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Preble, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 149 campgrounds and RV parks near Preble, NY and 16 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Preble, NY?
Which is the most popular campground near Preble, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Preble, NY is Fillmore Glen State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 15 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Preble, NY?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Preble, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 free dispersed camping spots near Preble, NY.
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