Dispersed camping sites near Burdett, New York offer a balance of seclusion and accessibility within the Finger Lakes region, where the average elevation is approximately 900 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, while fall brings cooler nights averaging 40-55°F. The camping season runs from mid-April through late October, with fall weekends requiring advance planning due to peak foliage viewing crowds.
What to do
Gorge hiking with children: At Watkins Glen State Park Campground, the trails accommodate various skill levels. "Friendly staff, good patrols at night to keep people from being too noisy, tent sites are nice and shaded. Some of the shower houses are better than others. Wonderful hiking at the gorge and it was beautiful," reports Lori F.
Wildlife observation: Visit Blueberry Patch Campground in Finger Lakes National Forest for early morning deer sightings. "We woke up to thrushes singing and fell asleep to nightingales and owls calling! Sites are basic with a picnic table and fire ring. Two pit toilets and trash/recycling are available, but no drinking water," notes Shari G.
Swimming in natural settings: Robert H. Treman State Park offers a unique swimming experience. "You can swim in the waterfall area here. Need I say more? Actually, it can be VERY busy in the summer time in the swimming area, making it difficult to find your own 'space.' However, the hiking trails are awesome," explains Matt G.
Winter snowshoeing: For off-season visitors, Buttermilk Falls provides winter recreation options. "Be sure to time your visit with the fall foliage change, or grab your snow shoes for a winter adventure. Great cabins for rent here!" advises Kent B.
What campers like
Spacious sites with privacy: At Finger Lakes RV Resort, campers appreciate the layout. "All of the sites are very nicely spread out with generous spacing, so that's not an issue. It's still nice to be on the outskirts. We also chose this section per a review we read to be away from the main road noise, but there really isn't much road noise to worry about, anyway," reports Steve A.
Clean facilities: Cleanliness is consistently mentioned at Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite. "We stayed here during an anniversary trip to the Finger Lakes. Easy proximity to Seneca Lake and Watkins Glen State Park. Nice wooded area kept us far enough away from other campers. Great location!" says Brittany S.
Night sky viewing: The Finger Lakes region offers exceptional stargazing opportunities away from major light pollution. "And a great field to see the stars from," mentions Emily S. about Blueberry Patch Campground, while other campers note the clear night skies throughout the region.
Direct trail access: Many campgrounds connect directly to trail systems. "There are hiking trails right out of the site! Would absolutely stay here again!" explains Karen M. about Sugar Hill Fire Tower Campsite.
What you should know
Seasonal operation limitations: Most campgrounds close by mid-October. "We stayed here during our cross country road trip in September of 2017. I'm bummed that we missed out on the waterfall and swimming area! The swimming area was closed for the season by the time we arrived," notes Emma N. about Robert H. Treman State Park.
Water access requirements: Some campgrounds lack potable water. "BRING WATER. There are no water sources near the site. There is a gas station about 15 minutes away on route 79 so make sure to fill up on water and snacks," advises Neil H. about camping at Blueberry Patch.
Site selection strategy: For Keuka Lake State Park Campground, location matters. "Large, woody sites. Stay on the outside perimeter of the loops or you might have foot traffic thru your site to shower/toilet houses & water taps. Camp sites are NOT on the lake but a short drive will get you there," suggests Rebecca E.
Rain preparedness: The region experiences sudden storms with drainage issues at some sites. "The one negative was the time we were there it rained heavily and the ground was quite saturated and roadway was somewhat flooded," reports Cheryl W. about Clute Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and pools: Taughannock Falls State Park Campground offers child-friendly amenities. "This is a beautiful campground. I stayed at site 42, which was mostly shady. The upper part of the campground is pretty private, while the lower end near the entrance/exit is more open. There is a small playground for kids," explains Barbara S.
Age-appropriate hiking: When planning activities, consider trail difficulty. "I would describe the hikes as moderately difficult. The main one has a lot of steps but lots of walkway in between them so it's not just up up up more steps. There are a total of 19 waterfalls on your way up, all of them absolutely beautiful. Our favorite was Eagles Cliffs Falls. I have a 7 year old son and he enjoyed every second of this," shares Jennifer W.
Pet restrictions: Be aware of dog policies on trails. "Dogs are allowed but they are not allowed on the gorge trail. I'm ok with this I just wish I had known before we got there. There is a huge new playground for the kids and lots of area to walk around the loops if you don't want to hike the gorge trail," notes Lindsay C.
Swimming options: For families seeking water activities, evaluate swimming areas carefully. "Seneca lake is a short drive away for great fishing, kayaking and swimming. Also a short drive away is a Farm Sanctuary that my son very much enjoyed," adds Jennifer W.
Tips from RVers
Road navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have tight access roads. "Watkins Glen was absolutely beautiful. The sites are quite wooded with plenty of space in between. We stayed in a 30 ft. motorhome, and the roads within the campground were kind of tight to get through with trees and curves," reports Laura L.
Utility placement considerations: At Watkins Glen / Corning KOA, setup logistics matter. "Very clean, campsites are very nice plenty of room had a 50 amp and 30 amp service box in a pull through site plenty of stuff for the kids to do nice pool and bounce pad will definitely go back," says Nick O.
Site levelness: Prepare for uneven sites at some locations. "Electric sites are not the best though. Rocky and unlevel. Not made for large campers," cautions Victoria about Robert H. Treman State Park.
Full-hookup availability: For RVers requiring complete hookups, options exist but require planning. "The campground sites are large and many have electric. Mature trees surround campsites and separate the loops from each other. The bathroom/shower facility in our loop was modern and kept very clean. The roads leading to the sites, and within the loops, are paved, and the sites are quite level," explains Helen H. about Keuka Lake State Park.
