167 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Painted Post, New York range from developed facilities to dispersed sites throughout the Finger Lakes region. The area includes notable options like Watkins Glen State Park Campground, featuring tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations approximately 20 miles northwest of Painted Post. Ferenbaugh Campground in Corning provides similar amenities closer to town, while Sugar Hill Recreation Area offers free dispersed camping for those seeking a more primitive experience. Many locations sit within easy reach of the region's lakes, gorges, and wine trails, creating a central base for exploring multiple outdoor attractions.
Seasonal considerations heavily influence camping experiences in the Finger Lakes area, with most developed campgrounds operating from May through October. "The sites are closer together than most other parks where we've stayed," noted one visitor about Tompkins Campground, highlighting the importance of selecting sites strategically during busy summer months. Road access remains generally good throughout the camping season, with most established areas accessible via paved or maintained gravel roads. Reservations become essential during peak periods, particularly for waterfront locations and holiday weekends. Cell service varies significantly, with better coverage near towns like Watkins Glen and Corning and limited connectivity in more remote dispersed camping areas.
The camping experience around Painted Post combines natural attractions with practical amenities. Developed campgrounds typically provide clean restrooms, hot showers, and hookups for RVs, with many also offering swimming facilities. Several campers mention the proximity to natural features as a key highlight. One review noted, "Located in Upstate New York, so it's close enough to the city but you feel like you are far away," referencing the accessibility of Watkins Glen State Park. Many camping areas place visitors within short driving distance of the region's famous gorge trails, waterfalls, and wineries. While waterfront sites typically fill first, the variety of camping options means visitors can usually find suitable accommodations regardless of their preferred camping style or proximity to specific attractions.
"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."
from $20 - $58 / night
Check Availability"We were looking to spend a couple of nights near Watkins Glen to hit the wineries, waterfalls, and nearby museums around the finger lakes of New York and this park seemed to be in a good location for us"
"There is amazing hiking trails along the gorge with views of waterfalls! There is a nice pool and playgrounds. It’s close to downtown Watkins glen with lots of restaurants."
"Near the entrance is the Pull Through Area. Behind a row of trees there are several sites with full hookups including cable TV and Wi-Fi. The sites are open, reasonably level, and a good size."
"Near many attractions close to Watkins Glen. Clean and the staff was a pleasure to deal with"
"Has plenty of close by attractions. Kids enjoyed the the big playground and mini arcade. Has a large pool for swimming and fun activities"
"Lots of activities for kids and near by attractions. They are with in a 20 minute drive to wakins Glen race way and do not raise prices for camping that weekend."
"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!"
"Will be returning, I found a lovely spot tucked into a back corner and has the most relaxing weekend."
"It was a great spot and happily, I was totally alone as no one had booked any of the sites near me( the closest people were about 400m away)."
"Lake Hammond is beautiful with great access."
from $24 - $100 / night
Check Availability"Just off US 15 at the New York border. All roads and parking pads are paved. The sites are closer together than most other COE parks where we’ve stayed."
"It is run by Army Corp of Engineers because it is on a lake with a dam. Spots are level and paved. It is always clean."
from $24 - $46 / night
Check Availability"Its location is convenient, just a 15-minute drive from Watkins Glen, making it an ideal base for exploring the area."
"Nice hiking trails at the moment (pretty close to overgrown at this point in the season). Great free location between destinations."
from $45 - $65 / night
Check Availability"There are some short trails through the campground! Lake available for swimming complete with snack bar, including ice cream!!! The rangers offer educational programs that are free of charge!"
"Beautiful and surrounded by gorgeous PA, and close to the town of wellsborough. It's a short 10-20 minute drive to the nearby towns with the amenities you may need, and with cute tourist stops!"
from $20 - $75 / night
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TravelerThey have 30 amp sites. No water but there is a dump station. Bring your Starlink there is no cell signal. Bathrooms are decent. Good Stargazing(head to nearby Cherry Springs). This is one of the most “out of the way” places in the eastern US. Not quite boon docking but close. There is a guy on the corner that sells firewood. Download maps to get in and out. Listen for the Elk. Watch for Bears.
TravelerCampground 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.
ScoutI've been coming to this campsite my whole life. It's nice and quiet, there's fishing and kayaking.
TravelerSite 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.
TravelerLeonard Harrison State Park sits directly on the ridge of the Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. Great hiking trails 800 feet down into the gorge where there is a flat rail trail of 65 miles for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The campsites are roomy and set far apart. There are only about 30 sites and just 8 of them or so have electric. Bathrooms and showers are conveniently located and very clean. No cell service whatsoever, so bring your board games and cards.
TravelerThis is a small no frills campground centrally located near many Finger Lakes attractions (wineries especially). We had full hookups and everything worked as it should. The bath house is old but everything is functional. Shower was nice and hot. We were one of only 2 RVs there at the time so I would say it was very quiet except that the other party had a 4 and 5 year old who kept things lively and visited our site constantly until we asked them not to for awhile. Cute kids though. The campground is woodsy with just one unpaved road circling around the RV sites. There are tent sites also that looked very private, currently unmowed when we were there.
ScoutWe stayed two nights the week immediately after Memorial Day 2026. Park was almost empty. We had only one other travel trailer in our section. Short distance to Hammondsport NY at the south end of Keuka Lake. Great place to visit and have dinner.
GuideThis is a full service RV campground with nightly and seasonal stays. I was tent camping and, unlike most RV campgrounds, the dedicated tent area was very nice and right on the river. There’s a camp store, laundromat, showers and many different boats available for rent right in the campground. Very well run place and everything looked well kept.
The sites face a small mountain wall with the river at the base so very scenic. The river is fairly fast running so boating and swimming are for older kids/adults in this area or put in someplace calmer.
For those riding the MABDR, this is only 5 mins off the trail and a good place to relax before the final 70 miles through the PA Grand Canyon.
TravelerWill absolutely be back here. Easy to find with multiple spots around the pond. Stayed in the furthest spot, just past the parking lot. Fire pit and pond access. Cleaned up a bunch of diapers and some socks though (shame!). Please leave it better than you found it.
Dispersed camping options near Painted Post, New York provide alternatives to the area's established campgrounds, with Sugar Hill Fire Tower Recreation Area offering free designated sites about 25 miles from Painted Post. The region sits at the southern edge of the Finger Lakes where elevations range from 900-1,900 feet, creating distinct camping microclimates. Fall camping brings temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night, requiring proper layering and sleeping gear.
Hiking the gorges: At Watkins Glen State Park Campground, campers can access the park's famous Gorge Trail featuring 19 waterfalls. "The gorge trail is a MUST. Definitely go check this campsite out!" notes Laura L. For those with children, the trail offers manageable sections. "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," explains Jennifer W.
Horseback riding: Sugar Hill Recreation Area accommodates equestrians with designated facilities. "You can stay horses here, each site has a fire pit and it feels safe," reports Adam P. The area has multiple trail options. "We found a site right away. Ranger is super friendly. Our area was slightly isolated but a trail was next to it so horseback riders just appear occasionally to bright your day," adds Darrell K.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer lake access for anglers. At Ives Run, the large man-made lake provides multiple fishing spots. Jeremy C. notes the campground has "swimming area and multiple boat launch locations on large man-made lake." Christopher D. adds that some sites at Ives Run "all had a small piece of water access which allowed you to sit by the water."
Privacy options: Some campgrounds near Painted Post offer secluded sites for those seeking quieter experiences. At Sugar Hill Recreation Area Camping, "the campsite never even got near half full, providing a peaceful and uncrowded experience. For those seeking more privacy, there are numerous secluded spots along the side roads throughout the park," according to Paulina B. Andrew S. adds, "Some sites are close and some a spread out. About half of them are in the sun and half get shade all day."
Clean facilities: Campers frequently praise the well-maintained bathrooms at campgrounds in the region. At Hills Creek State Park Campground, "the shower and bathroom facilities looks brand new," according to Dave G. This attention to cleanliness extends to other campgrounds like Sugar Hill Fire Tower Recreation Area, where Joel M. notes "clean bathrooms with actual toilets and running water!"
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the area provide larger-than-average sites. At Watkins Glen State Park Campground, "The sites are quite wooded with plenty of space in between," says Laura L. Similarly, at Hills Creek State Park, Amanda H. reports, "When we arrived we were pleasantly surprised by the size of the sites and many sites now offer full hook up! The site was very spacious!"
Water quality varies: Some campgrounds in the area have water issues visitors should prepare for. At Ferenbaugh Campground, Gary V. warns, "The only bad comment I would make is there water is very smelly and brown. I actually bought a dual stage water filter and change it every two weeks." Michael H. confirms this observation: "Make sure you use a water filter, there was a lot of sediment in the water when we were there."
Site selection matters: Campground layouts vary significantly, affecting the camping experience. At Watkins Glen/Corning KOA, Amy H. notes, "Lots of cars, lots of people, super close campsites. None of the 3 toilets flushed well. Sink was a little clogged. It WAS clean though." In contrast, at Pine Loop in Ives Run, Katherine T. shares, "The Pine loop is a pleasant escape for tent campers hoping for a good view of the lake."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity can be unreliable at some campgrounds. Paulina B. reports that at Sugar Hill Recreation Area, "WiFi and phone service are pretty limited, typically ranging between 1-2 bars." This is important for those needing to stay connected for work or emergency purposes during their stay.
Activity-focused campgrounds: For families with children, look for campgrounds with dedicated recreation facilities. At Watkins Glen/Corning KOA, there are numerous activities to keep children engaged. "Lots of activities for kids and families on site and near by. Quite campground with KOA expected cleanliness and staff courtesy," says Amy T. Nick O. elaborates, "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."
Dog-friendly options: Families camping with pets should note varying policies. At Sugar Hill Fire Tower Recreation Area, Andrew S. advises, "Dogs must be on a leash but I found a spot down the hill to the south where there are no campsites to let them play fetch for a bit." At Watkins Glen State Park Campground, Lindsay C. cautions, "Dogs are allowed but they are not allowed on the gorge trail. I'm ok with this I just wish I had know before we got there."
Educational opportunities: Some campgrounds offer learning experiences for children. At Hills Creek State Park, Amanda H. notes, "The rangers offer educational programs that are free of charge!" These programs often focus on local wildlife, plants, and conservation efforts, making them valuable additions to a family camping trip.
Site hookup placement: RVers should check hookup locations when booking. At Ives Run, Kayla N. warns, "some site you will need 2 hoses for your water because the hook ups are far from the sites and some of them will have the hook up facing the front of your camper." This preparation can prevent frustration upon arrival.
Reservation timing: Due to popularity, early booking is essential for RV sites. James P. advises about Ives Run, "the only draw back is that it fills up quickly and you need to reserve many months ahead of time especially for holidays." Similar patterns exist at other popular campgrounds in the area.
Road navigation: Some campgrounds have challenging internal roads for larger rigs. Laura L. shares about Watkins Glen State Park Campground, "We stayed in a 30 ft. motorhome, and the roads within the campground were kind of tight to get through with trees and curves." This information helps RVers plan arrivals and departures more effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is it from Painted Post to Watkins Glen and what camping options are available along the route?
Painted Post is approximately 30 miles from Watkins Glen, typically a 40-minute drive via NY-414 N and NY-14 N. Along this scenic route, you'll find excellent camping options. Watkins Glen State Park Campground offers decently sized, well-secluded sites with gorgeous gorges and waterfalls for hiking. The park is perfectly situated in the Finger Lakes region, making it an ideal base for exploring. For a more secluded experience, Blueberry Patch Campground in the Finger Lakes National Forest provides a simple camping experience with fire rings and picnic tables at each site, offering a peaceful retreat in this beautiful region.
Where are the best camping areas near Painted Post, NY?
The Painted Post area offers several excellent camping options. Ferenbaugh Campground near Corning provides drive-in access with reservable sites, water hookups, and is big-rig friendly. Just across the Pennsylvania border, Tompkins Campground offers paved roads and parking pads, with waterfront sites available in the Bench Loop. While sites are closer together than some Corps of Engineer parks, it provides convenient access just off US 15 at the New York border. Other nearby options include Camp Bell Campground and Sunflower Acres, both offering family-friendly environments with various amenities.
What camping is available near Painted Post, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Painted Post, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 167 campgrounds and RV parks near Painted Post, NY and 13 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Painted Post, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Painted Post, NY is Watkins Glen State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 91 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Painted Post, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 free dispersed camping spots near Painted Post, NY.
What parks are near Painted Post, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 parks near Painted Post, NY that allow camping, notably Cowanesque Lake and Tioga-Hammond Lakes.
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