RV camping near Rushville, New York occurs in the heart of the Finger Lakes region, where elevations range from 700 to 1,000 feet above sea level with a humid continental climate. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during peak camping months. Most campgrounds in this region maintain operations from May through October, with limited options available during the early spring and late fall shoulder seasons.
What to Do
Winery visits via walking paths: Finger Lakes RV Resort offers unique access to neighboring vineyards. "They are bookended by two wineries with walking paths from the campground," notes Craig F., adding that this makes for "quiet and relaxing" evenings after wine tasting.
Waterfall exploration: Many campers use the area as a base for exploring natural formations. "We stayed at Finger Lakes RV Resort in Hector, a short drive from Watkins Glen and Ithaca, in search of waterfalls and wine in the Finger Lakes region of NY state," explains Matt S., who found it to be "a great place to stay for wine and waterfalls."
Canal-side recreation: The historic Erie Canal provides unique outdoor activities. At Red's Twilight on the Erie RV Resort, Rachel T. notes, "Kayak launches and boat marina nearby," making it easy to enjoy water activities without traveling far from camp.
What Campers Like
Spacious sites: Stay Bristol Woodlands receives consistent praise for its generous camping spaces. Donald R. commented on the "quiet friendly place," noting that "the new owners have brought this place to a new level" with improvements including "real Wi-Fi and a great pool."
Clean facilities: Bathroom quality varies between campgrounds, but several receive high marks. Jody M. specifically mentioned that at Stay Bristol Woodlands, "bathrooms clean and fully functional," while Steve A. wrote that at Finger Lakes RV Resort, "the bath house is immaculate and rivals those at Fort Wilderness Resort."
Family-oriented activities: Southwoods RV Resort focuses on family entertainment options. Hope C. described it as "Western New York's best kept secret" with "2 well kept pools, playgrounds, laundry facilities, mini golf, soccer, basketball."
What You Should Know
Site levelness varies significantly: At some parks, getting level can be challenging. For example, at Red's Twilight on the Erie RV Resort, Donna C. pointed out, "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."
Seasonal operation limitations: Most campgrounds close for winter. Lake Bluff RV Park operates "April 15 to October 31," similar to most parks in the region. Some parks like Indian Village RV Park in Rushville limit their operations further to "May 1 to September 30."
Cell reception variability: Connectivity differs dramatically by location. At Finger Lakes RV Resort, Laura W. noted, "Wifi was strong enough to do work calls," but other parks deeper in rural areas have limited reception, particularly those in valleys or surrounded by hills.
Tips for Camping with Families
Pool access: When camping with children during summer, prioritize parks with swimming amenities. At Lake Bluff RV Park, Sara H. appreciates that they offer a "Pool, frog pond, catch and release fishing" along with "events for kids every weekend."
Playground proximity: Request sites near play areas for convenience. At Spruce Row Campground, facilities include a playground centrally located. One camper noted, "Near the play ground they have a nice game room pool, air hockey, video games. There is a change machine too."
Weekend programming: Many campgrounds schedule children's activities on weekends. Victoria mentioned that at Lake Bluff, "Kids activities are great. Even with COVID they have stuff to keep them busy."
Tips from RVers
Water pressure considerations: Bring pressure regulators as water systems vary between parks. Steve A. reported that at Finger Lakes RV Resort, "The water pressure is great," which could potentially damage RV plumbing without proper regulation.
Site selection for big rigs: When traveling with large RVs, research access roads carefully. Nancy W. observed at Southwoods RV Resort, "All campsite pads are gravel except for three long pull-thrus that are paved (M24-M26)," providing useful information for those with larger motorhomes seeking level sites.
Utility placement: Check hookup locations before booking. At Southwoods, Nancy W. appreciated that "All the utilities were placed appropriately so we didn't need any extensions. The water pressure and electric were good."
