Cayuga Lake State Park Campground permits pets throughout its lakefront grounds with campsites offering fire rings and picnic tables for overnight stays. Cherry Grove Campground and Junius Ponds also welcome dogs with their spacious RV sites and cabin accommodations. The campgrounds maintain clean facilities with hot showers and flush toilets, though sites in certain areas lack privacy with neighbors sometimes being quite close. Tent sites in Cayuga Lake's west camp area provide reasonable seclusion while still accommodating pet owners who prefer primitive camping. Large sites in the 800 and 1000 loops offer more space for families camping with dogs compared to the tightly packed inner loops.
Hiking trails around Cayuga Lake provide excellent exercise opportunities for dogs, with the lakefront areas offering swimming access during warmer months. The mosquito population can be overwhelming during summer evenings, requiring ample bug spray for both humans and pets. Campers should be aware of wildlife including bats, mice, raccoons and other animals that frequent the area, especially around cabin locations. Duck Lake Cabins and Campground offers waterfront sites directly on the lake for fishing enthusiasts with dogs. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from mid-April through mid-October, with Sampson State Park having the longest season extending until early November. Visitors note that some campground roads are narrow and hilly but generally accessible for vehicles towing larger trailers.
$17 - $107 / night
"I was too busy playing in the lake, hiking, and riding my bike on some paths. I also saw a few people fishing in the lake, but not really sure what kind of fish you can catch."
"One of my favorite parks in the area, this one is on the largest of the Finger Lakes, Cayuga. Visit in the fall for unrivaled scenery (better than New England in my opinion!)."
$39 - $999 / night
"They had a oversized, long pull through available (site 88) that made entering and exiting the site nice and easy. 50amp and water was used, didn’t dump."
"These fine folks never stop driving and take the time to walk and enjoy the the beauty of their surroundings."
$43 - $999 / night
"Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, there is to be no interaction with other campers and a mask must be worn when walking around campground. Everything for the kids was closed due to social distancing."
"Close to the beach which was very pretty and clean. Hiking trails, kayaking, and lots of other fun activities."
$24 - $350 / night
"HIGHLIGHTS : Most sites are pretty spacious
Pets allowed in some loops
Marina convenience store with pontoon boat rentals
Fishing
Swimming
Ice cream and concessions stand
Arcade room
Outdoor"
"The bathrooms are great with showers and each camp spot has plenty of distance away from the next one."
$50 / night
"Tiny quiet campground right on duck lake. Water front sites available. Very friendly owner!"
$20 - $100 / night
TravelerWonderful location and marvelous hosts. We were welcomed with chocolate chip cookies as we checked in. Bathrooms were beautiful and clean. Two wineries we could walk to and dozens more nearby. Our site was spacious and the dog park gave our pups plenty of time off leash. We definitely plan on returning.
GuidePinecreek is a beautiful park in a great area 10 minutes from downtown Ithica New York and Lake Cayuga. The area has everything you could possibly want or need. Fabulous State Parks with spectacular waterfalls, a farmers market right on the lake front, Cornell University and so much more. That being said it may be the reason the campground doesn't offer any planned activities. They do have a swimming pool and what appears to be a large clubhouse/meeting area that is not or was not used while we were there, nor were any activities publicized. They do have a small arcade but it did not stay open past 8 pm and did not appear to be air-conditioned.
Our campsite was a full hookup with a large grassy area for setting up our outside chairs and picnic table. Although we enjoyed our stay we felt it was a bit overpriced for not having much to offer. They also have a very long list of rules & while they do allow pets there is a list of breed restrictions you need to be aware of before booking a reservation. They also charge for electricity on any stays one week or longer which we had not encountered previously at campgrounds where we have stayed.
Overall we enjoyed our stay but not sure we would stay again.
RangerWatkins 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. Sites are decently sized and well secluded from one another.
in addition, the park is so well situated within the Finger Lakes and all the various wine trails! Made for a perfect girls weekend! Definitely recommend!
LegendJake from the Dyrt here! 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. Check them out and make sure to share some pics of your adventure!
GuideI absolutely love coming to Watkins Glen Campground, especially when I went to get away from the busy city. This park has gorgeous waterfalls, and great paths to walk and hike on. It's located in Upstate New York, so it's close enough to the city but you feel like you are far away from the city. The campsites are great, clean and well kept. This park does get pretty busy though, because it is open to campers and people who just want to visit for the day to walk the trails. I love that they have trails that lead very close to the waterfalls..lots of rim trails that literally overlook the waterfalls and gorges. In the campground they do offer a pool, which again, does get busy because it's open to everyone regardless if you are camping or not. There also is tours you can take in the summer that will take you along the waterfalls and gorge, they have a playground for kids and an area with picnic tables. I went mid July and it was extremely busy, not sure when a good time to go during the summer when it's not as busy. That was the only downside I would say, is how crowded it was. There is also Seneca Lake nearby that many people go to fish in, however I didn't go on this trip but plan to next time. There are restrooms on site, however I didn't think they were that clean. Toilet paper and seat covers were out in most stalls, so I would advise to bring your own when you go. There is also some gift shops and food stands set up...one food stand has some pretty good hot dogs! The hikes to the gorge and waterfalls is pretty well maintained, however there are quite a bit of stairs. There were some people with kids in strollers that had to turn around because the stairs made it difficult. Not handicap friendly. I would advise to wear a good pair of walking shoes, and not sandals because it is slippery in some spots and again, a lot of stairs! I would highly recommend coming here, even if you don't decide to stay the night!
LegendJake here from the Dyrt! Harpy hollow not only has a great location in northern New York but is veteran owned and operated and ready to host more campers. Check them out and leave a review on the Dyrt when you stay!
GuideDefinitely 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. Pair awesome trails and camping space with world class wineries up the lake, you cannot go wrong.
LegendLocated in Tompkins County, Ithaca New York has beautiful gorges and hiking trails. Robert Treman is a treat and a gorgeous place to camp in the Ithaca, NY area. There are endless waterfalls, hiking trails, fishing holes and bird watching opportunities. The campground has bathrooms, showers, picnic tables, a playground and a dump station. There are cabins, tents and rv sites, some of which are handicapped accessible. Ithaca is also packed with wineries and the finger lakes. A great place to visit!
GuideSite is sloped, shaded and right next to the bathrooms and water spigot. ATT coverage is decent. Other side of the bathrooms is access to the gorge trails. Pets are not allowed on the gorge trail itself but the rim and other trails are fine.
The Savannah area of New York sits within the Finger Lakes region near Cayuga Lake at approximately 400 feet elevation. Camping options span from lakefront properties to forested settings with varied terrain. Spring temperatures can drop below 45°F at night, making early season camping possible but requiring appropriate gear.
Kayaking on Cayuga Lake: Cayuga Lake State Park Campground offers direct lake access. "Kayaking in Cayuga Lake was not lacking some beautiful views. The sites are slightly close together but everyone was incredibly respectful and quiet by 10pm," notes camper Laura Nicole A.
Fish at waterfront sites: Duck Lake Cabins and Campground provides water-front camping directly on Duck Lake. "Tiny quiet campground right on duck lake. Water front sites available. Very friendly owner!" according to Sydney W., making it ideal for fishing enthusiasts with dogs.
Visit the military museum: Historical attractions supplement outdoor activities. "They have a Naval museum with many authentic items from that era," says Brian O. about Sampson State Park. The museum offers context about the former naval training base from WWII.
Play yard games: Recreational options beyond water activities include community games. At Junius Ponds, "Nice pool and games to play," mentions Gib D., providing alternative entertainment when not hiking or swimming.
Spacious campsites in select areas: Sampson State Park Campground offers larger sites away from common areas. "Large tent and RV sites most with electric. Potable water fill station and dump tanks at entrance/exit," reports Stephanie C., highlighting the clean facilities that include dish washing stations.
Lake access with clean water: Water quality remains consistent throughout the season. "Great little beach and swimming area; water was very clean," notes Stephanie C. about Sampson State Park's swimming facilities, providing comfortable conditions for both humans and pets.
Family-friendly amenities: Lake Bluff RV Park focuses on family activities. "Near the play ground they have a nice game room pool, air hockey, video games. There is a change machine too," says Sara H., detailing recreational options beyond standard camping.
Natural soundscapes: Less developed camping at Future site of Little Creek Camp offers unique wildlife experiences. "I heard the most beautiful sounds!" shares JoAnna R., who later reported "Heard a Great Horned owl" during another stay, providing nature immersion without excessive amenities.
Seasonal operating dates: Most campgrounds operate from mid-April to mid-October, though specific dates vary. Sampson State Park offers the longest season, remaining open "from April 22 to November 8," according to park information, allowing for extended fall camping.
Site privacy variations: Cheerful Valley Campground has an open layout. "More of an open campground vs. secluded," notes Scott I., similar to other campgrounds in the region where privacy can be limited depending on site selection.
Mosquito preparation: Bug populations increase near water and during summer months. "I would recommend bringing some type of bug repellent because I got quite a few mosquito bites. They were pretty heavy down by the lake," warns Kari M. about Cayuga Lake.
Water and dump station constraints: Limited utility access points can create bottlenecks. "There is only source for water fill up. This could end up being a very very long wait if you arrive at the same time as other campers. Only 2 dump stations," cautions Amanda K. about Sampson State Park.
Choose loop 5 at Sampson: Specific site recommendations improve family experiences. "Loop 5 has beautiful views of the lake," suggests Stephanie C., creating memorable camping experiences for families with pets.
Visit in fall for scenery: Timing affects the overall experience. "Visit in the fall for unrivaled scenery (better than New England in my opinion!)," recommends Amber A. about Cayuga Lake State Park, noting the area's colorful autumn displays.
Look for themed weekends: Cherry Grove Campground and similar facilities offer special events. At Junius Ponds, "They offer themed weekends and have activities for kids," reports Amy T., providing structured entertainment beyond standard camping.
Secure sites in 800 or 1000 loops: Site selection significantly impacts experience quality. "We stayed in the 800 loop along the tree line. Sites were very spacious!" shares Colleen M. about Cayuga Lake, indicating these areas offer better accommodation for families with dogs.
Check site leveling: Campground topography varies throughout the region. "Site was pretty level," notes Sonja M. about Waterloo Harbor Campground, an important consideration for RV setup and stabilization.
Navigate narrow roads carefully: Access routes require attention, particularly with larger rigs. "The roads are narrow and hilly, but we pull a 36' 5th wheel (mid-profile) and we had no issues with branches," shares Kristine B. about Junius Ponds, reassuring pet owners with larger vehicles.
Consider shared electric boxes: Some campgrounds use shared utility setups. "Electric service boxes are shared in-between sites. This could pose an issue if your power cord is not long enough," warns Amanda K. about Sampson State Park, requiring RVers to bring extension cords.
Be aware of backing requirements: Site orientation policies vary by campground. "They don't allow pull-in camping. Campers MUST be backed in," explains Amanda K. about Sampson State Park, an important consideration for planning arrival logistics with pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Savannah, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Savannah, NY is Cayuga Lake State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Savannah, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 97 dog-friendly camping locations near Savannah, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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