Pet-friendly camping options surround Stanley, New York, with most sites positioned within 20 miles of Seneca Lake. The region sits at approximately 700 feet above sea level, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season from May through September. Fall campers experience cooler temperatures and vibrant foliage colors, especially in October when overnight temperatures can drop to the 40s.
What to do
Fishing access: Water activities are available at Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill, which has a stocked fishing pond. "Fishing" is a popular activity according to Kelly H.
Military history exploration: Visit the naval museum at Sampson State Park Campground. "It was a Naval training base during WWll... It has a Naval museum with many authentic items from that era," notes Brian O.
Hiking trails: The gorge trails at Watkins Glen State Park Campground offer moderate difficulty with waterfall views. "I stay here usually once or twice a year and spend my weekends hiking the various gorge trails nearby," explains Deb S., who adds that "the sites are good sized" for tent camping.
Trail running: Trails at Ontario County Park provide options for runners looking for training routes. "Lots of trails at the park for hikers, mountain bikers and trail runners. Follow the Finger Lakes Trail all the way into town," writes Danielle P.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Keuka Lake State Park Campground offers secluded camping spots. "Spacious, private campsites, well maintained. Dogs welcome!" according to Lynda M. Another camper notes, "Large, woody sites. Stay on the outside perimeter of the loops or you might have foot traffic thru your site."
Lake views and activities: Several dog-friendly campgrounds near Stanley feature lakefront access. "Only about 15 minutes to the closest large town (Geneva), Sampson State park has it all. Recreation Hall, swimming, fishing, great lake front playground, camp store, hiking trails(many wheelchair friendly) and boating," shares Sheri S.
Seasonal amenities: Cayuga Lake State Park Campground offers swimming areas for cooling off. "This was a perfect weekend getaway. 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," reports Laura Nicole A.
Historic settings: Sampson State Park preserves military history while offering modern camping. "Very shady and ample bathroom, shower, and water facilities. If you like wild life you may run into some animals that are indigenous to Central/Western NY," according to a review.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Flint Creek Campgrounds has minimal connectivity. "Don't expect any cell phone service. I've had friends who climbed up on top of their RV and still, no signal. It's out in the middle of nowhere, hard to find but extremely worth it," warns Lela S.
Seasonal popularity: Dog-friendly sites book quickly from May through October. "Ontario County lookout is a quick easy walk away from the campground that is never crazy busy. Great prices and cleaned up campgrounds," notes Peter.
Shared utilities: At Sampson State Park, "Electric service boxes are shared in-between sites. This could pose an issue if your power cord is not long enough," advises Amanda K., who also mentions "There is only source for water fill up. This could end up being a very very long wait."
Bathhouse variability: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds and sometimes within the same park. At Watkins Glen, "some of the shower houses are better than others," notes Lori F. Maintenance schedules affect cleanliness throughout the season.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Cheerful Valley Campground provides recreation for children. "The creek is wonderful to fish in and sit by. There are things for kids to do and they have planned activities," shares Amy T., though she cautions, "The spring can be tricky with the rain, some sites can get messy."
Swimming spots: Many dog-friendly campgrounds near Stanley feature swimming areas with designated beach sections. "Great campground for kids, events, and hiking. Plenty of room on each site for whatever you need. Multiple playgrounds which are clean & well maintained," writes Jonathan G. about Ontario County Park.
Evening activities: Campgrounds often schedule family-friendly programs. "There's 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," mentions Lindsay C. about Watkins Glen State Park.
Nature observation: Wildlife viewing opportunities exist at most parks. "Deer, chipmunks and rabbits will say hi in the early and late hours," reports Dayne B. about Ontario County Park, which features "beautiful playground for my son to enjoy and meet other kiddos."
Tips from RVers
Site selection priorities: At Canandaigua-Rochester KOA, "The sites for large rigs are very close together but that is not surprising. Our site was clean and reasonably level but there was no shade at all," shares Frank M.
Utility considerations: Full hookup availability varies between parks. "Only downside is that the RV sites don't have much shade but the tent sites do. Also make sure to bring plenty of leveling blocks as some sites are far from level," advises Jonathan G.
Access limitations: Some park roads present challenges for larger rigs. "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," notes Laura L.
Water and dump station logistics: Plan for potential waiting times at busy parks. "Potable water is present at a small spigot," reports Dayne B. at Ontario County Park, who also notes there are "dump stations are present, but I haven't used them yet."
