Morgan Hill Forest's primitive camping areas welcome pets throughout their free dispersed sites. Both Morgan Hill State Forest Dispersed and Morgan Hill Forest—Onondaga Trailhead campground permit dogs and offer peaceful, wooded settings for tent and RV camping. The Onondaga Trailhead campground features several basic tent spots and two developed sites with cement pads, picnic tables, and fire pits. These sites provide ample distance between neighboring campers and make an ideal setting for group camping with pets. Yellow Lantern Kampground and Cortlands Country Music Park also allow pets, offering electric hookups and water access for campers with dogs. The properties are well-maintained with friendly owners providing private, quiet camping experiences.
Dispersed camping with dogs is permitted throughout Bucks Brook State Forest, where primitive tent sites along the Finger Lakes Trail offer scenic wilderness camping. Dogs must be kept under control while exploring the forest's trail system. Pets are also welcome at Fillmore Glen State Park Campground, Green Lakes State Park, and Bowman Lake State Park, all offering tent sites, RV spots, and cabin options that accommodate pets. Campers bringing dogs should note that most sites require leashes, and no facilities provide specialized dog amenities like washing stations or fenced play areas. When hiking with dogs on the trails near Morgan Hill, be prepared for ticks during spring and early summer—proper repellent is essential for pets and humans alike. Trails through the forests offer excellent opportunities for dogs to explore, but owners should always pack out waste and bring sufficient water for their pets.
$20 - $116 / night
"The lake is a fascinating meromictic lake with clear calcium-rich waters that are not only pristine and beautiful to look at, but also great for swimming and snorkeling as the waters are crystal clear"
"Great place for trails, fishing, swimming & plain camping. There are electric & non-electric sites as well as a Cabin Colony. Pet friendly"
$17 - $67 / night
"region of Upstate New York."
"Awesome little park in the Finger Lakes region with nature on site and lots more to do and explore nearby (wine trails!)."
"This is a small state forest campground in the Morgan Hill forest from which you can directly access the Onondaga Trail branch of the National North Country scenic trail."
"This location has a set of 2 large trailhead parking lots for hikers and backpackers accessing the vast trail network of the Morgan Hill State Forest."
"There are both state forest roads and off road trails to hike on in the area; the Bucks Brook Forest Road follows a series of small waterfalls at the bottom of the gorge to the source of the creek near"
$17 - $65 / night
"We had never been to site before so when we booked, we thought we were next to a bathroom. Turns out you had to walk through woods to get there in the mud."
"There was a potable water spigot a few sites over and a bathroom with showers a short walk away. This is a great spot for tent camping, so if that’s your vibe this place is perfect."
$20 - $58 / night
"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."
"I 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."
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.
RangerThe park itself is pretty small but it’s in a really cute area with a lot of outdoor recreational activities. Lovely but simple views all around and rolling green hills in the distance. Campground is well-kept and relatively modern but not particularly memorable. Nice little stopover on a road trip. Lots of day use activity. Dog park is kind of annoying with all the barking and owners shouting futile commands, try to camp away from it. Ditto for train noise, stay by the river. It does what it does well, so five stars!
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!
GuideIt is a very nice open area to camp in. It is a first come first serve campground. The dog park is a great addition to the park. There is always something going on. Also allows for an easy place right off Route I-86 to rest while driving across MY. Some of the best river access there is to paddle through a great small town.
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!
TravelerA bit off the beaten path for a KOA, but nearly sold out in early October nonetheless. Sites range from typical large rig to dispersed tents next to a creek. The tent sites with electric like the one we took used 240v 50A plugs, so we had to borrow a converter plug form the office for our 120v equipment. Only one bath house and it’s a bit dated. Very pet friendly including a dog play pen. Pool looked nice and was still open in early October.
GuideNew York State pretty much has abandoned this park. Trees fallen down across the sites. Might be ok for a tent but that’s all.
The Truxton area in central New York sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation in the rolling hills of Cortland County. Summer camping temperatures typically range from 55-80°F with cooler nights even during peak season. The region features a mix of state forests and established campgrounds connected by the Finger Lakes Trail system, providing diverse pet-friendly camping options for outdoor enthusiasts.
Hiking trails with stream access: At Fillmore Glen State Park Campground, visitors can explore multiple waterfalls and gorge trails. "There are 5 water falls, spring fed swimming area, hiking trails, all set in a gorge type atmosphere," notes Brian O., who appreciates the natural setting.
Kayaking on nearby lakes: Green Lakes State Park offers pristine waters for paddling, though with specific restrictions. "You cannot bring your own kayaks you have to rent. Fun hiking area the water is gorgeous," explains Sara H., highlighting an important regulation for visitors planning water activities.
Swimming in natural settings: The region features unique swimming opportunities beyond standard pool facilities. "The spring fed swimming pool is cool but refreshing," Brian O. mentions about Fillmore Glen, providing a natural alternative to chlorinated options.
Private, wooded sites: Yellow Lantern Kampground offers secluded camping near Truxton. "It was very private and quiet. The property was well maintained and the owners were very friendly," according to MacKenzi G., who appreciated the peaceful atmosphere during her stay.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards for bathrooms and common areas. At Watkins Glen State Park Campground, "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," reports Lori F., noting the variable quality of facilities.
Lake activities: The mineral lakes at Green Lakes State Park Campground provide distinctive recreational opportunities. "You can rent a kayak and enjoy the beautiful lake. There are miles of trails to explore. There is a camp store, laundry room, recreation room, playgrounds and much more," describes Cindy H., highlighting the comprehensive amenities.
Seasonal availability: Most dog-friendly campgrounds near Truxton operate from May through early October. "The winter the camp ground is open for hiking, x country skiing and snowmobiling," Brian O. notes about Fillmore Glen, one of the few areas with winter access.
Tick prevention: When camping with pets, proper protection is essential during warmer months. Ticks are common throughout the area's wooded terrain, requiring regular checks of pets after trail activities.
Site selection considerations: For the quietest experience at Bucks Brook State Forest Primitive Tent Site, Janet R. advises, "An easier hike-in access is at Ridge Rd, about a 1/4 hike to the brook where there are several nice flat tent sites," providing specific location information for the best camping spots.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Green Lakes, Sara H. found "Great playgrounds. Bathrooms and showers were very clean," making it suitable for families with younger children who need recreational options beyond hiking.
Educational opportunities: The region offers learning experiences integrated with outdoor recreation. At Watkins Glen, Jennifer W. shares that "A short drive away is a Farm Sanctuary that my son very much enjoyed," suggesting an alternative activity for animal-loving children.
Swimming options for different ages: Family-friendly water features exist throughout the area. "Seneca lake is a short drive away for great fishing, kayaking and swimming," mentions Jennifer W. about staying at Watkins Glen, noting alternative water activities when campground pools are closed.
Site leveling challenges: Bowman Lake State Park Campground requires preparation for uneven terrain. "We had a back in site with a fire pit, picnic table, and no hook ups. It was gravel and not super level, but we made it work," explains Oleńka S., providing practical insight for RV campers.
Hook-up availability: Electric and water connections vary significantly between campgrounds. At Cortlands Country Music Park and Campground, John D. notes, "Small campground near NY finger lakes. Electric and water at site," confirming basic services for RV campers seeking utility connections.
Navigation within campgrounds: Some dog-friendly campgrounds near Truxton have challenging internal roads. At Watkins Glen, Laura L. cautions, "The roads within the campground were kind of tight to get through with trees and curves," an important consideration for larger recreational vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Truxton, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Truxton, NY is Green Lakes State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 42 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Truxton, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 104 dog-friendly camping locations near Truxton, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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