Shay S.
Traveler
TravelerSpruce Row Campsite
Great Family campground
They are super family friendly, its very quiet and peaceful. The pool is beautiful and a cool and unique shape. They have activities on the weekends and its very safe for kids.
Camping near Vestal, NY
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Campgrounds near Vestal, New York range from full-hookup RV parks to tent sites and cabins at state parks within a short drive. Chenango Valley State Park, located about 10 miles north of Vestal, offers a mix of tent, RV, cabin and glamping accommodations with well-maintained sites separated by wooded areas. Hickories Park Campground in nearby Owego provides riverside camping with full hookups for RVs. Pine Valley RV Park and Campground in Endicott accommodates various camping styles including tent camping, RV sites with 50-amp service, and cabin rentals within a family-friendly setting.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through October due to the northeastern climate. "This is a beautiful and quiet campground - a hidden gem in Broome County," notes a visitor describing Greenwood County Park. Reservations are recommended at most established campgrounds, particularly for weekend stays during peak summer months. Accessibility varies across sites, with most developed campgrounds offering paved or graveled roads suitable for standard vehicles. Cell service is generally available throughout the region, though may be limited in more remote areas. Winter camping options are limited, with only Greenwood County Park indicating year-round operation in the area.
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for many local campgrounds. Several sites provide lake or river proximity, with fishing, boating and swimming opportunities. Pine Valley features a lake described by visitors as "scenic" with "several paths and trails" surrounding it. Family-friendly amenities appear consistently throughout regional reviews, with multiple campgrounds offering playgrounds, organized activities, and recreation areas. A reviewer noted that Hickories Park has "green grass perfect space for kids to play" and is "an excellent place to take your family." The proximity to Binghamton's attractions makes these campgrounds convenient bases for exploring the broader region while maintaining access to nature settings.
Best Campgrounds near Vestal (129)
1. Chenango Valley State Park Campground
"This is a beautiful park, the hiking is great with varied trails, nice changes in elevation due to the glacial geology of the landscape, and scenic vistas overlooking 2 beautiful lakes."
"The only downfall is that there really isn't much else to do around the area."
from $21 - $123 / night
Check Availability2. Hickories Park Campground
"i pulled in at about 6pm mid week, the ranger station was closed drove around & found tent site 79 open, it's next to the river."
"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."
3. Pine Valley RV Park & Campground
"They have hayrides in the summer and swimming in the lake. Lakeside sites are spacious and reasonably priced. The owners are always accessible."
4. Pine Valley Recreational Vehicle Park and Campgrounds
"There’s a lake, which is quite scenic, and several paths and trails."
from $27 / night
Check Availability5. Greenwood County Park
"Typical New York weather. Overall, the park is more than I expected for a county park."
"The lake is pretty, the beach and picnic area is well kept, the campground is like a high quality state park—bravo to the Broome County Parks Department!"
from $30 / night
Check Availability6. Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground
"The tent sites are located in the back of the campground behind the sports field within the trees. I unfortunately didn’t get a chance to see them but they have them pictured on their website."
"Great family campground, decent sized sites, many lake side sites, very clean bathrooms/ showers. Several playgrounds, heated pool, pet friendly with shots paperwork."
7. Salt Springs State Park Campground
"A lical group, the Friends of Salt Springs, stepped up and offered to maintain the park with funds raised by their group."
"I stayed in late September in one of the drive in spots. There were no other campers bc of the season- and it’s mid week."
8. Oasis in the woods by the family tree
from $58 - $75 / night
Check Availability9. Belden Hill Campgrounds
"Fantastic animal preserve zoo nearby which is a must visit. Pretty golf course with full bar and food right across the street. Overall one of our favorite stops on our New England trip."
from $53 - $65 / night
Check Availability10. Watkins Glen State Park Campground
"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 $24 - $58 / night
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Drive Time
- 7 min from Binghamton, NY
- 40 min from Elmira, NY
- 51 min from Ithaca, NY
- 1 hr 1 min from Scranton, PA
Recent Camping Photos near Vestal, NY
168 Photos of 129 Vestal Campgrounds
Paully B.
Hickories Park Campground
Riley S.
Oasis in the woods by the family tree
Cory S.
Oasis in the Woods
Janet R.
Greenwood County Park
Jeff H.
Chenango Valley State Park Campground
The Dyrt
Tentrr Signature Site - Occanum Creek
The Dyrt
Tentrr Signature Site - Agfa Lake
Carly S.
Private Campsite on 50 Acres
The Dyrt
Lakeside Campground
Katye M.
Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground
The Dyrt
Tentrr Signature Site - Little Sit Farm Cosmic Glamping Site
Janet R.
Chenango County Cook Park
Recent Reviews near Vestal, NY
478 Reviews of 129 Vestal Campgrounds
Stefanie K.TravelerLackawanna State Park Campground
Quiet getaway
The state park is beautiful. The site was very nice. The park itself is very big with many activities available such as boat rentals and a swimming pool. There's also an amphitheatre which hosts specials. During our stay the only activity we made it to was the pool. The main reason we didn't do more was the distance. We have a motorhome so we didn't have additional vehicles to get to and from places. We walked to the park which according to my Fitbit was 1.5 miles away. That doesn't seem too bad until you realize it's mostly hills in both directions! We are a fairly active young family who has no problem with a bit of a walk but after that experience we decided to just spend the remainder of our trip hanging out at our site. It's a good thing we only stayed 2 nights because our 10 year old might've lost his mind with boredom if we stayed longer. Overall, the site we had was great and I'd recommend it. My husband and I may come back for a couples date weekend.
- HHeather B.Traveler
Tall Pines Campground & Canoeing
Sweetest Campground Around
This was the sweetest campground around!! They deliver fire wood right to your site along with anything else you need. Free delivery of amazing pizza on Friday nights(delivered by a 1969 pink beetle!!). There is a giant river, a dog park and the camp ground is close to town, but far enough away so that you still feel like your camping! Amazing bathroom/shower facilities and a clean swimming pool:)
- TTinski H.Traveler
Skyline Drive State Forest
Nice free spot in the woods
Only one spot as far as we could tell. We arrived 5.30PM and no one was there. There was quite a deep dip in the beginning of the side road, so higher clearance needed to get there. Nice spot between the trees, lots of shade, clean. Felt safe. There was a firepit. Bring bug repellent!
Lisa S.
ScoutSpruce Pond Camping Area - Morgan Hill State Forest
Peaceful forest site
Stayed at this very serene camping spot with abundant fireflies and no biting insects on June 26, 2026 for a quick overnight on a roadtrip. Arriving after dark, it was very difficult to find the sites. Campsite 5 was very overgrown, but site 6 had a nice flat area of pine needles with a path to the road once you see it. However, I couldn't locate the fire ring for site 6. I loved the sounds of the frogs at night and the birds at dawn, but if you're a very light sleeper, you might want ear plugs. Short hike up to the hang glider launch site was worthwhile. Nice, clean, accessible port-a-potty in the parking lot. Had spotty but mostly okay cell service (AT&T).
- TTed D.Traveler
Watkins Glen State Park Campground
Watkins Glen worth the trip
Campground 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.
- TTed D.Traveler
Watkins Glen State Park Campground
Not bad
Site 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.
Emily M.TravelerLong Pond Campground
Great dispersed camp sites
All the roads are gravel, so it might get a little muddy after a big rain but I had no issue with a low clearance car driving around to explore the sites available. About half the sites are spread out in a large patch of spruce trees, I stayed at one of these. You can hear and sometimes see cars on the main road from your site but overall the spruce trees give you a lot more privacy. Had a neighbor blasting their speaker and didn't even hear it until I was walking by on that stretch of road. You might catch a glimpse of someone's fire at night, but it mostly felt like I had the place to myself. The other half are clustered much closer together among some deciduous trees but all the sites are pretty spacious, with a picnic table, fire pit, and easy access to the water. You might get a visit from day-use visitors looking for water access, especially if you pick a site closer to the water access paths, so if you're looking for more seclusion you may want to look elsewhere, but I didn't mind and the people who did stop near my site were respectful and didn't seem to want to disturb me once they saw the site near the water access was occupied. A free permit is needed for camping during the on-season. I stayed off-season and most of the sites were unoccupied, but I could see this being a popular spot during the warmer months. Port-a-potties are also not available off-season – be prepared to find a good cat hole spot or bring a wag bag if you're not self-contained. Seeing some litter around my site was a bit of a bummer (don't be that guy!), but overall the sites looked pretty clean and well-maintained. I did notice some broken glass at my site, so if you have pets (or shoe-averse children) be mindful of their paw pads (and feet). There's plenty of downed wood for making a fire, and I passed a couple homes selling firewood on the side of the road on the way. Service was spotty (AT&T) but if you wandered around enough you could get a couple bars to send a text, or if you really needed to, drive up the road a couple of minutes. I would easily stay here again, but if I came during the main season I'd probably want to plan a mid-week trip and get my permit and claim my site as soon as possible.
Ashlee C.TravelerAndersen Hill State Forest
Great spot!
Stayed one night. Spot was great! It had rained so we weren't able to have a fire, but there was a spot where others had one previously. A little road noise from Rt 79, but honestly wasn't terrible.
Guide to Vestal
Camping options around Vestal, New York extend beyond conventional campgrounds into dispersed sites along local waterways and throughout the surrounding Allegheny Plateau. The region sits at elevations between 800-1,700 feet, creating distinct microclimates across camping areas. Most campgrounds operate during a specific window from May through October when temperatures range from 45-85°F, with occasional summer thunderstorms requiring proper tent staking and rainfly coverage.
What to do
Water recreation access points: At Chenango Valley State Park, visitors can enjoy kayaking on the lake which is especially suitable for beginners. "The lake is pretty for kayaking for beginner or seasoned, as well as great hiking and mountain biking trails. Keep your eye peeled for the resident bald eagle," notes Paully B.
Hiking trail networks: The region offers various terrain options within a 30-minute drive. "Short easy trails. Lots of info about the glaciers that formed the lakes you can swim in. Great wildlife (wood ducks & kingfishers)," reports Dan N. about the educational nature trails at Chenango Valley State Park.
Wildlife observation opportunities: Many campsites provide wildlife viewing across multiple habitats. "We had four deer that were feeding behind our site in the morning," writes Mary S. about her experience at Chenango Valley State Park, adding that campers should "beware of raccoons. They are brazen thieves here...and every campground they inhabit."
What campers like
Waterfront camping availability: Riverside sites offer popular direct water access. "I pulled in at about 6pm mid week... found tent site 79 open, it's next to the river. I was able to pull directly into the camp site," explains alyssa F. about her experience at Hickories Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Many campers praise the maintenance standards at local parks. "The bathhouse is clean. Sites are nice size," Michele D. writes about Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground. The campground also offers "nice, pull-through on gravel pad with full-hookups that can take large rigs," according to Cheryl W.
Site layout and spacing: Campgrounds in the region vary in site distribution patterns. "There are plenty of sites that are separated from each other by small patches of woods, which made it more private," notes Kayti D. about her family's week-long stay at Chenango Valley State Park.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly across the best places to camp near Vestal. "There is very very little cell reception and only wifi if you pay for it," explains Tracey about Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground, adding this forces campers to "put our phones and devices down and just relax."
Facilities vary seasonally: Key amenities may not be available early or late in the season. "One thing that we were kind of disappointed in, is that the campground pool doesn't open until the end of June," reports Jennifer W. when describing her experience at Watkins Glen State Park.
Reservation systems: Most campgrounds require advanced booking, especially for premium sites. "Get your reservations in early though weekends for lakeside sites are booked super fast!" advises Tracey about Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Age-specific recreation options: Different campgrounds offer various activities suitable for specific age groups. At Pine Valley RV Park & Campground, "the giant swimming inflatables, putt putt even a giant slide. All part of the price of the campground," made Mommy D. exclaim it's "by far one of the best family oriented campgrounds we've ever been in."
Playground access: Many campgrounds in the Vestal area include designated play areas. "Playground and shallow swimming area for children with life guards and a sandy beach and new bath house," writes Mary P. about her experience at Chenango Valley State Park with her 5-year-old grandson.
Swimming safety considerations: Water access varies across campgrounds with different safety measures. "The beach area is well staffed and clean. Changing areas are available as well as a splash pad for the little kids," notes Fred C. about Chenango Valley State Park's swimming facilities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: RV campers should consider specific site features when booking. "Parking pads in the electric loops (30 amps and 50 amps) have a good amount of gravel," reports Mary S. about Greenwood County Park, adding that sites on "the outer part of a loop" typically have "more trees."
Utility access points: RV sites have varying hookup configurations across campgrounds. "Our site had water and electric, was a drive through spot for a typical RV with a section to the side of the drive through for the fire pit and picnic table," describes Amy R. about her stay at Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground.
Seasonal RV considerations: The camping season near Vestal creates specific challenges. "Easy access off I-88 friendly owner, friendly seasonal people. Pull thru full hookup, level, spacious," notes Tim W. about Belden Hill Campgrounds, though he cautions about potential weather impacts: "Unfortunately we were there after a lot of rain from the hurricane, site was wet but useable, not their fault."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping areas near Vestal?
Where can I find camping areas near Vestal?
The Vestal area offers several excellent camping options within driving distance. Chenango Valley State Park Campground is one of the closest options, featuring drive-in access, reservable sites, toilets, and big-rig-friendly areas. For a more secluded experience, Ludlow Creek Lean-To Campsite offers a beautiful primitive hike-in option alongside Ludlow Creek in the Finger Lakes Trail system. Other nearby options include Bowman Lake State Park and Belden Hill Campgrounds. Most campgrounds in the region are open seasonally from spring through fall, with some offering year-round availability. Many require reservations, especially during peak summer months.
What tent camping options are available near Vestal?
What tent camping options are available near Vestal?
Tent campers near Vestal have several excellent options. Robert H. Treman State Park Campground offers beautiful tent sites surrounded by waterfalls, hiking trails, and fishing opportunities with amenities including bathrooms and showers. Taughannock Falls State Park Campground provides excellent tent camping with access to numerous trails, clean swimming areas, and the impressive Taughannock Falls. For those seeking a more primitive experience, the Finger Lakes National Forest's Blueberry Patch Campground offers secluded tent sites with basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables. Most tent camping areas are open seasonally from May through October, with reservations highly recommended during summer weekends.
Are there RV parks available in Vestal?
Are there RV parks available in Vestal?
Yes, there are several RV-friendly options near Vestal. Pine Valley RV Park & Campground in nearby Endicott offers drive-in access with reservable sites, water hookups, toilets, and is big-rig-friendly. Belden Hill Campgrounds near Harpursville also accommodates RVs with similar amenities. For those willing to drive a bit further, many state parks in the region have RV-compatible sites, though some like Bowman Lake State Park may have limited facilities. Most RV parks in the area operate seasonally from spring through fall, with varying reservation requirements. Call ahead to confirm availability, as some smaller parks may have limited hookup options.
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