108 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Cayuga Lake State Park Campground permits pets throughout its spacious grounds, offering a mix of tent sites, RV spots, and cabin options along the shores of the largest Finger Lake. Dogs must remain leashed at all times in the campground and are not allowed in the swimming areas, though they can enjoy the shoreline in designated sections. The tent sites on the west camp provide more privacy for campers with pets, while the 800 loop along the tree line features particularly spacious sites ideal for families camping with dogs. Junius Ponds Cabins and Campgrounds also welcomes pets with clean facilities and well-maintained grounds. Some campers note that larger sites near the front of Junius Ponds provide ample grassy areas where pets can relax beside their owners.
Waterloo Harbor Campground, recently transitioned to Waterloo Finger Lakes KOA, provides convenient access to the Cayuga Seneca Canal Trail for dog walking. The trail system offers several miles of paths where leashed pets can exercise. Nearby Sampson State Park and Keuka Lake State Park similarly allow pets in camping areas but restrict them from beaches and buildings. Visitors camping with pets should note the abundance of wildlife in the region, including bats, mice, chipmunks, and raccoons, which may attract curious dogs. The campgrounds maintain strict quiet hours, typically beginning at 10pm, helping ensure barking doesn't disturb neighboring campers. Seasonal considerations include higher mosquito populations near the lakeshores during summer months, requiring appropriate pet protection alongside human repellents.
"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!)."
from $17 - $107 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $24 - $350 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $39 - $999 / night
Check Availability"The Grounds are well taken care of (although some areas around the playgrounds and pool could have been weed whacked better) there is a lot of grass and wide open areas for playing games, walking your"
"The campground is beautifully maintained with stunning views of Cayuga Lake. The staff was friendly, welcoming, and went out of their way to make sure we had everything we needed."
from $25 - $99 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $30 - $110 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $20 - $58 / night
Check Availability"Stayed at Keuka Lake in July 2023. Nice spots, close to others but people were quiet and respectful after 10 PM. Lake was beautiful and fun for swimming with the kids."
"A dumping station right near the entry/exit.There is a large park area with beach for swimming, fishing, plenty of room for launching your kayak, dock and launch for your boat or using one of their grills"
from $20 - $27 / night
Check Availability"Tons of lakes scattered between Canada and the USA on Lake Ontario provide endless recreation opportunities."
"Plenty of sites to go around and great hiking. A different feel that typical NY but loved it! Be sure to do a boat ride in the area."
from $163 / night
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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.
Campers visiting Waterloo, New York, can explore campgrounds nestled between New York's largest Finger Lakes. The region sits at elevations between 440-800 feet and experiences a humid continental climate with warm summers averaging 80°F and cold winters. Most camping areas open from mid-April through mid-October, with seasonal closures due to lake effect snow and freezing temperatures in winter months.
Hiking accessible trails: The Cayuga Seneca Canal Trail provides miles of paths for exercise and nature viewing. "Easy access to the Cayuga Seneca Canal Trail. Campground was in need of some updates," notes Tom W. The trail system connects multiple waterways with mostly flat terrain.
Military history exploration: Sampson State Park Campground features a naval museum documenting its past as a WWII training base. "It has a Naval museum with many authentic items from that era," shares Brian O., adding that visitors can "go on both visual and audio tours" of the historic grounds.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple stocked ponds and lake access points provide fishing options. "The pond is nice, there were a lot of campers fishing," notes David M. about Sned Acres Campground. Finger Lakes fish species include bass, trout, and pike, with best catches reported in early morning hours.
Lake swimming areas: Dedicated swimming spots with lifeguards operate during summer months. "Great little beach and swimming area; water was very clean," reports Stephanie C. about Sampson State Park, mentioning that the "bathrooms were very clean and had dish washing stations in them."
Spacious, shaded sites: Many campgrounds offer larger sites with natural separation. At Junius Ponds Cabins and Campgrounds, "most sites are a good size" and as Tina notes, her site "had a large grassy section to the side." This provides pets with space to rest while staying leashed.
Fresh welcome touches: Some campgrounds provide special welcome gifts. "We loved the friendship bread when we arrived," shares Debbie C. about Sned Acres. This homemade bread tradition helps first-time campers feel especially welcome, as the staff are "really accommodating with making a last minute reservation."
Seasonal camper presence: Several campgrounds have high percentages of seasonal occupants. Ryan D. observes that Junius Ponds "is over run with seasonal campers and their golf carts. These fine folks never stop driving and take the time to walk and enjoy the beauty of their surroundings."
Limited water fill stations: Some campgrounds have restricted water access points. Amanda K. warns about Sampson State Park: "There is only one 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."
Weather considerations: The region experiences significant temperature variations. "Bring lots of bugspray and fire starters as it does rain up here which affects the fire wood," advises Jeremy T. about Cayuga Lake. Afternoon thunderstorms are common during summer months.
Playground options: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for different ages. "Nice playgrounds," mentions Amanda K. about Sampson State Park, which also has an "arcade room" and "outdoor movie screen" for entertainment during evening hours.
Kid-friendly fishing: Stocked ponds make catching fish accessible for beginners. Amy T. recommends Canandaigua-Rochester KOA where "the fish are easy to catch with hotdogs!" The pond is designed for younger anglers with gentle slopes and clear visibility.
Educational activities: Several campgrounds schedule organized programs. "They offer themed weekends and have activities for kids," reports Amy T. about Junius Ponds. Some areas also offer junior ranger programs during peak summer months.
Electric connections: Check power cord length requirements before arrival. Amanda K. notes that 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."
Navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have tight interior roads. Jim C. advises that at Junius Ponds, "Most sites can accommodate large rigs with full hookups. Reservations recommended especially during summer weekends."
Dump station logistics: Limited facilities can cause departure delays. "Only 2 dump stations," warns Amanda K. about Sampson State Park, suggesting campers plan departure times to avoid peak checkout periods between 10am-noon when lines form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Waterloo, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Waterloo, 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 Waterloo, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 108 dog-friendly camping locations near Waterloo, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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