Best Cabin Camping near Watkins Glen, NY

Several state parks and private campgrounds near Watkins Glen, New York provide rustic cabins with varying amenities and comfort levels. Watkins Glen State Park Campground offers cabins nestled among hardwood forests with picnic tables and fire rings outside each unit. Robert H. Treman State Park features cabins described by visitors as "very cool" with clean facilities and convenient access to hiking trails. The Watkins Glen/Corning KOA provides cabin rentals with basic furnishings including TVs, small refrigerators, and bunk beds. According to one visitor, "Our cabin was barebones but it was clean, had a TV, small refrigerator, a bunk bed and full. Plenty of room for two people!" Most cabins include electricity, though heating options vary by location and season.

Rustic and deluxe cabins are both available, depending on the location and price point. Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill offers "new cabins with ample beds and space," making them suitable for families or groups. Flint Creek Campgrounds provides two small rental cabins with access to clean bathrooms and showers near the camp store. Most state park cabins operate seasonally, typically from May through October, with specific opening dates varying by location. Pet policies differ significantly between properties, with some state parks allowing pets in designated cabin areas while others prohibit them entirely. Advance reservations are essential during summer months and race weekends at Watkins Glen International, when accommodations fill quickly. One reviewer noted, "There are also some nice cabins for those not interested in camping," highlighting their popularity as alternatives to tent camping.

Most cabin rentals require guests to bring their own bedding, pillows, towels, and personal items. Kitchen facilities vary widely, from bare-bones setups with only outdoor fire rings to more equipped units with refrigerators and microwaves. The KOA cabins include basic furnishings but minimal cooking equipment. Campers staying in state park cabins typically have access to central bathhouses with flush toilets and hot showers rather than private bathrooms. Watkins Glen offers several grocery stores and markets within a short drive of most cabin locations, though stocking up before arrival is recommended. Firewood is generally available for purchase at campground offices or camp stores, with prices ranging from $4-6 per bundle depending on the location.

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Best Cabin Sites Near Watkins Glen, New York (53)

    1. Watkins Glen State Park Campground

    89 Reviews
    Watkins Glen, NY
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (607) 535-4511

    $24 - $58 / night

    "Campers arriving at Watkins Glen State Park are immediately captivated by its dramatic gorge scenery, where 19 waterfalls cascade through narrow stone walls."

    "From the gorgeous hike up the Watkins Glen Gorge to watching the sunset over Seneca Lake to enjoying some wine from the grapes grown in the region, the Finger Lakes regions is hard to beat for total family"

    2. Watkins Glen / Corning KOA

    18 Reviews
    Montour Falls, NY
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 535-7404

    "We were looking to spend a couple of nights near Watkins Glen to hit the wineries, waterfalls, and nearby museums around the finger lakes of New York and this park seemed to be in a good location for us"

    "This was a great place to regroup - we fully flushed our tanks, caught up laundry, and cleaned the trailer while our kids played and enjoyed mini golf, movies on a big screen, a good playground, and the"

    3. Robert H. Treman State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Ithaca, NY
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 273-3440

    $24 - $128 / night

    "Located 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."

    "Treman State Park. The campground has an area with wooded sites, an area with sites in a large field (with hookups for RVs), and an area for the cabins (which looked very cool)."

    4. Taughannock Falls State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Jacksonville, NY
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 387-6739

    $24 - $67 / night

    "Went for a quick getaway to this little gem of a state park in the finger lakes region of New York. I’ll be coy, and use their slogan ‘Ithaca is Gorges’ and Gorgeous!!!"

    "Lucked out with a find in the Finger Lakes. Nice campground. Has everything you need. Small sites but fine for our hybrid. Ours was shady. Check out which side the hookups are on."

    5. Buttermilk Falls State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    Ithaca, NY
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 273-5761

    $21 - $66 / night

    "Doesn't have as many amenities as some of the other area (no showers) but still nice spacious sites with restroom, tables and fire rings."

    "They do have a "upper" and "lower" park. The lower park is where you will find the campground, swimming areas, and a big open field."

    6. Pinecreek Campground

    8 Reviews
    Ithaca, NY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 273-1974

    "Pinecreek 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."

    "Beautiful lake, woodland and natural surrounding. Friendly campground visitors and staff. Open to seasonal and day campers alike. Playground needs improving."

    7. Ferenbaugh Campground

    7 Reviews
    Big Flats, NY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 962-6193

    "Near many attractions close to Watkins Glen. Clean and the staff was a pleasure to deal with"

    "Near the entrance is the Pull Through Area. Behind a row of trees there are several sites with full hookups including cable TV and Wi-Fi. The sites are open, reasonably level, and a good size."

    8. Paradise Park Campground

    1 Review
    Tyrone, NY
    6 miles
    +1 (607) 535-6600

    "Great little store and arcade. There's a pool. Nice big pool. Sometimes live music. Very laid back and happy."

    9. Sampson State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Willard, NY
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 585-6392

    $28 - $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"

    "Large sites, clean restrooms & showers. Should be a model for other state campgrounds. Nice swimming beach & playgrounds for kids. About half hour to Watkins Glen."

    10. Camp Bell Campground

    5 Reviews
    Campbell, NY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 527-3301

    "It is mostly occupied by regulars but the rental sites are close to the very clean bathrooms and showers. The swimming pool is a nice bonus!"

    "We stayed in the cabins. Bathrooms were clean. Had a pool and playground. Friendly staff."

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Cabin Reviews near Watkins Glen, NY

384 Reviews of 53 Watkins Glen Campgrounds


  • Jama A.
    Jul. 15, 2025

    Watkins Glen State Park Campground

    Watkins Glen State Park, New York

    Campers arriving at Watkins Glen State Park are immediately captivated by its dramatic gorge scenery, where 19 waterfalls cascade through narrow stone walls. Their campsites are nestled among hardwood forests, offering a perfect balance of sunlit clearings and shady retreats. Each site comes equipped with a picnic table and fire ring, making it easy to prepare meals after a day spent exploring the park’s famous Gorge Trail. The park’s facilities blend rustic charm with modern comforts: clean flush toilets, hot-water showers, and convenient potable water stations. Hiking enthusiasts appreciate the interconnected trail system, which includes the popular Rim Trail for elevated views of the gorge, as well as more secluded footpaths through hemlock groves. Families particularly enjoy the nearby swimming pool and easy-access picnic areas overlooking Seneca Lake. To simplify travel logistics for out-of-state visitors, many campers opt to pre-book an airport transfer so they can arrive at Ithaca or Elmira–Corning Regional Airport and head straight to the park without the hassle of car rentals. Those planning to explore multiple stops along the Finger Lakes often choose the provider’s reliable city-to-city rides for comfortable, door-to-door transportation between destinations. All in all, Watkins Glen State Park delivers an unforgettable combination of awe-inspiring gorge hikes, well-appointed campsites, and family-friendly amenities. Campers seeking both adventure and relaxation will find this New York treasure hard to surpass.

  • Sara B.
    Sep. 2, 2023

    Cayuga Lake State Park Campground

    Large Campground, Small Sites

    Cayuga Lake State Park has a massive campground but most of the sites don't have water or electricity and are squeezed together in tiny loops. If you stay, I'd recommend the 800 or 1000 loops--the sites were much bigger in those areas. But we stayed in the 100 loop (appropriately named "Minnow) and ended up leaving early because our neighbors were just too close for comfort. 

    The lakefront area of the park was very nice and we enjoyed walking on the drive down in front of the lake. Plus, Seneca Falls is an adorable town and it was great to visit the Women's Rights National Historic Park and the homes of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Harriett Tubman, while we were in the area! 

    To be fair to this park, we came directly from Watkins Glen State Park (which we loved) and our neighbors were rambunctious. We may have had a better opinion, had the circumstances been different. And in any event, we did really enjoy the area but decided to leave after 2 nights (rather than the 5 we had booked). 

    Oh and if you have a boat--the dock area of the park seemed really nice. We'd have loved to get out on the lake!

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 6, 2018

    Watkins Glen State Park Campground

    Like Stepping into Another World!

    Wow, what an absolute delight! From the gorgeous hike up the Watkins Glen Gorge to watching the sunset over Seneca Lake to enjoying some wine from the grapes grown in the region, the Finger Lakes regions is hard to beat for total family entertainment. We came for a couple nights to check it out and stayed for over a week!

    The campground at the state park is a classic one, with six loops each representing a native tribe from the area. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring, with no bells and whistles. You can choose from non-electric or electric sites with full-hookups.  We stayed in site #9, just across from the bathrooms, in the Cayuga Loop (non-electric). There is not much privacy between sites, but we were there the week after Memorial Day, so hit it during a lull period. The bathrooms are old, but kept clean and the showers are awesome. There are a couple of playgrounds for the kiddos, picnic areas/shelters, and a pool. There are also some nice cabins for those not interested in camping.

    But, the campground is only the beginning of what this area has to offer! Just a short walk from the campground, you will find Watkins Glen Gorge. Entering from the main entrance (as early in the day as you are willing to get there to avoid the crowds) will afford you a walk through what feel like you have stepped into another country (or world for that matter). It is truly one of the most spectacular gorges I’ve ever seen in the U.S.!  Photos simply don’t do it justice.

    In addition to great hiking and gorgeous waterfalls, this area is filled with bike trails, water sports of all kinds on Seneca Lake, Farm Sanctuary, the Watkins Glen Int’l Raceway, an extensive wine trail and more! Watkins Glen is a small town, but has all that you need to resupply…including more ice cream shops than I’ve ever seen in just a few city blocks.

    We did our usual reservation-less “pull up and see what they have open” style of camping, but during the main season or race weekends, this place is nuts!  You’ll definitely need to plan ahead and make reservations if you plan to be here during the silly season. Note: Prices are lower on weekdays and you get a reduced rate for your second night, too. Bonus!

  • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2022

    Watkins Glen / Corning KOA

    Nice Campground in a Great Area of NY

    We were looking to spend a couple of nights near Watkins Glen to hit the wineries, waterfalls, and nearby museums around the finger lakes of New York and this park seemed to be in a good location for us to do all that. There were other options closer to downtown Watkins Glen but they were closed for the season when we visited. This park is quite large and can accommodate any size RV with plenty of activities to keep the entire family busy without even leaving the park (but we wouldn’t recommend that because there is so much to do in the surrounding area). 

    Typical KOA with a wide range of RV sites and lodging options and tons of activities and amenities. We booked online and got our KOA discount, so check-in was easy and we were greeted by friendly people. There is a mix of site types which you can pick out online. If you don’t see the type you want online, give them a call because sometimes they can move people around to accommodate you. The roads in the park and campsites are gravel but the park is easy to navigate. They do have short fences at the front and back of sites which can make maneuvering into your site a little tricky. Not sure why they have these unless it is to keep people from driving or parking on the grass. Deluxe sites with fancy paved patios are available for a bit more$$$ than standard sites. All sites have a picnic table and fire pit.

    Our site was level and long enough to fit our tow car. The pad was gravel but the patio was paved. Our fire pit stuck out pretty close to the road which was a bit awkward. Sites are definitely close so upon check-in we noticed that the park was not very crowded and asked that they not put us right next to people if at all possible. The women in the office told us that our neighbors were leaving the next morning and that was the only site option. Turns out they didn’t leave and there did appear to be other sites available. Oh well! 

    The park advertises free wifi and we were skeptical as to how good it would be but it turned out that it worked well at our site for surfing the internet. Our 4G Verizon phone reception was good and the open pull-thru sites work well for those wanting to use satellite. There is cable which broadcasts 70 channels. 

    What we liked about this campground was: the pastoral setting yet it was close to many attractions and things we wanted to do. The hiking trail was a big plus and really appreciated by our Labrador retriever. Wifi worked great and there were lots of cable channels. Our patio was paved which is nice but it is more expensive than standard sites with grass (so we ended up paying for that). 

    By far the worst thing about this park is the price. If you come here in the summer and use all the amenities then maybe we could see paying $100/night. But we really just wanted a place to park and hook-up the RV since we spent very little time there during the day. The only amenity we were even slightly interested in was the heated indoor swimming pool. 

    The surrounding area boasts lots of activities from exploring the natural wonders to wineries and museums. The region is known for its waterfalls including the popular Watkins Glen Gorge that has 19 waterfalls and many more in the surrounding area. Watkins Glen sits at the southern end of Seneca Lake and offers many opportunities to get out on the water for sight-seeing and a diner cruise. Close by are 40 some wineries and breweries that draw many visitors. A 30-minute drive south will put you in the town of Corning home to the spectacular Corning Museum of Glass and the Rockwell Art Museum. Watkins Glen Speedway hosts major motor racing events including the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Click here for a link to our blog post about what we did

  • Hillary E.
    Aug. 23, 2020

    Watkins Glen State Park Campground

    Kid friendly, beautiful.

    We (family of 5) stayed at Watkins Glen State Park 8/12/20 to 8/16/20. We were tent camping in Seneca Village and had an absolutely BEAUTIFUL site. There was a good mix of tent and RV campers. The bathrooms were clean, the showers were nice and warm. Quiet hours are enforced from 10pm to like 7 or 8am. Firewood and ice are available at the ranger station. Each “village” has a playground for the kids in addition to the large playground near the pool at the entrance to the campground. We didn’t use the pool (though it was open) but got plenty of use out of the playgrounds. The nicest playground was in Tuscarora Village. Tuscarora and Seneca had very nice sites. Onondaga felt like the sites were a little closer to each other or closer to the road. I did not explore any of the other villages but most sites are wooded and offer privacy and seclusion. We had an amazing time hiking and exploring the area and can’t wait to go back.

  • Brian K.
    Sep. 28, 2016

    Watkins Glen State Park Campground

    Convenient Campground for the Area

    If you're looking for a nice campground to see Watkins Glen or go to the racetrack, these are fantastic! Right up the hill from the Glen and a short walk or drive into the village with tiny restaurants and shopping. These are going to be pretty crowded in the summer and are not very secluded sites. Quiet hours are well enforced and campsite loops are regularly patrolled. Overall, a well maintained campground for seeing Watkins Glen for a weekend.

  • Rachel P.
    May. 28, 2018

    Watkins Glen State Park Campground

    Watkins Glen State Park

    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. 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!

  • Amy R.
    Jul. 16, 2019

    Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground

    RV/tent campground in a beautiful setting

    This is a gated campground that we stayed at 6/30/19-7/04/19. We are NOT an RV. We own a Napier tent that hooks to our truck so that we can sleep up in the bed. However, due to it being a holiday week, the tent sites were completely booked and they only have 4(which also have water& electric). 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. They let us book an RV site and it was rough setting up on a gravel RV site but we understood that we were not within a normal tent element and placed an extra tarp under the tent. The campground is located at the top of some beautiful and scenic driving through farmland in Pennsylvania and you will be 30 minutes from anything like shopping or small town amenities(we drove to Walmart after setting up to get our perishables since we drive up from Virginia). 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. We were located right next to the shower/bathrooms/playground and had some tree coverage and shade. A lot of the RVs in the campground are permanent sites and our neighbors never showed so we had a quiet buffer but it was not a noisy campground. It appeared that they cleaned the bathrooms twice daily and we were impressed with the cleanliness of the bathroom/showers. There were 4 in the building so we never had to wait. The staff were friendly and helpful. They had a store right next to the pool area that offered common items and RV'er might need with a small grocery area as well which included bundles of wood($6 honor system after hours) and Ice($1.78 per bag). We were allowed to run an account which we paid at the end of our stay. Our campsite was required to be paid at check in. The campground is 18 acres with gravel roads, a sports field, fishing, horse shoes, bocce ball, multiple playgrounds, a rec center with some games, claw machines etc. a splash pad and salt water pool. You will be doing a lot of walking or bring your bicycles like we did. They offer scheduled activities for holidays etc and various weekend activities. You can rent non electric boats and they offer catch& release fishing without a PA license in the lake. My son caught 2 sunfish :) They have guidelines for visitors and quiet hours(my cousin came to visit us in the evenings as she lived close by). We enjoyed camping here even if we were on an RV site. We booked site 211 which had the little bit of tree coverage and was located right next to the showers/bathrooms/playground with a quick walk to the lake for fishing. Most of the other available sites in the road ahead of us had no tree coverage but closer to the lake had more trees and shade. OR, just get an actual tent site :) but they are all the way at the back of the campground, furthest from the lake so I actually preferred our site.

  • Amanda K.
    Jul. 1, 2022

    Sampson State Park Campground

    Back for a 2nd time

    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 movie screen 

    Nice playgrounds 

    Military museum 

    Paved loops - good for bikes and scooters

    NEAR BY ATTRACTIONS: Wineries

    CONS: 

    Electric service boxes are shared in-between sites. This could pose an issue if your power cord is not long enough.

    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

    They don’t allow pull-in camping. Campers MUST be backed in


Guide to Watkins Glen

Cabin camping near Watkins Glen, New York, offers a perfect blend of nature and comfort, making it an ideal getaway for families and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Cabin campers like these nearby activities

Taughannock Falls State Park is a must-see

Cabin campers appreciate these amenities

  • Enjoy the convenience of electric hookups and clean facilities at Hickory Hill Family Camping Resort, perfect for a comfortable stay.
  • Relax in well-maintained cabins at Camp Bell Campground, which also features a swimming pool and playground for family fun.
  • Experience a peaceful atmosphere with spacious sites at Back-Achers Campsites, where cleanliness and friendly service enhance your cabin camping experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Watkins Glen, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Watkins Glen, NY is Watkins Glen State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 89 reviews.

What is the best site to find cabin camping near Watkins Glen, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 53 cabin camping locations near Watkins Glen, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.