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Watkins Glen State Park is the most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks, with a reputation for leaving visitors spellbound. Within two miles, the glen's stream descends 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs, generating 19 waterfalls along its course. The gorge path winds over and under waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade. Rim trails overlook the gorge. Camping near Watkins Glen allows you to enjoy the Olympic-size pool, scheduled summer tours through the gorge, tent and trailer campsites, picnic facilities and excellent fishing in nearby Seneca Lake or Catherine Creek, which is renowned for its annual spring run of rainbow trout.
$18 - $25 / night
Five miles north of Corning, NY. Located between Corning and Watkins Glen. 319 acres. Swimming pool, fishing, hiking trails, mini golf, game room, planned weekend activities.
$25 - $99 / night
89 wooded acres nestled between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes! Off grid property with no light solution and incredible star gazing! Walking distance to the Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) and Texas Hollow State Forest. A short drive and you can be wine tasting along the lakes. Plenty of activities nearby kayaking, biking and waterfall hikes. Only a few very spread out sites on this acreage. Veteran owned and operated. No fireworks allowed. Well behaved kids and dogs welcome.
$45 / night
Guide
The campground was in a good location minutes from Watkins Glen and many, many wineries. It was clean, the staff was polite and the bathrooms were fine. So basically it hits all the must haves. My only issue was that it is basically a parking lot with a whole lotta RV’s crammed into it. I guess I am more accustomed to staying at state parks. Would I stay there again, yes, but it wouldn’t be my first choice.
Ranger
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!
Guide
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. Pair awesome trails and camping space with world class wineries up the lake, you cannot go wrong.
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!
ScoutOkay, we all get that there is awesome hiking, scenery, wineries, racing, and more in the Watkins Glen area. So let’s just chat about the campground.
The bathhouses were A+. Clean, well maintained, newer…just overall impressive!
There were water fill up stations EVERYWHERE! We camped in the dry camping loop - it was the only one available to us in our 35’ class A. We didn’t miss anything!
The playground was OUTSTANDING! All adults in our party and we couldn’t help but jump on some of the swings. It’s a newer type playground and is hands down the best I’ve ever seen!
Last, and certainly not least…personnel.
We had the opportunity to speak with the campground ranger, facilities engineer, and gate attendants. Everyone was accommodating, friendly, warm, helpful, and more. :).
One of the BEST campgrounds out there! Thank you New York State, the NYState park system and all the folks at Watkins Glen State Park Campground who make the magic happen!!!
One mention: our site was rated for a 25’ RV, we were 35’ long and fit nicely. Other sites rated for 35’ RV were NOT long enough. (We had to switch sites).
Guide
Watkins Glen/ Corning KOA this is a nice KOA in the Watkins Glen area. Our site was a full hookup site. Campground offered clean sites with gravel drives and grass areas between them. Offers your typical KOA amenities with a huge outdoor pool, indoor pool and hot tub, water slide, rock wall structure, zip line and mini golf which were part of our site fee price.
Things to do in the area Watkins Glen State park(hiking, biking and scenic views of the falls and gorge), Seneca Lake(one of the finger lakes), Watkins Glen International Speedway, Corning Glass Museum(Corning, NY), Montour Falls(Montour Falls, NY), Sunset View Creamery(Farm Tour and Store).
RangerVery large campground with a lot of spots! The park is nice and has a beautiful gorge trail close to the campground. Right outside the park is the town of Watkins glen, which has cute stores and restaurants! The Watkins glen international is close by and we got to see some racing , which was really neat! Would recommend this spot.
GuideWe stayed three nights in the Seneca Loop. Great place for RV's. Not so great for tent campers. The park's campground map does not show there is an active railroad close by with trains running in the middle of the night and during the day. We awoke Monday morning to the sound of race cars doing practice laps and tune-up runs at Watkins Glen Raceway. The park is high above the town of Watkins Glen so biking to and from the park is a challenge although you can bike around the park. The swimming area accommodates a lot of people. The redeeming quality for this campground is the short, connecting trail that provides easy access to the Watkins Glen Gorge Trail. It's beautiful and well worth the visit even if you aren't staying in the campground.
TravelerIf 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.
RangerNice campground, super unique hiking and really close to Watkins Glen.
LegendWe 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
TravelerOne of the most beautiful and relaxing campgrounds we have ever stayed at. Stayed a week there and wished we had more time to explore and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Lots to see and do in the area - visit Seneca Lodge for an experience you won't forget and try their Peach Beer in the summer! Great meals there also. Make sure you walk the Glen, and get a chance to visit historic Watkins Glen Race Track and the town of Watkins Glen. Our favorite campgrounds and state park!
Scout
Near many attractions close to Watkins Glen. Clean and the staff was a pleasure to deal with
Scout
This campground is close to 40+ wineries and Watkins glen. It has a pretty beach and clean large sites.
Ranger——REASONS I STAYED HERE——
The see Watkins Glen, of course! And go paddleboarding nearby.
—————BASIC FAQ—————
[Tent camping with a Subie]
Dump station? - Yes
Water fill or hookup? - Water fill at dump station but no water hookups. Water spigots are scattered throughout each loop.
Electricity? - Yes, some loops have it but not mine
Clean site? - Yes
Clean bathroom? - Yes
Flush toilet? - Yes
Showers? - Yes
Laundry? - No
Dish washing sink? - Yes, in the bathroom
—————PROS—————
→ The access to Watkins Glen! My site was in Loop D (Onondaga Village) which has a direct hiking trail to the trail along Watkins Glen! I highly recommend going early to beat the crowds. It’s peaceful and easier to enjoy and take photos.
→ Proximity to Seneca Lake! We went paddleboarding. We put in at a boat launch at the very southeastern corner of the lake near Seneca Lake Kayak. You can paddle down to Hector Falls and see it from the water.
→ You can drive to the many waterfalls nearby. I recommend Havana Glen Park for a short hike to the waterfall. Also, drive to Chequaga Falls.
—————TIP—————
→ There’s a power outlet in the bathroom. It was very common for people to charge phones while showering. Or leaving a battery in there to charge.
—————OVERALL—————
5-stars - Speaking for Loop D, of course. Clean site, clean bathroom with hot water, access to Watkins Glen, no issues while staying there.
—————INTERNET—————
Verizon via iPhone 12: 20 mbps down and 0.03 mbps up with 74 ms ping.
GuideWe had seen recommendations to visit Watkins Glen but until you’ve visited it’s difficult to explain the amazing area! We hiked the gorge (bring GOOD hiking shoes/boots, plenty of water and a dose of stamina), stilled through the village, visited one of dozens of wineries and stopped by Watkins Glen International Racetrack. But there’s so much more to see and do that we committed to come back again. Beautiful campground with spacious sites, lots of tall pines and deciduous trees to give shade and easy access to the gorge, swimming pool and the village. The state park is essentially right off the main drag downtown but you don’t even notice since the campground is on top of a ridge above town. Two thumbs up!
GuideLarge sites, clean restrooms & showers. Should be a model for other state campgrounds. Nice swimming beach & playgrounds for kids. About half hour to Watkins Glen. Beautiful sunsets over the lake.
RangerWe spent three nights in Watkins Glen SP and will definitely be back. The sites aren't private, but are well kept, as are the bathrooms/showers. We enjoyed our hikes and if it had been a bit warmer, we would have checked out the pool.
TravelerGreat place to stay to visit Watkins Glen and the Gorge. Very clean grounds and bathhouse. Mostly adult crowd on Wednesday and Thursday evening. Very quiet. If you want to hike, stay in Onondoga Village loop. A trail down into the gorge is across from the bathhouse.
GuideWatkins 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. The gorge trail is a MUST. Definitely go check this campsite out!
ScoutOn my 1st trip to Watkins Glen campground it was very crowded because it was summer time and in my opinion it felt like there were a lot of city folk who brought the city with them with, a lot of barking dogs and a lot of horns constantly going off but otherwise the campground was fairly decent
GuideGreat ground! We dry camped while we were there and had a great time. Bathrooms were clean. I do have to say that campers at night were not so quite. I like to hear the crickets at night not people. Great for kids, park close by! And right by Watkins Glen. Hiked the trails with kids!
LegendWow, 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!
TravelerWatkins Glen is a public park. The campgrounds are near several waterfalls. There is a lengthy trail that you can hike for the main falls. Most people hike up to the top and take the bus back down. We went in the opposite direction. We had an early morning stay and beat the crowds. They were on their way up as we were approaching the bottom.
GuideI was planning a "guys weekend" camping trip, and the stunning photos I found of the gorge at Watkins Glen hooked me. Aside from some rain that delayed our initial setup, it was the perfect camping weeking. Between hiking the gorge trail, taking advantage of the massive pool or just relaxing by the campfire, we were never bored but never rushed. Great place to camp.
RangerWatkins Glen State park is a must see for NY campers and hikers. There's the waterfall which is easy for even children to get to, and several beautiful hiking paths in all seasons. The state park campground is like a postcard, especially in fall. The Seneca Lake Wine Trail runs right through this area and makes for a fun diversion to your hiking trip!
ScoutWatkins Glen Watkins Glen is beautiful and scenic. If you enjoy hiking and scenery this is the place for you. I would describe the hikes as moderately difficult. The main one has a lot of steps but lots of walkway in between them so it's not just up up up more steps. There are a total of 19 waterfalls on your way up, all of them absolutely beautiful. There are also several more waterfalls nearby that are very easy hikes. Our favorite was Eagles Cliffs Falls. I have a 7 year old son and he enjoyed every second of this, there is a lot to see and a lot of water to play in! One thing that we were kind of disappointed in, is that the campground pool doesn't open until the end of June. Seneca lake is a short drive away for great fishing, kayaking and swimming. Also a short Drive away is a Farm Sanctuary that my son very much enjoyed. There are Stables nearby where you can book a trail ride, we did not do this only because you have to be 8 years old to ride but look forward to doing it in the future!
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