Best Campgrounds near Sayre, PA

Camping near Sayre, Pennsylvania encompasses a range of options within the rolling hills and waterways of northeastern Pennsylvania and the southern Finger Lakes region of New York. The area features several established campgrounds including Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground in Rome, PA and Riverside Acres Campground in Towanda, both within 30 minutes of Sayre. Ricketts Glen State Park, about an hour south, offers tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and yurts with access to its famous 22 named waterfalls. Many campers use these locations as a base for exploring the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon and the Finger Lakes wine region to the north.

Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from April or May through October, with limited year-round options. Ricketts Glen State Park Campground remains open all year, though winter camping requires preparation for cold weather. Summer months bring warm days and cool nights, with July and August temperatures typically ranging from 60-85°F. Cell service varies significantly throughout the area, with better coverage near towns and limited or no service in more remote locations. According to reviews, Verizon coverage can be spotty even at established campgrounds like Tompkins, where one camper noted "No Verizon phone service and very slow internet with a booster."

The camping experiences around Sayre vary from family-friendly developed sites to more rustic options. Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground provides amenities like a saltwater pool, sports fields, and boat rentals for a resort-style experience. In contrast, the free primitive sites in Loyalsock State Forest offer a more secluded experience with minimal facilities. One visitor to Worlds End State Park mentioned, "It really does feel like you drive to the end of the world to get to this beautiful park/campground." Pennsylvania state parks are known for their clean facilities, with many featuring modern bathhouses, recycling stations, and dishwashing sinks. Most campgrounds in the region are pet-friendly, though specific loops or areas may have restrictions.

Best Camping Sites Near Sayre, Pennsylvania (146)

    1. Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground

    10 Reviews
    Towanda, PA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 247-2424

    "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."

    2. Watkins Glen State Park Campground

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

    $20 - $58 / night

    "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."

    "There was one central bathroom/shower house, so if being close to a restroom is important, choose your site accordingly.  Some of the campsites were quite a walk from the facilities.  "

    3. Hickories Park Campground

    8 Reviews
    Owego, NY
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 687-1199

    "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."

    4. Newtown Battlefield State Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Elmira, NY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 732-6067

    $17 - $81 / night

    "Pretty self serve, rangers drive through often but never seems to be anyone at the check-in. You can reserve a site or a cabin, or you can show up after three and see what is open."

    5. Park Station Campground

    8 Reviews
    Erin, NY
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 739-9164

    "Sandy beach, man-made lake with enough space to swim, and boating to explore. Nice trail around the lake to walk or bike with a little difficulty."

    "Convenient location to explore the Finger Lakes. 30-40 minutes from Watkins Glen, Ithaca and Corning."

    6. Gardner Hill Campground

    1 Review
    Elmira, NY
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 732-9827

    "I happened upon this campground by following the blue tent sign on the highway. No frills but very comfy and nice views. Don’t forget to look for the Peace sign."

    7. Robert H. Treman State Park Campground

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

    $20 - $128 / night

    "The exception to this is cabin 14 which is a double cabin and is located near the playground and surrounded by standard electric camping sites."

    "We stayed in site 35 which is a wooded site located at the end of a loop. It was one of the larger, more private sites; reserve it if it is available.

    The park contains nine miles of hiking trails."

    8. Riverside Acres Campground

    2 Reviews
    Towanda, PA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 265-3235

    $22 - $35 / night

    9. Buttermilk Falls State Park Campground

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

    $17 - $66 / night

    "Short drive out of Ithaca proper near one of the Finger Lakes. Medium to easy trails (the ones near the gorges are steep but with nice rock steps)."

    "None of the tent sites have exceptional views but you’re a short walk from the creek/gorges. Reserve ahead of time in summer."

    10. Ricketts Glen State Park Campground

    68 Reviews
    Sweet Valley, PA
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (570) 477-5675

    $20 - $92 / night

    "The biggest draw to this state park (which no one in Pennsylvania I spoke with seemed to know about) is the 22 waterfalls!"

    "Many of the sites looked close to the road and not very private but we were in site 63 which was pretty private(though we were lucky neighboring site 62 was empty)."

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Recent Reviews near Sayre, PA

570 Reviews of 146 Sayre Campgrounds


  • Bare Soul  W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    South Slope Trail Head Dispersed Camp

    Relaxing

    There is one campsite near trail. There was more traffic than I expected. Also there is no cell service. No real tires

  • Mindie C.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Pinecreek Campground

    Overnight stay

    The campground is cute and quiet. Staff is friendly and helpful. My only complaint is the condition of the roads. They are in dire need of grading and new gravel. Be careful!

  • Lynsey M.
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Salt Springs State Park Campground

    Adventures!

    3 couples all ventured to Salt Springs and split the largest cabin for a few days. We electricity from a few outlets in the cabin if needed. Let me tell you that we spent very little time inside. We enjoyed the trials, waterfalls, and firepit cooked meals outside! Hemlock Grove, Penny Rock, and the saltspring kept us entertained! We cooled off under a waterfall :) I'm looking forward to visiting again! Bring some hotdogs/burgers for a yummy meal after a good day in PA!

  • Casey L.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Watkins Glen State Park Campground

    Busy campground

    Sites are level, some are more spaced apart than others but none seemed crowded as they seemed to all have trees between. Main complaint was most people speed way too fast through the campground. There was poison Ivy around the edges of our site and on the path to the bathroom. Bathroom was fairly modern and clean. It was nice to be able to access the gorge right from the campground.

  • MacKenzi G.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Yellow Lantern Kampground

    Would stay again

    Me and my husband stayed here to visit a local friend and it wasn’t bad it was very private and quiet. The property was well maintained and the owners were very friendly as well. We would definitely come back here in the future.

  • MacKenzi G.
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Pioneer Campground

    Beautiful Campground

    Me and my husband stayed here it was beautiful and has a very nice pool. Seems family friendly and very clean. Staff were friendly as well.

  • Sarah M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Finger Lakes National Forest

    Quiet site near a small pond

    The road in (a loop) is steep on both sides (a truck or vehicle with clearance would be helpful but you could also park at the bottom if you needed to). The site was trashy so we picked up a lot of what we could. A bonus—the site was quiet, roomy and once at the ‘top’ is quite level. Not vehicles came in or out all night (and it was a Saturday!).

  • Sienna L.
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Harpy Hollow

    Great spot in the Finger Lakes

    This was a great visit! The owners were amazing and accommodating. We had everything we needed.

  • not S.
    Jul. 17, 2025

    Robert H. Treman State Park Campground

    Finger Lakes camping

    Site 54 at Robert H Treman is very large, flat, nonelectric and well shaded with areas of sun. A long walk to the restroom. Beautiful waterfall swimming pool is very cold, but great on a hot day. The new loop is a large field--we got one of the few shady sites in the new loop. Old loop has plenty of trees, but sites are much smaller. Restrooms were ok--not terrible, but could use updates. Great playgrounds for the kids. Good central location for exploring the Finger Lakes, Watkins Glen, Seneca Falls, Cornell and Ithaca.


Guide to Sayre

Camping near Sayre, Pennsylvania, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the stunning trails at Watkins Glen State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "The access to Watkins Glen! My site was in Loop D which has a direct hiking trail to the trail along Watkins Glen!"
  • Water Activities: Enjoy swimming and kayaking at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground. A visitor shared, "There is a nice beach for swimming, the lake felt clean and wasn't too cold in July."
  • Fishing: Cast a line at Worlds End State Park Campground. One reviewer noted, "Great hiking and vistas. Beautiful river and great fishing."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained restrooms and showers at Keuka Lake State Park Campground. A visitor remarked, "Nice bathroom facilities a short walk away and not too close by."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy campsites at Sampson State Park Campground. One camper said, "Sites are generous in size but the power poles are between sites and are often more than 20’ away."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Families love the amenities at Watkins Glen / Corning KOA. A parent mentioned, "It had a lot of things to do indoor/outdoor pool, pirate ship, slide, big pillow, waterslide, golf and rock wall."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell reception at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground. A camper noted, "There is absolutely no cell service, however, and we had to go all the way down the mountain to get texts or make calls."
  • Crowded on Weekends: Expect busy campgrounds during weekends, especially at popular spots like Buttermilk Falls State Park Campground. One visitor said, "It was very busy, so I would recommend going early or later near dusk if you want a more solitary experience."
  • Old Facilities: Some campgrounds, like Taughannock Falls State Park Campground, have older facilities. A reviewer mentioned, "The bathrooms were messy, with a couple of toilets not flushed/clogged."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Campgrounds with Activities: Look for campgrounds like Sampson State Park Campground that offer playgrounds and swimming areas. A camper shared, "Place is great for kids. Lots to do with a couple of playgrounds, guarded swimming area, kayak rentals."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring food or check for nearby dining options. One family at Watkins Glen / Corning KOA enjoyed pizza delivery, saying, "Two pizza places in Watkins Glen will deliver directly to your site."
  • Pack for All Weather: Be ready for changing weather conditions, especially in spring and fall. A camper at Chenango Valley State Park Campground noted, "The park is very family-friendly. It has numerous hiking and biking trails."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to verify the size of your RV against the campground's site dimensions. A reviewer at Taughannock Falls State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites are not very large but sufficient."
  • Bring Extension Cords: Some sites may have power poles that are far from your RV. A camper at Sampson State Park Campground advised, "Electric service boxes are shared in-between sites. This could pose an issue if your power cord is not long enough."
  • Plan for Dump Stations: Know where the dump stations are located. A visitor at Ricketts Glen State Park Campground mentioned, "The dump station is big and easy access."

Camping near Sayre, Pennsylvania, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some unforgettable memories!

Frequently Asked Questions

What campgrounds are available near Sayre, PA?

Several excellent campgrounds are available within driving distance of Sayre. Tompkins is conveniently located just off US 15 at the New York border with paved roads and waterfront sites in the Bench Loop. Another option is Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground, a gated facility with both RV and tent sites that include water and electric hookups. Other notable options in the region include Salt Springs State Park, Finger Lakes RV Resort, and Ricketts Glen State Park, each offering unique amenities and natural features for campers to enjoy.

Are there any budget-friendly camping options near Sayre, Pennsylvania?

For budget-conscious campers near Sayre, Long Pond Campground offers dispersed camping with waterfront spots where you can set up right next to the pond. This free camping option is ideal for those looking to save money while still enjoying nature. Ives Run offers primitive sites with water access at reasonable rates, particularly in the off-season when you might have significant privacy with few other campers around. State park campgrounds in the region also tend to be more affordable than private facilities, with basic amenities like restrooms and shower facilities at budget-friendly prices.

What camping is available near Sayre, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Sayre, PA offers a wide range of camping options, with 146 campgrounds and RV parks near Sayre, PA and 7 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Sayre, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Sayre, PA is Pine Cradle Lake Family Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 10 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Sayre, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Sayre, PA.

What parks are near Sayre, PA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 parks near Sayre, PA that allow camping, notably Tioga-Hammond Lakes and Cowanesque Lake.