Helen H.

Middlesex, NY

Joined September 2018

Large sites, clean facilities, great location, beautiful lake

Keuka Lake State Park is located in the Finger Lakes region, on the east side of the west branch of beautiful Keuka Lake. Three camping loops are located on the hill above the lake. The sites are large and many have electric. Mature trees surround campsites and separate the loops from each other. The bathroom/shower facility in our loop was modern and kept very clean. The roads leading to the sites, and the within the loops, are paved, and the sites are quite level.

There are several trails leading from the campground down to the boat launch, pavilions, large playground and beach area. We did find the trails could be marked a bit better but the walk through the woods and along gullies was beautiful. Along one trail you will find the Beddoe-Rose family cemetery containing the graves of fourteen members of two of the area's earliest setters and best known families. This cemetery is listed on the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places. Unfortunately, some visitors have been very disrespectful and damaged the stones.

Having walked down to the beach area and then back up twice, I can tell you it's pretty much uphill all the way to the campground but for those who would rather not make the walk, the road leads there directly from the campground :)

The lakefront area of the park is just beautiful! There is plenty of shade, picnic tables and grills for those who choose to be out of the sun, along with tables, grills and a gazebo below in the sunny beach area.

As far as things to do in the surrounding area, there are lots! It is an easy drive around Keuka Lake which is surrounded by award winning wineries, breweries and distilleries. The Village of Penn Yan at the north end has several quaint shops, restaurants, two grocery stores, a movie theater, a department store, pharmacies and more. Hammondsport, at the south end, tied for the #1 Coolest Small Town in America in 2012. Be sure to visit the Glenn H. Curtiss Aviation Museum and the Finger Lakes Boating Museum while in town.