Finger Lakes Wine Country / August 10, 2026
Summer means one thing for a lot of people: it’s time to find a campsite, load the car, and get outside. Between the gorges, the lakes, and the vineyards stacked on the hillsides above them, this region gives campers a lot to work with.
Here is where to actually go, when to go, and what to know before you book.
How Camping Works Across the Region
Camping here falls into three general categories, each offering a different kind of trip.
| Type | What You Get | Best For |
| State park campgrounds | Tent and RV sites, showers, swimming, marked trails | First-time visitors, families |
| National and state forests | Free or low-cost backcountry sites, few amenities | Hikers, solitude seekers |
| Private campgrounds and RV resorts | Full hookups, pools, activities, lake access | RVers, longer stays |
Most people mix and match. A weekend might start with two nights at a state park, then a night at a private RV resort with a pool for the kids, with wine tasting and gorge hikes rounding out the travel activities in the Finger Lakes that fill the rest of the trip.
When to Camp in the Finger Lakes
Timing changes the whole experience, so it’s worth planning around it.
- May and June. Campgrounds open for the season, waterfalls run high from snowmelt, and sites are easier to book.
- July and August. Peak season. Lake water is warm, every amenity is running, and sites fill up fast.
- September and early October. Cooler nights, harvest season, and foliage starting to turn. Many locals consider this the best window.
- Mid-October through April. Most campgrounds close for the season. A handful of state parks offer limited off-season or winter camping.
If you’re asking when to camp in the Finger Lakes and want smaller crowds without losing waterfall flow or warm swimming, aim for early June or the back half of September.
Best Campsites in the Finger Lakes: State Parks Worth Booking
State parks are the most reliable option. They’re well-maintained, reservations are processed through the New York State system, and most sit right next to the region’s best hiking.
Watkins Glen State Park (Schuyler County)
Tent and trailer campsites near the gorge entrance. Nineteen waterfalls, nine hiking trails, and an Olympic-size pool on site. Book early; this is the most requested campground in the region.
Keuka Lake State Park (Yates County)
Campsites on a bluff overlooking Keuka Lake, with a swimming beach, boat launch, and marina dockage. A quieter, lower-key alternative to Watkins Glen.
Hickories Park (Tioga County)
A Susquehanna riverfront county park in Owego with both RV and tent sites, a boat launch, and a dog park, a good base for exploring downtown Owego and the surrounding wineries.
Kanakadea Park (Steuben County)
A Hornell-area county park with camping alongside fishing, swimming, and boating, and easy access to nearby playgrounds and open recreation space.
Among these, Watkins Glen and Keuka Lake anchor the list for waterfall and lake access, while Hickories Park and Kanakadea Park round it out with easy river and lake camping closer to town.
Best Finger Lakes RV Camping
RVers have more to consider than tent campers: site length, hookup type, and how close you can actually get to a lake.
Keuka Lake State Park, along with individual campsites like Back-Achers Campground in Yates County and both Park Station Campground and Newton Battlefield Campground in Chemung County, offers electric-hookup RV sites, though the loops run narrow. Confirm site length before booking a larger rig.
For full hookups, these private options are the most consistent:
| Campground | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Watkins Glen/Corning KOA Resort | Between Watkins Glen, NY and Corning, NY | Pull-through accommodations, resort-style amenities, seasonal activities, heated pools, cabin and tent options, modern bathhouses, laundry facilities, Wi-Fi |
| Paradise Park | Reading, NY | 160 wooded acres, heated pool, mini golf, close to Watkins Glen |
| Smith Memorial Park | Hector, NY | Wooded and lakefront sites on Seneca Lake, dump station, hot showers |
| Finger Lakes RV Resort | Hector, NY | Adult-oriented, full hookups, on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail |
| Hickory Hill Family Camping Resort | Steuben County, near Keuka Lake | Wooded sites, boat rentals nearby |
| Hickories Park | Owego, NY (Tioga County) | County-run riverfront park, electric & water hookups, boat launch, dog park |
If you’re searching specifically for the best RV camping with lake frontage in the five counties, Smith Memorial Park and Finger Lakes RV Resort are the two most direct options, both on Seneca Lake’s Schuyler County shoreline.
State Forests and Backcountry Options
If amenities matter less to you than solitude, the state and national forest land in the region delivers.
- Finger Lakes National Forest: Accessed via the Hector Ranger Station in Schuyler County, this national forest offers over thirty miles of multi-use trails. Backcountry camping is permitted throughout, and three developed campgrounds handle equestrian, group, and primitive tent camping.
- Sugar Hill State Forest: Primitive camping in Schuyler County near the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, with access to a fire tower and long-distance trail connections.
These forests connect directly into the wider network of parks and trails across Schuyler County, so a backcountry site can still put you within a short drive of a gorge hike or a tasting room the next morning.
Where Can You Camp in the Finger Lakes by Lake
Breaking it down by county makes the decision easier if you already know which part of Finger Lakes Wine Country you want to base from.
- Schuyler County. Home to Watkins Glen State Park, Sugar Hill State Forest, and RV resorts like Smith Memorial Park and Finger Lakes RV Resort on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, the most camping-dense county in the region.
- Yates County. Keuka Lake State Park sits right on the water, with fewer crowds than the Seneca Lake side of the region.
- Steuben County. Kanakadea Park near Hornell adds fishing and swimming to the mix, plus Hickory Hill Camping Resort near Keuka Lake.
- Tioga County. Hickories Park in Owego offers riverfront RV and tent sites along the Susquehanna.
For most first-time visitors asking where you can camp in Finger Lakes Wine Country and get the most out of a short trip, Schuyler County offers the widest mix of state park and private options within a compact drive.
Booking Tips
A few things make a real difference once you’re on-site.
- For lodging at popular state park sites and KOA-style resorts, spots can fill up six to nine months ahead of peak summer weekends. Campsites and some RV hookup sites offer more flexibility in booking timeline, with same-day booking usually being available, making a last-minute trip doable.
- Check the hookup type before arriving. Many state park sites are electric-only, not full hookup.
- Bring cash. Farm stands and small camp stores near several campgrounds don’t take cards.
- Download offline maps. Cell service gets thin once you’re down in the lake valleys.
Camping is one of the more flexible ways to build a trip through Finger Lakes Wine Country, a home base that lets you spend the day on trails or in tasting rooms and still be back in your own bed by dark.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to camp in the Finger Lakes?
Late May through early June for waterfalls and lighter crowds, or September into early October for cooler weather and foliage. July and August are busiest and should be booked well in advance.
What are the best campsites in the Finger Lakes for families?
Watkins Glen State Park has campgrounds with swimming, playgrounds, and short, accessible hiking trails.
Where can you camp in the Finger Lakes with an RV?
State parks on Seneca allow electric-hookup RV camping. For full hookups, private parks like Finger Lakes RV Resort are more consistent options.
Is reserving ahead necessary for the best Finger Lakes camping spots?
Reserving ahead is encouraged, especially for state park sites and private resorts during July, August, and fall foliage weekends. If you’re flexible on different types of lodging and planning a spontaneous weekend plan, the Finger Lakes is still a great option with same-day booking possible for camping, especially during the months of Sep-June.
Can you camp for free in the Finger Lakes?
Yes, through at-large camping in state forests such as Sugar Hill, and through backcountry camping in the Finger Lakes National Forest, following current Department of Environmental Conservation guidelines.
Author: Finger Lakes Wine Country
Sharing the best of this beautiful place we call home.
Social Media:
