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Speedogomer's avatar
Speedogomer
Explorer
Sep 19, 2014

Clute Park Watkins Glen NY insight

For Columbus day weekend I have 4 nights booked at Clute Park in Watkins Glen NY. I have a basic idea what the park is like, but any insight would be nice, as to first hand experience from others who have camped there.

My boss was there many years ago, and remembers a nice experience, but not many details. He was also there on a Nascar race weekend, so the alcohol consumed may have fogged his memory some HA!

The south end of the park has a wildlife preserve area, and from satellite images on Google maps, looks like it would be an awesome place to explore with kayaks... just wondering if anyone has done this, or if it's possible.

Thanks in advance.
  • I have stayed there. Nothing special, but it is a nice little base camp for exploring the area. Very level. Right on the tip of Seneca Lake. As I remember the little park across the street had a place to launch small craft. And if not, the marina next door or the municipal boat launch up the street does.

    Sits on the Wine Trail that runs up the east side of the lake. A few blocks from the Watkins Glen Gorge. Walking distance to main street of Watkins Glen. Several nice little restaurants there. A couple of miles from the Seneca Lodge. Historic restaurant perched on the top of the ill overlooking the lake. Several miles from Corning, NY. Glass museum and quaint little main street.

    I'll be up there on the same weekend but I stay over on Kueka Lake in Bath. No reason, just a choice.
  • I know I drove by it while in the area for a work assignment some years back, but I really don't recall it.
    Have you checked it out at RV Park-reviews?
    cliky
  • Just got back from Seneca Lake last weekend. We stayed at the KOA because the DW prefers the consistency, but we drove by Clute at the end of our winery tour. It looked like there were 2 areas, one for seasonals and one for transients. It is within walking distance of downtown Watkins Glen and right on the lake. Had dinner at the Lodge, absolutely beautiful view. This is a beautiful part of the country. We came home with a case of wine from a half dozen wineries.
  • I checked out the KOA as I have friends who love it, but no sites were available for our whole trip. Would have had to leave a day early to stay at the KOA. I'll book earlier next time.

    We're pretty familiar with the area, we live not far, and love the wine trail. Growing up we always had a boat, and s0ent many weekends on Cayuga and Seneca. We generally stay near Ithaca though, and this will be our first time staying in Watkins Glen.

    Jplante4, I'm sure a few cases of wine will be bought by us too!
  • We liked our stay there two years ago. It is not a fancy place except the seasonal area. Pleasent staff and the little park across the street was nice. Nice little beach. Columus weekend will be a bit cool for swimming! They allow campfires.
  • tomkaren13 wrote:
    We liked our stay there two years ago. It is not a fancy place except the seasonal area. Pleasent staff and the little park across the street was nice. Nice little beach. Columus weekend will be a bit cool for swimming! They allow campfires.


    Seneca is ice cold in the middle of July, as deep as it is, it just never warms up past about 72 degrees. Even in the summer we always wakeboard in shorty wetsuits.
  • Indeed, Seneca is deep and cold and that is why the US Navy has maintained and to this day used a deep water research facility that floats off shore from the Sampson State Park.

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