Sampson State Park

Thanks for all the info.

If you are going to walk the gorge trail at Watkin Glen SP make sure you drive to the upper and walk the gorge trail to the lower. It's down hill from the upper and about 800 steps (real steps like a stairs), and 1.5 miles. At times they have a shuttle back to the upper to get your car but you have to check, it is not always running. You can walk the Indian trail back to the upper which is 1.1 miles and relatively flat once you get up to it (which is a big stair climb right at the beginning).

Camp ground is large - Navy base during WW II and Air Force base during the Korean War. Visit the Museum at the park.

Sunday morning brunch at Belhurst Castle is always good - reservations are needed - they are busy in the summer.

Two new breweries on the lake
east side of lake Grist Iron Brewing
west side of lake Gael brewing

The gorge at Watkins Glen - all will enjoy.

Wineries - plenty on Senaca and Cayuga lakes.

Corning Glass museum is not too far of a drive. 17 and under are free.

Boat cruise on Seneca Lake - we have done a dinner cruise.

I'll be at the Watkins Glen race track the weekend of June 27 - Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen. If you are in to auto racing the race is great.

There are at least two marinas that rent boats within twenty minutes of Sampson. If you are into back road driving and exploring, our roads are very drivable, even most of our seasonal limited maintenance are passable except at the wettest times. Sampson is the East shore of Seneca, drive West a few miles you hit Cayuga. You can wander North or South for 50 miles and still be between the lakes. We have a large Amish population and you will see them working the fields, wonderful vistas of the lakes, stunning evening colors A camera is a must.
If you like a more, "wilderness" experience Hector National Forest is just south of Sampson and has many miles of hiking trails.
Sampson in my mind is more of a base camp that a destination camp, although I surely have gone there just to stay many times.

Seneca is a big lake for kayaks. It can get very rough in a hurry. Plan a day trip down to Watkins Glen to hike the gorge and grab a bite to eat. Hopefully the Glen is passable, we have had a lot of rain recently. Lots of wineries and even a few breweries close by. And of course take an early morning or late evening drive by the old army depot just outside the park to see the white deer!

Thanks. We are debating if it's worth the hassle of bringing kayaks. Last summer trip we did, and used them once.

I think I'm answering my own question!

It's a nice campground, there is a nice beach and good, pretty level sites with electric, but no sewer or water at the sites, but faucets are close.
No boat rentals right there, just wineries kind of close, and small towns.
The lake can be beautiful, good fishing too!