Camping in the upstate NY finger lakes area

chris_in_pa wrote:
We just spent four days at Watkins Glen State Park. It has an electric loop and there is a pool. The sites are very nice, but we prefer fewer amenities to have roomier sites.

X2. Lovely park.

Hey Johnny,

I forgot to mention in my prior post that you should check the dates for the 2014 NASCAR summer race at the Watkins Glen International Speedway which is only about three miles from the KOA. This year it was held early August. While I don't know for sure I suspect that the KOA is booked solid for that time period. You may have to book now if you want to camp there during race time or even close to that date. Many NASCAR fans travel the race circuit and book well in advance at local campgrounds.

We just spent four days at Watkins Glen State Park. It has an electric loop and there is a pool. The sites are very nice, but we prefer fewer amenities to have roomier sites.

Hickory Hill Was Nice! Photos from our visit on our blog if you scroll down a ways. Sites were spacious and pool was very good. About a 10-15 minute drive to Lake Keuka though.

Cayuga Lake - We have stayed at:
Twin Oaks Campground on Cayuga Lake - no pool
Sned-Acres Family Campground - no pool
Spruce Row Campground - they have a pool.

Spruce Row is the largest of the campgrounds a listed.

There are some nice state parks in the area too. I got around the need for full hook ups by purchasing a 17 gallon tote tank. Hook it to the ball hitch of the truck and take it to the dump station - mainly need it for the gray water tanks.

Sampson State park - All have 30 amp service.
Cayuga Lake SP has an area that has 30 amp hook ups
Keuka Lake SP - has about 50% with 30 amp hook ups.
I do not stay at Watkins Glen SP because out 34 foot fifth wheel will not fit.

We just came from the Watkins Glen KOA yesterday. They put us in the B section where the back-ins had shade but they weren't level and were tight. You didn't say what you are driving/towing so taking all into consideration, I would opt for the sites with full hookups and concrete pads, Section A and Sunset Acres. The campground is pricey. We paid $66 per day for the weekend days in Section A and $59 for the weekdays we were there. You can call and check the prices but I think you will find they all are higher than normal. Indoor pool. They want you to wear an armband to show that you are registered but of course two old coots like us refused to comply.

Watkins Glen KOA is ok. Depending on what you need, some FHU sites I believe have some shade - the newest pullthru FHUs don't. The pool is indoors so can be used in bad weather - an advantage perhaps. Convenient to the sites in that area, including the town, the state park (fantastic trail thru the Glen but I'd advise taking the shuttle to the top & hiking down :) ), and if you're interested, lots of wineries in the area.

None of the State parks in the area have full hook ups or pools.

Watkins Glen KOA, pricey but lots of people like it there. We live in the area and love the State parks; Sampson and Keuka are our favorites. If you are moving about the Finger Lakes, you might try joining Harvest Hosts if you can do without any hookups. YOu can camp in some of the wineries along the lakes. Might be fun for a night or two and then stay at one of the other parks long term.

Hickory Hill Camp Resort, in Bath, NY, is very nice. Clean, well run, pool. and W,E,S. Sits at the foot of Kueka Lake.

Clute Park Camground, located in and managed by the Village of Watkins Glen. A no frills CG that has W,E,S. No pool, but they have a beach on Seneca Lake with a lifeguard, right across the street. Right on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. Minutes from the gorge in Watkins Glen.