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Flynavy · 01-20-2019, 10:41 AM

We are planing a trip to the New England states around the middle of August. One of the places we would like to stay for a few days is Watkins Glen NY. state park. If you have any info on particular sites or alternate places to stay we would greatly appreciate.

Thanks.

Morgan guy · 01-20-2019, 10:45 AM

Don't remember which site we stayed in but it is a very beautiful park. The walk down the canyon into town was very scenic as well. However, the walk back up was invigorating.

mojo · 01-20-2019, 01:17 PM

Great park. Check to find out if there are events, concerts, etc. occurring during your visit as the park will be full during those times. Try the Cannoli Connection in town...mmmmm good!

RedSHED · 01-20-2019, 02:37 PM

If it's too full, busy, or etc. Newtown Battlefield State Park is something like 20 miles south.
https://parks.ny.gov/parks/107/details.aspx
Local attractions include Mark Twain's library at Elmira College, sailplane/soaring museum @ Harris Hill, and I believe the glass museum at Corning (Corning Glass)

Not a lot of sites, but up on a hilltop and fairly quiet. Was site of a Revolutionary War battle in 1779.

majorairhead · 01-20-2019, 02:42 PM

Definitely reserve ahead of time, be aware of race dates/times. You'll be close to Corning, the glass museum is quite amazing.

J Ingersoll · 01-21-2019, 09:17 AM

Hammondsport is 30 miles West of Watkins Glen. It is the home of the Curtiss museum and the Finger Lakes Boating Museum. Camping is available at the Hammondsport fire department with electric, water and dump station for $20/night.

Brawny · 01-21-2019, 09:34 AM

We love the Finger Lakes region of NY. Our favourite park for tent camping is Buttermilk Falls SP, as its walking distance from Ithaca, but you'd never know it from the campsite. Its not appropriate for an AS though - no way you'd get a trailer up the road to the campsites. Maybe a Bambi with a really big TV...

Robert H. Treman S.P. is a nice park. The waterfalls/swimming hole is fun, but I'm sure its icy cold in the early summer, so depends on your trip timing.

Taughannock S.P. is interesting too, but can't give personal experience on camping there. We only visited on a day pass. Waterfalls was impressive.

I should note that we haven't camped in either of these parks, but just visited during the day. Great thing about NY State Parks is that you can visit any of them if you have a valid pass for one of them. We often tour from one to another if they're nearby to check all of them out in a region.

Town of Watkin's Glen is worth exploring a bit. So is Ithaca if you have time. We rented kayaks and paddled the waterways in town for a couple hours, and around the bottom of Cayuga Lake. Ithaca Brewery make some nice craft beers, and the food at the brewery is really good as well.

Enjoy your trip!

Captn.Ken · 01-21-2019, 09:39 AM

We were in an area of the park with no hookups. No problem for us, but some need to be aware of the need to be self-sufficient. I agree the walk down is great, but at my age, I had to ride the bus back to the top. Go to the race track and see what is happening that day. For $25, you can drive the track behind a pace car at 55mph.

Decatur · 01-21-2019, 09:56 AM

The 50th Woodstock Music Festival reunion is planed to take place in Watkins Glen August 16 to 18, 2019 the road from the park. The area will be crowded.

Ms.Damascus · 01-21-2019, 10:06 AM

We were there last fall and loved it. Watkins Glen is so beautiful and if there’s a knitter in your rig there’s an awesome yarn shop too!

loft47 · 01-21-2019, 10:25 AM

Chenango Valley State Park is wonderful. Boating, swimming, great golf course!

Flynavy · 01-21-2019, 11:05 AM

Thank everyone for all the useful info. We are planing on mid August and hope to stay for 2 or 3 days on our way to Maine and N.S.

realejourney · 01-22-2019, 06:20 AM

It has been several years, but we stayed at the Watkins Glen KOA. It was a very nice park. If you have problems climbing, you can park your car at the top of the glen's parking lot and walk down through the gorge instead of climbing up it. Then you can take the shuttle back up to the parking lot to get your car. Watkins Glen is at the bottom of Seneca Lake, so take a beautiful scenic drive up Rte. 14 along the lake which will take you to some of the best wineries in the Finger Lakes and there are many Amish farms and markets as well.

ROBERT CROSS · 01-22-2019, 06:55 AM

Your coming from Ohio...👍

I would highly recommend a stop at the "Grand Canyon" of the East, Letchworth State Park.

Readers choice winner.

Great Dining 🍽if you feel like a little splurging.

Bob
🇺🇸
Semper-fi

OTRA15 · 01-22-2019, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Decatur

The 50th Woodstock Music Festival reunion is planed to take place in Watkins Glen August 16 to 18, 2019 the road from the park. The area will be crowded.

This recent post bears repeating.

"The area will be crowded" is probably an understatement!

https://www.woodstock.com/
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/09/a...-festival.html

Have a great trip, but if the dates above conflict with your plans, I would consider making other plans [sorry to say . . .

].

The entire area could be a zoo IMO.

"Eyes wide open" anyway . . .

Peter

PS -- An enthusiastic "second" to Bob's recommendation of Letchworth SP -- an amazing place!

https://parks.ny.gov/parks/79/details.aspx

heslinhotel · 01-22-2019, 07:28 AM

We stayed at Clute Park and Campground in Downtown Watkins Glen. Full hookups right next to downtown (3 blocks away) with marina next door. Has Laundry mat nearby 2-3 blocks. Was very easy to walk around town and get to "Glen". Clean bathhouse and facilities. All campsites are FLAT. Easy to start the "Wine" trail along west side of Seneca Lake, Corning 1hr away (Plan on 1 day lots to see). Make Reservations!

**Hans627** · 01-22-2019, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Your coming from Ohio...👍

I would highly recommend a stop at the "Grand Canyon" of the East, Letchworth State Park.

Readers choice winner.

Great Dining 🍽if you feel like a little splurging.

Bob
🇺🇸
Semper-fi

Letchworth is definitely a must see in addition to Watkins Glen.

PA BAMBI II · 01-22-2019, 09:01 AM

We have stayed at Watkins Glen several times...site #98 is awesome!!! We have stayed on that site every time.

Enjoy the trip. It is a great park!!

The Bambi II in the pics is ours as seen on site #98. The '67 Airstream in the other picture was our direct neighbor on our last trip there!

Flynavy · 01-22-2019, 09:20 AM

Thanks for the headsup on the Woodstock reunion. We were at Letchworth about 20 years ago. If Watkins Glen doesn't happen that will be a good alternate.

Dexterpix · 01-22-2019, 09:31 AM

We have visited and stayed at several parks around the Finger lakes region. All of the glen and waterfall parks are exceptional. Here are some pics from Letchworth all three of these major falls in one park.

We have stayed at Fillmore Glen and Stony Brook state parks as well. Very nice and quiet. We stayed at the Newtown Battlefield, but would not recommend it unless you have no other choice.

Joe D