6 Key Tips for a Finger Lakes Family Camping Trip

The Finger Lakes region in New York is a great place for family camping. It has beautiful lakes and lots of easy trails for hiking. You can find plenty of fun things to do with your kids.

But a good camping trip needs some planning. These six tips will help you have a safe, fun trip that everyone will remember.

Tip 1: Pick the Right Spot for Your Family

Picking the right campsite is the first step to a good trip. The Finger Lakes has many choices, from basic spots to fancy resorts. Think about what your family really needs for a comfortable stay.

Tent, RV, or Cabin? Find Your Style

• Tent Camping: Many state parks have great tent sites for a classic camping trip. Taughannock Falls and Watkins Glen are popular parks near famous sights. Private campgrounds often have extras like a pool or playground.
• RV Camping: The area is very RV-friendly. You can find parks with full hookups and everything your family needs. Some popular spots for RVs include Seneca Lake Resorts, Hickory Hill, and the Canandaigua KOA.
• Cabin Camping: If you want to be outdoors but still have a real bed, cabins are a great choice. Places like Jellystone Park and Hickory Hill have cabins available. This way, you can skip setting up a tent and just relax.

Lakeside, Quiet, or Full of Action?

• Waterfront Camping: Waking up with a water view is a special part of a Finger Lakes trip. Some campgrounds offer sites right on the lake. Keep in mind that RVs often get the best spots, so tent campers might need to look harder for waterfront sites.
• Budget-Friendly Options: If you're on a budget, you can camp for free in the Finger Lakes National Forest. This is basic camping with no bathrooms or water, so you have to bring everything in and out. Be sure to follow the rules, like staying away from water and only using official fire rings.
• Best-Rated Campgrounds: If you want a trip with lots of activities, some resorts are made just for kids.
  • Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park (Bath): This park is perfect for kids. It has pools, mini-golf, a jump pillow, and even a small train.
  • Hickory Hill Camping Resort (Bath): This large resort has heated pools, a spray park, and playgrounds. They also have fun themed weeks during the summer.
  • Watkins Glen State Park: People love the hiking here, but the campground is great too. It has a huge swimming pool and nice playgrounds for families.

Tip 2: Plan Fun Things to Do with Kids

The Finger Lakes is like a big, natural playground. It's a good idea to plan a mix of activities like hiking and swimming. Just be ready to change plans based on how your kids are feeling.

Hiking and Exploring Nature

This area has tons of waterfalls and is perfect for family hikes.

• Watkins Glen State Park: This is a hike you shouldn't miss, and it's good for school-aged kids. The main trail is 1.5 miles long with 19 waterfalls. Be aware that it has over 800 stone steps.
  • A helpful tip: Park at the upper South Entrance to hike down the gorge, which is much easier. You can hike back up or take a flatter trail back. This entrance also has a playground and the park pool.
  • Good to know: You will get a little wet from the waterfall mist. The stone steps can be slippery, so wear shoes with a good grip.
• Taughannock Falls State Park: This is the easiest big waterfall hike in the area. The trail is flat, wide, and good for strollers. It's about a 1.5-mile round trip to the base of the falls.
• Buttermilk Falls State Park: This park has a few trail options. The Gorge Trail is short but steep with lots of stairs. For an easier walk, try the flat trail that goes around a calm lake.

Swimming and Water Safety

The 11 Finger Lakes are beautiful and the water is usually very clean. It's so clean that it provides drinking water for many people.

You need to know about something called Hazardous Algal Blooms, or HABs. They can show up in late summer when the water is warm. They look like green scum on the water and can be harmful.

• If the water looks cloudy or has scum on top, stay out.
• Never let kids swallow lake water.
• It's always safest to swim in marked swimming areas.

Here are some popular and safe beaches for families:

• Robert H. Treman State Park (Ithaca): This park has a cool swimming hole at the bottom of a waterfall. It has lifeguards and even a diving board.
• Kershaw Park (Canandaigua Lake): This spot on Canandaigua Lake has a sandy beach. It also has a bathhouse and a playground nearby.
• Taughannock Falls State Park (Cayuga Lake): This park has a big swimming beach with lifeguards. There are also picnic tables and a playground, making it a great spot for the whole day.
• Sampson State Park (Seneca Lake): This park on Seneca Lake has a nice sandy beach. It's a safe place to swim in the deepest lake in the region.

Wineries That Welcome Families

Believe it or not, you can take your kids to some wineries in the Finger Lakes. The key is picking places that are happy to have families visit. They usually have drinks for kids and space for them to play.

• Barnstormer Winery (Seneca Lake): This winery is a family favorite. They have grape juice and lemonade for kids and lawn games outside to keep them busy.
• Swedish Hill Winery (Cayuga Lake): Kids can visit the winery's miniature horses and donkey here. They also offer non-alcoholic grape juice for tasting.
• Fulkerson Winery (Seneca Lake): This place offers grape juice tastings for kids. The whole family can also play a round of disc golf.
• Three Brothers Wineries and Estates (Seneca Lake): This big place has something for everyone. It includes three wineries, a brewery, and a cafe with food and craft sodas.

Tip 3: Pack for Any Weather

The weather in this area can change in a flash. A sunny day can quickly become cold and rainy. Packing the right clothes will keep your family happy and comfortable.

The Best Times to Go Camping

The best time to camp really depends on what your family wants to do.

• Late Spring (May–June):
  • Pros: The waterfalls are at their strongest. The trails are also less crowded.
  • Cons: The weather can be cold, especially at night. It's also allergy season.
• Summer (July–August):
  • Pros: The weather is warmest, which is perfect for swimming. All the park activities are open.
  • Cons: This is the busiest and most expensive time to visit. It can be humid, and there's a higher chance of algae in the lakes.
• Early Fall (September–Early October):
  • Pros: The days are warm and the nights are cool, which is great for campfires. The fall colors are amazing, and there are fewer bugs.
  • Cons: Park pools close after Labor Day. It can still get busy with people coming to see the leaves.

What to Pack for Camping

When packing for the Finger Lakes, layers are the most important thing to remember.

• Clothes:
  • Bring clothes you can layer, like t-shirts, fleece jackets, and a waterproof coat.
  • A rain jacket for everyone is a must-have.
  • Waterproof shoes or boots are great for muddy trails.
  • Don't forget sun hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
  • Pack extra socks. They will get wet.
• Gear for Kids:
  • Bring a favorite toy or blanket to make them feel at home.
  • Give them their own flashlight or headlamp. It's useful and fun.
  • Pack books or quiet toys for relaxing at the campsite.
  • Bring kid-sized chairs so they have their own seat by the fire.

Tip 4: Be Smart About Wildlife and Food

The Finger Lakes is home to a lot of wildlife. It's your job to camp safely around them. Bad encounters are rare, but it's important to be prepared.

Know the Local Animals

• Black Bears: Yes, there are black bears in the Finger Lakes area. The real risk isn't from wild bears, but from bears that get used to human food. A bear that learns coolers have food can become a problem.
• Other Wildlife: Raccoons are a more common problem at campsites. You might also see deer and foxes. The same rules for keeping bears away will work for these animals too.

Keep Your Campsite Clean and Safe

A clean campsite is a safe campsite. This is the most important rule when camping where there are bears.

• Food Storage:
  • NEVER leave food or coolers out, even for a minute.
  • Store all food and scented items like toothpaste in a locked car.
  • Do not ever keep food or scented things in your tent.
• Campsite Cleanliness:
  • Clean tables and grills right after you eat.
  • Throw away all your trash in the campground's bear-proof dumpsters.
  • When hiking, carry all your trash back out with you.

Tip 5: Make Meals Easy

Trying to cook fancy meals at a campsite is stressful. Stick to easy, kid-friendly food. This means less work and more time for fun.

Meal Ideas to Prep at Home

Do most of the cooking prep at home. This will save you a lot of time at the campsite.

• Breakfast: Make pancake batter at home and keep it in a jar. You can also make overnight oats in jars for a super easy breakfast.
• Lunch: Put together wraps or sandwiches before you leave. Pack pre-cut veggies with dip and hard-boiled eggs for a quick lunch.
• Dinner: Cook chili or taco meat at home and just heat it up at the camp. You can also make foil packets with burgers and veggies that cook right in the campfire.

What to Bring for Your Camp Kitchen

It helps to have a kitchen box with all your cooking gear ready to go. Here are some key things to include:

• A two-burner camp stove with fuel
• A good cooler with lots of ice
• A big container for water
• A cast-iron skillet and one or two pots
• Cooking tools like a knife, cutting board, and spatula
• Reusable plates, cups, and forks for everyone
• A small bin for washing dishes, with soap and a sponge

Snacks and S'mores are a Must

Kids who play hard get hungry. Pack lots of easy snacks like granola, fruit, and trail mix.

For dessert, you can make s'mores even more fun. Try making a s'mores bar and let kids pick their own toppings.

• The Base: Instead of graham crackers, try using chocolate chip cookies or Oreos.
• The Chocolate: Use a peanut butter cup or a caramel-filled chocolate bar instead of plain chocolate.
• The Extras: You can add things like Nutella, sliced strawberries, or bananas.

Tip 6: Teach Kids to "Leave No Trace"

"Leave No Trace" means respecting nature. It's about leaving things as you found them. Teaching this to your kids helps keep them and the local wildlife safe.

Make it Fun for Kids

Kids learn best when they're having fun. You can turn these rules into simple games they'll enjoy.

• Stay on the Trail: Instead of telling them to stay on the path, play a game. Pretend the plants next to the trail are "hot lava" they can't touch.
• Leave What You Find: Teach them to "take only pictures, leave only footprints." Instead of picking flowers, have them draw what they see in a notebook.
• Pack It In, Pack It Out: Before you leave, make cleaning up a "treasure hunt." See who can find the most tiny pieces of trash to throw away.

Key Rules for Families

• Respect Wildlife: This is very important for safety. Teach kids to stay far away from wild animals. Remind them that feeding animals, even small ones, is bad for them and can be dangerous.
• Dispose of Waste Properly: This connects back to bear safety. Explain that leaving trash out is like sending an invitation for a bear to visit your campsite.
• Be Considerate of Other Visitors: Explain quiet hours in a way kids get. Tell them it's time to "let the owls and frogs sing" so other families can sleep.

Planning your campsite, activities, and meals helps make your trip great. Packing smart is also a big help. By staying safe around wildlife and respecting nature, you help keep the Finger Lakes a special place for everyone.