Community Forums

Mxg286 · 06-12-2018, 09:14 AM

My wife and I had a lovely trip to the Finger Lakes region of NY last year. We stayed at at B and B mid lake and had an excellent time. Now that we are more familiar with the area we were thinking of bringing the RV next time. I have seen two campgrounds, one being the Watkins Glen town RV park which is basically a trailer park next to the marina... it looks so so but it is filled up most of the summer. The second option is a KOA about 5 miles south of the lake. Has anyone had any experience boondocking around the lake? I have heard that some Vineyards allow overnight parking but I am not aware if we could drop in the morning and then come back after we have shopped the local vineyards. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I would also be interested in the other lakes in the region as well.

Thanks!
Mike

Myrons31 · 06-12-2018, 09:28 AM

I can't say I have boondocking experience near Watkins Glen other than WGI. I have though stayed in the area before and after the races. The KOA you speak of is OK, but it is pricey in my opinion. I would recommend spots near the back of the place. Stayed once at Clute park and it is basically just a place to park and stay. No real amenities.
I am staying at the State park this year after the race and grabbed the last spot before the July 4th holiday. You can check there for any cancellations and possibly get in.
There is a Walmart downtown that "may" be an option.
As for winery parking. I heard of a site called Harvest Hosts, https://harvesthosts.com/
That for a $40 fee you can join and gives you access to some wineries and farms that can take you in for overnights. I have NO experience with it, but my fiancee has advised me we are going to look into it....

George Schweikle · 06-12-2018, 09:35 AM

Pleasant Valley Wine Company, just south of Hammondsport, is a Harvest Host member. We stayed there one night at no cost (but made up for it with wine purchases). They let us leave out race car trailer there all day while we toured in the motorhome.

https://harvesthosts.com/

The Watkins Glen RV park is nothing fancy but it's a nice walk into town.

We use KOA when traveling, and stayed at the nice one in Watkins Glen for two nights.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mxg286

My wife and I had a lovely trip to the Finger Lakes region of NY last year. We stayed at at B and B mid lake and had an excellent time. Now that we are more familiar with the area we were thinking of bringing the RV next time. I have seen two campgrounds, one being the Watkins Glen town RV park which is basically a trailer park next to the marina... it looks so so but it is filled up most of the summer. The second option is a KOA about 5 miles south of the lake. Has anyone had any experience boondocking around the lake? I have heard that some Vineyards allow overnight parking but I am not aware if we could drop in the morning and then come back after we have shopped the local vineyards. Any info would be greatly appreciated. I would also be interested in the other lakes in the region as well.

Thanks!
Mike

Mxg286 · 06-12-2018, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myrons31

I have NO experience with it, but my fiancee has advised me we are going to look into it....

Best line I am seen all day!

**TonyDi** · 06-12-2018, 12:03 PM

I've stayed at the Watkins Glen KOA and I would give it a thumbs up. It is a bit pricey what what CGs are not these days. Our site was in the sunset acres and it even had a gazebo. The concrete pad was a plus.

Boyd R · 06-13-2018, 07:14 PM

Watkins Glen has a state park for camping, as well as Clute and the KOA. Also, just a couple miles south on14 , in Montour Falls is the Montour Falls campground and Marina.
I have a seasonal there. Its nothing special, just a "picnic table" campground on the canal that leads to lake. but its affordable and clean.

mricet1005 · 06-13-2018, 08:04 PM

I stayed a little farther north on the lake at Sampson State Park. Electric and Water at the sites.

MBohio · 06-13-2018, 08:46 PM

I stayed at letchworth state pk. Because there was a race that same weekend. Was very pleased, they are upgrading bathrooms. Lots of hiking. Been back there a 2x time. Note its about 50mi away from W. G. But less crowded.

PanJH · 06-14-2018, 05:07 AM

For other interesting things to do in the general area, we stopped at the Glenn Curtiss Museum and Corning Glass Works.
We've stayed at Clute because of it's location

Teamfoxy · 06-14-2018, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mricet1005

I stayed a little farther north on the lake at Sampson State Park. Electric and Water at the sites.

How was that? We booked a site at Sampson State Park for later this summer. There were no openings available on the weekends, but plenty for during the week. The price is about half of Watkins Glenn KOA for a water/electric site and about 1/3 of their highest rate.

mricet1005 · 06-14-2018, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teamfoxy

How was that? We booked a site at Sampson State Park for later this summer. There were no openings available on the weekends, but plenty for during the week. The price is about half of Watkins Glenn KOA for a water/electric site and about 1/3 of their highest rate.

I thought it great but couple things to be prepared for: elec and water connections between two sites so I needed an extension for my power cord and water hose. Also, my site was not very level and needed to put boards under the jacks and front wheels. The location was great and the sunsets over the lake were beautiful. Several wineries close by and the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge was fantastic. If coming from the north you go under a low clearance overpass just before the park that was scary. It was 12’11” and my height is 12’7”. Went very slow. Was scary.

Teamfoxy · 06-15-2018, 04:58 AM

[QUOTE=mricet1005;4240333]I thought it great but couple things to be prepared for: elec and water connections between two sites so I needed an extension for my power cord and water hose. Also, my site was not very level and needed to put boards under the jacks and front wheels. The location was great and the sunsets over the lake were beautiful. Several wineries close by and the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge was fantastic. If coming from the north you go under a low clearance overpass just before the park that was scary. It was 12’11” and my height is 12’7”. Went very slow. Was scary.[/QUOTE

Thanks very much for the information. We will be coming from the North but top out at 11'6, so the overpass will not be an issue. But we have gone through scary situations before so I know the feeling. We run the power cord under the MH at home, so I think we are OK on that and we always run off tanks, not city water.

We will try the wineries and the MWF as that is our kind of site seeing!

Ever been to Meacham Lake CG? We are headed there after Sampson.