Camping, Finger Lakes-style

Cayuga Lake State Park

Watkins Glen State Park

Finger Lakes, NY

For the Fourth of July, UFC went off in search for The Great American Holiday Weekend by taking a two-night camping trip to the Finger Lakes.  We were hoping to stock up on some summer vin by visiting a few wineries along the way and also taking advantage of the miles and miles of lakes in the area. 

A trip like this of course takes a lot of preparation and planning.  We wanted to camp, fish and hike with the furs.  Unfortunately,we did not reserve a campsite until a couple of days before, and most sites were booked.  We ended up reserving one night at Cayuga Lake State Park, and the next night at Watkins Glen State Park.

Furs and The Mighty Mississippi ready for the trip!

Finger Lakes is roughly five hours from us, so we took a couple of rest stops along the way.  We also stopped by Wagner Winery/Brewery and picked up some wine and beer (that's what's great 'bout NY campsites---alcohol is ok!)

We stayed one night in Cayuga Lake State Park.  Cayuga Lake, like the rest of the Finger Lakes, was formed when glaciers moved through shallow river valleys and left deep gouges. When the glaciers receded, water filled these spots and created the lakes.

Camping-wise, Cayuga State Park was a massive letdown for us. The campsites in our loop were practically on top of each other and the entire park was just very crowded (this was the fourth of July weekend, after all). The sites were sparsely wooded, with the campsites clearly visible, and the area brings more to mind camping out in your local park.  Definitely not designed for communing with nature--- we get more privacy in our backyard here in suburban north Jersey.  

It was just our luck that our site (site 78) was situated between the loop's playground and the toilets/bathrooms, and campsite-full of college kids playing beer pong.  Literally packs of kids on foot and on bikes congregated in the playground from morning to night.  To the park's credit, though, quiet hours (10 pm onward) were enforced. 

The campsites were quite a ways from Cayuga Lake, and the water was too rough for launching The Mighty Mississippi. Chibs and Babams were game to try the waters, but there were too many recreational craft.  DJKung and his poppa attempted to fish, but got nary a nibble.

DJKung putting up the hammock.  Note the playground and the access road directly behind him.

Typical fire ring here in Cayuga State Park.  Firewood is available at the Camp Office for $5 a cord. (Remember fellow campers, NY does not allow moving of firewood beyond 50 miles of origin!) This type of fire ring does limit the size of the fire you can create, which is a good idea when you're in a jam-packed campground.  It makes it a bit difficult for cooking because you have to let the fire die down a bit, so that the metal grate can lie flush on top of the fire ring.

 We checked out the following day and made our way to Watkins Glen State Park. We were happy that we did, because this campsite was a complete 180 to Cayuga.


Watkins Glen lies south of Seneca Lake. The main draw here is the spectacular waterfalls and landscapes carved out by running water. 

Camping wise, the sites are situated at the top of the mountain and are quite a ways from the spring-fed swimming pool and day-use areas.  There is more ample space in between sites.  Our site (Mohawk Village loop, site 90) had a lot of tall pine trees and it was very very quiet.  

Our site.

Adobo chicken, white rice and black bean chili yeah!
The gorge here at Watkins Glen was privately owned and operated as a tourist resort until it was bought by New York in 1906.  The Gorge Trail, a 1.5-mile paved trail running along and sometimes across the gorge, gives you the best views.  The sites are evocatively named (e.g., "Lover's Lane") and the scenery is just amazing.  FYI---furs are not allowed on this trail, likely for safety reasons.  There are more than a few wet and slippery staircases, and an inadvertent tumble down the gorge can be pretty scary.

Coming down Couch's Staircase.

Checking out the weathered sandstone cliffs.

In the background is the Cavern Cascade.  The steps go toward and behind this waterfall!

Closeup of Cavern Cascade.

Central Cascade in the background.

The Rainbow Falls.  During sunny afternoons, you can see rainbows here!

We did not expect that there would be so much to see here at the Gorge Trail.  Some parts of the gorge cut so deep into the mountain that some areas are just completely shaded all the time.  There are several microclimates depending on the exposure of the sites--- some are wet and slippery all the time, with a lot of mosses and ferns.  Some parts of the cliff wall are dry and sun-baked all the time.  We were astounded just thinking about how long it took for the surfaces to wear to this state.

We took a turn onto the Mile Long Bridge, which leads to the South Rim Trail.  From there, a trail led back to the campsites.

Empty lean-to on South Rim Trail.

Group photo--- UFC has done it again!

All packed up and ready to head home the next day.  It was too bad we did not get a chance to lauch The Mighty Miss just yet.  Guess we'll have to make another camping trip soon!