Cayuga Lake State Park Campground

- 2674 NY-89, Seneca Falls, NY 13148

For New Yorkers seeking the quintessential Upstate escape, Cayuga Lake State Park Campground offers an idyllic and accessible destination. Situated on the beautiful shores of Cayuga Lake, the longest of New York’s famous Finger Lakes, this State Park is a true recreational haven. The park’s expansive 188 acres are popular for both day visitors and overnight campers, providing sweeping, picturesque views of the water, a swimming beach, and a wealth of aquatic activities.

The campground is a central feature of the park, offering a diverse range of accommodations to suit every style of camper, from rustic tent enthusiasts to RV adventurers. The terrain is flat near the lakeshore, gently sloping uphill where the majority of the campsites and cabins are located. This diverse landscape not only provides stunning scenic highlights but also offers a variety of site environments, including open, sunny areas and shaded spots beneath mature trees. As a state-run facility, Cayuga Lake State Park is committed to providing affordable, well-maintained access to New York’s natural beauty, making it a perfect base for exploring the rich history, vibrant wine trails, and spectacular natural gorges of the surrounding Finger Lakes region.

Whether your goal is a relaxing day of picnicking and swimming or an extended stay to enjoy fishing, boating, and regional sightseeing, Cayuga Lake State Park Campground provides the welcoming, high-quality, and unforgettable experience that defines a great New York State Park visit.

Cayuga Lake State Park Campground is strategically located on the western bank of the lake, placing it at the heart of the Finger Lakes’ most celebrated attractions.

The park's official address is:

2674 NY-89, Seneca Falls, NY 13148, USA

Accessibility and Local Proximity:

• Prime Scenic Route: The campground is directly situated on New York State Route 89 (NY-89), a well-maintained scenic byway that runs alongside the western shore of Cayuga Lake. This route provides effortless access to the park and connects campers directly to the communities along the lake.
• Proximity to Seneca Falls: The historical and cultural village of Seneca Falls, the birthplace of the Women's Rights movement and rumored inspiration for the film It's a Wonderful Life, is just a short drive—approximately six miles—to the east. This offers convenient access to shops, restaurants, and historical landmarks like the Women's Rights National Historical Park and the National Women's Hall of Fame.
• Wine Country Hub: The park is perfectly positioned along the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, the longest-running wine trail in the United States. Campers can easily access numerous world-class wineries, breweries, and cideries for tastings and tours.
• Regional Access: Via nearby major thoroughfares, visitors are connected to other famous Finger Lakes destinations, including the renowned gorges and waterfalls of Taughannock Falls, Buttermilk Falls, and Robert H. Treman State Parks, as well as the bustling city of Ithaca to the south.

Cayuga Lake State Park Campground provides comprehensive facilities to ensure a comfortable and convenient stay for all guests, from short-term day users to long-term campers. The services are thoughtfully divided across the campground's two main sections—East and West Camp—which are separated by NY-89.

• Diverse Accommodations: The park offers over 250 campsites suitable for tents and RVs, including electric sites (primarily in the East Camp) and non-electric sites (West Camp). Additionally, a selection of rustic and luxury cabins are available for rent, some offering lake views.
• Essential Camper Facilities: Guests have access to multiple well-maintained bathhouse locations, which include hot showers and restrooms. The park also provides centrally located potable water spigots throughout the campground loops and an RV sanitary dump station for all registered vehicles.
• Individual Site Amenities: Every campsite, regardless of type, is equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring, facilitating private outdoor dining and campfires for families and groups.
• Day-Use and Group Facilities: Four accessible picnic pavilions are available for reservation for day use or large gatherings, with varying capacities to accommodate parties from 36 to 127 people.
• Aquatic Access: The park maintains an accessible boat launch area and a boat dock for motorized boats and personal watercraft. Kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards are popular and easy to launch from the park’s shore access points.
• Seasonal Swimming: During the peak season (typically late June through Labor Day), a designated swimming beach is open, with efforts made to provide lifeguard coverage. (Note: Swimming is contingent upon water quality and lifeguard availability.)

The unique features of Cayuga Lake State Park Campground make it a standout choice for local residents seeking exceptional recreation and value:

• Unparalleled Lake Views and Waterfront Access: The park's most significant highlight is its prime location with expansive, stunning views of Cayuga Lake. The flat lakeshore area and sun lawns offer an ideal spot for relaxation and enjoying the waterfront scenery.
• Family-Friendly Amenities: The park is highly suitable for families, featuring at least two playgrounds (with a commitment to upgrades and renovations) and playing fields for recreational sports, ensuring that children have ample opportunity for outdoor fun.
• Year-Round Recreation: While popular in the summer, the park offers activities across all seasons. In the winter months, when the ground is covered in snow, the park becomes a popular spot for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing, making it a truly four-season destination.
• Excellent Fishing Opportunities: Cayuga Lake is a renowned fishing destination. Anglers staying at the campground can try their luck catching a wide variety of fish, including largemouth bass, bullheads, carp in the shallow waters, and lake trout, northern pike, and landlocked salmon in the deeper sections.
• Ideal Base for Regional Exploration: The park’s location serves as a perfect hub for the ultimate Finger Lakes experience, providing close access to the Cayuga Wine Trail and a short drive to the region’s famous gorges, historical sites, and cultural attractions, like the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge.
• Diverse Camping Options for Every Budget: The range of site types—from non-electric tent sites to electric RV hookups and cabins—allows visitors to choose an experience that fits both their camping style and their budget, providing affordable access to New York's beautiful State Park system.

For New York residents planning their visit or needing additional information, contact for Cayuga Lake State Park and its campground is as follows:

Address: 2674 NY-89, Seneca Falls, NY 13148, USA

Main Phone Number: (315) 568-5163

Reservations: Reservations for campsites and cabins can typically be made through the New York State Parks reservation system (ReserveAmerica).

Cayuga Lake State Park Campground is the ultimate local getaway for New York residents. It provides a unique blend of affordability and premier access to one of the state's most cherished natural and cultural regions. This State Park system offers exceptionally good value, providing lakeside amenities—swimming, boating, and fishing—that would otherwise be costly.

For the local user, Cayuga Lake State Park is a convenient, low-effort destination that minimizes travel time and maximizes recreational opportunity. It serves as the perfect jumping-off point to enjoy the best of the Finger Lakes—from a quiet afternoon fishing on the lake to a day spent touring the historic sites of Seneca Falls or sampling the products of the famous Wine Trail. By offering a variety of camping options and a full suite of services, the campground ensures that a memorable, nature-filled escape is accessible to all New Yorkers, solidifying its place as a cherished resource in the heart of the region.

Cayuga Lake State Park Campground

2674 NY-89, Seneca Falls, NY 13148, USA