Autumn colors and cool nights make upstate New York the place to camp during the fall. From the crystal-clear lakes in Fayetteville to the “Grand Canyon of the East” in Castile, New York here are the best places to camp near Syracuse.

Camping in the Syracuse metropolitan area

Ten miles away from Syracuse University, Green Lakes State Park in Fayetteville is known for its glassy 170–foot–deep glacial lakes. The park features an 18-hole golf course, boating, disc golf and 17 miles of hiking trails.

“Some of it is very steep and challenging, some of it is rolling hills, and some of it is pretty flats,”manager Laura Tully said. “There’s really something for everybody.”

Seven cabins and 142 campsites surround the lakes, meaning a view of the clear dark green water is just a few minutes’ walk from where campers stay. Reservations for campsites start at $18 and entrance to the park is free after Labor Day.

Tully recommends watching the Green Lakes State Park Facebook page for upcoming events, like maple syrup and apple cider making.

Camping in wine country

One hour down the road from Syracuse University is New York state’s winery-filled Finger Lakes region. Campgrounds here are all a short drive from the state’s best wine, cheese and beer producers.

Robert H. Treman State Park in Ithaca is filled with challenging hikes and views of forests relatively untouched by humans. The park’s most popular trail, the Gorge Trail, ends with a steep ascent up Lucifer Falls, a 115-foot waterfall with sheer rock faces on both sides.

“We’ve had people compare it to canyons in national parks, to hiking in New Zealand or Costa Rica,” manager James Brophy said. “It really depends on the weather.”

Also located in Ithaca, Firelight Camps offers a more luxurious take on camping. Part of a recent trend called glamping — short for “glamorous camping” — Firelight camps offers people who have never camped a chance to get outside. Large, fully-furnished canvas tents are setup on site, along with a full bar and complimentary breakfast.

Firelight Camps also features a bocce ball court, live music every Tuesday and access to hiking at nearby Buttermilk Falls State Park. Prices start at $189 for a double occupancy tent.

Watkins Glen State Park in neighboring Watkins Glen is the most-visited state park in the Finger Lakes region, winning third place in USA Today’s 2015 Reader Choice Poll for Best State Park. The park’s gorge trail leads hikers along rock-carved paths past 19 different waterfalls and several 200-foot cliffs.

Weekend shuttle service returns hikers back to the campground at the top of the Glen where they can go swimming in an Olympic-sized swimming pool, fish in nearby creeks or visit the Watkins Glen International speedway.

Fall is the best time to visit the park, said Fred Bonn, the regional director for Finger Lakes state parks. “During the summer it’s very difficult to have that quiet moment to yourself on the gorge trail,” he said.

“Grand Canyon of the East”

Hike or hot air balloon through Letchworth State Park, which was voted the best state park in USA Today’s 2015 reader poll. A two-hour drive from Syracuse, the park earns its nickname as the “Grand Canyon of the East” with gorge walls over 600 feet high and three major waterfalls.

There is a different adventure for every visitor, said Roland Beck, the park manager at Letchworth. Whether you want to spend your day enjoying fine dining at the historic Glen Iris Inn, study the many ecosystems found in the park or hike over 66 miles of trails, the park has something for everyone.

Cabins and tent sites are typically booked nine months in advance during the peak season, but more spots open during the falls. Reservations are recommended.

Published on August 29, 2017 at 10:35 pm

Contact Benjamin: brfarr@syr.edu