RV Rental
RV Share is a company that allows you to rent privately owned recreational vehicles. They provide amenities and services like delivery, pet-friendly options, towable RV, driveable RV, along with a variety of sizes and types. We rented a 2021 Four Winds, Class C motorhome, able to accommodate up to 6 people. Many families we stayed with rented their RV close to home and drove straight to the campground. We decided to rent a RV closer to the campground so that we would have our car with us to use during our camping days. Make sure you check the amount of miles allowed during your time renting your RV. You may have to pay more if you go over the allotted miles.
Watkins Glen / Corning KOA Resort
Watkins Glen/ Corning KOA is a great family campground that is sure to please everyone. A minimum three to five day stay is recommended to enjoy the region, which includes the famous Watkins Glen Gorge with its 19 waterfalls, the Corning Museum of Glass, Seneca Lake sight-seeing and dinner cruises, swimming beneath waterfalls, sampling local vintages at more than 100 area wineries, and major motor racing including the MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP.
Selected as a past KOA Campground of the Year, and with more than 35 Camping Cabins and Deluxe Cabins, full-featured BIG RIG RV sites, and FREE WIFI, the resort specializes in FUN for family vacations! Activities include an indoor AND an outdoor pool, spa & fitness center, pirate ship playground, jumping pillow, jump pad, giant water slide, army truck rides, basketball area, and a fishing area.
Watkins Glen State Park
Watkins Glen State Park is the most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks. Within two miles, the glen’s stream descends 400 feet past 200-foot cliffs, with 19 waterfalls along the trail. The gorge path winds over and under waterfalls and through the spray of Cavern Cascade. Rim trails overlook the gorge. Campers and day-visitors can enjoy the Olympic-size pool, scheduled summer tours through the gorge, tent and trailer campsites, picnic facilities and excellent fishing in nearby Seneca Lake or Catherine Creek, which is renowned for its annual spring run of rainbow trout.
We parked in Watkins Glen town at the northern entrance at 1000 N. Franklin Street where you will find a snack bar (with coffee!), a little shop and bathrooms. There is a $10 parking fee. Starting at the northern entrance means you are walking UP the steps but it also means the falls are in front of you. It took us about 1.5 hours to walk the 1.5 miles up the Gorge trail. The end consists of Jacob’s Ladder, a tiring 180 steps to the upper entrance. At the upper entrance you can descend along the rim trail or take a $5 shuttle back to the north entrance. The shuttle runs until 5:30pm. Sit in the front of the bus so you can hear the driver describe the surrounding area.
Robert Treman State Park
Robert H. Treman State Park is an area of wild beauty, with the rugged gorge called Enfield Glen as its scenic highlight. Winding trails follow the gorge past 12 waterfalls, including the 115-foot Lucifer Falls, to where visitors can see a mile-and-a-half down the wooded gorge as it winds its way to the lower park. Enjoy nine miles of hiking trails, or swim in a stream-fed pool beneath a waterfall. Swimming is allowed in lifeguarded area only.
There are two main parking areas, one near Lucifer falls and one near the lower falls swimming area. You can take the Gorge trail or Rim trail between the two areas which is approximately 2.2 miles. We parked near Lucifer falls first, hiking up the Gorge trail to the 115-ft Lucifer falls and then took the Rim trail back. There are a LOT of steps between the two so be ready for some heavy breathing. The overlook on the top, across from Lucifer falls is definitely worth it.
The lower gorge parking is a short 5 minute walk to the swimming area and lower falls. There is a platform to view the falls, and a pebble beach to lounge on. The swimming hole has a 30 ft. cascading waterfall feeding into it. There is a lifeguard on duty to monitor the diving board in front of the falls.
Buttermilk Falls State Park
Buttermilk Falls State Park takes its name from the foaming cascade formed by Buttermilk Creek as it flows down the steep valley side toward Cayuga Lake. The upper park has a small lake, hiking trails through woodlands and along the gorge and rim, picnic areas and playing fields. The lower park has a campground, natural pool and playing fields, beyond which is Larch Meadows. Larch Meadows is a wetland area through which a nature trail winds.
We took the Gorge trail up, 0.65 miles, and the Rim trail back, 0.82 miles. The Gorge trail had many steps running along the gorge while the Rim trail is in the trees above the gorge. There is a swimming area at the bottom of the falls with a lifeguard. This was closed when we were there.
Fly Fishing with Summit to Stream Adventure
Located in Watkins Glen, NY, Summit to Stream Adventure offers fly fishing tours and lessons, charter fishing excursions, kayaking, & paddle boarding. Call 607-535-2701 to book your own adventure with Captain Mark!
Places to Eat
Nickel’s Pit BBQ: Proudly uses locally sourced meats, breads, and other ingredients whenever possible. They believe in the importance not only to save on wasteful transport costs and pollution, but to support the local economy and community. We had a great combination of meats and kids menus. There is a restaurant in Watkins Glen and in Corning.
Grist Iron Brewing Company: Founded in 2015, Grist Iron Brewing Co. is a microbrewery based in Hector, NY, in the heart of the NYS Finger Lakes region. GIB boasts a unique variety of brews – all created on-site – primarily made in the traditional American style with our own unique twist thrown in. The grounds are amazing, overlooking Seneca lake. The kids were able to play corn hole and run through the fields while the adults enjoyed their beverages.
Things to Do:
Corning Glass Museum: From hot glassworking to fusing, to sandblasting—you and your family can do just about anything with glass, with the help of experienced glassworkers. No experience needed and opportunities for all ages. Experiences vary in length from 15 minutes for hot glass projects to 40 minutes for fusing and sandblasting projects. We were a little late for our scheduled glass blowing so changed it to shorter projects including a clock, night light, and wind chimes.
