watkins Glen KOA or Sampson State Park or?????

[wbdvt]

Hi
Planning the last camping trip of season and looking at week of Sept 17 for 6 nights. Want to visit Finger Lakes region (vineyards, Corning Glass, etc) and are looking for input on CGs. So far looks like KOA or Sampson State Park. Any others we should consider? Would prefer full hookup this time but not a deal breaker. Electric would be nice. We usually boondock at Vermont State Parks.

Thanks to all in advance for reading and replying.

[Herk7769]

We plan on being in Brattleborough KOA for one night 12 September.

Is that close to you?

[coderider]

Originally Posted by wbdvt

Hi
Planning the last camping trip of season and looking at week of Sept 17 for 6 nights. Want to visit Finger Lakes region (vineyards, Corning Glass, etc) and are looking for input on CGs. So far looks like KOA or Sampson State Park. Any others we should consider? Would prefer full hookup this time but not a deal breaker. Electric would be nice. We usually boondock at Vermont State Parks.

Thanks to all in advance for reading and replying.

If you are wanting to do Corning Glass and wineries the KOA will have you better located for much of that. Sampson is north of Watkins by about 30 miles and 50 miles from Corning and the glass works.

There are quite a few wineries accessible from the south end of Seneca lake and you would be closer to Keuka lake (some good wineries over there too).

Enjoy your visit, grew up there and ran a B&B for 6 years there as well.

[EJM4]

We just spent last weekend at the Watkins Glen KOA. Coderider summed it up pretty well. The KOA is centrally located to most of the attractions / wineries in the area. It is only about a 10 minute drive from the campground to downtown Watkins Glen.

Enjoy the trip!

[Nutmeg]

Just stayed at KOA also. Was nice, lots of options as to site type. Basic has a concrette patio with a seperate fire ring, upgraded have a sunked fire pit along with a bench and light, the next step up instead of smooth concrette the patio was cast with a cobblestone pattern.

[wbdvt]

Hi All,
After much research, we decided to stay at Sned-Acres in Ovid, NY near Cayuga Lake. It is a little farther from Watkins Glen but seems like a nice CG, still near wineries, golf and kayak. Plus we don't mind a little travel to see the area. It seemed reasonably priced, $32/night, $192 weekly, for full hook up.
We are used to boondocking in state parks in VT, so this will be a luxury!

[Taranwanderer]

I realize this thread is kind of old, but I was hoping to hear a review of the campground in Ovid...so, wbdvt: how did this CG work out for you? I'm a little familiar with the area and used to camp at Taughannock Falls SP, but I don't think they have full hookups, so I was looking to hear how your trip went. TIA!

[wbdvt]

Hi,
Sned-Acres was pretty basic, an older campground, but was clean and served our needs. The sites were very small with a small gravel pad. We were wedged in between Class A motorhomes and large 5th wheels. The site was full hookups and there was WiFi available.
Since we were there after Labor Day, the campground was not crowded.
We did not spend a lot of time at the campsite as we would have breakfast and hit the road. We usually got back around 4 with wine and cheese for Happy Hour, had dinner, cleaned up and repeated the next day.
Hope that helps.

[Herk7769]

I have stayed at Watkins Glenn KOA several times when doing Winery Runs.

Avoid the area during race weekend (unless you are there for the race of course) as the campgrounds get pretty wild.

[rlocicero]

We have stayed at the Watkins Glen Koa many times since the mid 80's and have never been disappointed. Nice, roomy sites full hookups utc. I highly recommend it.

[KMP44]

KOA is certainly nice. We like it in the early part of the season or the fall because of the indoor pool. Facitities are very nice, but we have a hard time justifying the extra price in the summer. Sampson is 1/3 the cost ($21/night) for electric and most of the sights are huge. We try to find one with some shade. If you like to bike or boat, this is the place. 2,000 acres with paved roads through the wilderness to ride on plus the beach/marina/boat launch. And the military museum is pretty interesting as well. And plenty of wineries on the east side to visit.

Both are great places, but our favorite may be Watkins Glen State Park. Price is great, but you have to plan ahead to get electric since only one loop has it. Nice sites, the glen trail takes you right into town, and they may have the biggest pool around.

If you want water/sewer, its the KOA. Otherwise, might as well take advantage of the value at the SP's. Its one of the very few bargains you get from the State of NY.

[Bobo 3008]

Sampson SP is a lot cheaper than a KOA. Boondock sites or electric only sites available. Water fillups available at the park. Very pretty park with lakeside sites available. Used to be a training facility for the armed forces. Museum dedicated to the camp on site. Recommend Loop 5. Huge sites on the waters edge. Reserve America best for booking.

Just North of the park is a retired military facility. Home of many rare all white deer. Easy to see. You will be in the middle of wine country. Hundreds of small wineries, several other SPs, Amish farms and many small communities. Easy pull from the Rt 20. You do start hitting more hills toward Watkins Glen area and south. Personally, I would choose the SP over a commercial campground, unless you are the type who needs a heated pool, cable, WiFi etc.

Bobo

[boubou]

Never been to the other one, but Watkins Glen is excellent. We wnt there last fall during the Vintage grand prix. Also easy to get to the Corning musem.
As for the warning sign on the road about the low bridge, don't do as we did, no need to panick and turn around. The low bridge is not on the KOA road. Safe.