There’s always a first time for everything, so we thought of adding a chapter on camping to our travel anthology. We went camping at Watkins Glen State Park, and it lived up to our expectations.
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Camping in Watkins Glen State Park
We were lucky to have experienced friends who did a lot of pre-planning for us – from booking the campsite at Watkins Glen State Park, NY, to making the checklist.
With our excitement now soaring, we set out shopping for the most vital thing – a tent for our car camping adventure. We purchased a Columbia 4-person tent. It is within budget, great, and durable to start off with.
Are you puzzled? I was also inquisitive when I heard this term. Are we going to camp in the car?
Car camping basically means driving up to the campsite rather than walking and carrying the gear. You have the luxury of packing extra stuff, which can be intimidating, though.
Since it was the first time, we planned on a one-night stay to get a feel and see how the kids adjusted. We reached our destination in the afternoon and started to set up our tent. A tent is one of the things on the complete list of camping gear for kids.
We had tried it once back home to appraise ourselves. Our biggest helpers were our kids, who had no limits to their exhilaration.
Watkins Glen State Park, NY
Located in the village of Watkins Glen, Watkins Glen State Park is counted among the most scenic and most popular of the Finger Lakes State Parks. Its waterfalls and gorges leave you spellbound. Camping is the best way to admire the beauty of Watkins Glen.
The park has over 305 campsites, and facilities like restrooms, showers, a dumping station, and a firewood shop make it easy to set up camp.
The State Park offers campsites and wooden cabins to book, although there are fewer cabins than campsites.
Learn More: Watkins Glen Hotels.
Other Facilities at the Watkins Glen State Park
The State Park is beautiful, and the 19 waterfalls in the stream through the gorge make it worth the hike.
There are food concession shops and gift shops inside the park.
The kids are in for a treat with playgrounds and a vast swimming pool inside the facility that can be used.
Note: During the peak season, campsites fill up quickly, so it’s better to book them in advance. We booked our campsite nearly three months in advance.
Hiking the Gorge Trail at Taughannock Falls State Park
After getting our abodes ready, now was the time for some exploration.
Hiking seemed like a perfect way to experience nature’s beauty. We drove nearby to Taughannock Falls State Park. Since we had kids, we chose an easy trail to the base of a waterfall.
It’s a 0.75-mile Gorge trail that leads to the base of the main waterfall. The Gorge Trail is open all year round and can be done quickly with kids.
We were surrounded by a beautiful stream flowing, a cool breeze blowing, and the rustling of trees all along our trail. As we reached the base of the waterfalls, we were drenched by the mist and marveled at nature’s wonder.
After the adventure, it was time for a hearty meal to satisfy our appetites. While heading to a campsite, we bought firewood and prepared the fire pit.
Why should kids be left behind?
They had fun collecting wood for the grill. While the kids settled in to play some games and cards, dinner was getting ready: corn, grilled veggies, and baked potatoes.
The beautiful day had to end on a sweet note definitely, and what was best by making S’mores. Slowly roasted marshmallows, oozing chocolate, sandwiched between graham crackers, so simple yet divine….you keep wanting for Some more.
What an evening – sitting by the campfire, relishing the food, affable company, lots of giggles, unplugged, under the blanket of twinkling stars… getting a glimpse of our ancestor’s life. This experience is so simple yet so profound.
We headed out to our tents to recede into our dreams and to wait for the glorious dawn.
Staying in Watkins Glen and not exploring it would be wrong. So we headed out in the morning to hike the next day.
Our Camping List for Watkins Glen State Park
- 4-person tent (since we are a family of 4)
- Footprint/ Tarp – a strong, waterproof sheet to spread under the tent to prevent wear and tear.
- Air beds or sleeping bags – We prefer Intex air beds. If you plan to camp in all kinds of weather then prefer 3-season or all-weather sleeping bags.
- Camping Light or rechargeable camping lantern
- Insect repellent
- After Bite cream and After Bite for kids
- First aid kit
- Firewood/charcoal, lighter/matches/lighter fluid
- Food items, water
- Cooking Utensils, skewers, Disposable tableware, aluminum foil
- Garbage bags
- Games, cards, books for entertainment
The village of Watkins Glen has a Walmart for your last-minute camping supplies.
Watkins Glen Camping Tips
- Camping spots, especially at national and state parks, book up quickly, so plan and book well in advance.
- The nights can get a bit cold, hence pack extra layers/ full-lengths.
- It is better to reach your campsite during the daytime. It will help you set up your tent and get acquainted with the place. If this is your first experience, try pitching the tent at home.
- If you plan to cook on the grill, get coal or wood. Be aware of the regulations, as most places only allow you to get firewood locally. Don’t forget to put off the fire before sleeping by adding water.
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USA travel guides and itineraries on our blog:
- New York 2-Day Itinerary for First-time Visitors
- The American Southwest Road Trip Itinerary
- Antelope Canyon, Arizona
- Free Things to do in Las Vegas, Nevada
- Death Valley National Park, California
- A Magical Weekend at Watkins Glen State Park
- Ocracoke Island in North Carolina
- Things to do in Outer Banks, NC
- Kitchen Kettle Village in Lancaster PA
- Road Trip from Miami to Key West
- Fire and Ice Festival Lititz PA
- Philadelphia Flower Show
- Best Things to do in Philadelphia with kids
- Best Day Trips from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
what is the name of the place
Watkin Glens state park, NY, USA
This is so cool! Your kids are having an amazing childhood. Reminds me of my 10-day NCC camp back in college.
Just one tip. You should mention the location in your post. People might not see tags.
Thanks..Yes we want our kids to have varied experiences and i am glad that they enjoyed this.
Good to hear that this reminded you of sweet memories..
And thanks for the tip, will make sure to mention it.
What a lovely camping trip! Thanks for sharing your list of essentials. I used to go camping a lot when I was growing up, but I haven’t been since having children. My 4 would love that!
Thanks..Oh you must try it out with your kid now. i am sure will enjoy..my youngest was 3 and she just had a super time ..
Do share about your experience when you try..
That’s cool, where did you go camping? It’s such a great way to connect with nature.. Also love the blog title, and its styling!
Thanks for liking the post and its esthetics..
We did camping at Watkin Glen state park, NY, USA. Yes, its a great way to get close to nature which i guess we miss during our busy lives.
Your post brings back such great memories of camping with my family when I was a kid. Every year we’d visit a different national park and still tell stories of those times. There’s nothing better than an afternoon exploring and an evening sitting beside the campfire with a ooey gooey s’mores in your hand. x
Aww!!! I am glad that my post brought back sweet childhood memories of yours. Yes the National and state parks have great camping opportunities that one should not miss. Truly, Its so relaxing just sitting by campfire, chatting with friends, hearing the birds chirping, just being yourself….
Guess need to start packing again soon for yet another camping time…:-)
This is such a cool post. I have never done camping (silly me) and this inspires me do one super soon. Thanks for sharing this post! 🙂
Thanks Aditi…Glad it inspired you. Of course you should try it out, its great fun..
Do let me know if you need any help planning. I’ll try my best.. 🙂
I always love camping and traveling places like that, photos are amazing, my last camping was in Tungnath, Uttarakhand, you should checkout this place, amazing for camping and trekking.
I am glad you liked the post and the photos.
Yes we just loved our first camping experience and the place Watkin Glen added to it. Its good to hear that you enjoy camping. I googled about Tungnath and it looks so beautiful in the lap of Himalayas..I wish can make it someday..
Happy camping…Do share more experiences if you have..
Well camping is such a great idea to stay away from Hustle and bustle city life . I am coming from village and living in my farm , for me coming back home and live in the village is such a great camping already . From your post I am sure you had a great time sleeping with great nature around you . But where is that places ? seems like a great place for camping
Yes for sure..totally away from that chaos and getting to know yourself in that quaint environment.
Farm life, wow!! My son is so fascinated with farms and animals on it.
So sorry i didn’t mention it in the post. We camped at Watkin glen state park in NY, USA. beautiful place to be..
Thanks Aditi…Glad it inspired you. Of course you should try it out, its great fun..
Do let me know if you need any help planning. I’ll try my best.. 🙂
Aww!!! I am glad that my post brought back sweet childhood memories of yours. Yes the National and state parks have great camping opportunities that one should not miss. Truly, Its so relaxing just sitting by campfire, chatting with friends, hearing the birds chirping, just being yourself….
Guess need to start packing again soon for yet another camping time…:-)
Hiking and camping is a great outdoor experience. What i like about it is that it helps family bonding. Time well spent together!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
So true..it is full quality family time without the interference of technology. And moreover kids learn to appreciate nature and experience an alternate way of living.. 🙂
Hiking and camping is a great outdoor experience. What i like about it is that it helps family bonding. Time well spent together!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
So true..it is full quality family time without the interference of technology. And moreover kids learn to appreciate nature and experience an alternate way of living.. 🙂
What a beautiful family! I spent many weekends, and summer nights, camping in tents in the national forest we lived in. It is such a fun experience and memorable for the whole crew!
Thanks Shawna. It was indeed a memorable experience especially being the first. Hope to continue having more fun nights under the stars..
I hope that for you as well!
I still have yet to go camping. Even if I live by the coast, surrounded by camping sites, I didn’t yet made it to one. I think it’s a great experience, especially for children.
Oh you must try it. It is such a great experience . And we were amazed how our kids enjoyed every bit of it.
I still have yet to go camping. Even if I live by the coast, surrounded by camping sites, I didn’t yet made it to one. I think it’s a great experience, especially for children.
Love this posts. Love your family. These moments are priceless.
Aww…Thank you so much…:-)
beautiful memories…
Love this posts. Love your family. These moments are priceless.
Is it weird that I have never tried s’mores before they look so delicious. So glad that you had a good time camping and what beautiful photos as well x
Oh yes S’mores are so addictive. I had eaten them before but made them the first time..Infact my husband is not a big fan of chocolates, but he also enjoyed them. Go ahead and try some..
Thanks for liking the pics..:-)
Is it weird that I have never tried s’mores before they look so delicious. So glad that you had a good time camping and what beautiful photos as well x
I will have to check this out when I travel up- Esp with those waterfalls. Something so restorative about them.
XO Via Bella blog
Sure you should…You will feel so relaxed and rejuvenated…
Beauty of Nature indeed! I always love seeing pics of family traveling together..Your kids are adorable.
Thanks for liking it..Yes its great to spend family time without any gadgets around…
Beauty of Nature indeed! I always love seeing pics of family traveling together..Your kids are adorable.
My husband went to Cornell and we would go to Watkins Glen many a times but never camped there, though we love camping. Looks like such a wonderful experience, your pics make me miss upstate NY.
xx, Kusum | http://www.sveeteskapes.com
Thanks. Good to know that you love upstate NY.. It is so beautiful with so much natural beauty around..
You should definitely plan camping there sometime. You would love it.
Camping is a great family adventure and bonding. If we only have ample time, we would want to camp once a week.