Chasing Waterfalls
Chase Finger Lakes waterfalls from Hickory Hill in Bath, NY. Watkins Glen, Stony Brook, Mossy Bank and more gorge trails, with distances and family tips.
Chasing Waterfalls: Gorge Trails & Day Trips from Hickory Hill
The Finger Lakes were carved by glaciers, and the region has been paying it forward ever since in the form of deep gorges, mossy cliffs, and hundreds of waterfalls. Some of the most spectacular ones in the state are a short drive from Bath, which makes Hickory Hill a natural home base for a day of chasing water.
Whether you want a bucket-list gorge hike or an easy overlook the whole family can handle, here are the best Finger Lakes waterfalls and gorge trails near the resort.
Watkins Glen State Park (about 37 minutes away)
If you visit one gorge, make it this one. Watkins Glen is the most famous state park in the Finger Lakes, and for good reason. The Gorge Trail runs roughly two miles past nineteen waterfalls, winding over and under the water on stone paths, through the Spiral Tunnel, and across a suspension bridge that hangs about 85 feet above the creek. There are more than 800 stone steps along the way, so wear good shoes and take your time.
It is about 26 miles from Bath, an easy 37-minute drive. Go early in the day, especially on fall weekends, to beat the crowds and get the best light in the gorge. The gorge trails are seasonal and typically open from mid-spring into late fall, so check the park's status before a shoulder-season visit.
Stony Brook State Park (near Dansville)
Closer to home, Stony Brook State Park sits just south of Dansville, roughly a half-hour from the resort. Its shaded gorge has three larger waterfalls plus a handful of smaller ones, and in summer there is a natural stream-fed swimming area that kids love.
One important note: after heavy rain, gorge trails here can close for safety and repairs, so always check current conditions with New York State Parks before you make the drive. It is good practice for any gorge hike in the region.
Right in Bath: Mossy Bank Park
Not every great view requires a road trip. Mossy Bank Park, right in Bath, offers an easy nature-trail network and a bluff-top overlook with a sweeping view over the valley and the village below. It is a low-effort, high-reward stop, perfect for sunset, a picnic, or a short leg-stretch when you do not have a full day to spare.
Grimes Glen (Naples, about 40 minutes)
For something more rugged, Grimes Glen in Naples rewards a bit of adventure. A creekside trail leads back to a pair of tall waterfalls, and in warm weather part of the fun is wading up the shallow stream to reach them. It is best for older kids and sure-footed hikers, and it is at its most magical when the fall color comes in overhead.
Tips for chasing waterfalls with the family
● Wear real shoes. Gorge trails are wet, uneven, and full of stairs. Skip the flip-flops.
● Go early. The famous parks fill up by late morning on nice days. Early hikers get quiet trails and better photos.
● Check conditions after rain. Trails can close for safety when water is high. A quick check on the state parks site saves a wasted trip.
● Bring water and a picnic. Most of these parks have picnic areas, so pack a lunch and make a half-day of it.
Waterfalls and fall color go hand in hand, so pair a gorge hike with a scenic drive from our Finger Lakes fall foliage guide. Planning a full day out with the kids? Our family camping itinerary helps you map it all.
Come back to camp
The best part of a waterfall day is coming back to a campfire and an easy evening. After the trails, Hickory Hill has the pools, the playgrounds, and the wide-open space to unwind, plus comfortable sites and cabins waiting for you. Compare every way to stay and make the resort your launch pad for the Finger Lakes' best waterfalls.
Uncork the Finger Lakes
Explore the Keuka Lake Wine Trail from Hickory Hill in Bath, NY. Standout wineries near Hammondsport, day-trip tips, and where to stay in the Finger Lakes.
Uncork the Finger Lakes: A Keuka Lake Wine Trail Guide from Hickory Hill
The Finger Lakes is one of the great wine regions in the country, and Keuka Lake is right at the heart of it. The steep, Y-shaped lake, sometimes called the Crooked Lake, has a knack for growing exceptional cool-climate grapes, and its shoreline is dotted with tasting rooms that pair award-winning wine with some of the best views in New York.
The best part for our guests: from your campsite at Hickory Hill in Bath, you are only about twenty minutes from the Keuka Lake Wine Trail. Spend the day tasting your way around the lake, then come home to a campfire. Here is how to do it.
What is the Keuka Lake Wine Trail?
The Keuka Lake Wine Trail is a collection of wineries circling the lake between Penn Yan, Branchport, and Hammondsport. The region made its name on Riesling and other cool-climate whites, but you will also find dry reds, sparkling wines, and sweet sippers along the way. Because the vineyards climb the hillsides right down to the water, the drive between stops is half the fun.
Harvest season, roughly September into October, is the liveliest time to visit. The vines are heavy, the tasting rooms are buzzing, and the fall color is coming in over the lake. It also happens to be a beautiful time to be camping.
Wineries to visit near Hickory Hill
There are more than a dozen wineries on the trail. If you only have a day, these standouts near the south and west sides of the lake are an easy drive from the resort:
● Dr. Konstantin Frank. A pioneering name in Finger Lakes wine, credited with proving that European vinifera grapes like Riesling could thrive here. Hilltop tasting room with sweeping lake views and a serious reputation for its whites.
● Heron Hill Winery. Producing award-winning wine since 1977, with a hilltop tasting room that Travel + Leisure once named among the most spectacular in the world. The view alone is worth the stop.
● Bully Hill Vineyards. A longtime destination winery with a restaurant, outdoor seating, and lake views, plus a fun, unpretentious personality. A good pick if you want lunch with your tasting.
● Keuka Lake Vineyards. A smaller, estate-focused stop near Hammondsport known for terroir-driven wines. A nice change of pace from the bigger rooms.
● Weis Vineyards. German-style wines from a winemaker who trained in Germany's Mosel region. Worth seeking out if Riesling is your thing.
Tasting-room hours, fees, and reservation policies vary by season and by winery, and some smaller rooms keep shorter fall and winter hours. Check each winery's website before you go so you are not caught out.
How to do the wine trail from your campsite
A relaxed day beats a rushed one. A few tips to make it easy:
● Pick two or three wineries, not ten. Tastings add up quickly, and the drives between them are part of the experience. Leave room to linger.
● Have a plan for driving. Choose a designated driver, or book a local wine-tour shuttle so everyone can relax. The roads around the lake are hilly and worth your full attention.
● Bring a cooler. Pick up a few bottles to enjoy back at your site. A Finger Lakes Riesling by the campfire is a hard combination to beat.
● Pair it with Hammondsport. The village at the foot of the lake is full of shops and cafes.
Our guide to a Keuka Lake and Hammondsport day trip maps out a full day if you want to build the wineries into a bigger outing. And if the weather turns, our rainy-day ideas near Hickory Hill have you covered.
Bring the wine weekend back to the resort
Love the wine-country vibe? So do we. Keep an eye on our themed-weekend calendar for our grown-up S'More Wine Please weekend, when we bring a little of that Finger Lakes wine spirit right to the campground with tastings and cozy evenings. It is the perfect bookend to a day on the trail.
Where to stay: Hickory Hill
A day of wine tasting is even better when you do not have to drive far to a comfortable bed. Hickory Hill offers everything from full-hookup RV sites to cabins and cottages that are ideal for a couples' getaway. Compare every way to stay and make the resort your Finger Lakes wine-country home base.
Chasing Color
Plan your Finger Lakes fall foliage trip from Hickory Hill in Bath, NY. Peak color timing, the best Keuka Lake scenic drives, and cozy fall camping tips.
Chasing Color: A Finger Lakes Fall Foliage Guide from Hickory Hill
There is a stretch of the year when the Finger Lakes quietly become one of the most beautiful places in the Northeast. The hillsides above the lakes turn gold, rust, and deep red, the vineyards glow, and the air finally has that first cool bite to it. If you time it right, a fall trip here is every bit as memorable as a summer one, and a lot quieter.
Hickory Hill Camping Resort in Bath, New York sits right in the middle of it. From your campsite you are a short drive from some of the best Finger Lakes fall foliage in the region, which makes the resort an easy, comfortable base camp for a weekend of leaf peeping.
When does fall foliage peak in the Finger Lakes?
The short version: aim for the middle of October. The first color usually shows up on the ridge tops in late September, then works its way down the slopes toward the water through the first two weeks of October. The second and third weeks of the month are typically the best window, when whole hillsides light up at once.
Like anything with the weather, it shifts a week or so in either direction each year, so it is worth checking a foliage report before you lock in dates. The Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance and local tourism sites post weekly color updates through the season, and they are the most reliable way to catch the peak.
The best leaf-peeping drives near Hickory Hill
You do not have to go far to find a view. A few favorites, all within easy reach of the resort:
● The Keuka Lake loop. Keuka is the crooked, Y-shaped lake just north of Bath, and the west side is the showstopper, where vineyard slopes run right down to the water and the road hugs the shoreline. Circle the lake on Routes 54A and 54 for one gorgeous overlook after another.
● Keuka Lake State Park & Bluff Point. Head out toward Bluff Point in the middle of the lake for panoramic views of color on both arms of Keuka at once. It is one of the best photo stops in the whole region.
● Hammondsport and the south end. The village at the foot of Keuka is worth a slow morning, and the drive down through the hills into town is lined with color and vineyards.
● The route toward Naples and Italy Valley. West of the resort, the back roads toward Naples wind through some of the most dramatic fall scenery around, with gorges and creeks tucked into the hills.
Many of these drives run right past the region's wineries, and harvest season is in full swing while the leaves turn, so it is easy to make a day of both. (More on that in our guide to the Keuka Lake Wine Trail.)
More than a drive: fall things to do
Foliage is the headliner, but fall in the Finger Lakes comes with a full supporting cast: apple orchards and harvest stands, winery tastings, and gorge trails that look incredible with color overhead (see our guide to Finger Lakes waterfalls and gorge trails). Back at the resort, our October themed weekends and Halloween fun give the kids plenty to do while the grown-ups soak up the season.
Why fall is the best-kept secret for camping here
Summer gets all the attention, but a lot of longtime campers will tell you fall is their favorite time at Hickory Hill. The crowds thin out, the nights are made for campfires, and the whole place feels a little more peaceful. Trade the pool for a hot cocoa and a hoodie, and you have got the kind of weekend that is hard to beat.
If tent camping in the cool nights is not your thing, this is the perfect time to book one of our cabins, cottages, or lodges. Many can be heated, so you get the crisp-morning views without the chilly wake-up. It is also a great season for a fall family reunion or group getaway, with the Activity Hall as a warm home base.
Make Hickory Hill your fall base camp
Peak color comes and goes fast, so the trick is to have your spot booked before the leaves turn. Pick your dates, choose a site or a cozy cabin, and let Hickory Hill be your home base for a Finger Lakes fall you will want to repeat. Browse every way to stay and reserve early, because fall weekends fill up quickly.
Bring Everyone Together
Family Reunions & Group Camping in the Finger Lakes
Family Reunions & Group Camping at Hickory Hill
There is room for the whole group at Hickory Hill in Bath, New York.
Some trips are about getting away. Others are about getting everyone together. When the whole family, the whole rally, or the whole troop wants to be in one place, you need more than a nice campsite. You need room to spread out, a place to gather, and a home base that keeps the little kids busy and the grandparents comfortable at the same time.
That is exactly what Hickory Hill Camping Resort was built for. On 215 acres in the heart of the Finger Lakes, just outside Bath, New York, there is space for a handful of families or a caravan of RVs, plus the kind of covered gathering spaces that turn a weekend into a proper get-together.
Room to gather, not just to park
The hardest part of planning any group trip is the “where does everyone actually sit down together” question. Hickory Hill answers it with two covered gathering spaces built for exactly that.
[ IMAGE: The covered Pavilion and Activity Hall (Pavilion.jpg) ]
The Pavilion and Activity Hall give your group a place to gather, eat, and celebrate together.
The Pavilion is a 30-foot by 30-foot wheelchair-accessible covered space, perfect for a shaded lunch, a card tournament, or a spot for the group to land between activities. When you need something bigger or weatherproof, the Activity Hall is a 50-foot by 56-foot enclosed facility with a tiled floor, a full kitchen, ceiling fans, and two garage-style doors that open for a cross breeze. It can be heated when the evenings turn cool, which makes it just as useful for a fall reunion as a summer one.
Both spaces sit right in the middle of everything, so nobody has to choose between the gathering and the fun. The pools and splash park, mini golf, two playgrounds, the jumping pillow, the basketball court, the dog park, and wagon rides with Scamper are all a short walk away (see the full list of recreation and amenities). Adults can catch up while the kids run themselves happily tired.
Family reunions, the Hickory Hill way
Family reunions are what this place does best. We recently welcomed the Constantino family for their 80th reunion, and their 33rd year holding it right here at Hickory Hill. Traditions like that do not happen by accident. They happen because the setting makes it easy for four generations to enjoy the same weekend in four different ways.
Here is what makes a reunion work at Hickory Hill:
● Everyone can be near each other. Book a cluster of sites and rentals so the whole family is within walking distance, then use the Pavilion or Activity Hall as your reunion headquarters.
● Every age has something to do. Toddlers have the splash park, teens have mini golf and the basketball court, and the grown-ups have a shady chair and a cold drink. Nobody is bored, and nobody has to be entertained every minute.
● The food part is easy. The Activity Hall’s full kitchen means you can host a group meal, a potluck, or a birthday cake without hauling everything back to a single campsite.
● The memories make themselves. Group photos under the trees, a wagon ride with the little ones, a campfire that runs long after the kids are asleep. Those are the pieces families come back for, year after year.
Whether it is your family’s first reunion or your thirty-third, the goal is the same: everyone in one place, nobody working too hard, and a weekend that people ask to repeat next year.
More than reunions: groups of every kind
Family reunions may be our specialty, but the same space and setup work beautifully for all kinds of groups.
RV rallies and camping clubs. With premium pull-through and back-in sites, 50/30-amp electric and water hookups, and room to park a caravan together, Hickory Hill is a natural host for RV rallies and club gatherings. Line up your rigs, take over the Pavilion for the group meeting, and let the resort handle the fun in between.
Church and faith groups. Retreats, youth groups, and congregation getaways fit right in. The enclosed Activity Hall gives you a private, weatherproof space for a service, a meal, or a group session, while the surrounding acreage offers plenty of quiet room to reflect, connect, and unplug.
Scout troops and youth organizations. Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, 4-H clubs, and youth groups love the mix of open space, hands-on activities, and safe, contained fun. Tent sites keep it classic, the trails and playgrounds keep it active, and the gathering spaces give leaders a home base for meals and meetings.
Tour groups and fall foliage trips. The Finger Lakes are one of the Northeast’s great leaf-peeping destinations, and Hickory Hill makes an ideal base camp for fall foliage tours and travel groups. Spend the day exploring Keuka Lake, Hammondsport, Corning, or Watkins Glen, then return to a warm Activity Hall, a campfire, and comfortable rooms for the night.
Where everyone sleeps
Big groups rarely camp the same way, and that is a good thing here. Hickory Hill lets each part of your group choose the stay that fits them:
● RV and tent sites for the campers who want the full outdoor setup, from premium pull-throughs to roomy tent spots.
● Cabins, cottages, and lodges for anyone who wants camping comfort without towing anything, each with the luxury of a private bathroom. (Not sure which is right for your crew? Our guide to cabins vs. cottages vs. lodges breaks it down.)
Spreading your group across a few lodging styles means the tent-and-campfire crowd and the cozy-cabin crowd can both be happy, and still be steps from the same reunion table. You can compare every way to stay before you book.
How to plan your group stay
Group trips are easier when you start early, especially for peak summer weekends and fall foliage season. A few tips:
● Book your sites and rentals together so your group stays clustered. Use Book Now to view the site map and confirm hookups, layouts, and sleeping capacity for each spot.
● Reserve your gathering space. Let us know if you want the Pavilion or the Activity Hall as your group headquarters so we can help you plan around it.
● Reach out to our group bookings team. For reunions, rallies, retreats, and larger groups, we are happy to help you find the right combination of sites, rentals, and gathering space. Email hello@hickoryhillcampingresort.com or call (607) 776-4345.
Ready to get the whole group together?
Whether you are planning a family reunion, an RV rally, a church retreat, a scout weekend, or a fall foliage tour, Hickory Hill Camping Resort in Bath, New York has the space, the setup, and the Finger Lakes setting to make it easy. Planning around a holiday? Take a look at Labor Day weekend at Hickory Hill, or map out your days with our family camping itinerary.
Check availability, view the site map, and start planning the kind of weekend everyone asks to do again next year.
October Camping
October Camping and Halloween Weekends at Hickory Hill
October Camping at Hickory Hill: Fall Weekends, Halloween Fun and One Last Campfire
October changes the feeling of a camping trip.
The air gets cooler. Sweatshirts come out after dinner. Campfires feel a little more important. Kids start talking about costumes, pumpkins and trick-or-treating. Adults start noticing how good a quiet morning outside can feel when summer has finally slowed down.
At Hickory Hill Camping Resort, October brings a full stretch of fall and Halloween themed weekends before the season closes on October 31. It is a great time for families who want one more trip, one more campfire and one more chance to make the kind of memories that feel especially good in the fall.
October is made for campground memories
Summer camping has pools, long days and that barefoot vacation feeling. October camping has its own kind of charm.
The pace is a little softer. The evenings invite everyone back to the fire. The campground feels cozy in a way that only fall can. Families bring costumes, decorate their sites, sip something warm, and settle into the kind of weekend that does not need to be rushed.
For kids, October is all anticipation. For parents and grandparents, it is a chance to enjoy the season without building a whole fall festival day from scratch. You arrive, unpack once and let the weekend take shape around the campground.
Pumpkin Patch Pals: welcome the season
Pumpkin Patch Pals is listed for September 28 through October 4, 2026. It is the gentle start to Hickory Hill’s fall stretch, with games, crafts and friendly fall festivities built around the cozy charm of autumn.
This is a good fit for families who like fall but may not want the full Halloween energy yet. Think pumpkins, simple activities, comfortable layers and that first real feeling that the season has turned. It is also a nice choice for younger kids, grandparents and anyone who loves fall without needing too many frights.
Pack sweatshirts, easy campfire meals, sturdy shoes and a camera. The best photos of the season often happen when nobody is posing too hard: a kid carrying a pumpkin, a grandparent laughing by the fire, a campsite that looks just festive enough.
Monster Mash: costumes, dancing and not-too-scary fun
Monster Mash is listed for October 5 through October 12, 2026, and it brings a bigger Halloween spirit to the campground. The event page lists planned activities including brunch, a wagon ride, a craft, a pumpkin painting contest, chili cookoff, craft fair, Ray’s Mobile Food Truck, dirt cups, Sip N Paint, a dance party with Stereo Dave, trick-or-treating, a site decorating contest and a corn maze.
This is the weekend for families who want the campground to feel fully in on the fun. Kids can dress up, dance, trick-or-treat and take part in the kind of activities that turn a normal weekend into a story they tell on the ride home.
Adults get their own kind of fun too. A chili cookoff, craft fair, food truck, Sip N Paint and decorated sites give the weekend a little more texture than a standard camping trip. It is playful without needing to feel overwhelming.
Frightening Halloween: classic October campground fun
Frightening Halloween is listed for October 13 through October 18, 2026. The current event page includes costume bingo, a spooky corn maze, Sip N Paint, a site decorating contest, pumpkin painting, cider and donuts, live music from The Neighbors, trick-or-treating and Keuka Trails Food Truck.
This is the weekend for families who really want the Halloween chapter of fall camping. Costumes belong in the packing list. Decorations are part of the fun. Kids get the excitement of trick-or-treating in a campground setting, which has a very different feeling than rushing down a sidewalk at home.
For parents, this kind of weekend takes a lot of pressure off. You do not have to create the whole Halloween experience yourself. You just bring the costumes, plan for cooler weather and let the campground provide the setting.
End Of Season: one last quiet goodbye
End Of Season is listed for October 19 through October 31, 2026. Compared with the bigger Halloween weekends, this one feels quieter. The current listing includes bingo, a wagon ride and a craft, along with a simple invitation to relax, connect and toast to memories made as the season comes to a close.
That quieter feeling is part of its appeal. Not every fall trip has to be full of costumes and activity. Some families want one more weekend outside, one more breakfast at the site, one more walk through the resort and one more night by the fire before the camping season ends.
If your family likes slower travel, this may be the October stay that fits best. It gives everyone space to enjoy the end of the season without trying to squeeze too much into the calendar.
What to pack for October camping
October camping is all about layers. Pack warm clothes for mornings and evenings, but be ready for afternoons that may still feel comfortable. Closed-toe shoes, extra socks, flashlights, blankets, rain gear and easy fire-friendly meals are all useful.
If you are staying in a cabin, cottage or lodge, remember that linens, pillows and towels are not provided. Bring bedding, towels and a few cozy extras from home so the rental feels easy after a cool fall day.
For Halloween weekends, add costumes that can handle outdoor weather. A sweatshirt under a costume is not a failure. It is good campground planning.
Choose the October weekend that fits your family
The best October weekend is not the same for every camper.
Choose Pumpkin Patch Pals if you want a softer fall start. Choose Monster Mash if your family loves costumes, dancing and a busy activity mix. Choose Frightening Halloween if trick-or-treating, decorated sites and classic Halloween fun are the main event. Choose End Of Season if what you really want is one last calm weekend before the gates close for the year.
Whichever weekend you choose, check the current schedule during your stay. Activities and times may change with weather, staffing and the season, and the schedule you receive at the resort is the best guide for your trip.
Ready for one more fall getaway?
Hickory Hill is open May 1 through October 31, and October is a beautiful time to come back for one more campground memory.
Check availability, view the site map and pick your October weekend.
Labor Day Weekend
Labor Day Camping in the Finger Lakes at Hickory Hill
Labor Day Weekend at Hickory Hill: One More Summer Memory
There is something about Labor Day Weekend that makes families want to hold on a little longer.
One more pool day. One more wagon ride. One more evening around the fire before school routines, sports practices, early alarms and packed lunches take over again. At Hickory Hill Camping Resort, Labor Day Weekend is a chance to give summer the kind of sendoff families actually remember.
The 2026 Labor Day Weekend celebration is listed for August 31 through September 7, with planned activities, food, music and plenty of room for the simple parts of camping. It is not a weekend that needs to be packed tight from morning to night. It is a weekend for showing up, settling in and letting summer slow down one more time.
A long weekend built for family time
Labor Day camping has its own rhythm. Mornings start a little softer. Kids wander toward the playground, the jumping pillow, mini golf or a favorite campground friend. Parents get a little breathing room. Grandparents find a place to sit and watch the day unfold.
That is the beauty of a Hickory Hill holiday weekend. There is enough happening to make the stay feel special, but still enough open space for families to make the weekend their own. A campfire after dinner. A walk through the resort. A slow breakfast outside. A second round of mini golf because nobody is ready to head back yet.
Those are the pieces that turn into family stories later.
What is planned for Labor Day Weekend
Hickory Hill lists a full Labor Day Weekend lineup for 2026. Planned activities include bingo, a wagon ride, a water slide, Ray’s Mobile Food Truck, pony rides, face painting, Coloring with Scamper, tie dye, Paint N Sip, a DJ by the pool with Stereo Dave, a band performance by Gemini and brunch.
The schedule gives families a helpful mix of classic campground fun, creative activities, food and music. Kids get activities to look forward to. Adults get the relief of not having to invent every moment of the weekend. Everyone gets to join in as much, or as little, as they want.
Activity details and times are shared on the schedule during your stay and may change with weather, staffing and the season. Check the current schedule when you arrive, choose the moments your family is most excited about, then let the rest of the weekend unfold naturally.
The last big summer weekend feeling
Labor Day often feels like the unofficial final chapter of summer. That makes the little things feel bigger.
A swim feels a little sweeter. Dinner outside feels a little more important. The kids running around with wet hair and campground friends suddenly feels like the exact thing you were hoping for when you booked the trip.
From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, Hickory Hill’s pools and splash park are a natural centerpiece of warm-weather stays. Build a day around swimming, snacks, mini golf and an easy dinner back at your site or rental. Pack swimsuits, towels, sandals, sunscreen and a dry change of clothes for the kids. Then try not to over-plan the day. Some of the best pool weekends happen when families leave enough room for one more splash, one more snack and one more walk back to the campsite in flip-flops.
Stay close to the fun
One of the best parts of a Hickory Hill weekend is choosing the kind of stay that fits your crew.
RV campers can settle into a site and make the campsite feel like home for the long weekend. Tent campers can keep things classic with fresh air, campfire meals and a simple outdoor setup. Families who want camping comfort without bringing an RV can choose from cabins, cottages and lodges.
Each stay style has its own kind of ease. Some families love the full outdoor setup with chairs, coolers, string lights and breakfast at the picnic table. Others want the comfort of a rental unit, a private bathroom and a cozy place to land after a full day outside.
Before booking, click Book Now to view the site map and site details. Hookups, features, layouts and sleeping capacity can vary by individual site or unit, so the booking map is the best place to confirm what works for your trip.
Make it a Finger Lakes weekend
Labor Day Weekend can stay entirely on property, and that may be exactly what your family needs. It can also include a small Finger Lakes adventure if you want a change of scenery.
Hickory Hill makes a comfortable home base for nearby exploring. Guests can add a simple day trip to Hammondsport, Keuka Lake, Corning or Watkins Glen, then come back for pool time, dinner and a campfire. That balance is part of what makes the resort so useful for families. You can go see something, but you do not have to give up the campground feeling to do it.
For many families, the best version is a little of both: one outing, one lazy morning, one good meal, one campfire that runs longer than planned.
A few things to pack
Labor Day can still feel like summer, but it is smart to pack for changing weather. Bring swimsuits and sunscreen, but add sweatshirts for cooler evenings. Camp chairs, easy meals, flashlights, bug spray, towels and comfortable shoes will all earn their place by the end of the weekend.
If you are staying in a rental unit, remember to bring your own sheets, blankets, pillows and towels. A few familiar comforts from home can make the stay feel easier, especially once everyone is tired from a full day outside.
For kids, pack clothes that can handle campground life. Tie dye, water play, wagon rides and outdoor activities are more fun when nobody is trying to keep an outfit spotless.
One more remember when weekend
The best Labor Day weekends are not usually the most complicated ones.
They are the weekends when the kids stay busy, the grown-ups finally sit down and everyone gets one more chance to be outside together. They are the weekends with wet towels on the porch, marshmallow sticks by the fire, music in the background and someone saying, “Can we do this again next year?”
That is what Labor Day Weekend at Hickory Hill is really about. Not just the end of summer. One more memory before the season changes.
Ready to make your own Labor Day weekend?
Labor Day Weekend is listed for August 31 through September 7, 2026, at Hickory Hill Camping Resort in Bath, New York.
Check availability, view the site map and pick the stay style that fits your family.
How to Pick the Perfect Themed Weekend
Themed Camping Weekends in the Finger Lakes
How to Pick the Perfect Themed Weekend at Hickory Hill
A good campground weekend does not need a theme to be memorable. But a themed weekend gives the whole family something to look forward to before the car is even packed.
At Hickory Hill Camping Resort, themed weekends are part of the rhythm of the season. They give kids a reason to count down the days. They give parents an easy answer to “what are we going to do?” And they give the whole campground that feeling that everyone is in on the fun together.
The trick is not choosing the “best” weekend. The trick is choosing the weekend that fits your family. Some families want holiday energy and big summer memories. Some want a slower weekend with crafts, campfires and plenty of breathing room. Some want fall air, costumes and one last trip before the season winds down.
Here is how to pick the Hickory Hill themed weekend that feels right for your crew.
Start with the kind of weekend you want
Before you look at dates, think about the trip you are trying to have.
If your family has been running from one obligation to the next, you may want a calmer weekend where the theme adds fun without taking over the whole stay. If your kids love joining in, making friends and having something new to do around every corner, choose a weekend with a big, energetic theme. If you are traveling with grandparents or a mixed-age group, look for weekends with the kind of classic campground activities everyone can enjoy at their own pace.
Themed weekends work best when they support the trip, not when they turn the trip into another schedule to manage.
For families who want easy kid-friendly fun
Families with kids are often looking for one thing above everything else: enough built-in fun that nobody has to overthink the weekend.
This is where Hickory Hill’s themed weekends shine. Kids can jump into planned activities, head to the playground, spend time at the pool and spray park in season, play mini golf, try the jumping pillow, or simply make campground friends. The theme gives the weekend a shape, but the resort still gives families room to do their own thing.
For these trips, look for weekends that feel active, playful or imagination-driven. Anything centered on summer, water, animals, chocolate, crafts, costumes or adventure will usually land well with younger campers. Parents get the benefit of a weekend that feels special without having to build a full itinerary from scratch.
For campers who love holiday weekends
Holiday weekends have a different kind of energy. They feel like a marker in the year: opening the season, celebrating summer, sending summer off, or squeezing in one more long weekend together.
These are often the weekends families remember because everyone was already in the mood to gather. The campsite feels a little more festive. Meals stretch longer. Kids stay busy. Adults finally sit down. The whole trip carries that good feeling of “we made the most of it.”
If your family loves traditions, start with holiday weekends. Just plan earlier than you would for an ordinary weekend, especially if you need a specific stay type or are traveling with another family.
For guests who want slower, cozier weekends
Not every themed weekend needs to be high energy. Some of the best camping trips are built around slow mornings, walks through the resort, a favorite camp chair and a fire that becomes the center of the evening.
If that sounds like your kind of trip, look for themes that lean into nature, food, relaxing, exploring or late-season comfort. These weekends are a good fit for couples, grandparents, smaller families, RV travelers and anyone who wants the campground atmosphere without feeling like the day is too full.
The beauty of Hickory Hill is that you can join the planned fun, then step right back into the classic camping moments: coffee outside, an easy lunch at the site, a walk with the dog, a board game in the rental, or a quiet night under the stars.
For fall campers and Halloween families
Fall deserves its own category. By October, the pace changes. The air feels different. Sweatshirts come out. Campfires feel less optional and more like the point of the trip.
Families who love costumes, pumpkins, trick-or-treating, decorated sites and cozy campground traditions should keep a close eye on the fall calendar. October weekends can be especially fun because they blend the playful side of Halloween with the slower feeling of end-of-season camping.
These weekends are also a good fit for families who may not be able to travel in peak summer or who prefer cooler weather. A fall camping weekend can feel like a bonus chapter after summer ends.
Choose your stay style next
Once you know the kind of weekend you want, choose the stay style that makes it easiest to enjoy.
RV campers may want a site that gives them a comfortable home base for meals, campfires and downtime between activities. Tent campers may want the classic outdoor feel with access to resort amenities. Families who do not own an RV can still get the campground experience by choosing a cabin, cottage or lodge.
Cabins are a simple, cozy camping upgrade. Cottages add more room and a full kitchen setup. Lodges are the most spacious rental option and can work well for bigger families or multi-generational trips. Sleeping capacity, features and layouts can vary by unit, so the booking map is the best place to confirm details before you reserve.
Do not try to do everything
This may be the most important themed weekend advice: you do not have to do every activity for the weekend to count.
Pick the few things your family is most excited about. Leave space for pool time, playground stops, snacks, rest and those unplanned moments that end up being the best parts of the trip. Planned activities and times may change with weather, staffing and the season, so check the current schedule during your stay and give yourself permission to keep the weekend easy.
The theme should make the stay more fun, not more complicated.
Make it an annual tradition
Once families find their Hickory Hill weekend, it often becomes something they come back to year after year. Maybe it is the holiday weekend that starts summer. Maybe it is the fall weekend with costumes and decorated sites. Maybe it is the quiet late-season stay that gives everyone one last campfire before the resort closes for the year.
That is the best part of a themed weekend. It gives the trip a name, a memory and a reason to say, “Let’s do that again.”
Ready to pick your weekend?
Explore the current events calendar, choose an anchor weekend your family will love, then check availability and pick the stay style that fits your crew.
View the site map and site details when you click Book Now.
Keuka Lake Day Trip
Keuka Lake Day Trip From Hickory Hill
Keuka Lake and Hammondsport Day Trip From Hickory Hill
One of the best parts of staying at Hickory Hill is that you do not have to choose between campground time and Finger Lakes exploring. You can wake up to a quiet morning in Bath, spend part of the day near Keuka Lake, then come back for pool time, dinner and a campfire.
Hammondsport is the easiest lake-town day trip from the campground. It is close enough to keep the day simple, but full of enough history, lake views, food and small-town wandering to make the trip feel special.
Use this as a flexible day plan. Pick the pieces that fit your family, check current hours before you go, and leave enough time to return to Hickory Hill before everyone runs out of steam.
Start with a slow campground morning
A good Keuka Lake day does not need to begin early. Have breakfast at your site or rental, pack a small day bag and give the kids a little time to play before getting in the car. The drive to the Hammondsport area is short enough that you can avoid the rushed vacation feeling.
Bring water, sunscreen, a light layer, comfortable shoes and a plan for lunch. If you are traveling with kids, add snacks even if you are only going a few miles. Snacks are not a detail. Snacks are trip insurance.
Make the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum your first stop
The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum is one of Hammondsport's signature attractions. It tells the story of Glenn Curtiss, a pioneer aviator, motorcyclist and inventor with deep roots in the village. The museum has early aviation history, motorcycles, local exhibits and the kind of machines that make both kids and adults slow down for a closer look.
This is a strong first stop because it gives the day a real anchor. It is indoors, it works in mixed weather, and it connects the trip to local history rather than just scenery. Check current hours and admission details before you leave the campground.
Add the Finger Lakes Boating Museum for a lake story
If your family enjoys museums, the Finger Lakes Boating Museum is another worthwhile stop in the Hammondsport area. It focuses on the region's boating history, with galleries and exhibits tied to the Finger Lakes' long relationship with wooden boats, lake life and local craftsmanship.
You do not have to do both museums in one day, especially with younger kids. Choose the one that best fits your group, or split them across two different visits if you are staying longer.
Plan lunch in Hammondsport
After a museum stop, head into Hammondsport for lunch and a walk. The village has the kind of lake-town scale that works well for families: not too big, not too complicated, and easy to enjoy at a slower pace.
Casa Mezcal Flavors of Mexico in Hammondsport is a casual option to consider for families. The Park Inn offers a more elevated meal in the village if your group wants a sit-down lunch or dinner. Hours can change by season and day of week, so check before you promise lunch to hungry travelers.
Leave room for the lake
Keuka Lake is the reason many guests make the short drive. Even if your day is mostly museums and lunch, leave a little time to enjoy the lake-town setting. Take a short walk, find a view, let everyone stretch their legs, and take the family photo while nobody is in a hurry.
This is also a good place to keep the day simple. You do not need a packed itinerary to make Hammondsport feel worthwhile. Sometimes one museum, one meal and one lakeside pause are exactly enough.
Optional stops for adults
The Keuka Lake area is known for wineries and breweries, and adult guests may want to add a tasting room or scenic stop to the day. Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, Bully Hill Vineyards, Pleasant Valley Wine Company and several local breweries are all part of the broader Hammondsport-area experience.
Keep these as optional add-ons rather than the center of a family itinerary. If you are traveling with kids, choose one stop, check whether it fits your group, and make sure the day still feels comfortable for everyone. Hours, reservations and dining availability can change, so verify details before you go.
Head back for the best part of camping
A day trip feels better when it ends with room to relax. Give yourself time to return to Hickory Hill before dinner or before the evening activities begin. The kids may want the pool or mini golf. Adults may want a quiet hour at the site. The dog may want the dog park. Everyone will probably want dry shoes and a snack.
This is the real advantage of staying at a campground basecamp. You can explore the Finger Lakes during the day without giving up the easy pleasures of the campground at night.
A sample Hammondsport day from Hickory Hill
Start with breakfast at the campground, then drive to Hammondsport for the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum. Have lunch in the village, take a short lakeside walk, then choose one optional afternoon stop: the Finger Lakes Boating Museum, a shop, a scenic drive, or a tasting room for the adults. Return to Hickory Hill with enough daylight for dinner and a campfire.
For families with young kids, make the day shorter. For adults or multi-generational groups, add a second stop. For longer stays, consider doing Hammondsport once for museums and once for food, views and wineries.
Why this day trip works
Keuka Lake and Hammondsport give Hickory Hill guests a simple way to experience the Finger Lakes without spending the whole day in the car. The route is easy, the stops are flexible, and the reward is a day that feels local, scenic and relaxed.
You come back to the campground with something to talk about around the fire. That is usually the sign of a day trip worth taking.
Want a campground basecamp close to Keuka Lake? Pick your dates and check availability at Hickory Hill.
Cabin vs. Cottage vs. Lodge
Cabin vs. Cottage vs. Lodge at Hickory Hill
Cabin vs. Cottage vs. Lodge: What to Know Before You Book
Not every family wants to camp the same way. Some love the RV setup. Some want the full tent experience. Others want fresh air, campfires and campground fun, but with a real bed and a private bathroom waiting at the end of the night.
That is where Hickory Hill's rental options come in. Cabins, cottages and lodges give guests a way to enjoy the campground without bringing an RV or tent. They still feel connected to the outdoors, but they make the practical parts of the trip easier, especially for families, grandparents and first-time campers.
The question is not which rental is best. The better question is which one fits your trip.
Start with what all rentals have in common
Every Hickory Hill rental type includes a private bathroom with a toilet, sink and standing shower. That is one of the biggest reasons families choose a rental instead of a tent or RV site. It makes mornings easier, bedtime easier and rainy days a little more comfortable.
All rentals also include utility-grade Wi-Fi, A/C and heat, a TV, a Keurig coffee maker, outdoor space for classic campground time, and pet-friendly options. Rental guests should bring their own linens, pillows and towels. Hickory Hill does not provide bedding or towels in cabins, cottages or lodges.
The biggest differences are space, kitchen setup and sleeping arrangement.
Choose a cabin for simple comfort
Cabins are the coziest rental option. Each cabin measures 12 feet by 12 feet, plus an attached full bathroom. They are built for guests who want the feel of a classic camping cabin with key comforts already in place.
A cabin sleeps four with a queen bed and bunk bed. Inside, guests have a microwave, mini-fridge, Keurig coffee maker, TV, A/C and heat. Outside, cabins include a covered porch, BBQ grill, fire pit and picnic table.
A cabin is a strong fit for a weekend stay, a small family, a couple who wants a simple basecamp, or guests who are new to camping and do not want to start with a tent. It is not the best fit if you want a full kitchen or extra indoor room for a larger group.
Choose a cottage for the best middle ground
Cottages are a step up in space and kitchen convenience. Each cottage measures 12 feet by 30 feet and includes a full kitchen, full-size fridge, stove and oven, microwave, Keurig coffee maker, full bathroom, TV, A/C, heat and ceiling fan.
The sleeping setup includes a queen bed, bunk beds and a futon, making cottages a good fit for families who want more flexibility than a cabin. The covered porch, porch swing, patio, BBQ grill and landscaped fire pit area give the stay a little more room to spread out outside too.
For many families, the kitchen is the deciding factor. Being able to make breakfast, store groceries and handle simple dinners inside can take pressure off the weekend. You still get the campfire, the porch and the campground feel, but meals become easier.
Choose a lodge for more space and longer stays
Lodges are Hickory Hill's most spacious rental units. They are made for families who want room to spread out, multi-generational trips, longer stays, or groups who prefer separate bedrooms and a larger indoor gathering space.
Lodges feature three bedrooms, a dining area, full bathroom and a fully equipped kitchen. Most include a full-size fridge, microwave, Keurig coffee maker, TV, A/C, heat, ceiling fan, BBQ grill, fire pit and outdoor seating. Sleeping capacity can vary by lodge, so the exact unit details should always be confirmed in Book Now before reserving.
If you are traveling with grandparents, older kids, or a family that needs more breathing room, a lodge may be the most comfortable fit. It is also the easiest rental choice for guests who want to cook more meals at the campground instead of relying on restaurants.
The kitchen question
Kitchen needs are often the clearest way to decide. Cabins have a microwave and mini-fridge, which works well for snacks, coffee, simple breakfasts and leftovers. Cottages and lodges have full kitchens, which are better for families who want to cook real meals during the trip.
A full kitchen can also make picky eaters, food allergies and early breakfasts easier. If your family likes to start the day slowly or eat dinner without leaving the campground, a cottage or lodge will probably feel more relaxed.
The sleeping question
Cabins work best when four people can sleep comfortably in a queen bed and bunk bed arrangement. Cottages add a futon, which gives families more flexibility. Lodges provide the most separation, with three bedrooms and unit-specific sleeping capacity.
Always check the exact rental details before booking, especially if your group is close to the occupancy limit. Comfort matters. A trip feels different when everyone has a place to sleep that actually works.
What to bring for any rental
The most important reminder is bedding. Bring sheets, blankets, pillows, bath towels and pool towels. Rental units include toilet paper, hand soap and shampoo/conditioner, but personal toiletries, food, favorite coffee supplies and bedtime comforts should come from home.
It also helps to bring easy outdoor items: camp chairs, roasting sticks, bug spray, sunscreen, flashlights and a few games for the porch or picnic table. Rentals make camping more comfortable, but the best parts still happen outside.
So which one should you book?
Choose a cabin if you want simple, cozy comfort for a small group. Choose a cottage if you want a full kitchen, porch time and more room for a family weekend. Choose a lodge if your group needs the most space, separate bedrooms and a larger setup for meals and downtime.
No matter which rental you choose, you will still be close to the Hickory Hill experience: fresh air, campfires, family-friendly amenities and a Finger Lakes basecamp where the day can be as busy or as slow as you want it to be.
Ready to compare cabins, cottages and lodges? Check availability and review rental details before you book.
Rainy Day Ideas
Rainy Day Ideas Near Hickory Hill
Rainy Day Ideas Near Hickory Hill
Rain on a camping trip can feel dramatic when you see it in the forecast. Once you have a plan, it usually becomes something much smaller: a slower morning, a museum day, a cozy lunch, dry socks and a campfire later if the weather clears.
Hickory Hill is a helpful home base for exactly that kind of day. You can stay close and keep things simple, or you can turn the rain into a reason to explore Corning, Hammondsport or Keuka Lake. The key is to choose one good outing, not pack the day until everyone is tired.
Here are family-friendly rainy-day ideas to keep in your back pocket before your next Finger Lakes camping trip.
Make Corning your main rainy-day plan
Corning is about 21 miles from the Bath area, depending on route and traffic, which makes it one of the easiest rainy-day day trips from Hickory Hill. The centerpiece is the Corning Museum of Glass, a strong choice for families because it feels special without depending on perfect weather.
The museum is built around glass, art, science and live demonstrations, which gives kids something to watch instead of only something to read. It is the kind of place where different ages can find their own point of interest: color, fire, history, design, or the simple question of how something fragile can become so strong.
Before you go, check the museum's current hours, admission details and daily schedule. If your family wants to add a hands-on experience, review availability in advance because some activities may require a reservation or fill up on busy days.
Add downtown Corning if the weather lets up
If the rain turns into a drizzle, give yourself a little time in Corning's Gaffer District. Downtown Corning is known for Market Street, local shops, restaurants and an easy walkable feel. This is a good add-on when your family needs lunch, coffee, a treat, or a short stroll before heading back to the campground.
Keep it flexible. A rainy day with kids is not the time to insist on seeing every storefront. Pick one lunch spot, one shop, and maybe one dessert stop. Then head back while the day still feels like a win.
Choose Hammondsport for a closer, lighter outing
If you do not want a full Corning day, Hammondsport and the Keuka Lake area are closer to Hickory Hill and can work well when the weather is passing through. The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum is a strong indoor option for aviation, motorcycles and local history. It is especially good for families with curious kids, grandparents, or anyone who likes machines with a story behind them.
Another nearby option is the Finger Lakes Boating Museum, which celebrates the boating history of the region. It is a natural fit for a Keuka Lake day, especially if your family likes museums that feel connected to the place you are visiting.
As with any local attraction, check current hours before you leave the campground. Small museums and seasonal destinations can adjust schedules for events, private rentals or holidays.
Keep part of the day at the campground
A rainy day does not have to mean leaving for six hours. Sometimes the best plan is to take a shorter outing, then come back to Hickory Hill for a slower afternoon. This works especially well if you are staying in a cottage or lodge with a full kitchen, but it can work in any stay style with the right mindset.
Use the rain as permission to reset. Do laundry if the trip needs it. Visit the camp store for a treat. Play cards. Let younger kids rest. Make an easy dinner earlier than usual. If the weather clears, take a walk, play mini golf during store hours, or settle in for a campfire when conditions allow.
Pack a rainy-day bag before you leave home
A small rainy-day bag can save a surprising amount of energy. Pack rain jackets or ponchos, extra socks, a dry change of clothes for each child, a few compact games, coloring supplies, chargers and a plastic bag for wet items.
For rental stays, add cozy extras like slippers, a favorite blanket and simple breakfast food. For RV and tent campers, think in layers and waterproof storage. Nobody minds rain quite as much when the dry clothes stay dry.
A simple rainy-day itinerary
If the forecast looks wet from breakfast through afternoon, start slow at the campground. Make an easy breakfast and let the first wave of rain pass while everyone gets ready. Late morning, drive to Corning for the museum. Have lunch downtown or keep it simple with snacks and a packed meal. Return to Hickory Hill by late afternoon so the evening can be calm.
If the rain is scattered, choose Hammondsport instead. Visit one museum, get lunch, take a short drive near Keuka Lake if visibility is good, then return to the campground with plenty of daylight left.
Why rainy days can still become good memories
Kids remember the mood of a trip as much as the weather. If the adults treat rain as a small detour, the whole day feels easier. Put on the rain jackets. Choose one good place to go. Keep expectations low and snacks close.
The story may not be, Remember when everything went exactly as planned. More likely, it will be, Remember when it rained and we watched glass being made, or found that little lunch spot, or played cards until the sun came out.
That still counts as a Hickory Hill memory.
Planning a Finger Lakes camping trip with room for every kind of weather? Check availability and pick your dates.