Whitney Point
RV Guide
Introduction
Whitney Point Dam is a Corps of Engineers reservoir project in the Susquehanna River Basin on the Otesic River, where it joins the Tioughnioga River, in Broome County, New York. The dam, located ¾ of a mile above the Village of Whitney Point, provides flood control to the region and creates Whitney Point Lake. The Corps project also creates wilderness and recreation areas along the project, with over 4000 acres of natural habitat for wildlife, including the Whitney Point Multiple Use Recreation Area of 1200 acres on the north side of the lake. Whitney Point Lake has 9.4 miles of shoreline, is 5.8 miles long, and has a maximum depth of 20 feet. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation manages a fishery at the lake and in the surrounding wilderness areas
Broome County operates Dorchester Park on the south end of Whitney Point Lake. It provides a day-use area with restrooms, water taps and fountains, a beach, boat launch, two 100-person picnic shelters, a swim beach, picnic areas, open sports fields, and play areas. Dorchester Park is located within the community of Whitney Point, NY.
There is no overnight camping at Whitney Point. However, Chenango Valley State Park, which is a 20-minute drive to the south, has excellent RV camping sites. You can also visit Bowman Lake State Park, which is about a 40-minute drive northeast of Whitney Point. If you need an RV to explore this beautiful natural area in New York State, check out New York State RV Rentals.
RV Rentals in Whitney Point
Transportation
Driving
Dorchester Park's many amenities, recreation areas, and facilities are located on the southeast end of Whitney Point Lake in the village of Whitney Point, which is situated 19 miles north of Binghamton, NY. From Interstate 81, take the exit to State Highway 26 and head northeast. Exit to the left on Prospect Street to access the park.
Continue north on Highway 26, along the east border of the lake, to Route 152 on the left to access the Whitney Point Multiple Use Area and Upper Lisle Park. Route 152 has a relatively narrow bridge with limited overhead clearance crossing the Otselic River. However, most RVs and tow vehicles should be able to negotiate the bridge if they reduce speed and use caution. All routes are paved in the region.
If you are camping at Chenango Valley State Park, take Highway 26 south until it becomes Highway 79 and continue to Route 12, turn left and stay on the right to take the first exit on the continuation of Route 79 on the right side. Turn right to cross the bridge over the Chenango River. Immediately after the bride, take a right on Pigeon Hill Road. Turn right at the “T” intersection onto Cove State Park Road and then immediately right again onto Chenango Valley State Park Road to access the state parks and campgrounds. Access roads are paved, and the bridge should accommodate RVs and tow vehicles, but you may want to reduce speed on this narrow bridge and check overhead clearance requirements before proceeding.
Parking
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in Whitney Point
Campsites in Whitney Point
Reservations camping
Chenango Valley State Park Campgrounds
Chenango Valley State Park has overnight camping with plenty of amenities for RV campers, including electric hookups. The peak season is May through September. Recreational activities in the park include hiking, cycling, fishing, and boating in the summer and cross country skiing, sledding, and ice skating in the winter.
The park has two kettle lakes and is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Chipmunk Bluff campground has 182 back in campsites suitable for RVs. The first loop has non-serviced sites, the second loop has 50 amp sites and the third loop has 30 amp sites. Campsites are closely set, but well shaded and most sites are private with a line of bushes or trees between sites. In addition to RV campsites, cabins are available for rent.
Amenities at the campground include two shower/flush toilet buildings, an RV dump station, concession, comfort station, and conveniently located water supplies. Recreational amenities include basketball courts, softball fields, bike trails, boat rentals, playground, golf course, and swim beach.
Seasonal activities in Whitney Point
Off-Season
Hiking and Biking
The Whitney Point Community and Lake Walkway/Bikeway is a two-mile-long paved bicycle and walking path that skirts the lakeshore on the southside of Whitney Point Lake in Dorchester Park. This beautiful trail extends to Kiebel Road in the VIllage of Whitney, NY. During the fall, incredible autumn colors make this trail especially beautiful and the colors can be seen reflected in the lake. There is less traffic on this popular path and fewer insects during the fall season.
Ice Fishing
When Whitney Point Lake freezes solid during the winter months ice fishing at the lake becomes possible. Ensure the lake is frozen adequately to allow safe access to the lake surface. During the winter, the annual NY Crappie Derby is run, weather permitting, by the Whitney Point Sportsmen's Association at Whitney Point Lake. This event attracts hundreds of sport fishers and spectators, with live entertainment and a concession stand provided. Ice thickness can affect whether the event is held each year.
Crappie and walleye are popular winter catch species. Crappie are often suspended only a few feet from the ice surface at the Old River Channel. You can also catch walleye in this location using minnows for bait or with spoons or jigs.
Snowmobiling at Long Pond
Long Pond State Forest is located about a 20-minute drive northeast of Whitney Point and features snowmobile trails during the winter when snowpack permits. Several bridges have been constructed to enhance the trail. Trail conditions are updated on the websites of local snowmobile clubs. Ensure your snow vehicle is properly licensed and registered, wear helmets, and have required safety gear on board. Use caution going around blind corners to avoid collisions with other trail users.
In-Season
Boating
Whitney Point Lake has a 25 horsepower motor restriction and a 10 mile per hour speed limit. There are canoe, rowboat, paddleboard, and kayak rentals available at Dorchester Park, where a hard-surfaced boat launch ramp is situated, providing boat access to the lake. Dorchester Park also has a large parking area for vehicles with boat trailers. The town of Triangle at the north end of the reservoir has a gravel-surfaced boat ramp with a smaller parking lot accommodating up to 10 vehicles with trailers. From the west side of the reservoir lake, there is shore access for car-top boats.
Fishing
Whitney Point Lake allows fishing from the shore, or from small motorboats, or motorized water vessels, on the lake surface. Open water fishing at Whitney Point is excellent. Species available to catch in the lake include walleye, chain pickerel, white and black crappie, brown bullhead, common carp, channel catfish, largemouth bass, rock bass, smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed sunfish, white sucker, shorthead redhorse, golden shiner, and bluegill. Crappie is best caught in the spring with minnows and jigs, and walleye fishing is good in the spring, summer, and fall at the old river channel. Bass are available along the shoreline, especially around woody structures. A valid New York State fishing license is required.
Swimming
There is a white sand beach at Dorchester Park that provides a great swimming area at Whitney Point Lake. The swimming area has a certified lifeguard present and there are changing areas for swimmers and sunbathers to use. The USA Triathlon has been held annually since 2006 here and starts with a ½ mile swim in Whitney Point Lake followed by cycling and cross country run stages.
Even though lifeguards are present, you should still stay in an area appropriate for your swimming ability and keep children within arms reach.
