Pinecreek Campground

Camp in an RV near Newfield and head east to explore the Buttermilk Falls State Park, which encompasses 811 acres of wooded forest. It’s named after the frothy appearance of its churning waters, with numerous nature trails for visiting its waterfalls and lake. Follow the Gorge Trail that hugs the banks of Buttermilk Creek along its picturesque cascades, then continue along the Rim Trail on the other side of the creek to create a loop walk. Another popular trek in the Buttermilk Falls State Park is along Bear Trail, which accesses Lake Treman and its associated falls, with a spur of the Finger Lakes Trail at the far end of the lake if you want to explore further.

Also nearby is the Robert H. Treman State Park, a 1,100-acre protected area named after the former owner who eventually donated the land to New York State. It encompasses the Enfield Falls Mill and Miller's House that are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as swimming holes, hiking trails, and numerous waterfalls. A highlight of visiting the park is the round-trip hike that follows the banks of Enfield Creek and offers magnificent views of the narrow gorge known as Enfield Glen. Be sure to photograph the 115-foot Lucifer Falls, a multi-tiered cascade, then refresh with a swim at the base of Lower Falls.

RV camping at the Pinecreek Campground also provides a good base for exploring Cayuga Lake, which is the longest of New York’s Finger Lakes and named after the native Cayuga people. It’s a particularly popular sport fishing destination, with lake trout, smallmouth bass, Atlantic salmon, and black crappie all for the taking. Boat ramps are available at the Mud Lock Canal Park and Long Point State Park on the shores of the lake, as well as within the Cayuga Lake State Park and the Taughannock Falls State Park.

Pinecreek Campground is around 15 minutes’ drive from Ithaca, with plenty of supermarkets where you can stock up on grocery supplies. There are also gas stations if you need to fill up your RV rental and a great selection of restaurants and fast-food eateries for dining out.

Ithaca lies on the southern edge of Cayuga Lake and is home to the attractive Ivy League school of Cornell University, which is renowned for its I.M. Pei–designed Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art. It boasts more than 30,000 works and is particularly noted for its Asian art collection, as well as hosting an exciting calendar of traveling exhibitions. Green thumbs shouldn’t miss a visit to the Cornell Botanic Gardens, which feature a wildflower garden and the Newman Arboretum, as well as the multi-tiered Cascadilla Falls.

If you’re traveling with kids, take time to explore Ithaca’s Sciencenter, a hands-on museum that’s dedicated to inspiring young minds about the world of science. There are more than 250 interactive exhibits to explore, as well as an outdoor science playground, an 18-hole mini-golf course, and a touch tank filled with live marine animals. Also worth exploring is the downtown Ithaca Commons, a shopping and entertainment area that’s always alive with people and street musicians.

Motorhome camping in Newfield is also ideal for RVers wanting to tour the Finger Lakes Wine Growing Region, which was planted with grapes only as recently as the 1960s. Dr. Konstantin Frank was the first to plant Riesling here, and it’s now become the region’s signature wine. Cellar-door hop to sample not only the Finger Lakes’ renowned wine but also its burgeoning food and craft beer scene.

Whether you want to see the sights of Ithaca or tour the Finger Lakes’ cellar doors, book an RV in Tompkins County and start planning your next vacation.