Watkins Glen / Corning KOA

The Great Outdoors

Camp in an RV near Watkins Glen and make the short drive north to Watkins Glen State Park, which centers around a 400-foot-deep narrow gorge carved by the Glen Creek. Stretch your legs along the South Rim or Indian Trail that follow the wooded rim of the gorge or get up close to the park’s numerous waterfalls along the Gorge Trail’s stone steps and bridges. If you’re after more of a challenge, the trails of Watkins Glen State Park connect with the long-distance Finger Lakes Trail that spans more than 800 miles throughout New York state.Camping at Watkins Glen / Corning KOA is convenient for exploring Sugar Hill State Forest, a 9,085-acre protected area that’s also traversed by the Finger Lakes Trail. It’s a popular birdwatching destination, with northern harriers and endangered Henslow’s sparrows often spotted here, while also being a favorite destination for horse riders. Horse stables and horse hitching posts are among the facilities available, with a number of multi-use trails where horses have the right of way. A highlight of the reserve is hiking to the historic Sugar Hill Fire Tower, which affords superb views across the region.Watkins Glen / Corning KOA is also within easy access of Finger Lakes National Forest, which encompasses forested woodlands, pastures, and gorges between Cayuga and Seneca Lakes. It’s home to around 30 miles of hiking trails, including the Burnt Hill Loop and the 12-mile Interloken Trail. If you’re an angler, head to the shores of Seneca Lake (the largest of the Finger Lakes), which is renowned as the lake trout capital of the world. Brown trout, largemouth bass, and landlocked salmon can also be lured here while the painted rocks at the southern end of the lake are famed for their depictions of Native Americans, an American flag, and a tee-pee.

Exploring the City

Watkins Glen campers can access the city’s supermarkets and grocery stores, as well as numerous gas stations if you need to fill up your RV rental. There’s also a good selection of fast-food restaurants, breweries, and grills for dining out and all the services you need for a stress-free stay.Corning is famously home to the Corning Museum of Glass, which was founded by the Corning Glass Works in 1951. In addition to housing around 50,000 glass objects, it also conducts live glass-making demonstrations by skilled craftspeople. Browse the Ancient Egyptian artifacts and contemporary works displayed in the Glass Collection Galleries, with the Corning Museum of Glass boasting what is one of the most celebrated glass collections in the world.After visiting the Corning Museum of Glass, make the short walk over to the Heritage Village of the Southern Finger Lakes where the history of the region is brought to life. Embark on a guided tour to visit the Federal-style Benjamin Patterson Inn that dates to 1796 and explore its heritage-listed dining room and the innkeepers' quarters. Also within the village are a schoolhouse, a log cabin, and a 19th-century blacksmith shop where costumed staff illustrate some of the industries that flourished during the period.Adjacent to Corning is the village of Painted Post, which is home to a historic railway station that now functions as the Painted Post-Erwin Museum. It was constructed in 1881 as a passenger and freight depot for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, with old photographs and artifacts detailing the community’s history. Art lovers shouldn’t miss a visit to the Rockwell Museum in the heart of downtown Corning where you’ll find an impressive collection of American paintings and sculptures.Whether you want to experience Corning’s famous Museum of Glass or explore the surrounding natural destinations, book an RV in Schuyler County and start planning your next excursion.