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Watkins Glen / Corning KOA
- 1710 State Route 414 (GPS address 1710 KOA Dr)
- Watkins Glen, NY 14891
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Directions
On Rt 414, 14 mi N of Corning (from I-86 Exit 46) or 5 mi S of Watkins Glen.
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Reserve(800) 562-7430
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Info(607) 535-7404
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2011 President's Award
KOA President's Award
Awarded to KOAs that meet exceptional quality standards and are recognized by their guests for outstanding service.
Spectacular describes this quiet, rural, wooded camping resort, with ALL of the amenities that help create a memorable vacation.
Spectacular describes the Finger Lakes vacation region, and spectacular describes this quiet, rural, wooded camping resort, with ALL of the amenities that help create a memorable vacation. A 3-5 day stay is recommended to enjoy the region’s bounty, which includes the famous Watkins Glen Gorge with its 19 waterfalls, the Corning Museum of Glass, Seneca Lake sight-seeing and dinner cruises, swimming beneath waterfalls, sampling local vintages at more than 40 close-by wineries, and major motor racing including the NASCAR SPRINT CUP.
Selected as the 2009 KOA Campground of the Year, and with more than 30 Kamping Kabins and Kottages, and NEW full-featured BIG RIG RV sites, and FREE WIFI, the resort specialize in FUN for family vacations and reunions!
The 30'x50’ heated INDOOR pool, spa and fitness center is in a class by itself, and the award-winning gigantic 44’ pirate ship playground and a fabulous hot breakfast in our enclosed pavilion will help make your vacation memorable!
Meet Your Hosts
Paul and Cam Friesen enjoyed camping with their kids over the years, and now enjoy the lifestyle of KOA ownership.
They purchased their KOA in June 1992, moving from the Chicago area. "Paul and I like working together. And when our kids were still at home it was nice being together as a family," notes Cam.
Prior to moving to the KOA Kampground business, Cam was a full-time Mom for their four kids, and Paul was a manager in computer information systems for an office supply company. They enjoyed camping in Wisconsin and Minnesota prior to heading east.
Now that their children are grown and the grandchildren have starting arriving, they have become full-time RVers and enjoy lots of travel throughout the year.
"We like the campers who come here," Cam added, and they do their best to keep the customers happy.
Paul designed and built a creative Pirate Ship playground, using 100% recycled plastic lumber, which is safer for the kids, Cam noted. "It's huge. It's 44 feet long, and has a couple of decks and slides and walkways. The kids just have a ball on there."
A more recent project was even larger. They built a 6,900 square foot indoor recreational building in 2005, complete with large pool, spa, fitness room, game room, and meeting room.
They continue to add amenities to the campground every year.
Paul enjoys woodworking and cabinetmaking as a hobby. Cam enjoys reading, quilting, and the couple continues to enjoy traveling whenever they can.
Campground Amenities
- Family Reunions
- Indoor Swimming Pool and Spa (April 20 - October 28) (no charge)
- Fitness Center
- RV Clubs & Rallies
- Golf Cart Rentals
Campground Activities
Breakfast Every Weekend in the Summer
We offer a great hot breakfast from Memorial Day through Labor Day on Saturday and Sunday mornings. We may not be serving during the first few weekends in June.
Indoor Pool & Spa Open All Season
The indoor pool & spa is open from April 20 to November 1. We have adult swims on Saturday nights from 9:00-10:00 pm most every week from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Nightly Movies
Movies every evening in our Theater in the Woods, weather permitting.
Jumping Pillow
Great fun for the whole family! And it's FREE!
Laser Tag
NEW in 2011, an outdoor in-the-woods laser tag. Located near the jumping pillow, this is a super fun activity the whole family will enjoy. Sign up in the store.
Pirate Ship Playground
Visit our giant pirate ship playground for lots of fun. Dig for buried treasure in the sand surrounding the pirate ship.
Local Attractions
Seneca Lake Wine Trail
The 35+ wineries along the shores of Seneca Lake offer individual and unique expressions from one of America's finest wine districts. Each winery's personality will make your visit truly a tasteful experience. Check schedule for special weekend events; Spring Wine and Cheese Weekends, Pasta & Wine Weekends, and the Finger Lakes Wine Festival. Visit the Seneca Lake Wine Trail website for more information.
Glenn Curtiss Museum
Glenn H. Curtiss (1878 - 1930) was one of the most famous American pioneer aviators. This museum is open from April - October. See the Glenn Curtiss Museum website for more information.
Fishing
On Seneca Lake - Charters available for half day or full day excursions.
Hiking
Hike at New York's only Finger Lakes National Forest, with over 13,000 acres of forest land. Also Watkins Glen State Park has a 1 1/2 mile trail that takes you through the spectacular gorge with 19 waterfalls. Taughannock State Park and Robert Treman State Park, located in nearby Ithaca, offer terrific hiking opportunities.
Golf
Several golf courses are located within ten miles, and are open to the public.
The Windmill Farm & Craft Markets
The Windmill features Amish goods, crafts, furniture and baked goods. It is open every Saturday, and is a very popular stop! Click here to go to The Windmill website.
Shopping
Arnot Mall offers shopping as well as entertainment. From antiques to Corvettes; from sail boats to fashion shows, nearly every week the mall brings new displays, demonstrations or entertainment.
State Parks With Waterfalls
State Parks with Waterfalls include:
Taughannock Falls, Buttermilk Falls, Robert Treman State Park (all within one hour) are located near Ithaca, NY. Taughannock Falls features a waterfall that is taller than Niagara Falls. Spectacular! Robert Treman State Park boasts a scenic "swimming hole" that is life guarded in the summer.
National Soaring Museum
Experience the science, history and adventure of motorless flight. This Museum is home of the largest collection of gliders and sailplanes. For more information, see the National Soaring Museum website .
Watkins Glen International Racetrack
Watkins Glen is the home of the Nascar Sprint Cup race held in August and is located just 2 miles from the campground. It also hosts numerous racing events and the annual Finger Lakes Wine Festival in July.
Captain Bill’s Sightseeing & Dinner Cruises
Experience 100 years of history aboard the Seneca Legacy (with a meal as extraordinary as the view) or on the Stroller IV, an hourly sightseeing option. It is located on Seneca Lake in Watkins Glen. Click here to go to Captain Bill's website .
Corning Glass Center in Corning NY
This attraction is a wonderful experience for the entire family. See a demonstration of glassmaking at the Hot Glass Show. Visit interactive displays at the Glass Innovation Center. Learn about the history of glass at the Art and History Galleries. For more information, visit the Corning Museum of Glass website .
National Warplane Museum in Big Flats, NY
"Where history takes flight". See military aviation history come to life, featuring 34 aircraft. For more information, visit the National Warplane Museum website .
Rockwell Museum in Corning, NY
Rockwell Museum houses the largest display of American Western art and artifacts in the East. It has the world’s most comprehensive collection of Carder Steuben Glass. For more information, visit the Rockwell Museum website .
Watkins Glen Gorge at the Watkins Glen State Park
This is often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world. It boasts 19 waterfalls and glacial carved rocks. Enjoy a beautiful hike where history, legend, nature, and beauty blend to offer an exceptional moving experience. Click here to go to the Watkins Glen State Park website .
Campground News
NEW Kamping Lodges for 2012
Beginning this spring (around June 1, 2012) we will be renting brand new Kamping Lodges. They are located on the ridge between Kottage K54 and Sunset Acres. Sleep 8 people with full kitchen and bathroom. Check them out!
Upcoming Events
Cardboard Regatta
June 15-17, 2012
Watkins Glen Waterfront Festival & Cardboard Boat Regatta
Finger Lakes Wine Festival
July 13-15, 2012
Annual Wine Festival held at Watkins Glen International. More than 80 wineries participate!
Nascar Race Weekend
August 9-12, 2012
Nascar Sprint Cup Series racing weekend
Grand Prix Festival
September 7-9, 2012
Grand Prix racing weekend in the town of Watkins Glen and at the Watkins Glen International racetrack.
Summer Activities
Our activities this summer will be run again by a group called the Summershiners. They are Christian college students who will run our various events and activities from mid-May to mid-August. If you camped with us in the last few years, you know how great these kids are! They will be running lots of activities throughout the summer.
PLUS...
We have several terrific "Do It Yourself" activities that are available throughout the year. These include:
Dig for Pirates Gold
Our huge 44' Pirate ship, SEA BANDIT, sits in a sea of about 200 tons of sand. We bury hundreds of dollars of Pirates Gold (play coins) regularly in the sand. Coins that are dug up can be spent like real money in our store ($2.00 limit per child per stay). START DIGGING!
The Great "Finger Lakes Treasure Hunt"
Now in its 16th year, our "Finger Lakes Treasure Hunt" will take you and your family around the campground as you solve clues and learn fascinating facts, legends and lore about our beloved Finger Lakes region. When you have completed the "hunt", stop in at the store and claim your prize! You can start this activity by getting your first clue to solve from our staff in the store/office!
