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Yellow Lantern Kampground

Overview

Yellow Lantern Kampground is a quiet, family-owned destination situated in the heart of Central New York. Nestled among mature trees and rolling terrain, it offers a peaceful retreat for those traveling through the gateway to the Finger Lakes. The park is highly regarded for its spacious wooded campsites and welcoming atmosphere, making it a reliable choice for long-term seasonal stays or weekend travelers looking to enjoy the fresh air of Cortland County. The park provides a rustic charm that emphasizes nature while maintaining the modern conveniences required for a stress-free stay.

Location & Surroundings

Conveniently located just minutes from the city of Cortland, the park is perched on a scenic hillside that provides a natural buffer from local traffic. This geographic position allows visitors to enjoy the tranquility of the countryside while staying close to urban conveniences like grocery stores and local diners. The surrounding landscape is defined by vibrant hardwood forests and nearby water features, offering a quintessential upstate New York backdrop that changes beautifully with the seasons, from the lush greens of summer to the fiery oranges of autumn.

Amenities & Park Features

The facility caters to diverse needs with a range of site options, including sites with full electric, water, and sewer hookups. On-site recreation is centered around a refreshing outdoor pool and a dedicated game room for younger guests. Practical needs are met by a modern laundry room and a camp store stocked with firewood and essentials. The community-centric design includes a pavilion for group gatherings and organized weekend activities, which help foster a friendly, social environment among the campers throughout the season.

Nearby Attractions & Things to Do

Travelers are perfectly positioned to visit Ithaca’s famous gorges and the renowned Finger Lakes wineries, all within a reasonable driving distance from the park. Adventure seekers can head to the nearby Greek Peak Mountain Resort for mountain biking, zip-lining, or winter sports. For history and culture, the historic village of Homer offers charming architecture and local museums, while the Tioughnioga River provides opportunities for fishing and light paddling for those who enjoy being on the water.

Who This Park Is Best For

This campground is an ideal match for families and retirees who prefer a rustic, quiet environment over a high-traffic resort. It appeals to those who enjoy the simplicity of nature and value a well-maintained, shaded site with plenty of privacy. It is particularly well-suited for outdoor adventurers looking for a comfortable home base while they explore the extensive hiking trails, waterfalls, and scenic drives that make this specific region of New York a popular destination for RV travelers.

Amenities

- Recreational Facilities

• Swimming Pool
• River
• Swimming
• Fishing
• Body Of Water (Tioughnioga River)
• Horseshoes
• Rec Hall
• Game Room
• Playground

- Policies

• Pets Welcome
• Pet Restrictions
• Pet Restriction on Breed
• Tent Camping Allowed

- Other Amenities & Services

• Restroom and Showers
• Laundry

- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)

• Hiking
• Mountain Biking
• Rock/Mountain Climbing
• Snow Sports

- Facility

• Type (Campground)

- Internet

• WiFi Hotspot
• WiFi Hotspots (1)

- On-Site Rentals

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- Sites

• Total Spaces (205)
• Spaces Available (115)
• Width (40)
• Max Length (80)
• Gravel Sites (115)
• 30 Amp
• 50 Amp
• Seasonal Sites
• Big Rig Sites
• Full Hookups (50)
• Water (65)
• Electric (65)
• Max Amps (50)
• Pull-thrus (25)
• Pull-thru Size (40 x 80)
• Back-ins (35 x 60)
• Site Length (80)
• Fire Rings

User Reviews

Carrie Boyle

September 07, 2025

Love this Campground! The owners are the sweetest couple! The sites are spacious and the pool is refreshing! We love it here!

Chasemom

August 26, 2025

What a lovely experience. Sandy and her husband were so accommodating. We did not arrive until 10pm and they welcomed us and were so helpful. I would disregard the bad reviews on here. There are a set of rules to follow at all campgrounds and the more negative reviews are from the rule breakers! ❤️ We stayed here again on our way back home, 8/25. Another great stay and Sandy was so accommodating again. We did not arrive until 8pm. Thank you and see you again in October! 😉

sandra hill

June 24, 2025

This is a late review. This campground was beautiful and quiet. We were too far from the office for the wi-fi to work well but that’s not too important to us. The staff was friendly. They readily allowed us to stay past check out time to finish a time sensitive issue.

Gregor Profitlich

June 14, 2025

The staff was extremely unfriendly! We arrived on bikes and while one of us waited at the office, the other one just had a quick look at the place to see if it would suit us. We were told that this had been trespassing. The manager even accused us to have used the restrooms! Finally she claimed that they don’t take tents, even though we had seen tents on the photos on Google. The campground is on nice grounds, and it was almost completely empty, but the staff is extremely unfriendly!

Kayleen Smith

August 23, 2024

We were so thankful to get a site around 5:00 p.m. The very night that we needed it. The campground area is absolutely beautiful. The lady that works in the office was very nice! However, when we got the rules and the regulations, we discovered that number 20 says inform office of all electric heaters and air conditioners as well as additional appliances. There is an additional fee for these services. Failure to report will result in duplicate charges. I have never heard of paying $50 a night for a campsite and not being able to use your air conditioner or your heater. The next morning it was 46°. Why did we spend $50 when we could have boondock somewhere? Just a warning, you are paying $50 just to run your lights! You might as well pull up at Walmart, so you can save your $50.

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Map for Yellow Lantern Kampground

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