%20(2).jpg)
Camping Near Ithaca, NY
Looking for a place to camp near Ithaca, NY? Rivers Crossing Campground and Marina sits about an hour north, giving you a quieter, water-based home base while you spend your days exploring Ithaca's gorges, Cornell's campus, and downtown.
Full-hookup RV sites and tent camping make Rivers Crossing Campground & Marina a comfortable alternative to staying in the city itself, especially during Cornell move-in weekends, graduation, or any busy Ithaca weekend when in-town lodging fills up fast.
Getting to Ithaca from Rivers Crossing Campground & Marina
Ithaca sits at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake, about an hour south of the campground along NY-89, which traces the west shore of the lake nearly the entire way down. It's a scenic drive in its own right, with vineyards and lake views for most of the trip before the terrain turns hillier as you approach the city.
Because Ithaca is tucked into a valley at the lake's south end, traffic into downtown and the Cornell campus can back up during peak times (move-in, graduation, home football weekends). Staying at Rivers Crossing Campground & Marina means you can time your arrival around that instead of being stuck in the middle of it.
What Makes Ithaca Different
Ithaca's unofficial slogan, "Ithaca is Gorges", isn't an exaggeration. The city sits surrounded by waterfalls and gorge trails, including Ithaca Falls, a short walk from downtown, and the Cascadilla Gorge Trail, which climbs right through the middle of the city up toward the Cornell campus.
Cornell University itself is the other reason most visitors make the trip, whether for a game, a graduation, a campus visit, or just to walk the Ithaca Commons afterward, the city's pedestrian downtown lined with local shops and restaurants.
It's a different kind of Finger Lakes stop than the lakeside towns further north, more college town and gorge trails, less winery-hopping, which is part of why it's worth treating as its own destination rather than folding it into a general regional trip.
Why Guests Choose Rivers Crossing Campground & Marina
Whether you're in town for Cornell or just passing through on your way to the gorges, guests appreciate:
-
Full-hookup RV sites
-
Tent camping options
-
Direct marina access
-
A quieter alternative to in-town lodging during Ithaca's busiest weekends
-
Easy access back up NY-89 toward the rest of the Finger Lakes
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Rivers Crossing from Ithaca?
About an hour, mostly along NY-89 tracing the west shore of Cayuga Lake.
Is Rivers Crossing a good option during Cornell move-in or graduation weekends?
Yes — many guests prefer staying outside the city during Ithaca's busiest weekends, when in-town lodging fills up and traffic into downtown can be heavy.
What's near Ithaca that's worth visiting?
Ithaca Falls, the Cascadilla Gorge Trail, the Cornell campus, and the Ithaca Commons downtown are all popular stops.
Do you offer both RV and tent camping?
Whether you're here for Cornell, the gorges, or just passing through, Rivers Crossing Campground and Marina offers a comfortable, convenient home base a short drive from Ithaca.