Things To Do
Activities
On-Site Ammenities
Walking Trails
Enjoy over a mile of woodland and field trails.
Disc Golf
Grab a disc and take on our three-hole course.
Ball Field
Enjoy a game of kickball or wiffle ball at our onsite ball field.
On-Site Options
Weather Dependent - Book Separately
Hot Air Balloon Rides
Experience the Finger Lakes from above with a hot air balloon ride launching right from Glen Holler through Freedom Ballooning. Choose a full scenic flight or a tethered ride for a more grounded experience, both offering unforgettable views of the surrounding landscape. Reach out directly to schedule your ride.
Mushroom Foraging
Join a guided mushroom foraging experience with FLX Mushrooms, led by certified forager Stacy Estabrook. She can come right to Glen Holler to lead a private walk for small groups, offering a hands-on way to explore and learn the woods. You can also check out her workshops for additional foraging experiences throughout the Finger Lakes.
Hiking
Punch Bowl Trail to State Park
Consider dropping a car off at the trailhead and leaving another in town, so you can take this one-way excursion through the woods and down toward Watkins Glen State Park. Walk right into downtown Watkins Glen for dining and shopping. Trailhead located at 3040 Townsend Rd.
Templar Falls
Visit Templar Falls (also known as Twin Falls), a lesser-known spot tucked along Van Zandt Hollow just minutes from Glen Holler. A short walk from the roadside brings you to a quiet, two-tiered waterfall with easy access and minimal crowds. It’s a simple, off-the-beaten-path stop if you’re looking for something beyond the main parks.
Catherine Valley Trail
A 13-mile multi-use trail following abandoned railroad grades and canal towpaths from Watkins Glen all the way to Horseheads — flat, crushed limestone, and perfect for biking. Pass two waterfalls, a wildlife marsh, and historic points of interest along the way. Best for bikers looking for an easy, scenic ride with plenty of places to stop. Park at the Watkins Glen High School on 12th Street. The trail starts just beyond the athletic fields. Download the free Catharine Valley Trail app for an interactive map and audio tour.
Keuka Outlet Trail
A scenic 7-mile trail following the historic path of the old Crooked Lake Canal through wooded ravines, rushing rapids, and past two waterfalls as it connects Keuka Lake to Seneca Lake. Mostly flat and easy, making it a great ride for hybrid or mountain bikes — road bikes are not recommended on the rougher sections. Park at the Penn Yan Sports Complex off Route 54A (Elm Street) — the trail begins at the far left corner of the lot. For a shorter outing, park along Outlet Road about 3 miles east of Penn Yan for quick access to Seneca Mills Falls, the trail's most popular waterfall stop. Free and open year-round.
Excelsior Glen
A wild, undeveloped gorge tucked just outside Watkins Glen that most visitors never find. Five dramatic waterfalls cascade through a narrow limestone ravine, including the 100-foot Excelsior Falls — all without the crowds of the state park. The trail requires creek walking and some scrambling, so wear shoes you don't mind getting wet and expect an adventure. Park along Route 414 just north of Clute Park — the glen opening and trailhead will appear quickly on your right, about a tenth of a mile up the hill from Cass Road.
Other Activities
Seneca Lake Kayak
Paddle the pristine, crystal-clear waters of Seneca Lake with guided tours past Hector Falls and the Painted Rock Cliffs. Rentals and paddleboard options are available for those who prefer to explore at their own pace. All guides are ACA-trained and tours are designed for all experience levels.
Watkins Glen International
One of the most storied road courses in North America, right in your backyard. Having hosted international automobile racing since 1948, the track welcomes NASCAR, IMSA, SCCA, and vintage racing events throughout the season. When there's no race on, Drive the Glen lets you take three escorted laps around the 3.45-mile Grand Prix circuit in your own vehicle.
Schooner True Love
Step aboard the historic True Love, a 1926 schooner with a rich past that has sailed the Atlantic, the Caribbean, and even appeared in Hollywood films, now docked right at Seneca Harbor in Watkins Glen. Public sails, private charters, and specialty cruises run from Memorial Day through Columbus Day.
Corning Museum of Glass
The world's foremost collection of glass art and history, spanning 3,500 years and over 50,000 objects. Watch live glassblowing demonstrations in the 500-seat amphitheater, or roll up your sleeves and make your own glass in a hands-on workshop. A genuinely fascinating half-day trip suitable for all ages. Kids 17 and under are always free.
Sugar Hill Fire Tower
Climb a historic 1941 CCC-built fire tower sitting at 2,096 feet for sweeping panoramic views of Seneca Lake, the surrounding valleys, and on a clear day, miles of Finger Lakes countryside. The trail system winds through nearly 9,000 acres of state forest with options for short loops or longer treks. A rewarding, off-the-beaten-path stop that most visitors to the area miss entirely.
Hammondsport
Named America's Coolest Small Town by Budget Travel, Hammondsport sits at the southern tip of Keuka Lake and punches well above its weight. Stroll the historic Pulteney Square, browse local boutiques and antique shops, grab a bite on the village green, and soak in the laid-back Finger Lakes charm. Add in nearby wineries, breweries, and lake access and you've got an easy, rewarding half-day outing.
Sunset View Creamery
A fifth-generation family dairy farm in nearby Odessa producing award-winning artisan cheeses, raw milk, fresh ice cream, all from their own herd. Stop into the farm store, take a guided tour, or sign up for a cow cuddling experience that's become a guest favorite. Pick up some local cheese and cider on your way back to camp for the perfect evening spread.
The Windmill Craft Market
A beloved Finger Lakes institution set on 44 tree-lined acres just outside Penn Yan. Over 175 indoor and outdoor vendors offer everything from fresh produce and Amish baked goods to handcrafted furniture, local wines, jewelry, and more. With six wineries, a brewery, and a distillery on site, you could easily spend an entire Saturday here. Open Saturdays, late April through November.
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EAT
Dinner
Sapalta at Plum Point Lodge
A lakeside farm-to-table restaurant tucked into the grounds of Plum Point Lodge on the west shore of Seneca Lake, roughly halfway between Watkins Glen and Geneva. Seasonal menu built almost entirely from local farms, an impressive Finger Lakes wine list, craft cocktails, and a patio right on the water that earns every superlative thrown at it. Live music most Thursday nights.
3812 Bistro
A cozy, intimate bistro with an ever-changing farm-to-table menu built around fresh local ingredients and led by a chef who grew up in Schuyler County and knows every farm on the trail. Seared scallops, Norwegian salmon, and thoughtful desserts paired with local wine and cider, with a patio overlooking Seneca Lake that's hard to beat at sunset. Open daily for breakfast and dinner.
Coffee & Cafe
Seneca Sunrise Coffee
Owner Mindi hand-roasts all her coffee in small batches using shade-grown, fair-trade, organic beans, and you can taste the difference. Espresso drinks, cold brew, frozen coffee, and locally made goods including honey, maple syrup, and cheese available to take home. The shop is tucked inside a garage on Decatur Street — easy to miss,
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Babe's n Bud's Coffee Lounge
A whimsical, warmly run coffee shop and boutique right in downtown Watkins Glen. New York bagels from Brooklyn, gluten-free options, outstanding espresso drinks, and staff that make you feel like a regular. The banana bread iced chai and the loaded breakfast sandwich are the moves. Grab your order and walk two blocks to the harbor — open every day 7am to 3pm
Blackberry Inn Kitchen
The owner is up at 3am every morning to boil and bake fresh New York bagels from scratch. The lox bagel alone is worth making the trip for, and the signature breakfast sandwiches on house-made bagels with locally sourced eggs and farm-fresh ingredients have earned a devoted following. Grab one to go and eat it at the harbor two blocks away.
Something Sweet
Glen Dairy Bar
A Watkins Glen original since 1947 — over 50 flavors of hard ice cream and 16 flavors of soft serve Yelp, all in a classic roadside dairy bar setting on the south end of Franklin Street. Huge portions, rotating soft serve flavors, and the kind of no-frills charm that never goes out of style.
The Great Escape Ice Cream Parlor
A family-owned institution since 1982, known locally as the "Big Yellow Building" on the main street, one block from the state park entrance. Over 28 soft serve flavors, house-made hard ice cream, Italian gelato, sorbet, vegan options, and fresh-baked waffle cones that you can smell half a block away. The classic post-gorge-hike stop.
Drink
Breweries
Wine Trails & Distilleries
Seneca Lake Wine Trail
New York's largest and most visited wine trail, with dozens of award-winning wineries encircling the deepest of the Finger Lakes — all within a short drive of Glen Holler. The trail runs both shores of Seneca Lake, with Route 14 on the west side and Route 414 on the east, and you could spend a long weekend working your way around without covering everything. The region specializes in Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and sparkling wines — all shaped by the lake's unique microclimate. The motto here is simple: Grown Here. Made Here. Use the trail's website to map your route, check tasting room hours, and find seasonal events before you go.
Finger Lakes Distilling
The first stand-alone craft distillery in the Finger Lakes region, designed after traditional Scottish whiskey distilleries with the stills visible right from the tasting room. Their McKenzie line of whiskeys, rye, and bourbon are the flagship, but the gin, grappa, and fruit brandies made from locally grown ingredients are worth exploring too. The cocktail lounge deck overlooks Seneca Lake — they frequently host live music, food vendors, and special releases through the season. Private tours of the production floor and barrel warehouse are available by reservation and are a genuinely great experience for a group.
Keuka Lake Wine Trail
If Seneca Lake is your backyard, Keuka Lake is your day trip. The lake is uniquely shaped like a "Y" — the only one of its kind in the United States — and a full circuit takes just over an hour by car, making it entirely possible to visit most of the trail's family-owned wineries in a single relaxed day. The wines here are celebrated for their balance and vibrant fruit — Riesling and Cabernet Franc are the standouts — and the tasting rooms tend to be smaller, more intimate, and less crowded than the Seneca Lake trail. Pair a loop around Keuka with lunch in the charming village of Hammondsport at the southern tip.
Shop
Farmers Markets
The Burdett Exchange
A gem hiding in a converted firehouse in the village of Burdett — an artisan grocery and meat market stocking almost exclusively local and Finger Lakes-produced goods. Farm-raised meats, fresh seasonal produce, local eggs, artisan cheeses, fresh baked breads, jams, maple syrup, and a rotating selection of provisions from farms and makers across the region. The ribeyes and brisket have their own fan club. A perfect stop to stock your cabin for the weekend.
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Oak Hill Bulk Food
Part country store, part bakery, part café — unlike anything you'll find at a regular grocery store. Founded by a Lancaster County Amish family, Oak Hill has grown over three generations into a beloved Finger Lakes institution stocking bulk foods, deli meats and cheeses, homemade baked goods, fresh roasted coffee, local snacks, and specialty items with minimal preservatives and additives. The in-store café does everything from scratch — grab a hot latte and a whoopie pie and take your time browsing the aisles. A wonderful stop on the way to or from the Keuka Lake Wine Trail. Open Monday through Saturday, 8am to 6pm — closed Sundays.
Shtayburne Farm Creamery
A fourth-generation family dairy farm on the west shore of Seneca Lake where the cows, the milk, and the cheese are all under one roof. The family added a cheese processing facility and farm store in 2010 and has been offering award-winning handcrafted cheeses directly from the farm ever since — Monterey Jack in a range of flavors, aged cheddars up to five years old, and fresh cheese curds plain or seasoned. The real draw is the cheese and ice cream flight — choose from flights of 4, 8, or 12 selections of their house-made cheeses and ice cream, all produced right on the property. You can watch cheese being made through a window in the shop. A perfect stop on any west-shore wine trail day. Open Monday through Saturday, 10am to 5pm.
Shopping
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Famous Brands Outlet
A Watkins Glen institution since 1983 — and one of those rare finds that genuinely surprises people. What started as a 900-square-foot shop has grown into 30,000 square feet of casual clothing and footwear representing over 600 brands, with names like The North Face, Patagonia, Columbia, Carhartt, Keen, Merrell, UGG, YETI, Cotopaxi, Ray-Ban, and Life Is Good — all priced below retail. Three floors, knowledgeable staff, and a constantly rotating selection of deals. Open daily.
Ithaca Commons
The Commons is a pedestrian shopping district with more than 100 independently owned shops, boutiques, restaurants, art galleries, and street vendors at the heart of one of the most interesting small cities in the Northeast. Wander the brick-paved blocks for local boutiques, bookstores, jewelry, art, specialty foods, and Ithaca-made goods you won't find anywhere else. The dining scene is genuinely excellent — Monks on the Commons, Simeon's, and Mercato are all worth a meal. Pair it with a gorge walk at Cascadilla or a visit to the Ithaca Farmers Market on a Saturday morning and you've got a full day out. Cornell University's campus and the Cornell Botanic Gardens are right up the hill.
Corning's Gaffer District
Corning's historic Market Street is one of the most charming shopping districts in Upstate New York — independent boutiques, hand-blown glass from local gaffers, the work of over 100 local artisans, antique shops, and specialty stores all lining a beautifully preserved brick streetscape. Connors Mercantile is worth the trip alone for jewelry and gifts, and Threads + Co. keeps a well-curated selection of women's clothing and accessories. Pair shopping with lunch at one of the Gaffer District's restaurants and a visit to the Corning Museum of Glass right up the road.