U.S. National Forest Campground Guide

Finger Lake National Forest

New York



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CAMPGROUND NAME: Backbone Horse Camp

VISIT DATE: 08/02/2019

UPDATE DATE: 11/21/2023

STATE: New York

REGION: Eastern

RANGER DISTRICT: Hector

NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Watkins Glen

RESERVATIONS: No

DIRECTIONS:
In Watkins Glen, NY, at intersection of State Rts. 414 (E 4th St) 
and 14 (Franklin St), take State Rt. 414 north 8.7 miles to State 
Rt. 2 at a "T" intersection.  Turn right, onto State Rt. 2, and go 
3.5 miles to campground on left.

NOTE: Backbone Horse campground is on the left just before
Blueberry Patch campground.

GENERAL COMMENTS:
Elevation is 1,700 ft.

This rustic campground is a single loop off SR 2 with mainly open, 
groomed grassy campsites.  Although the equestrian facilities are 
limited to a few hitching rails and pole stalls, the spacious groomed 
grass areas can accomodate portable corrals.  There is limited shade 
except for along the wooded edges of campsites.  This campground may 
be designated a "horse camp" but non-equestrian campers are welcomed.

SEASONS
Open Seasonal: Yes
Open All Year: No

Seasonal Comment:
Open May 29 through November 30

RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED
Rate: $15 per day
Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14

CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION
No. RV Sites: 0
No. Tent Sites: 0
No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 11
   
   Total Sites: 11

Tent Pads: No
Open Sites: Yes
Wooded Sites: Yes

No. Tables on Sites: 11
No. Grilles on Sites: 11
Equestrian Camping:  Yes

RV INFORMATION
Hookups: None
No. RV Pull Throughs: 0
Waste Station: No
Largest Parking Apron Size: See RV Comments

Comments:
Parking aprons are grass and gravel and irregular in shape and will 
accept most any size RV.

FACILITIES
Vaults: Yes
Flush Toilets: No
Hot Showers: No
Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes

Public Phone: No
Playground: No
No. Water Spigots (non-site): 0

WATER SPORTS - None	

HIKING 
Backbone Trail (horse and foot) - 5.5 miles

NOTE: To protect the trail, it is closed from March 15 - May 1 due to muddy conditions.

FISHING  - No

CAMPGROUND NAME: Blueberry Patch VISIT DATE: 06/12/1996 UPDATE DATE: 11/21/2023 STATE: New York REGION: Eastern RANGER DISTRICT: Hector NEAREST CITY/TOWN: Watkins Glen RESERVATIONS: No DIRECTIONS: From Watkins Glen, NY, take State Rt. 414 north 8.1 miles to County Rt. 2. Turn right onto Rt. 2 and go 3.9 miles to campground entrance on right side. NOTE: Backbone Horse campground is on the left just before Blueberry Patch campground. GENERAL COMMENTS: The elevation is 1,720 feet. The campground is a single loop winding its way through a dense and healthy stand of mature mixed hardwoods. Adjacent to a large patch of wild blueberries, the campground is popular from blueberry picking season through wonderful display of Fall colors. Convenient to a network of Forest trails, many of the area's attractions, and the famous Finger Lakes wine country, this rustic campground, with a feeling of being undiscovered, is a nice destination. The thick understory provides excellent privacy between campsites. SEASONS Open Seasonal: Yes Open All Year: No Seasonal Comment: Open May 22 through November 30 RATE AND MAXIMUM STAY PERMITTED Rate: $15 per day Maximum Stay Permitted (days): 14 CAMPGROUND SITE CONFIGURATION No. RV Sites: 0 No. Tent Sites: 5 No. Combined Sites (Tent or RV): 4 Total Sites: 9 Tent Pads: Yes Open Sites: No Wooded Sites: Yes No. Tables on Sites: 9 No. Grilles on Sites: 9 Equestrian Camping: No RV INFORMATION Hookups: None No. RV Pull Throughs: 0 Waste Station: No Largest Parking Apron Size: 12' X 50' FACILITIES Vaults: Yes Flush Toilets: No Hot Showers: No Wheelchair Friendly Toilets: Yes Public Phone: No Playground: No No. Water Spigots (non-site): 0 No. Threaded: 0 WATER SPORTS - None Comments: Water sports activities are available outside the Forest at Lake Seneca in Watkins Glen. This is one of the Finger Lakes. HIKING Interloken Trail (foot) - 12 miles Ravin Trail (foot) - .75 miles Backbone Trail (foot) - 5.5 miles (NOTE: To protect Backbone Trail, it is closed from March 15 through May 1 due to muddy conditions.) FISHING - No




Fred and Suzi Dow