Watkins Glen - Corning KOA Resort

Unethical business at this KOA. I made my reservation for a very nice large patio, back in site in a shaded area with a view of the woodlands around the campground. There are only about 6 of these sites and are the best sites in the park. When we arrived, I was told that we had been reassigned to a pull through in the section of the park where all the big rigs park. They said the park was full and I could take it or go find another place to camp. The site had no trees and no view. It was basically like camping in a parking lot of big rigs. I was told that I had called 2 weeks before and requested the move. I never called and this is a total lie. Someone at the park decided to move me so someone else could have the excellent site we reserved. I expect more from KOA and will NEVER return or recommend this KOA.

Watkins Glen / Corning KOA this is a nice KOA in the Watkins Glen area. Our site was a full hookup site. Campground offered clean sites with gravel drives and grass areas between them. Offers your typical KOA amenities with a huge outdoor pool, indoor pool and hot tub, water slide, rock wall structure, zip line and mini golf which were part of our site fee price.

Things to do in the area Watkins Glen State park (hiking, biking and scenic views of the falls and gorge), Seneca Lake (one of the finger lakes), Watkins Glen International Speedway, Corning Glass Museum (Corning, NY), Montour Falls (Montour Falls, NY), Sunset View Creamery (Farm Tour and Store).

This is the tale of two parks. The entrance area has small tight sites. All the roads are dusty and every vehicle kicks up a dust storm. Good luck eating outside. The bathrooms were dirty with broken toilets. The laundry room had 2 of the 5 washing machines broken. Our site was missing a table. If you must stay here book in the newer Sunset Acres area. Traffic on Grand Prix road was awful its a thoroughfare. If you can stay somewhere else I would. I will say the employees and security guard were very nice.

We were in Watkins Glen for a music festival with the band Phish. If you know the band you know the Phans can be a little hype sometimes, hence why we stay off site and not on the festival grounds. The band was forced to cancel due to the flooding and the fact that the water was contaminated. Horrible for the townspeople and for the 20000 or so people who had already pitched their campsites onntjr festival grounds. KOA was able to help a lot of these people who’s planes didn’t leave again for days. It appeared that they allowed a few more people on some of the sites than typically allowed and everyone behaved themselves rather well. It was just a really unexpected busy weekend for them snd I believe they handled it well.
The sites here are pretty close together which seems to be typical of most KOAs. They have many different types of sites though which is nice. Some have really nice patio and fire pits w seats around. Others are just primitive but at least set back in the treees. They have a TON of stuff to do. Zip line, water slides, cafe, indoor and outside pools. Just a lot. The bathrooms are kept pretty clean and well stocked. Not immaculate but better then most.
It’s our 2nd time staying for 5 days and I’d stay again if we ever go back. We prefer state parks and Watkins Glen has one of the most amazing state parks I’ve ever seen but has very few W/E sites. Nor are we set up for boondocking yet.