Bowman Lake State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Bowman Lake State Park in central New York is open all year with plenty of things to do and one of the state’s largest RV campgrounds. Officials designated this land for public recreation in 1929, making Bowman Lake State Park one of New York’s oldest state parks. Boating and swimming are popular activities during the summer when temperatures reach 85 degrees, and 13 miles of scenic trails allow guests to explore the evergreen and old-growth forests up close. During the snowy winters, visitors enjoy snowmobiling, ice fishing, and cross-country skiing.
Norwich, NY
Syracuse, NY
Binghamton, NY
Utica, NY
Spring 40-65 F
Summer 65-85 F
Fall 45-70 F
Winter 20-45 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Bowman Lake State Park
Campground Accommodations
Bowman Lake State Park Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-Friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 40 feet
Other amenities: flush toilets, a dump station, and a boat launch
Tall Pines Campground & River Adventures
One of the best aspects of making an RV trip and staying at Tall Pines Campground & River Adventures is you have options; they have three dedicated campgrounds in Cooperstown, Binghamton, and Oneonta that are all within 50 miles of Bowman Lake State Park. They feature full hookups on several sites, and there are even riverfront sites. While there, you can also check out places like Chippy’s Restaurant when you’re looking to grab some food that you don’t have to prepare.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: No
Other amenities: River paddling, horseshoes, volleyball, and a pool
Lizzie’s Campground Corporation
Located in South New Berlin, Lizzie’s Campground Corporation is about a 28-minute drive from the state park. Wide-open spaces are what Lizzie’s is all about; many of the sites are on grassland, so you’ll be able to see all around you while you camp. The campground is located on the Unadilla River, making it very easy to engage in water sports even before you make it out to the lake. Lizzie’s is primarily open in the summer.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Community BBQ grill, picnic areas, and fire pits
New Echo Lake Resort
At around a 30-minute drive from the park, you’ll find another lakeside location that you and your family will enjoy. The New Echo Lake Resort is located on its namesake lake and has a pavilion, a general store, stage structures for your events, and just about every kind of RV hookup. The campground also has multiple events throughout the year, and there are several RV sites in which to park your vehicle.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: No
Other amenities: Pavilion and spaces for corporate events
What to Do at
Bowman Lake State Park
Bowman Lake State Park has become known as "a camper’s paradise" because of all the activities guests can enjoy. The scenic park roads take you through the evergreen and hardwood forests, or you can take advantage of the 13 miles of hiking trails in the area. The lake is stocked with trout for fishing, and the sandy lakefront includes several picnic areas and two pavilions where you can enjoy a meal while surrounded by the park’s beauty. Bird watchers will find 103 species, and everyone will enjoy the on-site nature center. Families will find plenty to do together, including a game on the nine-hole disc golf course.
Bowman Lake State Park offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors by hiking, biking, and boating. While in the area, you’ll find a variety of wildlife to view, interesting plant species to explore, and activities like swimming to enjoy.
Inside Bowman Lake State Park
Some interesting activities to consider here are bicycling, boating, and fishing on the lake itself. If you like to hunt, Bowman Lake has dedicated areas with a specialized hunting map so that you know where to seek game. Hikers will have multiple options as there are a small trail map and a large trail map that span the park’s 966 acres. There’s also bird-watching opportunities aplenty; in fact, they have a dedicated map for tracking birds here as well.
Fishing
The 34-acre Bowman Lake is stocked annually with legal-size brook and rainbow trout. Other species that you’ll find here include pumpkin seed sunfish, largemouth bass, bluegill, brown bulkhead, and black crappie. The boat launch provides easy access to the water, and ice fishing is permitted within the park.
Nature Watching
Bowman Lake State Park is a bird watcher’s paradise. The park offers a designated map of the best viewing areas and a spotting checklist with 70 species listed on it. Hawks, finches, and geese are among these. Other wildlife you may encounter during your visit include white-tailed deer, red foxes, gray squirrels, woodchucks, and beavers.
Flora and Fauna
Bowman Lake is surrounded by lush hardwood and evergreen forests. Along the water’s edge, you’ll find a large variety of aquatic vegetation.
Hiking
Bowman Lake State Park features 13 miles of hiking trails on 966 acres. The longest trail starts at the dump station and goes to McDonough State Forest’s Kopac Pond. Shorter trails like Bowman Lake Loop or Whaley’s Pond Trail, which crosses Bowman Creek multiple times, provide you with a place for easy scenic walks.
Boating
A boat launch is located at the southern tip of Bowman Lake. There’s a large parking lot nearby and picnic tables. If you don't have your own kayak, canoe, or watercraft, rentals are available.
Swimming
Swimming is allowed on the eastern shore of Bowman Lake. Here, you’ll find a sandy beach, convenient changing rooms, two children’s play areas, and picnic tables. There’s no lifeguard on duty, but the waters are tranquil.
Biking
Many of the roads in and around Bowman Lake State Park provide guests with the perfect place for biking.
How to Get to
Bowman Lake State Park
Bowman Lake State Park is between Syracuse and Binghamton. There are several rural roads off Interstate 81 and State Highway 23 that crisscross the area. Use these as scenic routes into the park, or stay on the main roads until you see the park’s entrance signs.
Entering Bowman Lake State Park
You’ll find ample parking inside the park by the boat launch and near the swimming area and beach. Several of the trailheads have space for larger vehicles. It’s free to enter the park. Campsites charge a $15–$19 per night fee.
Bowman Lake State Park Per Vehicle (1-4 adults) : $0.0
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bowman Lake State Park
The best time of year to visit Bowman Lake State Park is during the summer months. The temperatures will be warm enough to enjoy the many activities, such as swimming, and the lake will be freshly stocked with trout. The hiking trails will be their driest at this time too.
Wildlife within Bowman Lake State Park includes white-tailed deer, gray squirrels, red foxes, woodchucks, and beavers. Some of the bird species that you'll encounter include hawks, geese, and finches.
Bowman Lake State Park has 150 tent and RV campsites available that accommodate RVs from 20 to 50 feet long. Most sites are back-in, but you will find a few pull-through sites too. This is dry camping, but you will find a dump station in addition to showers and restrooms.
You do have to reserve your campsite at Bowman Lake State Park. Reservations can be made online or by calling Reserve America at 800-456-2267 before 3 p.m. local time on your arrival day. Fees are $15 to $19 per night.
You are allowed up to two pets at Bowman Lake State Park campsites. You will need to show printed proof of their rabies vaccination. Furthermore, pets must be on a leash at all times, including at the campsite.