Cool-Lea Campground

MetsFan 31

2024-05

The campground itself is very nice and everyone, staff and campers, were very pleasant.Unfortunately I chose to stay in a “cabin” and did not find the stay worth $70 a night. The size was as advertised, basically a shed, and I was very happy there was a heater available. September in NY is a dice toss. The cabin floor was basically 2x6s with large gaps such as you would see on a deck. You could see the dirt beneath the cabin floor and I was quite worried about unwelcome guests in the night such as snakes or rats. Quite unsettling to me. The windows didn’t work well, had to go outside to close them.It is a beautiful park and close to Watkins Glen, the wineries and most anything you need. There is a convenient store 5 minutes away. Be sure to hit Jerlandos in Montour Falls. The sunrise over the lake was gorgeous. The park seemed very quiet, though I was there in September. Who knows what it’s like during peak season. The weekend food truck is a great bonus. Can’t comment on the entertainment as I was there late season and there was none. Not a negative to me.I’m sure with some TLC, like a real floor, the “cabins” could be improved. I understand the campground is under new ownership so hoping upgrades are on the agenda. If I had a camper I wouldn’t hesitate to stay.

Cynthia “Chas”

2023-10

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Robert Butcher

2023-09

This campground is way way OVER priced!! Yup, they usually have a band on Friday nights, but that doesn't make it even close to worth 80.00 a night. There is not even cable included for that amount. The internet is horrible unless your standing next to the office and phone service is non-existent! Other campgrounds in the area (Spruce Row for instance) are half the price. The owners are nice, there is a tiny play area for kids, and the bathrooms are kept clean. However none of that justify the price.

Melissa N

2023-06

So many great hardscape improvements with new ownership. Food truck is top notch! However, the porta-potties by overflow were beyond gross (had not been cleaned in a LONG time), the main bathrooms never cleaned all weekend. Young teens allowed to drive around on golf carts at high speeds, cigarette butts and garbage all over our campsite (we cleaned up) only 1 picnic table for 2 sites. Dogs unleashed and venture into other campsites. The new camp manager, Bob, is great but needs help maintaining and day to day chores. Sadly, after coming for over 12 years, we wont be back.

Joey Scarduzio

2023-07

Manager straight up lied to us and got caught in his lie. Tried to charge us all $20 to fish the lake instead of tell us where the public boat launch was 1/4 mile up the road. I despise sheisty and conniving businessman. Might want to get a new manager!! He was also very rude to his dog which I don’t care for either. He was a good pup and was behaving just fine. DO NOT GO HERE!

Stephany “Crash” Me

2023-05

The lake was absolutely disgusting!! Brown water!! The swimming area was extremely smalll maybe 10 feet and only went out 4 feet and the water to input your boat was extremely muddy and you sank so deep so quickly! They do not upkeep the water access area, muddy and full of weeds and lily pads!! And also the showers are coin operated for 75 cents you got only like 5 minutes so that just seemed so money hungry and a complete annoyance! I would definitely not recommend going here if your interested in having any "lake" fun!! On the good side we stayed at one of the cabins and it was very nice and also provided air conditioning which was such a bonus during those hot nights! The owner was extremely nice and hospitable! But unfortunately we even left a day early after paying so much money because the lake area was so terrible and not enjoyable at all!!

Ruthanne Martin

2023-05

Stayed over the past weekend and was disappointed to see the grounds are not being kept up like the previous owners did. Lots of weeds and overgrowth. However, they did have live music Saturday night which was amazing and a lot of fun. New owners have added a food truck at the waters edge as well and a new pavilion with seating which was nice. Felt the new management is much less uptight, but also facilities are'nt being kept up as well. I did have a seasonal site here years ago, so many changes since then. Its a mixed bag here.

Josh Baney

2023-05

Nice small and quite campground. Unfortunately the weather prior to us coming was not favorable and the grounds were brown and dead due to no rain. The connects are set very far back from the sites. From our understanding their is new management and they are making improvements quickly. We enjoyed our stay and with a little more time I'm am sure this place will soon be a hidden gem on a beautiful little lake. I am sure we will be back.

Matt Wilson

2023-09

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lisa packard

2023-05

I haven't been there yet will be there in a couple of weeks. When I first Looked at this place I was unsure. I got a call from somebody about making a reservation they weren't professional on the phone at all yelling at her kids. I only made the reservation because there was No other opens other places memorial weekend. A few weeks age got a call from someone from the campground sorry I don't remember the his name. He had told me that my reservation for that site had to be canceled because it was over booked but they had a different one for me just on on Wed site and book it. Ok no biggie, as I looking at map had no clue what to book. I sent a email with a few questions and by the end of the day I got a CALL back with very helpful information 😀. Then had emailed them again with few more questions and got a email by the end of the day, With everything answered . Thank you for being so prompt. Looking forward to staying at Cool-Lea camp grounds.

Tyler

2023-05

This had been my third visit and this little camp never disappoints. Lake view is awesome with lots to do around it. Live music on Saturday nights is great as well. Though service in some areas could be a bit better, the camp is well maintained and I recommend anyone looking to get out the camper look into Cool Lea!

Sarah Hirsch

2022-05

What a great place! The owners, Tom and Lindsay, are a delight! The layout is super easy. The view is beautiful. We brought our RV with full hookups and everything worked great. My friends rented a cabin and used the showers and said it was perfect. I highly recommend this place

Erica Lovell

2023-10

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Corey Marquis

2023-05

Campsites are a wide variety. Some of the sites are private others are side by side. Great to camp with a bunch of families. They offer water and electric hook-ups some sites have sewer as well. May need a longer hose for the water hookup depending where you are located. DJ Friday night was awesome. Band on Saturday. Stella's Barn food truck offers great food and convenience. Only suggestion would be more activities for littles.

Eli Common

2019-05

I would give Cool-Lea 1-2 stars for tent camping, but the lake is a plus. Tent sites are primitive, with a very small picnic table, fire ring and not well maintained, random woods sites. We left the site cleaner than we found it. Worst part is that we could hear the main road all night, even on a Sun night. Only stayed 24 hours. Great location by the lake but not great for tent camping. The swimming are was nice but very small.This is more of an RV park for retirees and the semi-retired. Plenty of written rules and unwritten rules at Cool-Lea. Don't worry, they're not shy about telling you what to do on your vacation. I just kept quiet and did not argue with "the boss", because they reserve the right to refuse you for any reason. I'm sure my wife and I broke a few more too...So basically Cool-Lea is NOT HIP for young and middle age adults. I'm sure they treat the RV folks great, but for us the nanny attitude just wasn't very welcoming and the tent sites are not serene.Maybe next time I would spend a few hours at the lake and find a different campground further off the main road. The biggest point is know before you go so you can adjust expectations.

Sally Rush

2017-05

We stayed in their "cottage," an apartment built above the pavilion, for a long weekend June 2016.The cottage was clean and functional, with a very good heater for cool nights. The hosts were friendly and forthcoming. The neighbors were quieter than we'd expected and friendly to us when we met up lakeside. The camp is located about midway between Watkins Glen and Corning so it was very convenient for us.Yes, the speed bumps are scary and worth noting; but if I made it safely in and out in my little Honda you can do it in your vehicle.

Amy Kehr

2012-05

I have taken my girls to Cool Lea several times now and we LOVE it every time we go! The owners are friendly and personable and make you feel right at home. They remember us every time we call and let us know how much they appreciate that we're there. There are some organized activities from hay rides to fire works. They offer canoe and boat rentals. This is my home away from home. Love the clean, beautiful sites!! Thanks Rosie and Wayne!!

RF Dude

2018-05

Clean washrooms and well maintained. Spacious lots. Very nice owners. Centrally located between Watkins Glen, Trumansburg, Ithaca so you can do the circuit and visit two finger lakes and multiple falls in a day with one park pass. A tented common area and TV, as well as WiFi is available. Children's playground. During our visit mid-August the lake was not swimmable (algae), and the water at many of the falls was low, but we were there to visit the area, and overnight at the camp, so no issue for us.

Leah Darty

2019-05

We had a wonderful time spending our long weekend at Camp Kool Lea. The owners Wayne & Rose Ann were friendly & helpful. We rented the cottage, which sits right on the lake & offered absolutely beautiful views. Regulars who frequent this campground, where also welcoming. There was free use of the rowboats, kayaks& canoes, as well as unlimited supply of firewood each evening. There was a large covered indoor area with a huge flat screen TV, allowing us the opportunity to watch the NASCAR race with other campers. The cottage itself was perfectly stocked with everything we needed (stove, overnight, pots/pans, coffee pot, toaster, microwave, fridge, dish soap, & kitchen utensils) nicely decorated with personal touches & plenty of room for up to 4ppl. We also had free access to the gas grill. They also offer coffee in the morning at the main office. Since we stayed during the 4th of July weekend, we were able to view a great fireworks show from across the lake. The a long walk around the primitive sights offered a nice nature trail hike. Watkins Glen is a short drive away. We definitely will be returning since it was such a positive experience.

Cate Cate

2019-05

This is a beautiful and well maintained campground. Flat sites make for easy RV leveling. Newer Rubbermaid-type picnic tables are easy to clean but wobbly. Complimentary Keurig coffee is available at the office. Nice store. There is occasional 1X or 3G Verizon service and Wi-Fi is ONLY available within 50' of the office. There are no laundry facilities or pool! The owners are an older couple who are clearly worn out from this lifestyle. They were very rude and made us feel like they were doing us a favor allowing us to stay there. We were berated by her upon arrival for not stopping where she "told us on the phone to stop. But people never listen." We stopped at the sign indicating where all RVs are to stop, and we walked up the street to the office. Then HE came along shaking his head saying "you know how often I deal with this? Now you're gonna have to unhook and back up..." Then another guest came along with a question and the owner ignored us and asked the other guest "ya wanna buy a campground? I have to deal with this nonsense everyday." He talked about us like we weren't right there. There are signs everywhere indicating rules upon rules and we will be asked to leave upon management discretion. We were meeting family so we held our tongues. Later my aunt (who was staying in the cottage) was berated for putting garbage in the garbage cans at the foot of the cottage steps. She was told to walk to the dumpster. She asked why the garbage cans were there and was told they are for people doing something else there. It wasn't clear.

Gabrielle Satterly

2023-05

The campsite is spacious. Not much for Littles to do besides play on playground and when beach is open swim in small area. Bring canoe or kayaks.. Shower are not free but clean

travis randall

2022-05

Quiet camping on little lake. Rates are inexpensive for the weekend or all summer. Very relaxing hideaway has camper hook-ups and tent sites, boat luanch, dock rental and shared dock access, small playground. A great place for families with pets and kids.

Henry Farnam

2016-05

Finally a clean, friendly and quiet campground. I extended my stay 5 times because it was so enjoyable. Rose and Wayne expect people to respect others and follow sensible rules. I will return many times with my family and Grand Children.

Alicia Jackson

2023-08

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Sandra Novak

2023-07

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Stav Behar

2017-05

this was one of the best camping experiences we hadclean, well maintained, beautiful and quite campground.The owners were extremely nice and helpful, when our car battery died they went out of their way to help... we will stay there next time we'll visit the area.

Bud Jackson

2020-05

Clean and we'll maintained with nice side lots. However, the owner that does all the outside work passed away while we were there so I can't say how well it will be kept up now. Terrible WiFi and spotty cell reception. Nice lake and Hall.

Kate Johnson

2016-05

Vulgar Hosts, Shockingly Rude. We were looking for a nice camp site in the Finger Lakes area and found Cool Lea campground in Odessa on Lake Cayuta. Everything seemed normal from the highway, but after we pulled into the driveway, we were met with a series of gigantic speed bumps that rattled our vehicle and nearly bottomed out going only 10mph. We continued up the long drive towards the office to inquire about available sites. I parked the car and approached the office when an angry man came chasing after us on a lawn mower, slammed his gear on the ground and approached me as if he wanted a fight..... This was the lovely owner of the campground. He began to yell at me about "speeding" in his campground. There is no speed limit sign, and we were only going about 10mph at that point, and the driveway is right off of a 55mph highway. I tried to explain to him that we were slowing down when the multiple huge speed bumps nearly caused damage to our car. He wouldn't listen to a word. Just kept screaming to get out of his property.  We were shocked.  I then decided I would never give this man my money, and proceeded to leave the camp. He blocked us in at the exit and was joined by a woman and 4 children (whom we presumed to be his daughter and grand kids). I beeped my horn once to say "Let us out", and the woman began cursing at us, and flipping her finger in front of her young children. I rolled down my window to attempt to explain the situation to her, and she just continued to curse. Finally the man moved his tractor, and we were allowed to leave. Worst campground hosts ever.

Kimberly Kinner

2019-05

I live at CoolLea camp year round. The owners are amazing people and do amazing things for all who camp. There are boat rides, fireworks, a playground, a swimming area. They do hay rides and games. All around a great place to stay!

Avi Cahani

2023-05

Great place to stay with beautiful lake.Spent one night full hook up, the owner is great guy made our stay even better