Ithaca by Firelight Camps

Such a wonderful experience at this adorable, charming spot! The entire staff was extremely friendly, inclusive, and accommodating with every interaction I had with them and witnessed them having with other guests. Our tent (non-electric) was very clean and stayed warmer than expected when temps dipped into the 40s overnight. It is such a welcoming atmosphere all throughout the property with many community areas to mingle with other guests. The bathrooms and showers were very nice and well maintained. Also sustainably-minded, which is great to see! This was perfect for our girls' weekend trip but makes a cute romantic getaway. There were all different kinds of groups there (couples, friends, families)

My wife and I stayed here for a long weekend this past September, and we simply loved everything about it. The tents were spotless, cozy, and very welcoming, with plenty of extra blankets to keep warm on cool nights. The bed was absolutely amazing, super comfortable and perfect for a relaxing getaway. The atmosphere was fantastic, and having a full bar along with plenty of fire pits to sit by was such a pleasant surprise. It made for the perfect mix of comfort and outdoor charm. I would highly recommend checking this place out if you’re looking for a unique and relaxing escape. We had a wonderful time and can’t wait to come back!

Such a great visit. We loved this romantic get away. Jason and Rita were super nice. Every night we lived the camp fire 🔥 and s'mores! Super fun. It rained, but the heater in the tent was awesome. The only inconvenience was the walk to the bathrooms, but they are nicely appointed. Our first time glamping was a treasure!

If you want a hotel with a camping theme this is your place. If you actually want to camp in a tent then this will be "too much" for you. The most outdoorsy you need to be is if you want to start your own fire , but you could always ask for help there too. Super fun and relaxing. We come as a couple and also with our kids. Hiking trails and the Ithaca science museum makes for an easy planning for a weekend trip.

Stayed here with my wife and our 3 year old toddler in August 2025. We stayed in one of the electric king suites. This was our first time glamping, but we absolutely loved it and would love to come back soon. The tent was lovely: large enough for us to fit completely comfortably. The bathrooms were not too far, and they were very clean. We absolutely loved the breakfast in the morning, building campfires, having smores at night, playing bocce and other games in the main tent. All of the staff and guests were very friendly. There is a trailhead in the campground for the nearby state park, plus lots of other great options to explore the parks, trails, and waterfalls around Ithaca. Plus, it's really a short trip into town.||One last thing: the electric tent came with plenty of outlets, lamps, and even a heater.

We came to celebrate a 60th birthday party and Firelight delivered. The staff is knowledgeable of the area and friendly. The tents are spacious and comfortable. It’s was a little chilly when we were there and they gave us free water bottles for our bed and had hand and feet packets warmers for free. Included are s’mores tokens so free s’mores for each person. And don’t worry they also have the sticks. Communal and individual fire pits were nice. Buttermilk trail entrance is on the property. Loved the breakfast (especially the muffins) and the lounge area, which sells charcuterie type foods, drinks, crackers and merch. The bar has a nice wine and beer selection as well as soft drinks. The facilities are extremely clea, the camp is peaceful, quiet and relaxing. Hope you enjoy your stay as much as we did!

Firelight Camps was just the mini escape we needed. We were immediately charmed the moment we pulled in and saw the campsite from the driveway. It’s clear that every detail has been carefully thought through to make glampers feel comfortable. From the s’mores tokens to exchange for campfire kits, to the inviting bar, to the cozy tents, and even the Buttermilk Falls trail right off the property. Everything felt intentional and special.||As someone easing my way into camping, this was the perfect balance of peaceful outdoor adventure with modern conveniences. The bathrooms and showers were exceptionally clean, and on a chillier night, we appreciated the trunk of extra blankets provided in our tent.||Another highlight was how dog-friendly the property is. Our private balcony became the perfect spot to unwind with our furry family member.||I can’t recommend Firelight Camps enough! I’m already dreaming of our next visit!

It was a one of a kind experience! We loved our tent without electricity and the whole campground! Sitting at the campfire in the evening is magical! Also the whole staff is super friendly and helpful. The location is great to explore Ithaca and all the state parks - there even is a private access path to buttermilk falls park! 👍

I never pictured myself glamping, but somehow I ended up doing just that in Ithaca NY. My wife and I stayed in tent 4, nestled along the Buttermilk Falls trail head. It was adorable, comfortable and private-- even with its own little deck out back. The hike to buttermilk falls was great. A short walk over fairly easy terrain and a beautiful result at the end. The communal area is awesome; a full bar, many fire pits, board games, complimentary coffee and tea, and helpful friendly staff. Aside from a surprise visitor in the middle of the night (a chipmunk that decided to join us in our tent ) we had a FANTASTIC time and will return again someday.

Such a beautiful unique place to stay! The entire campground and its sleeping tents are adorable and cozy. Morning breakfasts were fresh and delicious, and in the evenings we loved the cocktails, fire pits, and s'mores! Beds are very comfortable and bathrooms/showers were always very clean. Definitely elevated camping-- and made the perfect location for our bachelorette weekend! Conveniently located within 10 minutes to downtown Ithaca, as well as many great restaurants, microbreweries and wineries, as well as hiking trails and Lake Cayuga.

We love this place! Just got back from our second stay here. Love the tents. comfortable beds and pillows. We were there on a Tuesday where they have live music and a food truck ($). We ate out once during our stay at local hot pot that just opened. Other than that, we went to the local grocery and bought food to BBQ on their pits. They provided the charcoal/gas and utensils. Clean unisex bathrooms. Separate shower stalls. They encourage you to reuse your towels. They provide lanterns. Main area has plug in areas to charge your devices. Continental breakfast $7 was fair-coffee, tea, pastries, oatmeal, bagels, fresh fruit, local yogurt. you can access two great hikes from their campsites-one easy and one moderate. Lots of trails in area, probably need a week to complete them all. Local Canoeing-check times on different websites. We googled it and it was only available on weekends. Near Walmart and Wegmans if you forget anything. We brought an empty cooler and then went to the store and filled it up with case of water and food we were going to cook that day. They provide all the logs for the firepits. Tips: Bring/buy your own flashlights. The provided lanterns are not enough light to use when walking to and from your tent. Leave the food in your car (mistake we made the first time and heard animal sounds outside our tent clawing in). This time no clawing. Bring a power bank or two. Got one that holds 4 charges. Use one during the day, and leave the other one in the main house to charge. Then switch it out. Don't forget your shower shoes! If you are not used to nighttime sounds (frogs, crickets, etc) bring ear plugs. We didn't get much sleep first night. Second night we hiked all day and slept through the sounds. Buy your smore stuff at the local grocery. They only provide one smore kit (to make one) for one person even if you are there for multiple days. No heat in tents. Temp went down to 53 and we were fine. Will definitely return. This place books up quickly.

My husband and I brought our 2 kids for a glamping experience. My kids had been begging to go camping but this is about my limit, and it did not disappoint! The beds and bedding was so comfortable (I want to outfit my own bed with all the same linens!!). The tent was clean and comfy and all the shared spaces, including the bathrooms and shower rooms were clean. Breakfasts were nice and on one of the nights there was a pizza truck and live music. My family enjoyed a lovely hike from the property, exploring close-by Ithaca, sitting by the camp fire, making s'more's and playing some of the shared games. Despite quite a bit of rain, we had a very nice time at Firelight Camps.

Ah the joys of... glamping?! Is this place adorable? Yes. Is it glamping? No. Staff- helpful & kind, but certainly not resort style service. When I went to get one of our lanterns re-charged, they played rock, paper, scissors for who had to do it... I asked if it was a tedious duty and they said no, but I felt I inconvenienced them. Oh well. No biggie. Accommodations- adorable! AND THE BEDS ARE AMAZING! Thank goodness! But there are no outlets in the tents. No fans. (It's hot!) No glassware or cups. No frills really besides the beautiful porch and a desk with a mirror. Bathrooms- awkward. They are communal and unisex. I have no problem with unisex bathrooms for casual places like restaurants, but considering this is more expensive than a nice hotel... I would hope for a less awkward way of showering and doing my morning #2s. Common areas- nice bar & firepits. They have a bunch of firepits set up and provide you smotes kits. Bocci ball, corn hole... cool vibes in this department. Honestly, this was the highlight of our stay. Overall- overpriced for what you get. But the beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Omg, what a beautiful place!! Recommend for a couple, girls' night, or just wanting to get out with your kids for the weekend. I saw all types of people staying here, and it's so interesting how the vibe can change base on the guest. Firelight Camps reminded me of staying at Girl Scout's camp but more adult, lol. If you don't mind sharing a bathroom and communal area with other guests, this is the place for you! I definitely will come back to Firelight Camps in the future with my boyfriend. Also hella pet-friendly! Roast a hotdog on the fire, grab a nice cocktail or local cheese and hang out. Firelight Camp is about a 20 min drive from downtown Itacha and about an hour away from Watkins Glenn (Please visit that place - so magical). I do wish they provided some transportation, so you don't have to do everything yourself, but I get it. They do have quiet hours after 11 pm, which I am thankful for because, during our four-night stay, there was a bachelorette party, and ya'll, they were having the time of their lives, lol. Shout out to Kash (sorry if I misspell your name!) - she was excellent and so helpful!

We visit Ithaca relatively often, and we've always stayed at an Airbnb in town. Last time, we happened upon Firelight Camps when we signed up for a foraging hike, and we loved the atmosphere and staff so much that we decided to give it a try on our next trip. We are so glad that we did! It was a fantastic experience and perfectly out-of-the-way while still providing close access to everywhere we wanted to go. We'll be back!

Classy and elegant relaxing stay!! King bed in tent rivals most 5 star hotels ... so comfy! So much attention to detail ... great Glamping experience!

Just home from an amazing time at Firelight. We had a girls weekend planned for here. The place was amazing. Tents were so spacious and the beds were super comfy. We loved the whole vibe. We hiked, napped in hammock, read by campfire, relaxed, made new friends, enjoyed cocktails and food. The staff was super friendly and helpful. We will definitely be back again, maybe next time in the summer so we can swim at Buttermilk.

A little escape from the business of life... Loved the fire pits, the games, the bar area. A beautifully appointed tent with all one could need!

The camp didn't look like much, but it turned out to be a magical experience. Very comfortable and clean. Bar was great and people were better!

So now I feel like I can't go back to regular camping. Haha! Glamping is so much easier and fun! Especially when you have kids then try glamping. I went with my bf and 2 siblings. We got 2 queensize bed in a big tent with balcony. Inside is super cute and clean. The campsite is pretty big with frontdesk available till 3am. We went last weekend and its really cold but good thing they have lots of thick blanket. I really like the style of the tent and their bathroom is so clean and nice. They have shampoo, blow dryer and towels that makes your life so much easier! Breakfast is also free with pretty good variety. You can do so much stuff in Ithaca. They have winery, breweries, farmers market, hiking activities and a lot more. We did hiking on our 1st day and the starting point is just at the back of our tent. How cool is that! We hike going to buttermilk falls for about an hour. You can ask the front desk for a map on how to get there. Its very easy. We had a wonderful time especially meeting lots of people! This is great activity to escape from busy life.

This place has the softest pillows ever!! My bed has like five of those things. It made paying $100 more than a room with plumbing and electric worth it.. Falling a sleep to the sounds of a million bull frogs was pretty rad. Almost drowned myself In local gin and tonics .. I'd absolutely do it again.

A beautiful, relaxing time! Out far enough to be quiet and relaxing but close enough to places that you can easily grab a nice dinner or explore a bit. I just wish I had booked two nights instead of one so I could've spent more time relaxing. I will be back!!

On our first visit, seven months after New York confronted the coronavirus pandemic, we were understanding of the staff's struggle to keep the business running. Although the bathhouses and bathrooms probably were not being deep-cleaned as often or as well as they should have been, and the tents were looking mildewy and ragged, efforts were being made, and the campers were doing a good job to keep each other safe. Flashforward to the next season, and our visit started well. The tents were replaced or refurbished. The facilities were clean. Then, things quickly went sideways. On our first evening, we received an email at 8:30 PM informing us that there would be a large event the next day. It was quite a surprise for those of us who had reserved our stays long in advance to hear that the owner had decided to host a five-hour comedy show for well over 100 on the site. Campers were left without a place to park, without the s'mores and drinks listening to music by the campfire for which we had paid, without clean and safe restrooms for children or unvaccinated campers, without a quiet and restful campsite. The staff were left utterly unequipped to handle the fiasco -- also having been told by the owners at the last minute that the event was happening. It is difficult to imagine that owners so willing to take advantage of their customers and their staff during the pandemic and on Mother's Day weekend can be expected to ever deliver a safe and satisfactory experience.

Could not recommend this experience enough! The only complaint was we could not stay longer! The campsite, facilities, and tent setups were impeccable and made for an exceptional time under the stars. Can't wait to come back and share this top-notch camping location with friends and family. Access to Buttermilk State Park was the icing on the cake! Thank you, Firelight Camps...very well done, indeed.

I just got back from my stay at Firelight Camps and have been talking about it nonstop. The staff were incredibly helpful and friendly and the tent exceeded all expectations! Who would've thought a bed in the middle of the woods could be that comfortable! Don't miss out on the complimentary wine tasting because you just might find your new favorite, I know I did with the Cab Franc. The Buttermilk Falls hike was stunning and the perfect way to kick off fall. I would 100% recommend Firelight Camps for a fun getaway with friends/family. I hope to be back soon!

Stayed here on the last day of summer and first day of fall and I LOVE it here! The first night there was good weather and we were greeted and checked within the first five minutes of arrival. We stayed in one of the electric tents and it was sooo cozy. We went to the main lobby tent after settling in and ordering food and we had some tea and played card games. If you do order food just make sure to specify where to drop it off because there is a building infront of the campgrounds and our food was almost dropped off there. At first I was nervous about using shared bathrooms but they are very clean and I was even there a few times when they were about to clean or already cleaning. Everyone is very respectful of each other and the quiet hours are very reasonable (11:00PM - 8:00AM). In the morning there is a free breakfast that is AMAZING! There are delicious pastry's from a local bakery and oatmeal with lots of toppings, there's some local yogurt and apple juice. They have free hot water, cold water, tea and coffee. In the lobby there's a nice warm space heater. They also offer supplies to start fires. There are various fire pits throughout the camp. We spent a day hiking to buttermilk falls. Some of the falls are closer to camp but if you want to see a beautiful waterfall and lots of smaller ones all scattered across about a mile or two it's a bit farther down but there are a few places with vending machines and bathrooms along the way. We walked to the end of the falls and back and it took about two and half hours and 5.2 miles. We used the beautiful showers and bought some snacks and drinks from the lobby. We spent the night relaxing in our beautiful tent and we can't wait to come back!

Absolutely AMAZING! The best Glamping experience of my life, the camp ground is so well set up, the tents are super cozy and nicely furnished, I went there 7/8/2020 for 3 nights, I wish I could have stayed longer! The staff is super helpful and friendly, specially Emma she for sure goes above and beyond to make sure you are having the time of your life! They set up bonfires for you and give you a free s'more... and I cannot forget about the drinks, they have the best cocktails ever and they have the bar open until 11pm. I'm absolutely in LOVE with this place, for sure I'll come back soon.

This glamping site was awesome! Bathrooms were clean, common area had games to play, the employees managed the fire to make sure it was always going. Definitely recommend!

Firelight Camps glamping was definitely more glam than camping, but that's not necessarily a bad thing! My SO and I spent 2 nights here with our golden retriever and had a great time. While it was along the lines of what we were looking for in a glamping experience, I can understand if it's not everyone's cup of tea. First the positives-- everything was super clean! They somehow managed to maintain a bathhouse in the woods in top condition. My SO and I HATE bugs and we expected to spend most of the night cowering under the covers, but we had no bug scares in our tent throughout our stay. Staff were super friendly and accommodating. There was an error with our booking, but they were still able to accommodate us for which we were super grateful. Lots of fire pits-- we thought we'd have to fight off others for a spot in front of the fire, but there was plenty of room. The location of the camp is also very convenient-- a short drive from downtown Ithaca for food, nearby lake and trails for hiking, and vineyards/breweries/cideries for sights and wine/beer/cider tasting! S'mores and drinks from the bar were wonderful. The continental breakfast was also surprisingly delicious. Everything offered is from local businesses and is not your typical hotel continental bfast. Our minor inconveniences-- a glitch on the website led to us being able to book a room that would normally not be available to us due to us bringing a dog, but again we were grateful they still accommodated us anyway. A food truck on-site was supposed to serve hand pies on one of the days we were there but because of technical? issues, this did not happen. Not a big deal for us, but other guests seemed a bit upset that the camp still advertised the pies, but guests weren't notified of the cancellation until they asked staff about it. It did end up changing dinner plans for us last minute and I can imagine for some other guests who were looking forward to it. Another food related inconvenience--my SO loved the yogurt they offered at bfast one of our mornings, and was so disappointed when they didn't offer it the next morning. In fact, they had a noticeably smaller selection for bfast in general on our next morning there. Not sure why. Again, no big deal but slightly disappointing that they advertise their great selection of local foods for bfast but didn't have everything that day. Tents were also extremely close to each other. We could hear every little noise coming from our neighbors -- the zippering of the mosquito net, the slamming of a suitcase, idle chatter. And although convenient, the location of the camps also did detract from the ~outdoorsy~ ~nature~ feeling one might look for with camping. Throughout our stay, from our tents, we could hear cars on the nearby main road constantly passing by. Instead of bird calls and crickets chirping, we awoke to car horns and motorcycle revving. Not super peaceful. Though this could be because of where our tent was located; other tents may have not heard the traffic. Finally, while everything did feel luxurious, at times my SO and I were left wondering what part of this experience could truly be considered camping other than being in a "tent" (honestly more like a cabin) in the woods. Campfires were made and tended to by staff, so no experiencing the struggle then accomplishment of starting a fire yourself lol. WiFi, food delivery, electricity in some tents, hot water and indoor plumbing is all available--taking away any of the 'struggle' that some people may look for in camping. (We loved all of these aspects though). I'd also like to note we came in the middle of summer, and our tent was SWELTERING during the day. If you're not great with the heat, I definitely suggest booking the electricity tents for the fans or planning for a spring/fall trip instead. If you're bringing your dog in the summer, plan plenty of daytime activities for your pup to cool down because you won't be able to get electric tents with the fans. Overall, the entire experience was still great. You get pretty much exactly as advertised. An off-the-grid, camping experience in the great outdoors, this was not. A nice dog friendly getaway from the hectic city to enjoy some nature, with plenty of activities to keep you busy--for sure! Glamping is an activity that I would probably only do once or twice in a lifetime, so can't say I'd come back, but for friends and family who're looking to experience it, I would definitely recommend Firelight Camps.

My time at firelight camps was magical! The location is breathtaking, you feel as if you are secluded in the middle of nowhere but you are just 10 minutes away from downtown Ithaca and can shop and eat at the local restaurants. The tents are beautiful and the beds are very comfortable. The service is great, every is extremely friendly. The tent we stayed in was big and had a beautiful deck that looked out into the woods. They clean your tent everyday and bring you fresh water. It got a little cold a night but the down comforters are very cozy. The bathhouse is clean and there are four showers on site. They have three fire pits and picnic tables to hang out at. There are two tents with complimentary breakfast and games and record players inside. There are charging stations for your phone and a bar inside the tent as well. The breakfast is good and they have vegan and gluten-free options. Muffins, bagels, coffee, tea, juices, yogurt and granola. The drinks from the bar are also very good. I enjoyed ever moment spent here. So beautiful and relaxing. I hope to go back again someday soon! P.S. they are dog friendly!

This glamping company has some 20 tents on premises with a partner luxury hotel & spa and two onsite restaurants uphill: one is dry-aged style steakhouse and the other, a French cafe. Full comfort and clean bathrooms are located a few yards away from the tents. The campfire is tended during the evening and early morning. Breakfast is served but it's nothing substantial and dismal. An unimpressive and easy hike trail with waterfalls can be accessed from the camp. The central campsite has concierge, full service bar, several tended campfires, charging stations, provisions and souvenir store, game boards, small library, lounge area and unlimited supply of gourmet coffee, tea and fruits. Although glamping was a nice experience, I would still go for the simple and traditional camping. The only other time I will try it again is in an isolated desert (bucket list updated)

This place is absolutely amazing! Don't listen to any of the very few negative reviews, those people clearly aren't enjoyable. We were so impressed with every single aspect of this glamping experience and are planning on returning with friends soon! It is so tranquil and serene. The staff is incredibly kind and accommodating and the full bar & breakfast are just a bonus! It's great for kids... we have a 5 year old and a 1 year old and the other campers kids all ran around and played together the whole time. I personally don't think the tents are too close together and for anyone saying there are chipmunks and bugs... well duh, you're in nature. They didn't bother us one bit. We found everything to be super clean, including the communal bathrooms! Overall it was an incredible experience and I would recommend anyone here. Can't wait to be back!

I loved Firelight Camps! We stayed for a laid back bachellorette party over the weekend. There were 9 girls in our party and everyone enjoyed themselves. I actually liked it so much I booked a tent while I was there for my parents to enjoy on their anniversary the following day! I don't think it's the kind of atmosphere you're looking for if you're going to be drinking or make very much noise. They have "quiet hours" starting at 11pm and are somewhat strict about that. We were asked to quiet down once on Friday and we really weren't making much noise. The showers are nice, the tents are beautiful, and the beds are comfy. Complimentary breakfast is a nice touch and the fire area is adorable. It's very scenic and cool to be so close to the falls. Ithaca itself has such good options for food and activities that it's the perfect place to visit for a weekend. I personally think quiet hours are a little early. 99% of the visitors were adults, with one tent having a child. That tent was oddly placed with 2 of our tents and one of our tents was in a different group. I think Firelight has a lot of potential to be a really cool spot, but needs to find it's identity. Are you a hipster/outdoor paradise or a family friendly campground? Or maybe they can try to book things a little differently and keep families in a separate area. A little strange to put small children knowingly next to bachellorette party tents.

Lovely little getaway. Tents are rather close so don't expect a lot of privacy but otherwise its exactly as advertised.

Nothing to do with the firelight camps but the lack of Service at the bar when I was there was not a pleasant experience. They closed an hour and a half earlier when the musicians canceled because of weather. They didn't make an announcement to that effect but had a written notice on the bar. When I went to the bar for a beer they said it was closed at 7 PM. I asked what time it was they said 7:01 PM they wouldn't serve me or my friends one more beer. When I said your joking right? They said no.

This year's trip to Firelight Camps was our second and enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed our first trip. It was made even better by the fact that the water was much higher this year and we could hear the babbling brook behind our tent. The information on the website regarding the weather was spot on, and we were prepared for cool weather. One piece of advice I would offer to the folks who come to stay who aren't campers... This is elevated CAMPING... As the website says, the tents are not heated, they are tents with lovely fluffy blankets and warm beds. But the Ithaca weather is fickle and you need to be prepared. Additionally, I would recommend that guests remember that the tents are relatively super close together so playing music at midnight is not appreciated by fellow campers (though the camp staff handles that type of thing wonderfully when called into service). This year had a lovely addition of a big fire thingy (not sure the official term for it) in the main tent. It was lovely and definitely takes off the chill and enhances the already homey atmosphere of the main tent. The staff, as always, are friendly and helpful and just a pleasure which which to chat. Recommendations which I would offer for next year is that it would be nice to see a second big firepit built as when it is cold, it's not always possible to get a spot nice and close to the fire! And while the breakfast options are fantastic for gluten free folks and those who prefer organic, folks who are watching calories have to struggle a bit more with options as there isn't a ton of fresh fruit available. Can't wait to come back next year!!

Fabulous concept, fabulous stay. Hard to rave more about how much we enjoyed Firelight. The tent was spacious and comfortable, and provided the feel of being outdoors. Firelight has plenty for families, and more than plenty for adults. Numerous firepits, a bar with local beer and wine, an excellent breakfast and clean and comfortable bathrooms and showers. And our pooch was more than comfortable and happy. Honestly can't think of negatives. We had a special stay at a place with a tremendous vibe. Can't wait to return.

These guys are amazing. We came in on Friday night and they were welcoming, accommodating and funny from the start. We stayed in tent 14, which was spacious and luxurious. I am in no way a camping person and I was very happy with everything. The bathhouse is nice and clean, with communal stalls and two private bathrooms. The breakfast is delicious (and locally sourced!), the fire pit was cozy, and the staff was very attentive. We attended a fun complimentary wine tasting and they wrote out a long and comprehensive list of local parks and waterfalls. Overall, totally worth the stay! Will return soon. But the real kicker came when we set out to leave, only to discover we had a flat tire. Tom ran to get Eddie, a local mechanic and they all helped us set and inflate our spare tire. At no cost to us. They were even reluctant to accept a tip. These guys are a class act! Overall, a wonderful and gracious family business. Highly recommended.

My friends and I booked 2 tents at Firelight Camps in hopes of having a fun girls weekend in the woods... Didn't turn out exactly as we'd hoped. I'm going to start with the vandalized car because it was the nail in the coffin for us and reason why we'll never go back again. We woke up early Saturday to enjoy the continental breakfast and coffee, which was sub-par. It was a small table with store-bought muffins, bagels, individual yogurts with a handful of toppings, a jar of uncooked oats, some fruits and hard-boiled eggs. Coffee also wasn't great and not that hot. But I digress.... Cut to, we decided to check out the spa to see if they had any available appointments for us. It's worth noting, in order to get to the spa you have to walk up to the parking lot at the top of the camp and then up another set of stairs from there to get to where the spa and hotel are. As we started making our way through the parking lot we looked towards where we parked our car and noticed some people standing around, then quickly noticed something was wrong. When we walked closer, we realized someone had bashed in 3 of the windows of our rental car!!!!! (see photos). One of the workers and the owners, Bobby and Emma were standing there asking if this was our car. In short, the police had already been there and left and they said they didn't think we needed to call them again... weird. They also said the police officer stated they had another call similar to this in a different area and it was probably some college kids being dumb. We later called the police station ourselves and found this to be untrue. There had been only one report of this and it was at Firelight Camp...even weirder. One other car was also vandalized that was parked two cars behind us and only their one back window was bashed-in. The whole situation didn't feel right and it's a little difficult to believe that a random person off the street did this. If you've ever been to the campgrounds, you would know it's not easy to get to the camps parking lot. When you turn-into the entrance, you first pass the steakhouse and their parking lot, then down to the hotel and their parking-lot, THEN you go down a thin, winding gravel path that leads down to the camps lot. It's not easily accessible and definitely not a smart choice if someone is looking to do something like that and get away quickly, doesn't make sense. Also note, our car was parked all the way in the back of the parking lot. Conveniently, there are also no cameras in that lot, only down by the main tent. The owners were nice and Bobby ended up driving us to the rental car place so we can sort everything out. After he dropped us off however, we never heard from or saw the owners again for the rest of our trip. Our car was vandalized in their parking lot, we expressed we felt unsafe and were thinking of leaving and they didn't seem overly concerned at all and never followed-up with us. I understand that it was a very unusual situation but, they didn't handle it appropriately and we were left feeling uncomfortable and unhappy. In addition to the vandalized car (as if that wasn't enough), we ran into several other issues within the first 12 hours of our stay. * They couldn't put our tents together upon check-in (even though we booked together and under the same name) and were placed completely across the campgrounds from one another. * There are "quiet hours" which start at 11pm and they take them very seriously. * One of our tents was placed next to a family whom later complained that we were making too much noise at 11:30pm...on a Friday. * One of the workers, Tom came to our tent after the neighbor complained to tell us we needed to stop what we're doing and move to the event tent. *We were told we couldn't drink on the campgrounds due to their liquor license, which is the reason we were in our tent.* Tom said he was vetoing that so we can move to the event tent. He was not very friendly. * Once in the event tent, we tried playing music and Tom quickly came to shut that down. Mind you, it's pouring rain and you can barely hear each other talk in the tent, but ok we did what we were told. There was also a bachelorette party staying there that was also put into the main tent next to where we were that was told to be quiet and no music.... poor bride. We tried to enjoy ourselves, but no music, pouring rain, and having Tom constantly walk by and feeling like we were being babysat was too much, so we quickly ended our night. So, if you're looking for an unorganized, potentially unsafe and boring campground, this place is for you! Even though the camp is marketed towards young couples, adults, BACHELORETTE PARTIES, encouraging Wine and Brewery tours and tequila bars, and minutes away from downtown Ithaca, make sure you wrap that up quickly and are in bed by 11pm. Oh and hopefully, you're placed next to people you book with and not near families and crotchety older women. Cheers.

My friends and I went on a couples weekend away at Firelight Camp site in Ithaca. We had an amazing time during our stay. There were interesting things to do and see in the area. We went to Puddledockers kayaking and watched the sunset at night. We hiked Gorge Trail and an entrance was conveniently located in the Firelight campground. They have a bar on site and a few games, charging stations and lanterns. The bathrooms were clean and breakfast was nice and healthy, free coffee and tea all day too. Try the Barry Family rose at the bar. At night they will make you a fire to sit and enjoy in the common area.

Stayed here as part of a yoga retreat (#treehouseyogaretreat) so my experience was likely different from the normal booking. Based on my two nights here I would definitely come back and will be recommending the Firelight Camp to friends. The staff and owners were lovely, charming, helpful and excited about sharing the beat of this area. The tents are unbelievably comfortable and the facilities modern and kept very clean. Staying in a tent means you have to deal with a few bugs, and the sounds of the campfire and night, but honestly that's what you should be signing up for with this experience. I live in Brooklyn so this stay felt like a real escape. Come!

Loved Glamping at Firelight Camps. The Buttermilk trails are awesome. Also, if you stay a couple nights upper Treman park is also gorgeous. The hosts at the camp are extremely accommodating and atmosphere is so relaxing... Played chess, trouble and jenga... Love the music they have Tuesday nights. I feel refreshed and ready to head back to work.

I've been looking forward to Glamping for well over a year and couldn't have been more disappointed by our experience a few weeks ago. The tents are incredibly close to one another and there is NO natural barrier between them as there is with traditional camp sites. We had bugs crawling in through gaps where the safari tent was attached to the poles in the ceiling, also something I've never experienced while camping in a traditional tent. The campsite was completely full but only 1 camp fire was lit, so there was no place to sit by the fire in the evening. And as has been mentioned multiple times below, the quiet hours are clearly not mandatory, as we could hear the other campers by the campfire well past midnight. To make this even more enjoyable, our "neighbors" were laughing and talking loudly once they made it back to their tent at around 1:00 am. I tried really hard to enjoy this experience that I shelled $200/night for but ended up wishing that I had just rented a traditional campsite elsewhere for a fraction of the cost.

We LOVED our stay at Firelight. We were traveling with a 4 and 3 year old, so having a "glamping" experience was a super easy way to camp. We got in late, but we were able to order delivery to the sight, had a drink in the lobby and hung out. We were there in October and it was chilly, but the main tent was perfect for hanging out and warm. The kids loved the home made S'mores and we loved the drinks! The tent was large and comfortable, and even though it got down to 50 degrees at night, the blankets kept us super warm. We hiked in the am on the trail that you can enter right from the camp. Overall, it was a great, relaxing stay and I would definitely recommend to anyone. Even in the colder months!

This is a bit overdue but now that spring is on its way, I've been looking into camping/glamping sites. I stayed at Firelights last September hoping to have a romantic weekend with my boyfriend. When we first got there to check in, it seemed like we irritated the staff by even being there. Everyone was extremely unfriendly. Noticed that all of the lounge furniture in the main part of the camp looked extremely disheveled. Upon initially seeing our tent, it was cute -- the bedding and furniture was a little worn and dirty, but I just figured it was because we were there towards the end of the season. We went back to the main area for some hiking info and I guess the girl was too busy blankly staring at us while she was wiping down some mugs to even bother asking if we needed help. Ended using some trail brochures from a hotel in town. At night, we went out to the bonfires and they were pretty exclusive. A tightly knit group and some guitar player took over the main bonfire. We had to sit over off to the side with a stranger that again, seemed really pissed we were even there. I went to make hot cocoa to salvage the night and when I took a sip I literally spit it out. It's supposed to be some special homemade recipe of theirs but it tastes super spicy and pretty gross. I tried to buy a s'mores kit and they were completely sold out. How do you sell out of s'mores when you are a CAMP site? There was basically nothing else for us to do and no one wanted to give us the time of day. We gave up and went back to our tent to find multiple MASSIVE spiders everywhere. It was honestly horrifying, we barely slept. As soon as we woke up we were packing to leave. I was thoroughly disappointed. Wasn't the pinterest-esque glamping experience I had in mind. Even when I actually camp and pitch a tent myself I have never seen such large disgusting spiders. Super unfriendly staff. Overall place was pretty dirty. The showers were so disgusting that we booked a day at the spa just to feel clean again after the entire experience. Can't believe how much money was wasted on such a lousy experience. Don't bother! Go camping on your own.

Absolutely perfect stay, you truly get a sense of Ithaca here. You can step right off the property and walk the trail to Buttermilk Falls. Wine tasting in the afternoon and breakfast were welcoming (and delicious) and the tent itself was a perfect retreat. Even though we were close to another tent we never heard any other noise. As an IC grad who knows Ithaca well, I will be recommending Firelight to all of my friends and fellow alumni for any other trips!

My husband and I spent 3 nights at Firelight Camps for our wedding anniversary and we had a great time! Key things to know: - The tents are clean, fairly big, the king bed is comfortable. No full body mirror inside or any mirror. The veranda is nice with a pair of cute rocking chairs. I'm in love with the writing table and safari chair is nice! - Photos on their website are 100% accurate. - The lamps inside your tent are great. It lasts the whole night (if you're not charging your phone while using it). If it dies sooner that you expect, you can have it replaced for a new one on the main tent. - The breakfast is mostly pastry, bread, and yogurt. They have gluten free options, too! It's straight forward and not too heavy- which I think is great. They also offer coffee (from Nicaragua) and Harney and Sons tea 24/7. Most of their food products are local and/or organic! Also, don't miss out on their chive cream cheese, it's good! - They offer free wine tasting every 5pm-6pm so you can taste their local wines. This part of NY is the same temperature as the Rhine Valley in Germany which is known for their Riesling so you must must must try their Riesling. - The bathroom is unisex which is cool as I'm as scaredy cat and I need my husband in sight most especially when I need to go and it's dark outside lol! They have hot water, people!! The towels are clean and new. They do provide shampoo, conditioner, and body wash- just in case you forgot. The bathroom is CLEAN! - You should remember to bring the lantern though if you're going to the bathroom at night, it's pretty dark going back to your tent (just a point of reference, we were in tent 5 so there's like a small bushy entry towards that line of tents so it's pretty dark). There's a motion sensing light right on your tent so you can see the steps. - The staff are nice and knowledgeable. We asked them their take on the best restaurants, hiking areas, and wineries and they gave us good and accurate information. - They have a camp fire every evening and you can make s'mores to complete the experience. If in case you forgot to bring your kit, they sell them there. We didn't try theirs though as we brought ours. We forgot to bring sticks but they happily provided us some. - They provide (1) free drink per person (over 21) per night you're staying with them. Nice touch! I would recommend Firelight Camps to anyone who can't do the full on camping and needs the basic necessities to last 24 hours lol! It's my first time glamping and I think i'm up for my next one. Thank you Firelight Camps for the great experience!

My fiancé and I enjoyed a great stay at this property! From a warm welcome, to clean and safe protocols, to an awesome tent, to friendly staff, to a great campfire experience and the best smores you'll ever have, to the natural sounds of a creek running outside at your tent, we enjoyed everything about our stay. The location is excellent, as you can take a great hike down to Buttermilk Falls from the property and plenty of other great hiking and things to do are within a short drive. We will be back!

My wife, son, dog and I stayed over one night for a quick getaway. We love to camp, but camping is a lot of work, and tough to do midweek with a day job the next day. We also enjoy the finer things in life. Firelight Camps is the perfect blend! Our king size bed was super comfy, and at night we could hear a screech owl in the far distance later at night (a lot more pleasant than it sounds, if you aren't familiar with a screech owl, its more of a trill than a screech). The staff were all super friendly and hospitable. We came a little late, and missed the wine tasting. As a consolation, at checkin we were given two tokens which were good for a kombucha (wife) and a ginger ale (son). It hit the spot. The campfire at night was amazing, and we loved the albums and board games - gave it all a real camp feel! Everything was clean - from the tent to the bathrooms. Very nice! Also, we felt really welcome with our large, 55 pound 4 month old puppy. He loved it there as well! When we had to run to start our workday, everyone wished we could have stayed several more days. Thanks for a great stay, Bobby and Emma!

My husband and I stayed at Firelight Camps three nights for our anniversary. Overall, our experience was wonderful. The staff was extremely helpful and friendly. The tents were exactly what I expected and I was not disappointed. The bed was very comfortable. The complimentary breakfast is nice! People have to remember that this is camping, it is not a 5-star hotel. Ideally, this is a place for young adults not families. There isn't enough to occupy the kids with. The fire and bar area are meant for unwinding after a long day of outdoor excursions. I gave this place a 4/5 because the tents need to be spaced further apart and another bathroom could be added.

Had a fantastic time. The tent was very spacious and clean and intimate and well decorated. The staff from the bar to the reception to the cleaning people were very friendly. The bathrooms were nice considering you're on a campground. The complementary breakfast was delicious and healthy. Very family oriented grounds probably the most peaceful trip I've been on. I'm definitely going back and recommending it to everyone I know

Visited Firelight for a friend's wedding and had a fabulous weekend. Tent provided a comfortable bed and warm down blanket. We were located at a tent that was not in the woods though, but a clearing near the parking lot. If you enjoy sleeping in the woods definitely discuss tent location when booking, as most of the tents are in the woods. Staff were friendly and helpful, accommodations clean. Hope to return soon!

My husband and I stayed here for a kid-free getaway! We had a lovely time. The tent was spacious and comfortable, and we loved the deck in the morning, especially. The lobby area is charming - a nice selection of books, comfortable seating. We felt very much at home while we enjoyed the happy hour and breakfast. We are pretty environmentally aware, and loved the locally sourced beer, wine, and breakfast. The food was good and it is good for the environment and local economy! The location is convenient to downtown Ithaca, yet far enough away that you feel secluded. There is a lot to do, for sure! All the fun of camping without the dirt and damp. We loved it and look forward to returning!

Honestly the best vacation -- relaxation with nature. The staff could not have been better. The trails around the camp are gorgeous. Make sure to do the forage hike with Sarah!

I 've been following the progress of Firelight Camps since I heard of it opening. This year my man and I celebrated our seven year anniversary, so we decided to slip away to Ithaca to go "glamping." While we still aren't quite comfortable using the term glamping (ha!), I will say the experience was nothing short of perfection. We were tucked into the woods with a huge Safari style tents--equipped with a queen size bed, a writing desk, and all the nature you could ask for. There was a community fire rolling 24 hours a day and the owner (Bobby) along with his wife (Emma) were the perfect host and hostesses. The relaxation quickly took on the feeling of hanging with very dear friends, very dear friends we had only just happened to meet that weekend. In addition to an amazing locally sourced continental breakfast at the lobby tent, there was a stocked bar with delicious whiskey (my favorite) and a complimentary wine hour from 5 PM to 6 PM. Firelake camps are on La Tourelle's property, so there were trails to hike, a beautiful property to explore, and all the hotel amenities we could need or want. One morning we woke early and basically stepped from our tent to the spa for a massage. I can't think of a more amazing way to spend a weekend together; we are already looking forward to going back next year.

I booked a weekend stay for Mother's Day and we had a fantastic time! The accommodations were very comfortable, warm, and exceeded our expectations. On the same property is a spa and outstanding steakhouse. We will absolutely return!

If there's one thing that my friends know about me, besides the obvious (like how much I love to eat/drink, tell jokes, travel and write), it's the fact that I would rather lick a dirty toilet seat than go camping. Hell, I can barely bring myself to use a unisex bathroom at a bar! About a year ago, I received some intel on Ithaca by Firelight Camps, a "glamp" site located in upstate New York. Not having a clue what "glamping" was or how it differed from, gasp, traditional "camping," I couldn't get on their website quickly enough. ... In the beginning of this past summer, I booked a single night's stay at Firelight Camps for the second week of October. I would be in Manhattan the weekend prior for one of my dearest friend's weddings, so it only made sense to make my way upstate thereafter for some R&R. On Tuesday morning, October 6th, I flew to Syracuse from NYC. Upon arrival, I rented a car and made the 45-minute drive to Ithaca. The scenery along the way was absolutely breathtaking; aside from the region's inherent natural beauty, the potpourri of fall colors - in the form of leaves and produce - was everything that I could have hoped for and more. When GPS announced that I had "arrived" at my destination (Firelight Camps), I was both perplexed and a bit relieved to pull up to a full-service hotel/spa and restaurant. Where the heck was I? As I made my way further down the drive, I saw a sign for the Camp and continued just beyond the hotel and restaurant, down a little hill, and on to a grassy clearing with a central "tent." I pulled my rental car off to the side of the gravel road and made my way in to the "lobby tent," where I received a warm greeting from the staff and a quick orientation, if you will. ...I was particularly thrilled to learn that "Happy hour is from 5-6PM when we spark the evening campire and bar remains open until 11PM." Woohoo! Upon making my way over to my tent, I noticed the al-fresco communal hangout area just off the lobby, complete with a fire pit, an assortment of seating options, and liberally strung twinkle-lights. The staff told me that I could park my car outside of my tent to unload my suitcases, but that I would then have to parking just up the short hill near the facilities. Yep, that's right, folks, I said "facilities." Would they be unisex? Clean? Small? Would there be hot enough water? Would there be hot water at all? After getting settled and unpacking my essentials, I made sure to familiarize myself with the battery-powered lanterns-cum-phone chargers that were located in my tent. Try walking to the facilities in the pitch dark (There's no electricity in the sleeping tents.) without one of those suckers! From there, I decided to go check out the facilities before stopping over at the lobby for happy hour. And, I must say, I was very pleasantly surprised by how clean and ample the restrooms and showers were, in addition to being fully-stocked with shampoo/conditione/soap! 5PM couldn't come quickly enough! I made my way back to the lobby tent for happy hour and enjoyed wines from the local Finger Lakes region, "hard" apple cider (it just so happened to be Cider Week while I was there), and good company. Amongst a handful of couples (including one with their adorable dogs in tow), there was a fun group of older women on a pseudo college reunion trip. As the sun slowly set over the glampground, so did the temperatures. While I was still in the lobby, I made sure to secure a propane heater for my tent to keep me warm overnight, as it was forecasted to dip in to the 40s! Just after happy hour and a quick shower, I walked over to John Thomas Steakhouse (the restaurant located further up the property) where I enjoyed a fantastic lobster dinner. Forgoing dessert at the restaurant, I made my way back to camp in anticipation of enjoying a glass of red/nightcap and attempting to roast s'mores by the fire... With a full and happy belly - plus a solid buzz - I made my way back to my tent and prepared for bed: I turned on the propane tank, put on my socks, and crawled under the warm blanket. Aside from the heater's buzz, the only thing I could hear beyond the mesh of my tent's windows were the leaves lightly dancing and the crickets chirping. A few hours later, I awoke to the tranquil sound of a rain shower that aided me in to falling in the deepest, most comfortable sleep that I've experienced in...forever. Wow. The following morning, I allowed myself to sleep in before packing up and heading to the continental breakfast in the lobby tent - something I haven't done in quite some time. Ultimately, however, I was jonezing for a cup of coffee and some sustenance. Although I would have loved to stay for another night (or two!), it was time for me to hit the road and explore the region and Ithaca proper, in addition to checking out Cornell's campus.