Tesla Model Y Car Camping at Taughannock Falls: A Beginners Guide to EV Adventures
Discover how to camp comfortably in your Tesla Model Y - saving money, traveling light, and waking up under the stars in New York's stunning Finger Lakes.
Over Labor Day weekend, my niece was getting married at the Inn at Taughannock Falls. As a complete EV car camping beginner, I decided to skip the hotel and camp in my Tesla Model Y. It turned out to be one of my best travel decisions. Here’s what I learned:
Contents:
Taughannock Falls State Park
Taughannock Falls State Park sits in New York’s Finger Lakes region. The main attraction is Taughannock Falls, which drops 215 feet - taller than Niagara Falls! It is ideal for EV car camping because the Superchargers are just 15 minutes away, eliminating range anxiety.
Getting Your Spot Booked
Booking the campsite is straightforward through ReserveAmerica.com:
Same-day reservations are available until 3 p.m. on the day of arrival (although I wouldn't recommend risking it during peak season).
The camping season runs from May through October, and there's a non-refundable reservation fee of $7.25. Fair warning: cancellation fees apply.
I wasn’t able to secure an RV hookup site as they were all taken. RV sites are convenient for EV camping because you can run Camp Mode all night without worrying about draining your battery, plus you can charge while sleeping. I ended up with a regular tent site and discovered that I didn't need that overnight charge anyway.
The cost: My campsite cost $24, plus they tack on an additional $5 Non-NYS resident charge, so $29 total per night.
Your camping fee also covers vehicle entry to the park, along with free same-day access to Buttermilk Falls, Robert Treman State Park, or Watkins Glen - all for free!
Getting There and Checking In
When you arrive at the park, you’ll need to register at the entrance located at 1741 Taughannock Blvd, Trumansburg, NY 14886. The staff will need your name, license plate number, and vehicle details. It's standard procedure and provides a sense of safety, knowing everyone's accounted for.
Check-in starts at 3:00 PM, and you have to occupy your site by 9 pm on the first night, or they'll consider you a no-show and can re-rent your spot. Plus, you'll forfeit your fees.
Finding the campground entrance is tricky. It's down a short road off Route 89, separate from the main park entrance. Look for a small brown sign on the left after crossing a stone bridge - it's easy to miss, especially at night. Arrive during daylight hours on your first visit. Navigating unfamiliar park roads in the dark creates unnecessary stress.
Tesla tip: Instead of relying on the address, use these GPS coordinates: 42.544533, -76.604546.
To get them directly to the Tesla:
Copy those coordinates → Paste them into Google Maps or Apple Maps → Tap or hold the map to drop a pin → Hit the Share Button → Select the Tesla app from the share options.
The Tesla app will open and send the location directly to your car's navigation system. When you get in, the navigation is already set and ready to go.
For trips to campgrounds or remote spots, GPS coordinates are more accurate than addresses, especially for trailheads, campsites, or charging stations.
My Camping Setup
When I arrived at the campsite, finding my spot was easy thanks to the campground map. Site #37 had everything I could want: A solid picnic table, a fire pit, a shared water spout nearby, and, most importantly, level ground, which is essential when you’re sleeping in your car.
There was plenty of room for my Tesla, and the space was surrounded by trees. The beauty of car camping? No tent to wrestle with, no stakes to hammer in, no extra gear to haul around. Just one vehicle that's both your ride and your bedroom.
Note: Different parks have varying policies about sleeping in vehicles. I had zero issues car camping at Taughannock without a tent, but some parks actually require you to have one. It's worth calling ahead to avoid any surprises at check-in.
Setting Up Camp
I knew I’d be returning from the wedding late, and I didn’t want to be fumbling around in the darkness trying to set everything up. Advanced planning made the difference.
Battery prep: I made sure to charge to 80% before heading to the venue. This provided ample power in case I needed to run Camp Mode later that night.
Personal items sorted: I laid out my sleeping clothes and toiletries so everything would be accessible. Future-you will thank present-you for this.
Light situation handled. I made sure my rechargeable headlamp was within easy reach. You do not want to be searching for a flashlight in the dark when you’re already exhausted.
The Bed Setup (Do this in Daylight!)
The smart move was setting up my sleeping situation in advance:
I folded down the back seats and unfolded my Lost Horizon Caping Mattress.
Inflating the air mattress with the matching Lost Horizon Air Pump was tricky. This pump is powerful, but it’s also loud enough to wake up every camper within a three-site radius. Since quiet hours are strictly enforced from 10 pm to 7 am, I made sure to do this earlier in the day.
Once the mattress was inflated, I covered it with a Fitted Sheet for SUV Air mattresses, which is a game-changer for preventing it from sliding around.
Then I topped it off with my Sherpa Puffy 2 Person Rumpl Blanket and Travel Pillows.
With my bed all made up and ready, I head over to the wedding venue, which is less than 5 minutes away.
Tesla Tip: Before setting-up the bed consider turning off Easy Entry in your Tesla settings. When you have a mattress in the back and Easy Entry is on, the seat might slide back too far and disrupt both your seat position and your carefully arranged mattress.
The Inn at Taughannock Falls
Weddings have a way of bringing us back to what really matters - cutting through the noise of daily life and reminding us that, at the end of the day, it’s about loving one another. The Inn at Taughannock Falls is surrounded by nature with sweeping views of Cayuga Lake, and you can hear the waterfall nearby. It creates an atmosphere where you can’t help but pause and truly take in the beauty of the moment.
Sleeping Under the Stars
The Lost Horizon Air Mattress was a game-changer - seriously comfortable! And my Sherpa Puffy Rumpl blanket? Pure coziness all night long.
Tesla Tip: Tesla’s rear seats feature a slight backward slope when folded down. I didn’t feel it while sleeping, but here’s the catch - your phone, glasses, or whatever you set down will slowly slide toward the back of the car during the night. You don’t want to be fumbling around in the dark trying to find your phone at 2 am. My solution: seat hooks with a hanging bag. Keeps everything right where you need it.
I brought camping privacy curtains for the windows, but I didn’t need to use them. The campground offered natural seclusion.
If you’re new to car camping, EVs can make some interesting sounds when parked. If you hear those little clicks, whirs, and hums, that’s just your EV being a responsible car parent, taking care of its battery and electronics. Nothing to lose sleep over - literally!
Morning Departure
I woke up to the sun streaming through the windows and felt more rested than I have in months. Even though the campground was packed, everyone was still observing quiet hours, so it had a peaceful and respectful vibe.
I love watching how the morning unfolds at campgrounds. People are out walking their dogs, some are jogging, and cyclists are quietly pedaling by.
The restrooms were clean and well-lit. A hot shower surrounded by trees beats any hotel bathroom.
Tip: Get a compact shower tote with the basics—soap, shampoo, towel, flip flops. It makes the whole experience so much easier.
Packing up is where car camping shines. I didn't have to deal with:
Rolling up a soaking wet tent that somehow doubled in size overnight
Pulling stakes that apparently welded themselves to the earth
That one piece of gear that always goes missing until you find it in your car three days later
I used my Lost Horizon Air Pump to deflate the mattress—it works great, but sounds like a tiny airplane taking off, so definitely wait until after quiet hours unless you want some seriously grumpy neighbors. Getting the mattress back in its bag was challenging, but I’m getting better at it.
Before leaving, I did my ritual walk around the site. Partly because I always forget something, but also because I love that Leave No Trace moment. It feels good knowing I'm leaving this spot as beautiful as I found it.
The Ithica Farmer’s Market
Before heading home, some of us met up at the Ithaca Farmer’s Market. Supporting local farmers and artisans keeps money flowing within the community. It’s a small act of resistance against the homogenization of chain stores. Plus, the tomatoes taste like they grew in soil instead of a lab.
The Verdict
Would I recommend EV Camping at Taughannock Falls? Absolutely. What I learned about car camping:
Reserve your spot well in advance. Popular state parks fill quickly, especially during holiday weekends. An RV hookup site isn’t necessary when Superchargers are nearby.
Arrive during daylight. Setting up in natural light lets you truly see and appreciate your surroundings before dark.
Prepare your sleeping space in advance. Setting up beforehand makes arriving after dark much easier. A quality sleeping pad makes all the difference.
Leave only footprints. Pack out everything, leaving the site better than you found it. It’s respect in action.
Explore beyond your campsite. Use your campsite fee as a gateway to discover nearby trails, waterfalls, and other hidden gems.
Embrace the less-is-more truth. You’ll be amazed at how little you actually need when nature provides the entertainment.
In the end, EV camping makes life simple. There’s no need for elaborate gear. Park your car, set up your mattresses, and sleep peacefully under the stars.