wnybubba from Bflo/ROC on 9/9/2020 1:46:20 AM:
I remember looking at this as an option before my ride earlier this year (but did not stay there). I just used Google Maps -- couldn't get a street view but there was a decent pic. Seems there is some space to accommodate a tent. Typically asking Lock personnel is adequate for permission.
Here's the pic:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Erie+Canal+Lock+17/@43.0384101,-74.8465783,3a,37.7y/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipMp9716fBnlGKIqpdik6EBDf-QnfGgfEl7hRwLC!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipMp9716fBnlGKIqpdik6EBDf-QnfGgfEl7hRwLC%3Dw203-h152-k-no!7i3968!8i2976!4m5!3m4!1s0x89deb6f3b4c8b351:0x30f30d402bacf114!8m2!3d43.0384101!4d-74.8465783