Green Lakes State Park Campground

Reviewed Jul. 17, 2024

If you love a good bathroom…

Yes, it’s true! You’ve hit the campground bathroom lottery here!

Let’s start off with the pros: bathrooms are great! Super modern and clean and hot, free showers! Very handicap accessible as well.

The whole campground is very well kept. Completely litter free and all the buildings and signs are modern and cool looking. Five stars all the way for the people running this place. They are doing an awesome job keeping it very fresh.

Maintenance/facilities: 5 stars

Camping sites:

I’ll start with the positive. It was a simple and easy, level site. And we had electric. So it was good.

The cons: There is zero privacy here. Virtually no trees or shrubs between sites and sites are close to each other. In the rolling meadow sites opt for the electric as the tent only sites are basically a sardine can of campers. I mean in one spot the tents were so close to each other I thought it was a group campsite but it was not. Like a group hostel room but with tents instead of bunks.

We were only here for 1 night passing through and it was great for that but I would not feel comfortable hanging outside at my site in quarters so close. Maybe I’m just weird because many people did. I can’t imagine spending any longer than 1-2 nights here. I would stay again but would check out other camp spots first. In our area 118 and 120 seemed to the best that backed up onto trees as opposed to just other sites.

Camping sites: 2 stars

Amenities: there’s a lot to do here. However I feel I must say you cannot reach the lakes from the rolling meadow campground without a car, bike or very long walk. You can see a bit of round lake through the trees but it really isn’t accessible. Expectations are the doom of any trip so just keep that in mind. You’re not going to bed with any sort of lake views or sounds near you. Also you can only swim at the beach which is pretty small and guarded by some pretty enthusiastic lifeguards taking the job pretty seriously. I guess you will appreciate it if you have little kids to me it was a turn off as I don’t prefer to feel like a fish in a bowl when I swim. But again this is just personal preference! Also there were a lot of rules at this tiny beach - more than I have seen at pretty much any other beach anywhere in the world. Mostly I assume the rules are there to protect the water which I can appreciate but don’t expect a relaxing lake vibe here. Lots of picnic tables and a perfect place to have a picnic and chill for a bit. Very clean beach bath area and I really appreciated the charging station with 4 covered outlets available and a charging counter. I didn’t use it but was impressed someone thought to add that in to the building plans.

With all the rules in place there is just one missing: No political propaganda of any type should be allowed at the campsites. We were almost blinded by idiocy each time we walked to the bathroom as we had to go past a full size Trump flag someone was flying in front of their site. Can’t even imagine the rage I would’ve felt if I had to camp next to that. Fortunately I found a cut through in the woods which I used to get around it on the way to the bathroom. Camping is where you go to get away from all of it! This is state owned land and they should not be allowing that sort of inflammatory full sized political flag in any area as it only raises the blood pressure instead of dropping it. You can’t bring your own SUP or kayak, face mask or list of any other things to the lake (rules) but you can have your heart attack inducing propaganda all over your site and in everyone else’s face - makes no sense.

Would I stay here again: Yes. But only for 1 night passing through. I felt too crowded to be there for any length of time. It was hard for me to relax outside.

Value was a 5 star because I had full electric for $30/night and there was plenty to do. I should note for kids this place is a goldmine! Great playgrounds everywhere and you can rent kayaks. And it’s great for bikes. And it was all very handicap accessible which I thought was very impressive. You can tell a lot of thought went into the facility side of park. If they cut out 1/4 of the camp sites it would be spacious and amazing. And the trumpeter is just a case of bad timing for me, not a permanent thing (although I do think they should ban that decoration of insanity at state run parks).

Site119

Month of VisitJuly

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mitchell M.

Reviewed Jun. 17, 2024

loved where we were

@penalty shooters 2 said loved where we were this time. page 121. On these hot days, with a slope and a nice breeze.

Month of VisitMarch

Carrie M.

Reviewed Sep. 20, 2022

Beautiful and a state campground!

Such a large park with lots of space. Sites with various hookups. The water is breathtaking!! And the beach and property is clean and wonderfully maintained!

Site36

Month of VisitAugust

Carl G.

Reviewed Aug. 18, 2022

Has it all!

Green Lakes has camping about 25 sites have full hook up and can handle big rigs, golf, swimming, hiking, biking,sall camp store at Pine Woods, consession stand at the beach, restaurant at the club house. Across the road is the NYS Canal Trail which goes from Buffal to Albany biking, fishing, hike, and more.

SiteP29

Month of VisitAugust

Amanda K.

Reviewed Jul. 1, 2022

Little bit of paradise

We really loved this place and would love to come back.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Beautiful clear blue lakes

Nice, long trails around both lakes

Swimming area

Kayak rentals

Nature educational building

Decent sized sites

CONS:

There are signs all over that you can’t swim in the lake. Only in the designated area.

Hard to get a kayak to rent at times

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: Golf course Mini golf

Month of VisitJune

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David A.

Reviewed Sep. 29, 2021

Interesting

A quiet clean spot. Amazing geography (Green Lakes). Well maintained. We took a site that has full hook ups (a first for us—a luxury). These sites are quite spacious. The bathhouses are fairly new and reasonably clean. The sites where we are, are landscaped with some unusual, but well placed, plants. Different. An excellent looking (we don’t golf—so only a perception) golf course resides abutting the park that has a very nice restaurant/clubhouse. There are numerous hiking/biking trails and a boat rental at Green Lake. We will return

Sitep28

Month of VisitSeptember

Tate T.

Reviewed Aug. 30, 2021

Kind of crowded but beautiful lake

Had a nice time the campsites were a little close together and there were a lot of people at the campground however it was beautiful. The lake is an awesome color and there is a lot of information about the area and the lake itself around the park. Even though the sites were close together they were very spacious and extremely reasonably priced

Site68

Month of VisitAugust

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wayne F.

Reviewed Aug. 9, 2021

Green lakes awesome

Green lakes was so awesome we originally were supposed tonstay for a week but ended up staying two full weeks bc of how much fun and amazing it was !

Siteb6

Month of VisitJuly

Elizabeth P.

Reviewed Jul. 29, 2021

Two quick stays

We loved this park. Nice that there are lots of options in town for food as we were traveling. We stayed in June and July. Our first site (81) was fantastic the second (118) was smaller and very muddy due to recent rain.

Site81and 118

Month of VisitJune

Secc P.

Reviewed Jul. 24, 2020

Great place to stay

I’ve stayed here in the pine woods loop 3 times with my family. Some sites are a bit small and some are spacious so look them up on the website. They offer electric only in that loop but have full hookups in an open area. The bathrooms are nice, new and clean. You might find a wait because they don’t have a lot of them. The lakes and beach are beautiful and there’s a nice wide trail that would be good for handicapped people as well. Great opportunities for photo ops. I highly recommend.

Month of VisitJuly

Reviewed Jul. 21, 2020

Great park to camp at

Loved our spot this time. Site 121. On a hill and nice breeze on these hot days.

Jennifer I.

Reviewed Jul. 19, 2020

Fabulous!

Beautiful lakes! The walking/hiking trails are fabulous. They also offer an activity booklet for the kids to fill out during their stay to earn a patch. We camped with our 30 foot trailer on an obvious tent site as it was a bit hard to back in between the trees, but the site was nice and flat and clean. Definitely can’t wait to go back!

Reviewed Jul. 18, 2020

Love this place

Great trails and lake . It had rained so the beach was empty the next day. Really nice.

Reviewed Jun. 24, 2020

Always a great time!

I absolutely love this park. Beach for swimming with food stand(not open because of COVID). 2 lakes to walk around. Beautiful scenery! We have been here many times and will continue to return. We have a popup camper and sites are fairly big.

(7) View All

Reviewed Jun. 12, 2020

Love this park

I enjoy this park so much! Really love that it is a park in the middle of little towns. Close to grocery, great walks and fun lake to swim in.

Rebecca A.

Reviewed Sep. 19, 2019

This place is beautiful!

This campground was lovely. The park has lots to do and had a trail to the lake from the campground. There are two loops of camps. I found the tent loop to be nicer and more secluded. They have showers and full bathrooms. 10/10 recommend.

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Deborah G.

Reviewed Aug. 20, 2019

Green Lakes State Park campground

Was nice to have a full hookup campsite. Very well maintained. And love having separate showers with your own toilet and sinks.

Sara H.

Reviewed Aug. 7, 2019

Love it

Camped here twice now. Love it beach is great. You cannot bring your own kayaks you have to rent. Fun hiking area the water is gorgeous. Great playgrounds. Bathrooms and showers were very clean

Sara H.

Reviewed Aug. 6, 2019

Great

Great place to camp. The beach was nice and clean. The showers were nice and the bathrooms were clean. The playgrounds were nice for the kids.

Month of VisitJuly

Rob L.

Reviewed Jul. 15, 2019

Great place to campout or as a day trip

My family has stayed here twice. Excellent experience both times. The park is clean and well maintained. The bathroom/showers are busy but always clean. The beach area is one of the nicest I’ve been to and the water is amazing. There’s walking paths around the lakes that are even handicap accessible. This state park is very busy because it’s just that nice. A must do if you’re in the area.

Katie M.

Reviewed May. 29, 2019

Crystal blue lake!

As a long-time resident of Syracuse, this state park has always been one of my favorites to go to. The lake is the biggest draw, it's crystal blue and impeccably well maintained. You can take a walk around the lake and then stop at the beach to cool off. Connected to the beach is a food pavilion, grilling up burgers and serving frosty treats. The campsites are spacious, the bathrooms are clean and well-kept, and the playgrounds are newer models. As a group of four, two adults and two kids under ten, all had a great time.

Our campsite, was directly in front of a small playground so it made it easy to sit in our lawn chair and watch the kids play. The bathroom was only a little farther than the playground and had a sink to wash your dishes in.

The camp office is located just when you drive in, and everyone was very friendly. A campstore is also a short walk from the campground and has the necessities one may need.

I couldn't complain about anything other than wishing the sun stayed out longer on the trip.

SiteSite 58

Month of VisitMay

Michele R.

Reviewed May. 29, 2019

Mosquito free campground

Have been camping here off & on since I was 12 (1975). Great place for trails, fishing, swimming & plain camping. There are electric & non-electric sites as well as a Cabin Colony. Pet friendly

Month of VisitAugust

Kenneth S.

Reviewed May. 28, 2019

Absolutely Breath Taking

This park is beautiful and very clean. The water is Crystal clear and very blue, you will think you are in the Caribbean Islands. We visit this park very frequently to rent a boat or to hike the trails.

Month of VisitJuly

Theresa F.

Reviewed Jan. 17, 2019

Gorgeous lakes with hiking trails and nice campsites

Full hookup camping loop is nice. Sites could be a little larger but it’s ok. Restrooms and showers could be cleaned a bit more. But I have a shower in my camper so it won’t hold me from camping there again. Lots of hiking and the beach is ok. Playgrounds are decent. Overall a nice place to camp and stores are 5-10 minutes away if you need anything.

Mary H.

Reviewed Oct. 11, 2018

Nice location, near beautiful lake.

This campground has some electric sites but I don't think there are sewer sites (not 100% sure of that). The sites are nice, some are little close to each other but nice for group camping. A short distance (walk or by car) to the beach. The lake is a little chilly sometimes but very refreshing. There are hiking trails around the two lakes and the beach has lifeguards. Very well maintained.

Amanda P.

Reviewed Sep. 7, 2018

Great Park and Great Campsites!

Our family had a wonderful time at this clean, well-maintained, and beautiful park!! The park was very accessible for my daughter who is in a wheelchair, and VERY kid-friendly!!

Reviewed Sep. 2, 2018

great camping and tons of outside stuff to do

I have camped here many times and it is always great. sites good size, Great Lake swimming, fishing.

Amy V.

Reviewed Aug. 16, 2018

Good experience - lovely swimming area and lakes!

We had a great stay at this park. We enjoyed biking and exploring the lovely blue-green lakes. The swimming area was awesome. We were on the edge of a the large RV section in Pinewoods with premium sites. However, they are all in the bright sun - no shade. It was great having the camp store so close!

SitePinewoods P31

Month of VisitAugust

Cindy H.

Reviewed Aug. 5, 2018

"Green" Lakes

This is a very nice campground. There are many sites with electric available at every site. There are some sites with full hook-up available and also specific areas that allow pets. Swimming is available at the large beach. You can rent a kayak and enjoy the beautiful lake. There are miles of trails to explore. There is a camp store, laundry room, recreation room, playgrounds and much more.

Month of VisitJuly

Abbie B.