New York's Adams Basin region sits at approximately 400 feet of elevation within Monroe County, less than 20 miles from Lake Ontario's southern shore. The area experiences four distinct seasons with moderate summers averaging 80°F and winters dropping below freezing. Winter glamping options near Adams Basin have expanded significantly, with several parks now offering heated accommodation alternatives from November through March when most traditional tent sites close.
What to do
Hiking at Golden Hill: Follow the shoreline trails at Golden Hill State Park Campground for Lake Ontario views just 43 miles from Adams Basin. "There is a short nature trail through a wooded area. The views are spectacular, particularly at sunset," notes Leah L., who visited during summer 2020.
Lighthouse tours: Visit the historic "Thirty Mile" lighthouse at Golden Hill for educational presentations scheduled throughout summer. "Be sure to visit the light house on your visit. Lots of history at this place!" recommends reviewer Meag F.
Fishing and boating: Access multiple stocked ponds and lakes at Timberline Lake Park, offering rod rentals and seasonal fishing tournaments. "It's really quiet and you can really feel like you're getting away out here," reports reviewer Mariah G.
Frisbee golf courses: Play the well-maintained course at Darien Lakes State Park, located 30 minutes from Adams Basin. "This park is a nicely kept, clean and quiet gem. There is a fairly new Frisbee golf course as well," explains Jeremy H.
What campers like
Budget-friendly cabin options: Economical alternatives to luxury glamping can be found at Webster Park, where basic cabins start at $55/night. "We did a last minute reservation and ended up loving the place. There was good separation between the campsites," writes Joseph W.
Weekend packages: Amusement park access at Six Flags Darien Lake Campground includes discounted theme park admission with camping reservations. "Campground fees include admission to the theme park. The sites are very nice and well maintained," explains Mary H.
Natural surroundings: Scenic lakefront views are common at parks throughout the region. "The best part of Golden Hill is being right on the shore of Lake Ontario. The Lakeside sites are the best bet as you get an unobstructed view of the incredible sunrise and sunset over the lake," writes Jeremy H.
Family-focused amenities: Recreational facilities cater to children at multiple locations. "Family friendly park, lots of activities, park hosts/owners are hands on and awesome," notes Cheryl M. about Southwoods RV Resort.
What you should know
Winter availability limitations: From November through March, most campgrounds near Adams Basin reduce services or close entirely. "We stayed four nights (which included a weekend) and experienced the park going from half full and quiet to packed with lots of music, all-day fires, and big gatherings," explains Nancy W. at Southwoods RV Resort.
Bathroom accessibility: Some parks have limited facilities requiring longer walks from certain sites. "There are 2 bathrooms in the campground, one near the A-B loops and one near the entrance. It was quite a hike in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom from our site," warns Leah L. about Golden Hill.
Reservation requirements: During peak season (June-August), glamping units near Adams Basin often book 3-6 months in advance. "Book early. Bring your hiking shoes & camera," advises Rebecca E., who stayed at Letchworth State Park.
Cell reception inconsistency: Service varies dramatically between parks. "Cell phone coverage is poor by Verizon and T-Mobile, and there is no WiFi," reports Carl C. about his experience at Webster Park.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Canandaigua-Rochester KOA offers structured programs for children under 12. "This KOA has all that you need for a relaxing family trip. It is close to the finger lakes, is clean, has kid activities and a pond where the fish are easy to catch with hotdogs!" recommends Amy T.
Playground access: Choose sites near play areas for easier supervision. "Nice central playground and bathroom/shower house. We stay close to the playground these days in our pop up usually at site 5 so our 5 and 9 year old can walk or ride to campground," suggests Scott C. about Webster Park.
Swimming options: Several parks offer both pool and natural water swimming from Memorial Day through Labor Day. "We had a blast feeding the rain but this place is very busy with lots of sites that are very close. Los of things to do for kids, pool, mini-golf, beach, fishing," explains Buffy K.
Seasonal events: Holiday weekends feature themed activities at many parks. "This was our first trip here. It was nothing short of perfect. Staff was super helpful and friendly," writes Amanda M., who appreciated the organized events at Webster Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Letchworth State Park Campground offers varied loops with different amenities. "The campsites are in two main areas of the park and further broken down into many different loops. The loops near the Lower Falls are our favorites," recommends Harry H.
Extended hookups: Pack additional hose length for some water connections. "You need a long hose for fresh water in the RV. No sewer sites," notes Janelle G. about Webster Park's setup.
Road accessibility: Main park roads accommodate larger rigs but some campground loops have restrictions. "All the roads in the park are paved with the exception of the pull-thru section in the front of the park which is gravel," explains Nancy W. about Southwoods RV Resort.
Seasonal site differences: Premium lakefront locations may have size limitations. "Some sites in the A-B loops are right next to each other, and we preferred the space for the sites in the C loop," advises Leah L., who camped at Golden Hill State Park.
