Glamping and camping options near Avon, New York sit at elevations ranging from 500-1,500 feet with seasonal temperatures that can drop below freezing even in late spring. The region features hardwood forests punctuated by glacially-formed lakes and gorges where water levels fluctuate significantly throughout the year. Most campgrounds in this region operate from early May through mid-October with peak visitation occurring during July and August.
What to do
Hike gorge trails with water access: Stony Brook State Park Campground offers hiking experiences through multiple waterfall areas with a natural swimming area. "The hike through the gorge to see all the waterfalls is stunning and can't be passed up," notes one camper. Trails range from easy 0.5-mile paths to more challenging 3-mile routes with substantial elevation changes.
Play disc golf and fish: Darien Lakes State Park Campground includes a "fairly new Frisbee golf course" and "nice lakes to fish and swim in" according to one visitor. The park maintains a 12-acre pond stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, and bullhead. Disc golf equipment rentals cost $5 at the park office from May through September.
Winter camping options: Some parks in the region offer winter access despite seasonal campground closures. One visitor reported, "We did some winter camping here. We backpacked into the lean-to along the Conservation Trail. It was in good condition and we had a large clearing for activities." Winter camping reservations must be made 7 days in advance with the park office.
What campers like
Privacy of tent sites: Webster Park receives consistent praise for site separation. "Camp sites are wooded and private. Very quiet and peaceful," reports one camper. Another notes, "There was good separation between the campsites and the bathrooms and showers were clean." Sites numbered 5-12 offer the most woodland privacy.
Clean facilities: Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill maintains well-kept facilities year-round. "The washrooms facility is very close and speaking for the men's side, it had 2 stalls, 2 urinals, 2 showers, multiple sinks, and a sturdy baby changing station," one camper details. The park also offers "cabins are new and ample beds and space" for those seeking glamping close to Avon, New York.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple parks offer animal sighting opportunities, especially during mornings and evenings. "Deer, chipmunks and rabbits will say hi in the early and late hours," notes a visitor. Another camper at Webster Park adds, "This is a nice little park. I've stayed four times in 2021, for as much as 2 weeks at a time." Early morning hours (5-8am) provide optimal wildlife viewing conditions.
What you should know
Weather variables: Summer camping can face unexpected conditions. One camper at Letchworth State Park Campground noted, "Beautiful state park, very lush green from all the rain unfortunately the smoke from the Canadian fires near have made it unhealthy here, especially strenuous outdoor activities." Weather patterns can change quickly in the region's valleys.
Cell coverage limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. "Cell phone coverage is poor by Verizon and T-Mobile, and there is no WiFi, and no camp store (but the town of Webster is nearby)," reports one camper. Signal strength is typically strongest at campground entrances and higher elevation points.
Reservations essential: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially for premium glamping accommodations close to Avon. "This is a JEWEL. Book early. Bring your hiking shoes & camera," advises one Letchworth visitor. Reservation windows open 9 months in advance for most state parks in the region.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Southwoods RV Resort offers extensive play areas. "2 well kept pools, playgrounds, laundry facilities, mini golf, soccer, basketball. The employees are so helpful and nice!" notes one visitor. Another adds, "Lots of plays areas for kids. Weekend sites would be pretty tight together if they were fully booked."
Swimming options: Natural swimming areas provide alternatives to typical pool settings. At Stony Brook, "The picnic area is nice. There's a ton of picnic tables and the area is spread out. Even though it was busy, you didn't feel on top of anyone." Swimming areas at most parks have lifeguards on duty from 11am-7pm during peak summer season.
Activity planning: Schedule activities based on weather patterns and crowd levels. "We stayed in a nice spot. The area we were in was a little too open for our liking, but in a park with this kind of scenery it was fine because we didn't spend a lot of time at the camper," notes one visitor, emphasizing the importance of off-site activities during peak times.
Tips from RVers
Water hookup considerations: At Webster Park, RV sites require longer-than-standard equipment. "You need a long hose for fresh water in the RV. No sewer sites," notes one camper. Many sites require 50+ feet of drinking water hose due to shared spigot locations.
Site leveling: Ontario County Park requires preparation. "Make sure to bring plenty of leveling blocks as some sites are far from level," advises one RVer. Sites 10-15 are notably sloped, requiring blocks for both front-to-back and side-to-side leveling.
Weekday stays recommended: Southwoods RV Resort offers a dramatically different experience based on timing. "We stayed on a weekday, told weekends are busy," reports one camper. Another mentions, "We experienced the park going from half full and quiet to packed with lots of music, all-day fires, and big gatherings." Weekday rates may also be 20-30% lower than weekend rates during peak season.
