Near the southern shore of Lake Ontario, Barker, New York offers several RV camping options within a 30-mile radius. The region features flat to gently rolling terrain with elevations ranging from 250-400 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically range between 65-85°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons experience temperature fluctuations between 45-70°F.
What to do
Lighthouse tours: At Golden Hill State Park Campground, visitors can explore the historic Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse. "Be sure to visit the light house on your visit. With standard sites and a beautiful water for fishing this camp ground is great for a weekend or even for a day hike or a nice game of frisbee golf. Lots of history at this place!" notes one camper.
Disc golf course: Golden Hill State Park offers a complete disc golf course within walking distance of campsites. The course winds through wooded areas and open fields near Lake Ontario. "There is also a Frisbee gulf course, basketball court, fishing, boat launch available. I do recommend bringing your own gear," advises a visitor.
Lake Ontario fishing: Multiple access points allow for shore fishing along Lake Ontario. Fish species include salmon, trout, bass, and perch depending on season. Early morning and evening hours typically yield best results. Many campers bring portable chairs and coolers for longer fishing sessions.
Niagara Wine Trail: Multiple wineries within 20-30 minutes of Barker RV parks offer tastings ranging from $5-15 per person. "The Niagara Wine trail is close to this campground, and Niagara Falls is about a 50 minute drive away," mentions one camper from Golden Hill State Park.
What campers like
Waterfront access: Lakeside sites at Niagara Falls Campground & Lodging provide stunning views. "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," shares one camper.
Clean facilities: Travelers consistently mention well-maintained bathrooms and showers across multiple RV parks near Barker. "The showers in the bathrooms were phenomenal - very clean with hot water and a private dressing area next to the shower. Showers were ADA compliant and had shower seats," notes a visitor to Golden Hill State Park.
Family-friendly amenities: Southwoods RV Resort in Byron offers recreational facilities for children and adults. "2 well kept pools, playgrounds, laundry facilities, mini golf, soccer, basketball. The employees are so helpful and nice! We enjoyed our stays and will be back," reports one camper.
Quieter atmosphere: Many RV parks near Barker provide a more peaceful experience compared to busier tourist areas. "The campground was quiet at night. The Niagara Wine trail is close to this campground," reports one visitor about their experience.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most RV facilities around Barker operate between May and mid-October due to harsh winter conditions. Exact opening dates vary by campground, with most closing by Halloween. "We camped at Golden Hill over the weekend of July 24-26, 2020. Due to COVID, advance reservations are required to book a spot at any NY state campground," notes one camper.
Site spacing considerations: Some RV parks near Barker have tighter spacing between sites, particularly during peak summer months. "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 one Golden Hill visitor.
Bathroom access: Facilities may be limited at some campgrounds, 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," reports a camper at Golden Hill.
Road noise factors: Hickory Ridge Golf & RV Resort and some other properties may experience traffic sounds from nearby roads. "Basic, clean campground about 20 mins from the Falls. Very convenient with nice workers but likely wouldn't book again. The noises of the town made it very difficult to sleep in our tent," reports one visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Activities for children: Southwoods RV Resort offers multiple play areas and recreational options. "Family friendly park, lots of activities, park hosts/owners are hands on and awesome," shares one family. "Quiet campground. Lots of plays areas for kids," adds another visitor.
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer non-premium sites at lower rates while still providing amenities families need. Some parks offer weekday discounts of 10-15% compared to weekend rates. "Bathrooms were very clean. Quiet campground. Lots of plays areas for kids. Weekend sites would be pretty tight together if they were fully booked. Golf carts not available," notes one camper.
Weather preparations: Lake Ontario weather can change quickly, especially in spring and fall. Bring layers and rain gear for unexpected temperature drops. "We stayed in August and we really enjoyed the setup and location of all the amenities this campground has," mentions one summer visitor to Southwoods RV Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Red Rock Ponds RV Resort caters primarily to seasonal campers but accepts transient RVers. "It was kinda close to other campers. Geared toward more seasonal campers. Covid only allows private campgrounds open so this was nice," notes one RVer.
Hookup variations: Different campgrounds offer various hookup configurations. "We chose a back-in 50-amp full hook-up site (M28) at $42/night. All the utilities were placed appropriately so we didn't need any extensions. The water pressure and electric were good," reports one visitor to Southwoods RV Resort.
Access considerations: Skyline RV Resort features narrow roads in some sections. "Great campground, a little tight if you like to spread out. The map was not correct and we did not have sewer hook up at the sight. The dumping station was free or included," advises one RVer.
Reservations timing: For RV parks near Barker, New York, book at least 2-3 months ahead for summer weekends and 3-4 weeks for weekdays. Some campgrounds may require minimum stays during peak periods. "The campground is gated and very clean and well-groomed. Overall, we enjoyed our stay at Southwoods and would stay there again if we were in the area," shares one RVer.
