Camping spots near Belmont, New York offer diverse terrain across western New York's hills and forests. The area sits within the Allegheny Plateau region with elevations ranging from 1,300 to 1,800 feet, creating varied camping microclimates. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, while summer camping season typically runs from late May through mid-October with daytime temperatures averaging 75-85°F.
What to do
Creek exploration: Palmers Pond State Forest offers more than just pond fishing. Campers report excellent beaver watching opportunities throughout the day. According to Matt M., there are "abundant flat and grassy terrain under pines near a beautiful lake" with "lots of beavers to watch throughout the day."
Waterfall climbing: At Sugar Creek Glen Campground, visitors can climb up to additional waterfalls when creek levels permit. Cassondra P. notes, "We were able to hike and climb up to more falls and swimming holes when the creek level came down one day." Another camper, Andy B., mentions "amazing miles of upstream hiking, water holes, rope swings, etc."
Natural swimming: Several campgrounds feature natural swimming opportunities beyond standard pools. Stony Brook State Park includes a unique swimming feature that Kayti D. describes as "a 'pool' carved from the mountain!" Dorothy P. adds that her family "picked blueberries off a bush near our campsite to have with our breakfast every morning."
What campers like
Privacy levels: Many Stony Brook State Park Campground visitors appreciate the secluded nature of certain sites. Emily S. shares, "we did not stay in the typical loop, instead staying at a campsite by the restrooms. Since it's sort on a undesirable location since it's not right on the water, we got to be by ourselves."
Rustic experience: For campers seeking minimal amenities, Palmers Pond offers true dispersed camping. Casaundra H. describes it as "very secluded, has a pond to fish in, by far my most favorite place to camp." Lizzy K. mentions "beautiful grassy spots around the pond and along the road in."
Wildlife encounters: Beyond standard hiking, wildlife observation opportunities abound. Stony Brook offers excellent bird watching according to one visitor who "couldn't get over how many [Blue Jays] there were!" At Trout Run Camp Resort, family-friendly activities include a saltwater pool and recreational facilities that Sydney W. describes as "lots of things to do for young ones; heated pool, splash pad, pickleball court, basketball hoops and Gaga ball court."
What you should know
Access challenges: Multiple campgrounds have specific access requirements. For Palmers Pond, Sydney M. warns, "Do not take Palmers pond road. When you get off of Interstate 86 you will want to take turnpike rd to south road." Mitch P. adds "⚠️Side note TAKE WEST ALMOND road as the other road is blocked off⚠️"
Flooding potential: Waterside camping comes with risks. Carlyne F. from Sugar Creek Glen Campground notes "the river flooded over the road, so it was tough getting the truck out to leave the next day, but we made it after a couple hours!" Seth K. adds that "if you plan to camp with just a tent you will have to cross a creek to do it, so make sure to have an elevated, AWD/4x4 car or truck."
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts vary by season. Jeff A. observed at Letchworth State Park that "smoke from the Canadian fires near have made it unhealthy here, especially strenuous outdoor activities." Campground amenities also change seasonally, with most locations operating from late spring through fall.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water features: Retreat at Fern Hill offers child-friendly water access. Amymarie notes the location has a "great swimming pond with a slide" and adds that the "cabin is clean, large firepit, huge patio."
Nature crafts: Some campgrounds provide natural materials for creative activities. At Stony Brook, Dorothy P. shares that "there is natural clay which my children used to make clay pots which air dried on the grass by our playground."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. Cassondra P. mentions that Sugar Creek Glen has "a beautiful playground and Gaga ball pit," while Sydney W. notes that Trout Run offers "opportunity to rent kayaks, bikes and golf carts."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For RV camping at Evergreen Trails Campground, consider your hookup needs carefully. Eric B. advises "I wish I had know the more wooded sites were water and electric. I had full hookup so it was kinda open for my liking."
Power reliability: Some campgrounds experience electrical issues during peak usage. At Houghton/Letchworth KOA, Becca U. notes their site "was narrow and there was zero tree coverage over our camper due to the trees being dead." David M. mentions "water pressure was low at times and there are no threads on the sewer connection but rocks work."
Maneuverability: Larger RVs face challenges at certain locations. Kirstie D. warns that Sugar Creek Glen is "VERY tight to maneuver in and park if your camper is over 30 feet" and notes to "be prepared for very low power voltage drops with nothing running in your site."
