Camping options near Belmont, New York range from rustic forest sites to developed facilities with varied amenities. Located in the Southern Tier region of western New York, the area sits within the northern reaches of the Allegheny Plateau at elevations between 1,400-2,300 feet. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing from November through March, with significant snowfall common through early spring.
What to do
Stargazing at Cherry Springs: Lyman Run State Park Campground offers exceptional access to the region's dark sky areas, located about 8 miles from Cherry Springs State Park. "What a great park. Was there in order to go to nearby Cherry Springs SP which is a certified Dark Sky area, to see the stars. Cherry Springs is about 8 miles away. We like staying at Lyman Run since Cherry Springs gets filled pretty quickly," notes Peggy S.
Hiking exploration: The Allegheny region provides numerous woodland trails through diverse terrain. "This park is a fun place to hike and explore. Check out Thunder rocks and climb boulders the size of a house," suggests Jeremy H. about Allegany State Park's Red House Area, which maintains well-marked trails suitable for varied skill levels.
Fishing opportunities: Several parks offer productive fishing waters. Michelle L. reports from her stay at Lyman Run: "Had a good time fishing at the lake and stopping for ice cream at the beach shop is a must!" The area's streams and lakes contain trout, bluegill, and other species accessible from shorelines or by small watercraft.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the well-maintained amenities. "Bathhouse was very clean," notes Michelle L. about Tompkins Campground, while another visitor appreciated Lyman Run's "nice, new system for 'composting'... No odor at all. And nice and clean."
Spacious sites: Several campgrounds offer generous camping areas. Stacey C. describes Tompkins Campground: "Spots are level and paved. It is always clean. There is a beach for swimming, marina for boating and the sites are huge and grassy." This contrasts with some of the more compact sites at other facilities in the region.
Family activities: The parks provide structured programming beyond self-guided recreation. Kelly B. notes that Allegany State Park "runs daily activities you can go to and learn about different things in nature," making it particularly valuable for educational family outings.
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: While some campgrounds offer secluded spots, many feature more open layouts. "The sites are closer together than most other COE parks where we've stayed," notes Bran P. about their stay at Asaph Campground. Similarly, Gina M. observed at Lyman Run: "We booked a tent site, and there was only one small patch of grass where we could set up our tent."
Limited connectivity: Cell service is sparse throughout the region. One camper specifically mentioned: "No cell service, so you really get to get away from everything" at Lyman Run. Similarly, another visitor noted "No Verizon phone service and very slow internet with a booster" at Tompkins Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Most facilities operate on limited schedules. Tompkins Campground runs from "mid May-late Sep," while water levels can affect recreation options. Sara C. shared: "At the time I went (May, 2018) the lake was reduced to about a third of its water due to maintenance, so the kayaks we brought didn't leave the roof of the car."
Tips for camping with families
Cabin options for comfort: Families seeking more amenities should consider cabin rentals. "The cabins are nice and seem to be well kept and quiet everytime I've stayed in them," reports Jeremy H. about Allegany State Park. Another visitor mentions that at Big Woods North Campsites, "cabins range from rustic to downright homey."
Creek exploration for children: Natural water features provide entertainment for younger campers. Tina S. notes that at Allegany's Red House Area, "cabins are pretty large and have some great surounding areas, like creeks right next to the cabins." Another visitor mentions opportunities for "catching crayfish" as a popular activity.
Beach access for swimming: Several parks maintain designated swimming areas. Stacey C. notes that Tompkins Campground has "a beach for swimming," while Joshua L. mentions Lyman Run has "a boat that we brought out to go fishing (you can rent a boat, but will cost you)."
Tips from RVers
Paved sites available: RV campers will find accommodating infrastructure at several parks. Bran P. notes that at Tompkins Campground, "all roads and parking pads are paved," an important consideration for larger rigs on uneven terrain.
Hookup variations: Electric access differs between campgrounds. Tompkins offers "FHU 50A" sites, while others provide more limited connections. One camper specifically mentioned staying "on site 54 (W/E 50A) and waterfront" before moving to a full-hookup location.
Size restrictions apply: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles. While Lyman Run and Allegany State Park are marked as "big-rig-friendly," other facilities like Asaph Campground and Big Woods North have noted limitations for oversized RVs.
Legend
