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Best Campgrounds near Bemus Point, NY

405 Reviews

Bemus Point, New York provides access to various camping experiences along the shores of Chautauqua Lake and the surrounding forests. Chautauqua Lake KOA and Camp Chautauqua Camping Resort offer developed sites for tents, RVs, and cabins with amenities including electric hookups, showers, and water access. North Harmony State Forest provides more primitive camping options for those seeking a natural experience. The Warner Road Dispersed Camping area in North Harmony State Forest represents one of the few primitive camping opportunities in the region, located approximately 10 miles southwest of Bemus Point.

Camping in the Bemus Point area follows seasonal patterns, with most developed campgrounds operating from May through October. Lake Erie State Park Campground typically opens from mid-May to early October, while KOA locations maintain similar schedules. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer months, particularly for waterfront sites and holiday weekends. North Harmony State Forest permits year-round access but may have muddy conditions during spring thaw and after heavy rains. Winter camping requires additional preparation due to potential snow and freezing temperatures. A visitor to Warner Road Dispersed Camping noted, "The site was fine, fire pit, primitive spot so no services. Kind of a gross site, the previous people who stayed at our site were messy and left litter, but it served its purpose as a free place to sleep along a longer trip."

Lakefront sites at developed campgrounds consistently receive positive reviews for their scenic value and recreational opportunities. Camp Chautauqua offers sites with views of Chautauqua Lake and amenities including a swimming pool, while Chautauqua Lake KOA features spacious sites with lake views. According to one camper, "Largest sites I've ever seen! Nice large parks, mini-golf, and jump pad. Some great views of the lake and surrounding area. Night sky was perfect for viewing stars!" Family-friendly activities are prevalent at most developed campgrounds in the area, including playgrounds, organized activities, and water recreation. Visitors seeking a quieter experience may prefer the more remote sites at North Harmony State Forest, though these lack amenities such as showers, electricity, or drinking water. Seasonal campers occupy many prime locations at some campgrounds, which can affect availability for short-term visitors.

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Best Camping Sites Near Bemus Point, New York (104)

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Recent Camping Photos near Bemus Point, NY

124 Photos of 104 Bemus Point Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Bemus Point, NY

405 Reviews of 104 Bemus Point Campgrounds

  • Chelsea B.
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Cain hollow campground

    Come in Autumn!

    Absolutely beautiful camping loop. There are many others but Cain Hollow is completely open and on the side of a hill so beautiful views of the changing colors. Also good for Starlink users. Clean bathrooms. Beautiful paved greenway. Easy and hard trails available. Restaurant, general stores, laundry, bike rentals… this park is awesome. Absolutely zero Verizon service though. Heads up!

  • Christopher T.
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Evangola State Park Campground

    What a shame

    This used to be real nice but NY has let all it's park go to pot with lack of funding and no updates

  • Greg D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Westfield-Lake Erie KOA

    Overnighter

    We only stayed for an overnighter on a long trip west. The restrooms and showers are some of the best we’ve seen during our trip. Very well maintained facilities and grounds and the staff are friendly and helpful. We were able to change our site for one that was more level without a problem. The only thing that might bother some people is the road noise. However we were able to sleep well despite it. There is also a dog “park”/fenced area.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Red Bridge Recreation Area - Allegheny National Forest

    Not bad for 20 bucks

    Not bad at all for 20 bucks , spots with electricity cost more. Came on a week night without a reservation and was almost unable to get a spot , host was nice though! Quiet area

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Forestry Road Dispersed Campsite

    Don’t recommend

    Apple Maps brings you way far away, follow the pin and it will bring you. Way too grown in as of August . Didn’t end up staying here. May be a good spot in the fall once the grass dies. Secluded spot though

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Lake Erie State Park Campground

    Great overnight stop

    Stayed one night on a long drive.  Beautiful views of lake.  Amazing grassy fields right by campsites.  Full park but still quiet with good spacing between outer ring spots.

  • Donna A.
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Lake Erie State Park Campground

    Great Campground

    Just returned from staying over the weekend at this campgound with my dog and had a great time. We stayed in a non-electric site in my campervan and it was perfect. There is comfortable space between each campsite in most cases plus lots of trees for shade. Although the campground was full, it was quiet since I like to retire early. We saw lots of wildlife (black squirrels, rabbits and birds). The restroom and showers were nice, they were clean and only a short walk from my campsite. My dog was excited to get lots of walks during the time we were there. The beach was not close to our campsite but I drove there before checking out and walked the dog again. It was a rocky walk along the sand but a beautiful area with a playground. There were, however, many large dead fish along the water line. I can't wait to return to Lake Erie State Park because I enjoyed it so much!

  • Bret J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 26, 2025

    Cherry Creek Campground and Recreation

    Needs some work but definitely worth checking out

    The campground is quiet and spacious. The facilities are in need of updates but are definitely in working order

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 24, 2025

    Lake Erie State Park Campground

    Well maintained with beautiful views

    This campsite is very well maintained, with breathing room between sites. It was very quiet for most of my time. Neighbors got talked to for their music being on beyond 10pm (not by me).

    There are three women’s toilet stalls and three women’s shower stalls across the path from site A04. Same amount for men. I appreciated they were individual stalls. Bathrooms and showers are just okay but clean and stocked.

    Short walk from campsite to the lake. Try to see sunset!

    Tip: you can book a solo night day of online. Otherwise it’s two night minimum. There were plenty of spots available when I stayed on a Wednesday night.

Guide to Bemus Point

Camping near Bemus Point, New York, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Fishing and swimming: Many campers enjoy fishing and swimming in the nearby lakes. One visitor at Lake Erie State Park Campground mentioned, "There is a nice nature trail that you can take the dogs on and a little beach to go do some swimming."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails around the area. A reviewer from Quaker Area — Allegany State Park said, "Lots of things to do in the area including kayaking," highlighting the variety of outdoor activities available.
  • Kayaking: Bring your kayak and enjoy the water. A camper at Red Bridge Recreation Area noted, "The campground is rather hilly overall and I'm not sure it's best for kids unless they're really into fishing. But it is settled right on the Allegheny Reservoir, so if you bring your kayaks you can launch right from the campground."

What campers like

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Chapman State Park Campground said, "Very clean restrooms. Fantastic lake for kayaking, fishing, swimming, etc."
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites that provide privacy. A reviewer at Buckaloons mentioned, "The campsites are large and not crowded on top of each other."
  • Family-friendly atmosphere: Campgrounds like Evangola State Park Campground are known for being welcoming to families. One camper shared, "The scenery is beautiful, swimming is great, and the bathhouse is decent."

What you should know

  • Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for wildlife sightings. A camper at Quaker Area — Allegany State Park noted, "We did have visits from wildlife, which was great; the bear boxes help protect the food."
  • Busy weekends: Some campgrounds can get crowded, especially on weekends. A visitor at Lake Erie State Park Campground mentioned, "The campground was very crowded the night we were there."
  • Limited cell service: Many areas have poor cell reception. A camper at Red House Area — Allegany State Park shared, "We did not expect to have zero cell phone reception, but turned out to be great as we just enjoyed the views."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites for kids to play. A reviewer at Chapman State Park Campground said, "We were fairly spread out while only being 150 feet from the showers."
  • Plan for activities: Bring games and outdoor gear to keep kids entertained. A camper at Evangola State Park Campground mentioned, "There are yurts here as well, and a playground."
  • Check for amenities: Make sure the campground has family-friendly facilities. A visitor at Lake Erie State Park Campground noted, "The park itself is clean and has showers and restrooms."

Tips from RVers

  • Look for electric hookups: Many campgrounds offer electric hookups for RVs. A reviewer at Red Bridge Recreation Area mentioned, "Each loop has a pit potty on it. Shower facility in the park, very very hot water."
  • Be aware of low bridges: Some areas have low bridges that can be tricky for larger RVs. A camper at Lake Erie State Park Campground advised, "In an RV be aware there are some low bridges in the area."
  • Plan for firewood costs: Firewood can be pricey at some campgrounds. A visitor at Quaker Area — Allegany State Park suggested, "Buy firewood outside the park to save yourself some cash."

Camping near Bemus Point, New York, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. With beautiful parks and plenty of activities, it’s a great spot to unwind and enjoy nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Bemus Point Campground?

Campgrounds near Bemus Point offer a variety of amenities. Chautauqua Lake KOA features level paved sites, spacious spots, and is conveniently located not far from the interstate with no highway noise. For those seeking water views, Lake Erie State Park Campground offers spectacular lakeside camping with clean bathhouses, walking trails, a disc-golf course, and a playground. Other campgrounds in the region typically provide basic facilities like water access, toilets, and in some cases electric hookups. Some also offer recreational amenities such as hiking trails, boat ramps, and picnic areas. For the most up-to-date information about specific amenities, it's best to check with your chosen campground directly before your visit.

How do I make reservations at Bemus Point Campground?

For campgrounds in the Bemus Point area, reservation procedures vary by location. At Sara's Campground, you can make reservations by visiting their main office, which may require some searching as it's not always prominently marked. They offer services like campsite escort and firewood delivery upon check-in. For public campgrounds like Willow Bay Recreation Area, reservations can be made through the National Forest Service for various site types including tent sites, RV sites, and small cabins with electricity. Most campgrounds in the region accept reservations online or by phone. It's recommended to book well in advance, especially for summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. Always confirm your reservation details and any specific check-in procedures before your arrival.

What camping is available near Bemus Point, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Bemus Point, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 104 campgrounds and RV parks near Bemus Point, NY and 8 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Bemus Point, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bemus Point, NY is Chautauqua Lake KOA with a 5-star rating from 8 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bemus Point, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 free dispersed camping spots near Bemus Point, NY.

What parks are near Bemus Point, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 parks near Bemus Point, NY that allow camping, notably Allegheny National Forest and Tionesta Lake.

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