Western New York's landscape around Caledonia contains a mix of rolling hills, wetlands and forests at elevations ranging from 600-800 feet. The region has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons, with campgrounds typically open from May through October due to harsh winter conditions. Many campsites in the area sit along creek beds or near small lakes, providing water access but requiring campers to prepare for occasional flooding during spring.
What to do
Hiking the gorge trails: At Letchworth State Park Campground, trails connect directly to campsites for immediate access to scenic views. "The gorge trail is very busy but you still can enjoy the beautiful waterfalls along with the gorge formation. We also did the east trail that goes up to the top of the gorge... Be prepared for a lot of steps," notes Verity S. about Stony Brook, which offers similar terrain.
Fishing in stocked ponds: The Ridge Campsite offers multiple fishing ponds with no special permit requirements. "The Ridge campground is a nice place. Driveway getting in and out is a little tight for big units, definitely have to swing wide. Sites are very big and clean has plenty to do with multiple fishing ponds," shares Nick O.
Natural swimming areas: Several parks feature unique swimming opportunities beyond standard pools. "My favorite part about this park has to be their natural pool. It's beautiful and so refreshing," writes Olivia R. about Stony Brook State Park Campground. These natural swimming holes remain cooler than artificial pools even in summer heat.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area's mixed forest terrain creates excellent bird watching conditions. "I'm a birder and my tent site here is next to a little grove of trees where I counted 12 species of birds this morning," says Jenise P. about her stay at Canandaigua-Rochester KOA.
Clean facilities: Many reviewers specifically mention bathroom cleanliness as a standout feature. "Bathrooms are clean and great showers in the wooden size of nicely spaced and level," notes Jeff A. about Letchworth State Park. This attention to facility maintenance appears consistently across campgrounds in the region.
Spacious, private sites: Compared to more crowded destinations, several campgrounds offer better site separation. "We stayed in a back-in 50-amp full hook-up site... The sites for large rigs are very close together but that is not surprising. Our site was clean and reasonably level but there was no shade at all," explains Nancy W. about her stay at Southwoods RV Resort.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate with limited seasons. "We spent two nights in June. Campground is large and spacious. Family owned. Large mature trees. Clean facilities. Lots of activities and amenities if you are interested in that. We were there on a weekday, told weekends are busy," advises Carol M. about The Ridge Campsite.
Weather impacts: The region experiences significant seasonal weather variations. "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," warns a summer 2023 visitor to Letchworth State Park.
Cell service limitations: Don't expect reliable connectivity at all 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 Carl C. about Webster Park. Many campgrounds lack reliable internet access despite proximity to towns.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and kid-friendly spaces: Webster Park offers designated play areas centrally located within the campground. "Nice central playground and bathroom/shower house. There is hiking in the park, lots of nice woods, big field for playing games/sports. The campground is very quiet and very kid friendly to allow them to walk around and ride or scooter the loop alone," advises Scott C.
Nature-based activities: Beyond structured play areas, natural features provide entertainment. "There is natural clay which my children used to make clay pots which air dried on the grass by our playground. We picked blueberries off a bush near our campsite to have with our breakfast every morning," shares Dorothy P. about Stony Brook State Park.
Quiet time expectations: Noise levels vary significantly between campgrounds. "This is a great spot! It's really quiet and you can really feel like you're getting away out here," notes Mariah G. about Timberline Lake Park, contrasting with busier parks where quiet hours may be less strictly observed.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: For larger rigs, site dimensions and layouts become critical factors. "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. Most of the roads in the park are paved with the exception of the pull-thru section in the front of the park (N12-N25) which is gravel," details Nancy W. about Southwoods RV Resort.
Access road conditions: Entrance roads vary significantly in quality and width. "Driveway getting in and out is a little tight for big units, definitely have to swing wide," cautions Nick O. about The Ridge Campsite, information particularly relevant for drivers of larger motorhomes or fifth wheels.
Hookup availability: Full-service sites remain limited at some parks. "We had an amazing time at this park! Friendly people, plenty for the kids to do. Playground in walking distance and private sites! You need a long hose for fresh water in the RV. No sewer sites," advises Janelle G. about Webster Park.
