Camping spots near Cazenovia, New York range from primitive forest sites to family-friendly county parks with amenities. Located in Madison County at approximately 1,188 feet elevation, Cazenovia sits at the edge of the Appalachian Plateau with abundant options for both lakefront and forest camping. Several campgrounds offer seasonal operations with differing reservation requirements and pet policies throughout the region.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Spruce Pond in Morgan Hill State Forest offers a tranquil fishing spot with designated accessible landings. As one camper noted, "This review is for the Morgan Hill primitve campsites at Spruce Pond... There are fire grills and nicely developed tents sites, one nestled in the woods and three with their own pond access, and one is actually handicapped accessible with its own accessible fishing landing."
Hiking trails: The Morgan Hill Forest—Onondaga Trailhead campground provides direct trail access to significant regional paths. "This is a small state forest campground in the Morgan Hill forest from which you can directly access the Onondaga Trail branch of the National North Country scenic trail," explains one visitor who adds that "Hiking the trail west on a day trip will bring you to the beautiful Tinker Falls."
Water activities: Oneida Shores County Park provides beach access with lifeguards for swimmers. A visitor mentioned, "Beach area is nice and clean. Life guards around. Nice playground and bathrooms available." Another camper added, "We did a over night camp as a send off for one of my buddies. The campground was beautiful right on Oneida lake."
What campers like
Spacious sites: The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone receives consistent praise for site layout. One camper shared, "Spacious FHU sites. Pull thru and back ins," while another noted, "The sites were level and great size with nice spacing in between."
Convenient amenities: Campers appreciate the facilities at Turning Stone, as one reviewer mentioned: "Turning Stone is well maintained with nice sites. Memorial day weekend the weather is beautiful spring weather. All full hook up sites from full sun to full shade." Another camper added, "The location was nice too! We did head over to the casino briefly and enjoyed that."
Privacy: Stoney Pond State Forest Camping Area offers secluded sites for those seeking solitude. A camper shared, "Nice and calm place in that little State Forest. Internet and fire pits are available." The spacing between sites allows for more private experiences compared to more developed campgrounds.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds require advance booking, especially during summer months. At Nature Lover's Paradise, you'll find "a tent site and the 70 acres of hiking trails sound like the perfect getaway for anyone looking to reconnect with nature."
Seasonal variations: Most campgrounds operate from May through October with specific closing dates. Verona Beach operates "from May 13 to October 9," while Oneida Shores runs "from April 25 to October 13."
Primitive vs. developed options: Butternut Hill RV Campground offers different site types. A visitor explained, "Many of the sites are for RV's, which have electric and water hookups along with a picnic table and fire pit; rates fro these rang $40-50. There are also primitive tent sites which have a grassy tent area and fire pit but no picnic table and cost $30 per night."
Weather considerations: Late spring can be muddy at some locations. One camper at Oneida Shores mentioned, "This was our first trip in our camper. This was in June. It was muddy."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature children's play areas. At Verona Beach State Park Campground, "There is a pavilion that is enclosed for everyone's use. There are nice clean bathrooms with showers. There is a public, life guarded beach."
Activity options: Look for campgrounds with multiple recreational choices. As one visitor to Verona Beach noted, "The kids love to hang out at the splash pad and the state recently revamped some of the playgrounds."
Safety considerations: Be aware of campground rules and security. At Oneida Shores, "My son arrived late as he had been attending the NYS Fair that night. He went to the parking lot as instructed and was met with a flashlight in his face and was questioned by police."
Shower facilities: Bathroom quality varies significantly between campgrounds. One camper at Green Lakes State Park Campground shared, "The bathrooms have been remodeled and most are private with a toilet, shower and sink which makes this a wonderful family campground."
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: When selecting sites, consider how level and accessible they are. At Stoney Pond, "Site number 1 is quite flat and open and could accomodate a trailer or camper van but isnt very scenic."
Hookup availability: Villages RV Park at Turning Stone offers complete services for RVs. A visitor noted, "Convenient to the highway with 24 hour shuttles to the casino 5 minutes away, yet quiet and beautifully maintained."
Site selection: Consider seasonal weather patterns when selecting sites. At Spruce Pond, "The first few campsites are the best the further down you go the worse the sites get for tent set up. Smaller tents would be best do here. Great trees for hammock camping though."
Vehicle restrictions: Some campgrounds have limitations on vehicle access to certain areas. At Verona Beach, "There are no water or electric hookups but there are water spigots throughout the campground."
