Best Campgrounds near Central Square, NY

Campgrounds around Central Square, New York provide a range of accommodation types across several developed facilities within a 30-mile radius. The area includes Green Lakes State Park Campground, offering tent sites, RV hookups, cabins and glamping options around two meromictic lakes. Oneida Shores County Park features lakefront camping with tent, RV and cabin options along Oneida Lake. Multiple private campgrounds, including Bass Lake Resort and Pleasant Lake Campground, complement these public facilities, providing full hookup sites for RVs and basic amenities for tent campers. Most established campgrounds in the region maintain paved access roads suitable for larger vehicles and trailers.

Camping seasons generally run from May through October, with some private campgrounds offering year-round availability. Reservations are highly recommended during summer months, particularly for weekend stays and holiday periods. A visitor noted, "This campground is great for families and groups! Each site has a picnic table and fire ring and there are both electric and non-electric sites from which to choose." Water access varies between locations, with some campgrounds providing direct shoreline access to Oneida Lake or smaller water bodies. Several campgrounds enforce specific quiet hours and have varying pet policies, so checking individual rules before arrival is advisable. Road access remains generally good throughout the camping season, with most facilities accessible by standard passenger vehicles.

Waterfront sites consistently receive the highest ratings across area campgrounds, particularly those at Oneida Shores and Green Lakes State Park. Many campgrounds feature playgrounds, swimming areas, and rental options for watercraft during peak season. One reviewer mentioned, "The lakes were gorgeous, and there were really nice, wide, paved walking trails around them. There was also a sandy beach area for swimming." Site privacy varies considerably between locations, with some campgrounds offering more wooded, secluded sites while others feature more open layouts with minimal separation between campsites. Facility cleanliness and shower availability are frequently highlighted in reviews, with newer or recently renovated bathhouses receiving particular praise. Most developed campgrounds in the region provide fire rings, picnic tables, and access to drinking water, with varying levels of additional amenities.

Best Camping Sites Near Central Square, New York (112)

    1. Green Lakes State Park Campground

    42 Reviews
    Kirkville, NY
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 637-6111

    $24 - $116 / night

    "The lake is a fascinating meromictic lake with clear calcium-rich waters that are not only pristine and beautiful to look at, but also great for swimming and snorkeling as the waters are crystal clear"

    "The sites are nice, some are little close to each other but nice for group camping. A short distance (walk or by car) to the beach. The lake is a little chilly sometimes but very refreshing."

    2. Oneida Shores County Park

    10 Reviews
    Cicero, NY
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 676-7366

    "Great access to beach. Friendly campers and quiet. Easy to find. Not a lot of shade. Showers not conveniently located."

    "And Nice bathhouse over near beach with pass entry for campers only for showers. Close to beach. Only issue. Camp host actually came and took our wood for our campfire!"

    3. Yogi Bears Jellystone Park Camp Resort at Mexico

    9 Reviews
    Pulaski, NY
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 963-7096

    "For the fisherman, it's located on Salmon River and appears to have quite a lot of large salmon this time of year. I was shocked at the size of the fish that were being cleaned."

    "Well worth the short drive up from Syracuse, or a longer drive from elsewhere!"

    4. Pleasant Lake Campground

    2 Reviews
    Phoenix, NY
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 668-2074

    "A beautiful private lake for fishing, swimming and other water sports. Beautiful woodsy location. Special events that the family will enjoy."

    "I found this location to have very clean sites with plenty of amenities. Had no issues with the Wi-Fi watching Bills games and play a few video games."

    5. Bass Lake Resort

    2 Reviews
    Altmar, NY
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 728-9437

    $66 - $87 / night

    "Very nice and great to see kids ridding bikes and walking around without adults. It is safe and they can be kids."

    7. Selkirk Shores State Park Campground

    7 Reviews
    Pulaski, NY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 298-5737

    $24 - $135 / night

    "Lake Ontario has great fishing. The beach is smaller than it was before now that it is guarded."

    "Very nice rustic camping, amazing location, rocky beach. Love it there"

    8. J and J Campground

    1 Review
    Pulaski, NY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 963-1108

    "Close to a small farm stand that Jeff tows a hay wagon down to for pumpkin picking in the fall. Great overall campground!"

    9. Streamside RV Park & Golf Course

    2 Reviews
    Pulaski, NY
    15 miles
    Website

    $30 / night

    "There is a 12 hole golf coarse that surrounds the campground. 

    There are a lot of seasonal campsites that have decks, nice furniture out at their spots."

    10. Verona Beach State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Verona Beach, NY
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 762-4463

    $27 - $29 / night

    "Nice small state park, our site had a water spigot right behind our site hook up hose and filled camper. Lake is dirty but the had a nice splash pad for the kids."

    "Campground sits on the edge of Lake Oneida with a nice camper’s beach and trail on the lake front. We stayed at site 11. As you can see sites are spacious and this one was right on the lake’s edge."

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Recent Reviews near Central Square, NY

299 Reviews of 112 Central Square Campgrounds


  • Ryan G.
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Pleasant Lake Campground

    Clean and Quiet

    I found this location to have very clean sites with plenty of amenities. Had no issues with the Wi-Fi watching Bills games and play a few video games.

  • T&J  F.
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Yogi Bears Jellystone Park Camp Resort at Mexico

    Unfortunate

    Pros: river is awesome, wading, catching crayfish, cooling off. Staff were consistently friendly. Sites were flat, easy to level travel trailer. Plenty of kid activities, foam party, obstacle course, balloon launch, etc. Large store. Game room. Bathrooms (at least near the playground) were spacious, with toilet, sink, shower. Cons: signs/photo ops were crooked/loose/broken. Planted annual flowers were dead, overgrown with weeds. Miniature golf holes were falling apart. Bounce pad had a hole in it. The sand from around the edge was blowing from that hole into kids eyes, nose, mouth. Bathrooms were dirty; each has a 2-roll toilet paper dispenser; by early evening two stalls had zero TP left. Tent sites had used toilet paper along the tree line where others had used it as a bathroom. Fire pits were old tire rims, which worked, but unable to cook anything on it

  • Greg D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Mayfair Campground NY

    Mostly for seasonals

    We called to make last minute reservations for a one night stopover enroute to Vermont. The person on the phone was friendly and accommodating to our needs. When we arrived after hours, the entrance was gated with a card reader access which we did not have a card for. We tried calling back several times but a recording said that the line was busy. Luckily, another camper let us in. There are no signs to direct you which way to go and the sites are poorly marked. With some help from friendly campers we were eventually able to find our site. The sites are have a poorly graveled parking spot and the ground is a little soft. Restrooms are basic and minimal, having a single toilet and sink, a tiny mirror and hand dryer, however it was fairly clean and functional. I was told that there are new owners and they are making improvements

  • MacKenzi G.
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Yellow Lantern Kampground

    Would stay again

    Me and my husband stayed here to visit a local friend and it wasn’t bad it was very private and quiet. The property was well maintained and the owners were very friendly as well. We would definitely come back here in the future.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Bluff Camping Area — Fair Haven Beach State Park

    Shaded camping with Great Lake access

    I booked this site for one night and ended up staying three. Trying to avoid the heat, I was relieved that the shaded electric camping area staved off most of the days heat. I was in site 63 the first night and 68 the other two. 63 has more shade but 68 is right next to the bathroom and water spout if that’s important. I was able to find shade.

    Some people may find the sites too close together, I didn’t mind since I’m solo camping and feel a bit of safety with closer neighbors. The loop was majority RVs and campers but it was still quiet all night and until late morning.

    The showers and bathrooms are mostly clean and well stocked and there is a dedicated sink outside the building for dishes.

    What I really loved is how far into the park the camping is, you’re really surrounded by woods. There is also excellent and easy access to Lake Ontario.

    The park store has firewood, ice, and lots of other items like corn hole for rent. There is also a small boat shanty for boat rentals.

  • r
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Butternut Hill RV Campground

    Great place! Owner was great!!

    Had a great stay, loved the good WiFi, showers, laundry, and bathrooms!

  • Scott H.
    Jul. 28, 2025

    SutterCreek Campground

    Close to the Ren Fest.

    Sutter Creek is a 4 minute drive to the Renaissance Festival. The camp was very quiet and the owners were friendly and helpful. The activity room is for seasonal people only. The showers get locked at night, so prepare to showers in the AM. There are swings and a tether ball for the kids. Golf carts look to be welcome there, but it's not that big.

  • Paula G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Streamside RV Park & Golf Course

    Great place!

    This is a privately owned very nice campground! The owners take pride in their business and the grounds are meticulously kept. Everyone here is a golfer and there are no children.


Guide to Central Square

Camping near Central Square, New York, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Nature Walks: Explore the scenic trails at Taughannock Falls State Park Campground. One visitor said, "We loved the hiking trails around the area and visiting the beautiful Taughannock Falls!"
  • Swimming: Enjoy a refreshing swim at the beach area in Sampson State Park Campground. A camper mentioned, "Nice swimming beach & playgrounds for kids."
  • Fishing and Boating: Cast a line or take your boat out on the water at Delta Lake State Park Campground. One reviewer noted, "The campground is dog friendly, in certain areas, with proof of rabies vaccination."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained restrooms and showers at Green Lakes State Park Campground. A reviewer said, "Bathrooms are great! Super modern and clean and hot, free showers!"
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the generous space at Sampson State Park Campground. One visitor shared, "Sites are generous in size but the power poles are between sites."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds like Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA offer fun for all ages. A camper mentioned, "Kids played pick-up basketball games with other kids on-site and everyone was super friendly."

What you should know:

  • Crowded Conditions: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially during peak season. A visitor at Delta Lake State Park Campground noted, "This campground got a 3/5 mainly because quiet hours are not enforced."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Expect to see wildlife, which can sometimes be a nuisance. A camper at Cayuga Lake State Park Campground had a rough experience with bats, saying, "I did not think that I would be living in a bat house, full of flies."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may lack certain amenities. A reviewer at Fillmore Glen State Park Campground mentioned, "The swimming hole was closed."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose the Right Site: Look for spacious sites that offer some privacy. A camper at Cayuga Lake State Park Campground said, "The tent sites on the west camp were roomy and reasonably private."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to check out the playgrounds and swimming areas. One visitor at Sampson State Park Campground noted, "Great playgrounds everywhere and you can rent kayaks."
  • Pack for Bugs: Bring bug spray to keep the critters at bay. A camper at 1000 Islands Association Island KOA warned, "The Midge gnats were horrible for about a day and a half."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookup Availability: Make sure your site has the necessary hookups. A reviewer at The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone mentioned, "All full hook up sites from full sun to full shade."
  • Bring Extension Cords: Some sites may have power poles that are far from your RV. A camper at Sampson State Park Campground advised, "Bring an extension cord."
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Popular campgrounds can fill up quickly, so book in advance. A visitor at Green Lakes State Park Campground noted, "Book quickly because they fill up fast."

Camping near Central Square, New York, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RV enthusiast seeking adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Central Square, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Central Square, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 112 campgrounds and RV parks near Central Square, NY and 8 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Central Square, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Central Square, NY is Green Lakes State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 42 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Central Square, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 free dispersed camping spots near Central Square, NY.