Camping sites near Cicero, New York range from lakeside facilities to woodland retreats within 20 miles of the city. The region features glacially formed lakes and wetland areas at approximately 400 feet elevation with summer temperatures averaging 80°F from June through August. Seasonal operations generally run from late April through mid-October with limited services during shoulder seasons.
What to do
Water activities on Oneida Lake: Oneida Shores County Park offers direct lake access for swimming and fishing. One visitor noted, "Life guards around. Nice playground and bathrooms available. Staff was nice. Picnic areas available."
Hiking trails around unique lakes: Green Lakes State Park Campground features unusual glacial lakes with distinctive coloration. A camper mentioned, "The hiking includes an easy 3.1 mile loop with much shade around two glacier formed turquoise lakes." Another reviewer added, "The hike around the lake is about 2 miles and it totally worth it!"
Fishing for salmon: Yogi Bears Jellystone Park Camp Resort at Mexico offers fishing access on Salmon River. One visitor reported, "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."
Golfing options: Turning Stone features an on-site golf course with shuttle service from the RV park. A visitor mentioned, "There is the casino, dining, golf course and more near by."
What campers like
Private bathrooms: Many Green Lakes State Park facilities have individual bathroom units. One reviewer observed, "The bathrooms have been remodeled and most are private with a toilet, shower and sink which makes this a wonderful family campground."
Clean facilities: Verona Beach State Park Campground maintains high cleanliness standards. A camper reported, "Nice clean facilities" while another noted, "The bathrooms and showers were nice and the staff were very helpful."
Watercraft rentals: Multiple parks offer boat rentals at reasonable rates. At Green Lakes, a visitor mentioned, "Just past the swimming area is boat rentals ($7/hr for row boat rental)." Another camper at Verona Beach added, "There is a public, life guarded beach. It is a wooded area on beautiful Oneida Lake."
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer ample room between sites. According to a visitor at The Villages RV Park, "The sites were level and great size with nice spacing in between."
What you should know
Train noise at some locations: The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone has railroad tracks nearby. A camper advised, "The only real negatives would be the proximity to some railroad tracks, which can be somewhat active and very audible in some spots (you'll want to stay towards the south / front of the park if this kind of thing bothers you)."
Personal watercraft restrictions: Some parks limit use of personal watercraft. A reviewer at Green Lakes noted, "You cannot bring your own kayaks you have to rent."
Wildlife considerations: Wildlife encounters are common. A visitor at Oneida Shores observed, "Lots of geese, therefore lots of goose poop."
Campground-specific rules: Rules vary between parks. At Oneida Shores, a camper cautioned, "He said he would have to park in the parking lot which is quite a walk from our site. The campsite allows two tents per site but apparently only one car although there was plenty of room."
Tips for camping with families
Organized children's activities: Pleasant Lake Campground offers family-oriented events. A visitor shared, "This is a fantastic place for kids and adults. Special events that the family will enjoy."
Water play areas: Several parks feature kid-friendly water facilities. At Verona Beach, a reviewer mentioned, "The kids love to hang out at the splash pad and the state recently revamped some of the playgrounds."
Educational opportunities: Some parks provide nature information. A visitor reported, "There is a lot of information about the area and the lake itself around the park."
Playground accessibility: Multiple campgrounds have updated play equipment. One camper at Oneida Shores mentioned, "Nice playground and bathrooms available," while another visitor highlighted "Great playgrounds" at Green Lakes.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Bass Lake Resort offers comprehensive services for RVs. A visitor noted, "This is a membership/timeshare place but if you get a membership you can camp for free at any of 7 of campsites along the east coast."
Level pads: Several campgrounds feature well-prepared RV sites. A visitor at The Villages RV Park observed, "All sites are full hookups (i think) and paved. Definitely geared towards the RV or trailer crowd."
Dump station access: For sites without sewer, dump stations are available. A reviewer at Jellystone Park noted, "No sewer hookups available but does had a dump station on your way out."
Shuttle services: Some parks offer transportation to attractions. A camper at Turning Stone mentioned, "Convenient to the highway with 24 hour shuttles to the casino 5 minutes away, yet quiet and beautifully maintained."
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