Camping areas around Savannah, New York lie within the Lake Ontario watershed, offering a unique blend of wetland and woodland camping environments. The region sits at elevations ranging from 360 to 400 feet above sea level, creating natural drainage toward Lake Ontario. Most campgrounds in this area maintain operating seasons from mid-April through mid-October when overnight temperatures typically stay above 45°F.
What to do
Kayaking at Duck Lake: Duck Lake Cabins and Campground provides waterfront access for paddlers with boat-in sites available. "Tiny quiet campground right on duck lake. Water front sites available. Very friendly owner!" notes one camper.
Museum exploration: Sampson State Park Campground houses a military museum documenting its history as a Naval training base. "There is a museum, boat launch, pavilions, and ice cream shop on the camp ground. The bathrooms are great with showers and each camp spot has plenty of distance away from the next one," reports a visitor.
Wildlife observation: Little Creek Camp offers a more secluded nature experience with only six primitive sites. "I took some videos at sundown. I heard the most beautiful sounds!" shared one camper who particularly enjoyed the natural soundscape.
Biking on paved loops: The paved roadways at many campgrounds make for easy cycling. "Paved loops - good for bikes and scooters," mentions a review about Sampson State Park, highlighting the family-friendly terrain.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds in the region feature larger-than-average sites. At Lake Bluff RV Park, campers appreciate the room to spread out. "Had a large, private plot in drumlin loop. Close to the beach which was very pretty and clean," reports one visitor.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness ranks highly in camper satisfaction. "The bathrooms were very clean and had dish washing stations in them," notes a camper at Sampson State Park Campground.
Family activities: Junius Ponds offers scheduled events for younger campers. "The campground is well maintained and has clean restrooms. There are many options for different sites. They offer themed weekends and have activities for kids," writes a reviewer.
Waterfront access: Sites along the water receive consistently positive feedback. "We stayed in the 800 loop along the tree line. Sites were very spacious! Great camping location with plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy or just sit and enjoy the peace," mentions a visitor to Cayuga Lake State Park.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds near Savannah operate from mid-April through October, with no winter camping options. A visitor to Waterloo Harbor Campground noted, "The campground is in a convenient location. Easy access to the Cayuga Seneca Canal Trail."
Site privacy varies: Some campgrounds offer more seclusion than others. "We stayed 2 nights at site 1002. I think this site is one of the best in the campground! Very secluded and private. Be weary that some of the camp sites are closer to playgrounds than they appear on the map," advises a Cayuga Lake visitor.
Reservation timing: Book early for prime summer weekends. "Well priced $42 per night for full hookups. Campground offered two free hours of WiFi which is week but is currently being updated," mentions a Junius Ponds camper.
Mosquito preparation: Insects can be abundant, particularly near water. "Bring lots of bugspray and fire starters as it does rain up here which affects the fire wood," suggests a camper from Cayuga Lake State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: When booking a campsite near Savannah, check the campground map carefully. "Be weary that some of the camp sites are closer to playgrounds than they appear on the map," advises a camper at Cayuga Lake State Park Campground.
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer specific recreational facilities for children. "Nice little beach and swimming area; water was very clean. Small camp store and concession stand with fish fries, breakfast foods and ice cream," notes a Sampson State Park visitor.
Themed weekend events: Several campgrounds schedule special activities for families. "They offer themed weekends and have activities for kids," reports a Junius Ponds visitor, making these weekends popular with families.
Water safety considerations: For lakefront camping, pack appropriate swim gear. "The lake was clean and fun for swimming," mentions a camper, highlighting the recreational opportunities.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: At Cherry Grove Campground, RVers appreciate the well-maintained utilities. "The park is very well maintained. Sites are good sized and packed gravel. WiFi is very good, as is cell service from Verizon and T-Mobile," reports a fifth-wheel camper.
Site selection for large rigs: Some campgrounds accommodate larger RVs better than others. "We stopped here for the night and it was very pretty, quiet, and clean. The roads are narrow and hilly, but we pull a 36' 5th wheel (mid-profile) and we had no issues with branches. They had a oversized, long pull through available (site 88) that made entering and exiting the site nice and easy," shares a camper from Junius Ponds.
Electrical service considerations: Power hookups sometimes have limitations. "Electric service boxes are shared in-between sites. This could pose an issue if your power cord is not long enough," notes a Sampson State Park visitor.
Water and dump station logistics: Plan ahead for water fill-ups. "There is only source for water fill up. This could end up being a very very long wait if you arrive at the same time as other campers. Only 2 dump stations," warns a Sampson State Park camper.
