Best Campgrounds near Darien Center, NY

Darien Center, New York features several established campgrounds catering to diverse camping preferences. Darien Lakes State Park Campground offers tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations with a season running from May through mid-October. Six Flags Darien Lake Campground, located within the theme park complex, provides similar accommodation types with the added benefit of proximity to attractions. Cherry Hill Campground, a smaller facility with only 10 sites, maintains high ratings for its tent and RV options. The region includes mixed-use campgrounds that support various camping styles from primitive tent camping to full-service RV sites with hookups.

Camping availability in the area typically runs from May through October, with most campgrounds closing during winter months. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekend stays during peak summer months when theme park visitation is highest. Many campgrounds in the region provide water hookups, electric service, and sanitary facilities, though amenities vary by location. Darien Lakes State Park features lake access for water activities, while Six Flags Darien Lake Campground offers proximity to theme park attractions. According to one visitor, "The lake is awesome, and great for all water activities. I really enjoyed stand up paddle boarding as well as fishing with my parents! The campground and surrounding areas is pretty big, with lots of trees and shaded area."

Campers report high satisfaction with the natural settings and recreational opportunities near Darien Center. The combination of water activities at Darien Lakes State Park and entertainment options at Six Flags creates a unique camping environment that appeals to families seeking both outdoor recreation and amusement park access. Several visitors mentioned appreciating the shaded campsites during hot summer months, though they recommend bringing bug spray for mosquitoes. Sleepy Hollow Lake Campground and other nearby options extend the range of developed campgrounds available in the region. Most campground options provide basic amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and access to restroom facilities. Proximity to Buffalo and Rochester makes these campgrounds convenient weekend destinations for urban residents seeking outdoor experiences without traveling far from metropolitan areas.

Best Camping Sites Near Darien Center, New York (105)

    1. Darien Lakes State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Darien Center, NY
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (585) 547-9242

    $20 - $29 / night

    "The lake is awesome, and great for all water activities. I really enjoyed stand up paddle boarding as well as fishing with my parents!"

    "I live local to the area and still find a time to setup the tent and enjoy some peace and quiet away from the noise of daily life. There are miles of hiking trails, nice "lakes" to fish and swim in."

    2. Six Flags Darien Lake Campground

    17 Reviews
    Darien Center, NY
    2 miles
    Website

    "Unless you're a season ticket holder at Darien Lake, you will be forced to purchase tickets to the Darien Lake amusement park when camping here."

    "Walking distance to the theme park. Campground fees include admission to the theme park. The sites are very nice and well maintained."

    3. Cherry Hill Campground

    12 Reviews
    Darien Center, NY
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (585) 813-5099

    $39 - $69 / night

    "We got there by renting a car on Rental24h.com and took a tent with us and had a great time"

    "We have stayed at Cherry Hill a couple times, mostly for Darien Lake concerts. It's VERY convenient to get to the convert as the campground offers shuttles before the events."

    4. Sleepy Hollow Lake Campground

    11 Reviews
    Akron, NY
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (716) 542-4336

    $30 - $42 / night

    "Plenty of activities around the campground. Golf cart rentals available. Clean restrooms near the store."

    "Clean bathrooms near the campground store."

    5. Letchworth State Park Campground

    77 Reviews
    Perry, NY
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (585) 493-3600

    $300 / night

    "Letchworth State Park is known as the Grand Canyon of the East and is located in Mt. Morris New York. My husband and I visited regularly when we lived near Rochester, NY."

    "Not technically in the Finger Lakes but still one of the most beautiful parts of Western New York State. Splurge and eat at the Glen Iris Inn! Great for cycling and hiking but no swimming."

    6. Darien Lake Campground

    4 Reviews
    Darien Center, NY
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (585) 599-2211

    "It was a busy place with lots of RVs, but my campsite was in a field bordered by wild flowers at the end of the campground with no one else around."

    "Pros: Picturesque Lake Some close Wildlife Kept Clean Double dump station Cons: Playgrounds, lack of and deteriorating Not much for children to do

    The site we had was secluded, spacious and perfect"

    7. Jellystone Park™ of Western New York

    14 Reviews
    North Java, NY
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (585) 457-9644

    $31 - $276 / night

    "What are the best things about this National Park is that you feel like you were in a Yogi Bear show although there is still a ton of beautiful nature to enjoy the novelty of Yogi Bear is always around"

    "We hit this campground on our way through to Lake George, and I was genuinely upset that we couldn't stay longer. So many fun amenities. It's like a water park, meets campground."

    8. Skyline RV Resort

    1 Review
    Darien Center, NY
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (585) 591-2021

    $55 - $85 / night

    9. Beaver Meadow Family Campground

    6 Reviews
    Java Center, NY
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (585) 457-3101

    "HIGHLIGHTS:  Many nature trails 

    Visitors center 

    Swimming pool 

    Beautiful sunsets 

    Fishing 

    Well Sized campsites

    CONS: 

    Roads are not paved making it difficult for kids riding bikes 

    Pricey"

    10. Southwoods RV Resort

    11 Reviews
    Churchville, NY
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (585) 548-9002

    "The campground is about 20-25 miles from downtown Rochester and located in a quiet rural setting surrounded by farmland."

    "We stayed in August and we really enjoyed the setup and location of all the amenities this campground has."

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Recent Reviews near Darien Center, NY

547 Reviews of 105 Darien Center Campgrounds


  • Terri H.
    Oct. 23, 2025

    Holiday Hill Campground

    Such a great place to stay!

    Wonderful owners, tons of activities for kids and adults. The sites are spacious and very well kept. Highly recommend!

  • Marc D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Niagara Falls/Grand Island KOA Holiday

    Large KOA

    This was a large KOA campground with many sites, cabins, activity center, etc. We were there in late October and it was partially closed down. Quite pricey. Clean facilities. Somewhat close to interstate noise. Convenient to access Niagara Falls.

  • Scott H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Big Guys Campground

    Activities for all ages!

    There is so much to do at this camp! They have a jump pillow, pool arcade, movie room, RC track, and bingo for everyone. They have live music at tavern on the property with great food! They have a disc golf field, fishing, and so many places to go on the golf carts! They also go in big on their themed weekends. Great place to go if you want the kids exhausted at the end of the day!!

  • Roger V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Palmers Pond State Forest

    beautiful spots near pond or in woods

    if the lake spots are busy check the woods, there are a bunch more nice spots. dispersed free LNT style. no services. would stay here again.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Niagara Falls North / Lewiston KOA

    Niagra Falls

    We enjoyed this campground. Attendant advised he had a full connect site available and upgraded. Gravel pad farely level. Filled propane while there. They do trash pickup every morning.

  • alicianlv The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Niagara County Camping Resort

    Niagra County Camping Resort

    Arrived late at night to this established site. This is a mixed accommodation campground with established long term residents & short term sites.

    Some sites include a table, power access and tire rim for fire-ring. Showers & flushing toilets are near RV sites in back area. Small camp store, swimming pond & fishing pond. Manager, Christine very nice & helpful.

    Campground is relatively close to scenic drives along Lake Ontario & Niagra State Park, Niagra Falls.

  • Christopher  T.
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Evangola State Park Campground

    What a shame

    This used to be real nice but NY has let all it's park go to pot with lack of funding and no updates

  • MacKenzi G.
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Sleepy Hollow Lake Campground

    Kid friendly but Bee Problem

    We had a lot of fun here and there’s a lot of activities for kids I would typically give this campsite 5 stars but our only problem was there were bees everywhere. I get some bees are apart of the camping experience and nature but we’ve never ran into this problem elsewhere. They were all over the campground it was very unpleasant and there was a nest under the playground we did advise management of.

  • SkipperAllen C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Four Mile Creek State Park Campground

    Niagara Falls visit

    We stayed here when seeing the falls easy 18 min drive to the falls. One perk we were not aware of was free parking at one of the three New Yark park parking lots with our campground pass. Showers clean and warm. Staff helpful and friendly.


Guide to Darien Center

Cabin options abound in campgrounds near Darien Center, New York, where mixed forest terrain creates natural privacy between sites. The region sits between Rochester and Buffalo at approximately 900 feet elevation, creating mild summer conditions with occasional thunderstorms. Most cabin accommodations require advance reservations up to six months ahead for summer weekends, particularly for sites nearest to water features or with electrical hookups.

What to do

Water recreation at state park: Darien Lakes State Park Campground offers fishing and paddling opportunities on its small lake. "I live local to the area and still find a time to setup the tent and enjoy some peace and quiet away from the noise of daily life. There are miles of hiking trails, nice 'lakes' to fish and swim in," writes Jeremy H.

Winter activities: Winter camping opportunities exist for those seeking solitude. "We did some winter camping here. We backpacked into the lean to along the Conservation Trail. It was in good condition and we had a large clearing for activities," explains Leah W. about Darien Lakes State Park during off-season.

Hike the Conservation Trail: Several miles of maintained trails connect camping areas to fishing spots and natural areas. The Conservation Trail passes through wooded sections with occasional wildlife viewing opportunities. Sites near trailheads fill quickly during summer months.

Theme park entertainment: Six Flags Darien Lake Campground provides direct access to rides and entertainment. "The campground is about 20-25 miles from downtown Rochester and located in a quiet rural setting surrounded by farmland," notes Nancy W. Sites nearest the park entrance command premium rates but reduce transportation needs.

What campers like

Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain high cleanliness standards for comfort stations. "Clean bath houses an a relaxing atmosphere. Not much to do but fish or walk trails but that's how we like it. Nice park to go to after a long day at the falls. Just relax by the fire," writes Dawn T. about Darien Lakes.

Spacious sites: Cherry Hill Campground receives praise for its site layout. "Cherry Hills campground lives up to its claim to bring you as close to nature as possible. The grounds are well manicured without looking unnatural, the sites are very spacious," notes Sinclaire B.

Quieter alternatives: Smaller campgrounds provide refuge from theme park crowds. "This park is a nicely kept, clean and quiet gem. This campground would be a good alternative to paying the high prices to stay at the theme park down the road," states Jeremy H. about Darien Lakes State Park.

Staff responsiveness: Campground staff help with unexpected issues. "We needed help with our water heater in our own RV and the camp team sent over a mechanic to sort it out within minutes. Free of charge," reports lionel O. at Six Flags Darien Lake Campground.

What you should know

Weekend crowds: Capacity changes dramatically between weekdays and weekends. "We were there on a weekday, told weekends are busy," explains Carol B. about Darien Lakes State Park. Noise levels increase substantially on weekends at most campgrounds in the area.

Train noise: Railroad tracks near some campgrounds cause periodic disruption. "There was a train track close to camping," notes Donna M. about Six Flags Darien Lake Campground. Sites furthest from the tracks provide quieter sleeping conditions.

Concert season considerations: Sleepy Hollow Lake Campground and others experience significant changes during event weekends. "I haven't been here in a while but people mostly stay here for one of two reason. Because they don't want to drive home drunk from a concert, or they have 14 loud kids that want to be at the amusement park," explains Laura Nicole A.

Limited shuttle options: Transportation between campgrounds and concert venues requires planning. "Getting back across the road to the campground can be challenging. Due to some dummy a few years ago getting hit by a car, and also Darien Lake's greed, walking back to the campground is disallowed," warns Cory W. about Cherry Hill.

Tips for camping with families

Kids entertainment options: Jellystone Park of Western New York provides structured activities. "What are the best things about this National Park is that you feel like you were in a Yogi Bear show although there is still a ton of beautiful nature to enjoy the novelty of Yogi Bear is always around," notes Jill R.

Pool policies: Swimming facility rules vary significantly between campgrounds. "My only real issue is the ridiculous two adult pool rule if you are with kids. They had to get out because 'there has to be two adults and one has to stay on deck,'" reports Sara D. about Beaver Meadow Family Campground.

Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer play structures of varying quality. "Very nice family oriented campground. The grounds are very well kept. Playgrounds were nice for kids," notes Erica L.

Off-season discounts: Family camping becomes more affordable and less crowded during spring and fall. "Pricey for off-season," notes Amanda K. about Beaver Meadow, suggesting negotiable rates during slower periods.

Tips from RVers

Site selection priorities: RV sites vary considerably in space and hookup availability. "The sites are very nice and well maintained. There are campers for rent, cabins for rent, tent sites, RV sites and premium RV sites," explains Mary H. about Six Flags Darien Lake.

Power requirements: Southwoods RV Resort offers reliable electrical service. "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," reports Nancy W.

Drainage considerations: Spring camping requires attention to site conditions. "Early season conditions were wet and the owners let me pick my site because the one I had reserved was muddy," notes Wilson W. about Cherry Hill Campground.

Advance reservations: RV sites with full hookups book earliest, especially during holiday weekends. Some campgrounds offer group areas for multiple RVs traveling together.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Darien Center, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Darien Center, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 105 campgrounds and RV parks near Darien Center, NY and 8 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Darien Center, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Darien Center, NY is Darien Lakes State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 20 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Darien Center, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 free dispersed camping spots near Darien Center, NY.