The eastern shore of Lake Ontario shapes the camping landscape around Ellisburg, New York, with multiple state parks and private campgrounds offering waterfront access. Southwick Beach State Park Campground, located in nearby Woodville, provides tent and RV sites with beach access and is particularly popular for family camping from May through October. Sun Outdoors Association Island in Henderson Harbor offers a unique island camping experience with full hookup sites and views of Lake Ontario sunsets. Winona State Forest, west of Ellisburg, provides more primitive tent camping options for those seeking a quieter experience. Most campgrounds in the region accommodate both tent and RV camping, with many offering cabin rentals and some featuring glamping options for those wanting additional comfort.
Camping seasons in this region typically run from May through mid-October, with most facilities closing during the harsh winter months. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, especially for waterfront sites which fill quickly during summer weekends and holidays. Lake Ontario's weather patterns create distinctive camping conditions, with campers reporting strong winds at lakeside sites. According to one visitor at Sun Outdoors Association Island, "The Midge gnats were horrible for about a day and a half... you could not walk outside without being swarmed." Many campgrounds feature well-maintained facilities with modern bathrooms and showers. Road access is generally good throughout the region, with most campgrounds accessible via paved roads suitable for larger RVs and trailers.
Waterfront sites consistently receive the highest ratings from campers, with many visitors highlighting Lake Ontario views as a primary attraction. A camper at Southwick Beach State Park noted, "Lake Ontario is an amazing lake to be on and the water is pretty warm in the summer time. The waves don't get too big, so it is very safe for kids." Family-friendly amenities are common, with many parks offering playgrounds, swimming areas with lifeguards, and hiking trails. Privacy varies significantly between campgrounds, with some offering well-spaced sites while others feature more open layouts. Wildlife sightings are common, with raccoons frequently mentioned in reviews. Most campgrounds provide fire rings and picnic tables, with firewood available for purchase on-site or from nearby vendors.
$53 - $116 / night
"The sunsets were spectacular and our site was literally just steps from Lake Ontario. All sites are full hook up. Wifi is available and fairly good."
"Great location offering both sunrise and sunsets over the water of Lake Ontario. Loved the access to the water for our dogs to swim and for beautiful views."
$24 - $39 / night
"There is TONS of beach to explore at this little State Park in New York. I used to visit here as a kid years ago because my grandparents owned a cottage on the lake."
"Favorites are the beachfront sites, access to the beach and beautiful Lake Ontario. Small campground but very nice."
$28 - $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"
"Very nice thousand trail campgrounds. Very large I believe it's 1300 + sites. We went late summer show it was becoming offseason. Most amenities close down."
"A lot of locals camp here seasonally, and if you're not from around there, you'll stick out. We had a few awkward interactions but nothing serious. Mostly just funny."
"A great park on Sandy Pond and Lake Ontario. Mostly Permanent sites with 6 transient sites overlooking the marina. "
"The campsite appears to be the trailhead for a man-made trail. It rained while we were here but overall the campsite was quiet and peaceful."
"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!"
$31 / night
"You can get campsites along Lake Ontario where you can see amazing sunsets."
"Nice hiking trail as well."
"Open field to walk the dog or for children. Lake Ontario a short walk away, the lake level flooding a few yrs ago ruined the sandy beach,but it's still a great view."
"This is a hub for several snow mobile, cross country ski, and snow shoe trails. Several folks visited on Saturday and Sunday to enjoy the last bit of the snow."
ScoutGreat camp. Easy in and out for big rigs. Right on the St. Lawrence River. Many amenities to include 3 bay R.V. wash as well as car wash. Nice sites and some on the water with docks and a boat ramp.
ScoutCedar Point is in a very nice location,our site that I booked was not in a ideal location being on the road to the boat launch, ( my fault ) Camping went fine until the last couple of days when people starting walking through our site, looked liked a group of people who knew each other and we were in their way.
RangerThe sites are good, level, and the campsite is pretty but as clean as the bathrooms are, the showers still suck. I’ll never understand why parks use the misting shower heads. Maybe TMI, but sorry ladies, you’ll never get the soap out of your bits. It’s best to use the ADA bathrooms because those shower heads are normal and have wands. I can’t say much about the amenities since we camped in the off season (really bummed not to rent a boat), but the trails around the lake are great! Beautiful water and various difficulties on the trails make it pretty fun to explore. Overall a good stay but took a star away for the showers and the landscapers. They spent at least 5-6 hours the Monday we were here mowing around our campsite, coming within inches of our power and Starlink cords. Really annoyed by that and when we called the park office, they said they’d take care of it but we still endured 4 more hours of multiple mowers going over the same areas multiple times. Honestly think they were messing with us at that point…
RangerCampground is recently paved. Lots of geese, therefore lots of goose poop. Sites are small and close together. Nice wooded setting on the lake.
ScoutI 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.
ScoutGood peaceful
TravelerPros: 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
RangerWe 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
GuideWe've camped there twice on extended weekends to visit the Bay and castles. Golf carts are welcome. The only issue was that people were not picking up after their dogs. We saw and had multiple dog piles in our campsite and on other parts of the campground.
The ice cream shop Gals is wonderful!! PJs Ratrace had incredible fish fries. Both places are very near the campground.
Camping near Ellisburg, New York centers around the western edge of the Tug Hill region where elevations reach 2,000 feet and winter snowfall can exceed 200 inches annually. During camping season (May-October), temperature ranges typically span 50-80°F with higher humidity near Lake Ontario shores. The area features a mix of state-managed and private camping facilities with varying levels of development.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Ontario and nearby waterways offer abundant fishing. At Brennans Bay Campground and Marina, one visitor noted it's a "great area for fishing, bass, trout, salmon and walleye." The campground provides direct marina access for boaters.
River activities: The Little Salmon River running through Yogi Bears Jellystone Park Camp Resort at Mexico provides wading and exploration opportunities. As one camper shared, "The river is awesome, wading, catching crayfish, cooling off." Children particularly enjoy these shallow water activities.
Trail exploration: For hikers seeking quieter experiences, Winona State Forest offers primitive camping with access to trail systems. According to a recent visitor, the campsite "appears to be the trailhead for a man-made trail" and provides a peaceful base for forest exploration.
Waterfront views: Lake Ontario sunsets draw consistent praise from visitors. At Sun Outdoors Association Island, campers face west toward the lake where, as one reviewer described, "Our site was a pull in and we faced a western view of Lake Ontario. We were treated to gorgeous sunsets and minimal light pollution at night. The stars were everywhere."
Swimming conditions: Lake Ontario provides safe swimming areas at Southwick Beach State Park Campground, where the extensive beach area allows for spreading out even during busy periods. One camper highlighted the "BEST beach in CNY-sandbar goes on forever."
Campsite spacing: Site sizes vary significantly between campgrounds. At Westcott Beach State Park Campground, campers appreciate that "sites are huge" in the plateau area across from the main park. This contrasts with more crowded options elsewhere in the region.
Weather patterns: Lake Ontario creates variable conditions. Strong winds affect waterfront campsites, particularly on exposed shorelines. Visitors should secure tents properly and prepare for sudden changes.
Insect considerations: Seasonal insect hatches affect comfort levels. According to one camper at Sun Outdoors Association Island, "One HUGE downfall was the amount of BUGS! Millions (not exaggerating) of midges and mayflies swarming the grounds from Lake Ontario."
Flooding risk: Low-lying campsites can flood after rain. A recent visitor to Southwick Beach State Park Campground reported, "After it rained one night our site & others around us were completely flooded." Request higher elevation sites when available.
Water safety: Lake Ontario provides family-friendly swimming areas with gentle conditions at most beaches. Many campgrounds maintain supervised swimming areas during peak season.
Organized activities: Selkirk Shores State Park Campground offers extensive children's programming. One visitor mentioned they "had a reptile exhibit with huge snakes and crocodiles, another day they had tie dyeing t-shirts, other days they had bingo(candy was the prize), exercises, and crafty things to make."
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature updated play equipment. At Westcott Beach State Park, families appreciate the "nice new children's playground" located centrally within the camping loops.
Site selection: Reserve waterfront RV sites early, especially for summer weekends. According to a visitor at Ontario Shores RV Park, they offer "7 overnight pull thru full hookup sites with concrete patio. Sites are level and spacious."
Check-in assistance: Some campgrounds provide arrival guidance. At Sun Outdoors Association Island, "At check in they take you to your spot and help you get settled in. That is a marriage saver."
Access considerations: Most campgrounds near Ellisburg have paved or well-maintained gravel roads suitable for larger rigs. When selecting a campsite near Ellisburg, New York, confirm bridge weight limits when accessing island-based campgrounds like Association Island, which requires crossing a causeway.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Ellisburg, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Ellisburg, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 102 campgrounds and RV parks near Ellisburg, NY and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Ellisburg, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Ellisburg, NY is Sun Outdoors Association Island with a 4.3-star rating from 15 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Ellisburg, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Ellisburg, NY.
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