Best Campgrounds near St. Bonaventure, NY

The forested hills surrounding St. Bonaventure, New York provide a range of camping experiences within a short drive of town. Allegany State Park, located about 20 miles southwest, offers two distinct camping areas: the Quaker Area (open May through October) and the Red House Area (open year-round). Both areas feature tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping options with high visitor ratings. Closer to St. Bonaventure, Riverhurst Park Campground in Olean provides boat-in access along with traditional camping from May through November. Smaller private campgrounds like Firefly Acres offer more intimate settings with just three tent and cabin sites. The region's camping options extend into nearby Pennsylvania, where the Allegheny National Forest provides additional developed and primitive camping opportunities.

Most campgrounds in the area require reservations, especially during summer weekends and fall foliage season. The camping season generally runs from May through October, though some facilities remain open year-round. Weather conditions vary significantly by season, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 55-80°F and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Fall brings spectacular foliage but cooler temperatures, particularly at night. As one camper noted about Allegany State Park's Quaker Area, "The park is so big I only got to do some of the hiking. Very nice." Cell service can be limited in more remote areas, particularly in the valleys between hills. Bears are present throughout the region, so proper food storage is essential at all campgrounds.

Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors, with several campgrounds offering access to lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. Riverhurst Park Campground earns praise for its riverside location, with one camper sharing, "The grounds are huge and very well maintained. There are large, beautiful trees to tent camp in the shade. There's entrance spots to kayak/play in the river." Fall camping is particularly popular for the colorful foliage. A visitor to Allegany State Park noted, "We were traveling I-86 through the area and wanted to spend a few days in the woods admiring the beautiful fall colors and this turned out to be the perfect place to do that." Hiking trails connect many campgrounds to surrounding natural areas, with varying difficulty levels from paved paths to more rugged backcountry routes.

Best Camping Sites Near St. Bonaventure, New York (148)

    1. Quaker Area — Allegany State Park State Park

    28 Reviews
    Steamburg, NY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (716) 354-2182

    "great New York state park. stayed here for 2 nights and I will be back. the park is so big I only got to do some of the hiking. very nice."

    "There office/store is not located in the loop we parked in but it was an easy in and out with our 45’ motorhome and tow car."

    2. Red House Area — Allegany State Park State Park

    13 Reviews
    Salamanca, NY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (716) 354-9121

    "Cabins are pretty large and have some great surounding areas, like creeks right next to the cabins. Great place for family camping with tons of different activites offered around the park."

    "We've been coming to this campground since I was a kid, and love the fact that you can have the amenities of home away from home."

    3. Riverhurst Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    Portville, NY
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (716) 373-0535

    "There’s lots of amenities like volleyball, basketball, playground, swings, all in a safe area away from roads. There’s entrance spots to kayak/ play in the river."

    "It was a lovely site situated right on the bank of the Allegheny River. It was very beautiful,relaxing and peaceful there. We would definitely go back if we’re ever back in the area."

    4. Bova Cottages — Allegany State Park

    4 Reviews
    Salamanca, NY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (716) 354-9121

    $229 / night

    "Allegany State Park is nearby for hiking, snowshoeing, XC skiing, leaf peeping,etc."

    "After the last bad winter storm we had (2/2018) trees fell all over the park, including on my favorite hiking trails."

    5. Firefly Acres

    1 Review
    Portville, NY
    6 miles
    +1 (347) 824-9867

    $35 - $89 / night

    "Firefly Acres is a great spot to setup camp with tons of activities nearby including trails for hiking & mountain biking.  Check them out and share some pics of your stay!"

    6. Triple R Camping Resort and Trailer Sales

    4 Reviews
    Franklinville, NY
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (716) 676-3856

    "There’s definitely something for everyone here; pool, splash park, hiking trails, playgrounds, & activities for all ages are just some of the things. Highly recommend!"

    7. Willow Bay Recreation Area

    11 Reviews
    Steamburg, NY
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (814) 368-4158

    $20 - $100 / night

    "There is a central bathhouse near the oak loop. Closer to the boat ramp sites- most of which are tent ready, there are vault toilets. These sites are less than a mile from the North Country Trail."

    "Gorgeous setting on the edge of the Kinzua Reservoir. The sites are spacious and cabins are also available to rent. Staff are friendly and helpful."

    8. Campground Adventures

    1 Review
    Franklinville, NY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (716) 393-5811

    $40 - $45 / night

    9. Camp Seneca

    1 Review
    Great Valley, NY
    15 miles

    "We picked the biggest site next to the creek. The tree canopy over our site was dense enough that w3 did not get very wet when it rains."

    10. Shamrock Pines Campground

    1 Review
    Franklinville, NY
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (716) 676-2776

    "Surrounded by trees but grounds are well kept.  Fully fenced dog park that was great for our pup.  A couple of ponds for kids to fish and what looks like a nice pool.  Quiet hours observed.  "

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 148 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near St. Bonaventure, NY

438 Reviews of 148 St. Bonaventure Campgrounds


  • Casey L.
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Cain hollow campground

    Nice Campground

    Lots of sites but doesn’t feel too crowded or busy. Bathrooms are clean. Nice views of the surrounding hills from some sites.

  • Brian B.
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Quaker Area — Allegany State Park State Park

    So many memories…

    We returned to the same campsite for 10 years while our kids were growing up. They loved all of the hikes, they loved all other places, from thunder rocks to bear caves trail.

    You can go to this camp at any point in time, after Labor Day you can even get firewood delivered to your door. The box wood stoves inside to keep things thirsty, warm, even on a snowy day.

  • James S.
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Willow Bay Recreation Area

    Beautiful campground

    Went the week of April 23 2024 and had the place just about to my self. Was peaceful and quiet. Both camp hosts were super nice and friendly folks I'd definitely recommend Willow bay to anyone. No cell service with AT&T or Verizon.

  • 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.

  • Dana M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Lyman Run State Park Campground

    Quiet, Quaint and Clean!

    We love the lower loop! We were there on a Monday night and there were 4 sites occupied on our loop. Great stars. Clean bathrooms!

  • Chelsea B.
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Cain hollow campground

    Come in Autumn!

    Absolutely beautiful camping loop. There are many others but Cain Hollow is completely open and on the side of a hill so beautiful views of the changing colors. Also good for Starlink users. Clean bathrooms. Beautiful paved greenway. Easy and hard trails available. Restaurant, general stores, laundry, bike rentals… this park is awesome. Absolutely zero Verizon service though. Heads up!

  • 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

  • Miranda
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Woodstream Campsite

    Rip off

    Have to stay at least 2 nights. Employees say one thing. Then boss charges me even though I was told it was okay. Aren't willing to reason with. Also traffic very loud at night

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Red Bridge Recreation Area - Allegheny National Forest

    Not bad for 20 bucks

    Not bad at all for 20 bucks , spots with electricity cost more. Came on a week night without a reservation and was almost unable to get a spot , host was nice though! Quiet area


Guide to St. Bonaventure

Campsites near St. Bonaventure, New York range in elevation from 1,400 to 2,300 feet above sea level across the region's varying terrain. The area sits within the northern reaches of the Allegheny Plateau, where summer temperatures can fluctuate by up to 20 degrees between day and night due to the hilly topography. Winter camping options remain limited to Red House Area at Allegany State Park and select sites at Willow Bay Recreation Area where roads receive regular snow clearance.

What to do

Trail exploration beyond the popular routes: At Red House Area — Allegany State Park, hikers can access less-traveled paths beyond the main attractions. "This park is a fun place to hike and explore. Check out Thunder rocks and climb boulders the size of a house," notes camper Jeremy H. The park maintains over 65 miles of trails with varying difficulty levels.

Kayaking on the Allegheny River: Riverhurst Park Campground offers direct river access for paddlers with multiple entry points. "There's lots of amenities like volleyball, basketball, playground, swings, all in a safe area away from roads. There's entrance spots to kayak/play in the river," shares JoJo S. Kayak rentals available at $15/hour or $45/day.

Educational nature programs: Seasonal ranger-led activities teach visitors about local ecology and wildlife. "This is an awesome place to camp. New improvements to the park have been made the last few years! They run daily activities you can go to and learn about different things in nature," explains Kelly B. about Red House Area programs, which typically run Thursday through Sunday during summer months.

What campers like

Tree identification trails: Some campgrounds feature educational elements integrated into the camping experience. At Riverhurst Park Campground, visitors appreciate the labeled flora: "QR codes labeling different trees on the property. Coming from Arizona this was a nice feature and something I'd never seen at another park," notes Ryan M.

Off-the-grid disconnection: Many camping areas in the region have limited connectivity, providing a true escape. At Willow Bay Recreation Area, "You'll get a chance to relax as there is no cell service or wifi available. The closest town is about 15 miles away so stock up before you get there," advises Amy W.

Multi-season amenities: Some campgrounds offer year-round activities. "The cabins are awesome all year round. The park has a lot to do in the summer but a group can still have a blast in the winter," shares Alex B. about Quaker Area — Allegany State Park.

What you should know

Early booking essential: The most desirable sites fill months in advance. "Upon entering the park it was a 20-minute drive to our site. Our site was perfect wooded, gravel pad, water spigot across the street, bear proof box (a first for us)," notes Bobby C. about Quaker Area, recommending reservations 6+ months ahead for summer weekends.

Firewood purchasing strategy: Campers report significant price variations for firewood. "My problem is when you get to the park the small bundles way over priced 35$ lasted for a night. The next day we found camp wood 32"x60" rack for 15$ that lasted us 2 days. Buy firewood outside the park save yourself some cash," advises Bobby C.

Variable bathroom facilities: Facilities differ widely between campgrounds and even between camping loops. At Willow Bay, "vault toilets on the tent side and plumbing and showers on the RV side. Bathrooms were very clean and didn't smell, the showers were hot," explains Sean C., noting this setup is common throughout the region.

Tips for camping with families

Activity-rich campgrounds for kids: Some campgrounds provide extensive child-friendly amenities. At Triple R Camping Resort, "So much for the kids to do with splash pad, pool, playground and Rec room. Worth every penny," says Joshua G. The splash pad operates from late June through August, weather permitting.

Site selection for social opportunities: Certain campgrounds naturally facilitate interaction between families. "We stayed at site 131. It was nice and clean. We were not far from the bathrooms. But this area, all of the camp sites are right on top of each other. It was great for the kids because they were able to find instant friends and ride their bikes around," explains Verity S. about Quaker Area.

Evening entertainment options: Many campgrounds host structured activities after dinner. At Shamrock Pines Campground, "On Saturday night there was a band in an outdoor stage that was great," reports Douglas, noting their Saturday evening entertainment runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Tips from RVers

Site slope considerations: Many campsites in the region have uneven terrain requiring leveling equipment. "The fresh water spigot was at the end of our driveway, which is on a slight incline. A couple of extra tongue blocks would've been useful since the site slopes in the front and at the back," advises Tim J. about Willow Bay Recreation Area.

Cell service variability by loop: Coverage can change dramatically within the same campground. "First of all, the Hemlock loop has literally zero Verizon coverage. If you walk up to the entrance of the loop, you'll get 2 bars. We're staying at Willow Bay again in a few weeks, but in the Aspen Loop. We already drove by our future campsite and it registered 3 bars," reports Tim J., highlighting the importance of choosing sites based on connectivity needs.

Water hookup planning: Many campgrounds have limited full-hookup sites. "We ran low on fresh water, so a 75' hose was long enough to reach the fresh water spigot. The other campers used the spigot, but they toted water carriers," notes Tim J., recommending bringing extra-long hoses or portable water containers for partial hookup sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near St. Bonaventure, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, St. Bonaventure, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 148 campgrounds and RV parks near St. Bonaventure, NY and 13 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near St. Bonaventure, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near St. Bonaventure, NY is Quaker Area — Allegany State Park State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 28 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near St. Bonaventure, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 free dispersed camping spots near St. Bonaventure, NY.