Western New York's RV sites near Gasport offer camping options within a rural region known for its canal heritage and fruit orchards. The area sits along the historic Erie Canal at approximately 525 feet elevation with a continental climate featuring warm summers and cold winters. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally from May through October, with very limited winter camping availability.
What to do
Canal explorations: The Erie Canal runs directly through Gasport, making water activities popular at nearby campgrounds. At Niagara Hartland RV Resort, campers enjoy fishing in the on-site pond. "Pond was great for the dogs," noted one visitor who appreciated this water feature despite finding the campground "a little run down."
Fruit orchard visits: The surrounding countryside contains numerous apple orchards and fruit farms open for seasonal picking from August through October. Visitors staying at Southwoods RV Resort often make day trips to nearby farms. "We stayed at Southwoods while visiting the Rochester, NY area and exploring attractions in the area. The campground is about 20-25 miles from downtown Rochester and located in a quiet rural setting surrounded by farmland," one camper shared.
Local history: Western New York contains several small museums within driving distance. "Close to the birthplace of Jello," noted a camper at Frost Ridge RV Park, referring to nearby Le Roy where the dessert was invented.
What campers like
Family activities: Children's amenities rank high in camper satisfaction. "Southwoods is a beautiful campground and accommodates campers of all ages. 2 well kept pools, playgrounds, laundry facilities, mini golf, soccer, basketball. The employees are so helpful and nice!" wrote one reviewer.
Clean facilities: Maintained bathrooms and grounds consistently receive positive mentions. At Niagara Falls Campground & Lodging, a visitor noted, "Basic, clean campground about 20 mins from the Falls. Very convenient with nice workers."
Park connections: Some RV sites provide direct theme park access. "The campground itself is pretty and well kept. Some sites are a little tight, but most people aren't there to camp, they're going to the park or a concert, or both," wrote a camper about Six Flags Darien Lake Campground, adding "Access to the park is very easy. The walk to the concert venue is long, but flat and easy."
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most RV campgrounds in the Gasport area close entirely from November through April. "We stayed monthly and go to Florida for the winter and are coming back next year!" mentioned one Southwoods seasonal camper.
Site variations: Quality and spacing differ significantly between campgrounds. "The sites are very nice and well maintained. There are campers for rent, cabins for rent, tent sites, RV sites and premium RV sites," wrote a visitor to Six Flags Darien Lake Campground.
Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience train or traffic noise. At Niagara Falls Campground, a tent camper reported, "The noises of the town made it very difficult to sleep in our tent. It's right off the main road and nearby trains blared their horns throughout the night. Might not be that bad if you're in a camper."
Tips for camping with families
Amusement access: RV sites with theme park connections offer value for families. "Campground fees include admission to the theme park," noted a camper at Six Flags Darien Lake. Another visitor added, "It is a great family campground."
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with multiple play areas. "Lots of plays areas for kids," reported a visitor to Southwoods, while another mentioned "Quiet campground. Lots of plays areas for kids."
Activity scheduling: Many campgrounds offer organized events for children. "We enjoyed our stays and will be back," wrote a camper at Southwoods who appreciated their family programming. A different visitor noted, "They have a busy events calendar throughout the year with lots of get-togethers."
Tips from RVers
Leveling considerations: Site preparation varies between campgrounds. At Red Rock Ponds RV Resort, visitors find "adequate sites" though one noted it "appears more for permanent campers."
Big rig accommodations: Larger motorhomes require specific campgrounds. "Level gravel sites. Sites are close together, but not busy now, so not a problem," reported a camper at Niagara Falls Campground about their $76 per night weekend rate.
Technical assistance: Some campgrounds offer RV maintenance help. A visitor to Six Flags Darien Lake shared, "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."
