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Best Campgrounds near Gowanda, NY

458 Reviews

Camping options near Gowanda, New York include several established campgrounds across mixed public and private lands. East Otto State Forest offers free primitive camping with 14 designated sites suitable for tents and RVs. Nearby Allegany State Park provides more developed camping facilities with both the Red House and Quaker Areas featuring cabins, tent sites, and RV hookups. The region includes a mix of state parks and private campgrounds within a 30-mile radius, many offering seasonal availability from spring through fall.

Road access to campgrounds varies significantly, with East Otto State Forest requiring more rugged vehicles on unpaved forest roads. Most established state park campgrounds like Evangola State Park and Sprague Brook Park have paved access and more amenities including water, electric hookups, and shower facilities. Campsites in the area typically offer 3-day maximum stays without permits at primitive sites, while reservations are recommended for developed campgrounds. "This was a nice secluded feeling site, neighbors are pretty close by and you can hear them but a good amount of private space to yourself. Maybe non-rainy season is better for this site, my boots became very muddy," noted one visitor to East Otto State Forest.

The terrain around Gowanda supports diverse camping experiences, from lakefront sites to wooded forest settings. Campers report particularly positive experiences at Allegany State Park, which maintains a 4.9/5 rating for its amenities and natural beauty. East Otto State Forest receives consistent praise for its primitive camping experience despite occasional issues with muddy conditions during wet weather. Several visitors mentioned the peacefulness and seclusion as key highlights. "After sleeping in parking lots and rest stops, it is so nice to have a place where you don't fear law enforcement knocking at your car/tent, and it's FREE!" remarked one camper about East Otto State Forest. Facilities at developed campgrounds like Evangola State Park include showers, toilets, and trash service, while primitive sites typically require pack-in, pack-out practices with no onsite facilities.

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Best Camping Sites Near Gowanda, New York (112)

    1. East Otto State Forest

    10 Reviews
    Collins Center, NY
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (716) 372-0645

    "This was a nice secluded feeling site, neighbors are pretty close by and you can hear them but a good amount of private space to yourself."

    "We were nice and secluded, which was great for the dogs to run around, be safe, and not bother other campers."

    2. Evangola State Park Campground

    17 Reviews
    Irving, NY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (716) 549-1760

    $21 - $112 / night

    "Sites are electric only, with a dump station available at the entrance and one in the campground loop."

    "Sites are electric only, with a dump station available at the entrance and one in the campground loop."

    3. Streamside Eriegrove

    1 Review
    Irving, NY
    7 miles
    Website

    $80 - $100 / night

    4. Sprague Brook Park

    7 Reviews
    Holland, NY
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (716) 592-2804

    "Well maintained park the campground is full of hiking trails and areas to fish on multiple ponds the sites are your average size and are kept clean."

    "There is a play area for kids every time you turn around and a nice little pond for fishing. For what it is, it's a very nice spot if you're looking for a less wild camping experience."

    5. Lake Erie State Park Campground

    22 Reviews
    Brocton, NY
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (716) 792-9214

    $21 - $88 / night

    "This park is right on the lake near the PA border. Flat short trails through the forests or walk along the beach."

    "Views of Lake Erie are spectacular. Nice walking trails, and there’s a disc-golf course and playground. Bathhouses are clean. Nice old trees and a few historic buildings around. Really comfortable."

    6. Quaker Area — Allegany State Park State Park

    27 Reviews
    Steamburg, NY
    30 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."

    7. Allegany Mountain Members Resort

    1 Review
    Ellicottville, NY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (716) 699-2352

    "This place has larger sites and a nice size lake to fish I. Along with a few other small stocked ponds. Plenty of stuff for kids to do including 2 outdoor pools and an indoor pool."

    8. Red House Area — Allegany State Park State Park

    13 Reviews
    Salamanca, NY
    27 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."

    9. Sheridan Bay Park

    3 Reviews
    Irving, NY
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (716) 672-4174

    "Quiet  peaceful lake erie campground. Great, family oriented season campers made us feel welcome."

    10. Colden Lakes Resort & Restaurant

    4 Reviews
    Holland, NY
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (716) 243-6671

    $45 - $75 / night

    "It’s mostly seasonal campsites with a lot of folks trekking around on golf carts."

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Recent Camping Photos near Gowanda, NY

123 Photos of 112 Gowanda Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Gowanda, NY

458 Reviews of 112 Gowanda Campgrounds

  • 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

  • Greg D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Westfield-Lake Erie KOA

    Overnighter

    We only stayed for an overnighter on a long trip west. The restrooms and showers are some of the best we’ve seen during our trip. Very well maintained facilities and grounds and the staff are friendly and helpful. We were able to change our site for one that was more level without a problem. The only thing that might bother some people is the road noise. However we were able to sleep well despite it. There is also a dog “park”/fenced area.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Lake Erie State Park Campground

    Great overnight stop

    Stayed one night on a long drive.  Beautiful views of lake.  Amazing grassy fields right by campsites.  Full park but still quiet with good spacing between outer ring spots.

  • Donna A.
    Aug. 5, 2025

    Lake Erie State Park Campground

    Great Campground

    Just returned from staying over the weekend at this campgound with my dog and had a great time. We stayed in a non-electric site in my campervan and it was perfect. There is comfortable space between each campsite in most cases plus lots of trees for shade. Although the campground was full, it was quiet since I like to retire early. We saw lots of wildlife (black squirrels, rabbits and birds). The restroom and showers were nice, they were clean and only a short walk from my campsite. My dog was excited to get lots of walks during the time we were there. The beach was not close to our campsite but I drove there before checking out and walked the dog again. It was a rocky walk along the sand but a beautiful area with a playground. There were, however, many large dead fish along the water line. I can't wait to return to Lake Erie State Park because I enjoyed it so much!

  • S
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Beaver Meadow Family Campground

    Ridiculous pool rule

    The campgrounds are nice. The staff, friendly. Brought our RV so I didn’t see the bathrooms. We had a site that was “lake view” which was funny because it’s a pond. It was stocked so fishing was fun. They have a nice heated pool. My only real issue is the ridiculous two adult pool rule if you are with kids. We spent all day at the rodeo. We came back ready to swim after being in the sun all day. Of course my toddler fell asleep so I stayed with him at the campsite and my husband took our other two kids to the pool. They were able to swim for 15 mins before the other people who were at the pool took off. So it was just my husband and kids left. The lady working in the office came out and told them they had to get out because“there has to be two adults and one has to stay on deck”. Like, what?!? Seriously? That’s the stupidest rule I’ve ever heard. So he gets my very disappointed kids out of the pool and they are just hanging out pool side hoping for basically a stranger to come swim so they can swim. They waited nearly an hour before they got defeated and came back to the camper. Stupid rule. I’ve never seen any campground ever have that rule. If you are that worried about a solo parent taking care of their kids, hire a life guard. Or make that pool rule known prior to booking. My kids had life jackets on and my husband is CPR certified. Literally will never come here again because of this rule. Lame lame LAME.

Guide to Gowanda

Camping near Gowanda, New York, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From stunning parks to family-friendly campgrounds, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

What to do:

  • Explore Letchworth State Park: Known as the "Grand Canyon of the East," this park features breathtaking waterfalls and scenic trails. One visitor shared, "The waterfalls were amazing. The rec center had tons of activities and sports for the kids to do."
  • Visit Four Mile Creek State Park: Located near Lake Ontario, this park is perfect for swimming and fishing. A camper noted, "The beach is beautiful! The bathrooms were clean! It’s a quick easy drive to Niagara Falls."
  • Hike in Allegany State Park: This park offers numerous trails for hiking and biking. One reviewer mentioned, "This campground literally has something for everyone. From fishing to beaches, the whole family will have a blast."

What campers like:

  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds, like Four Mile Creek State Park, have large sites that allow for privacy. A camper remarked, "Sites are nice and big but not private at all. I was in site 300, it was like a large lawn with a tree, which was great for shade."
  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. One visitor at HTR Niagara Campground said, "The bathrooms were sparkling and it was very well maintained."
  • Family-friendly activities: Campgrounds like Letchworth State Park Campground offer playgrounds and recreational activities. A parent noted, "The playground is huge and there's lots of room for riding your bike around."

What you should know:

  • Busy weekends: Many campgrounds can get crowded, especially on weekends. One camper at Lake Erie State Park mentioned, "The campground was very crowded the night we were there."
  • Limited privacy: Some sites are close together, which can affect the camping experience. A visitor at Evangola State Park said, "Sites are pretty much wide open, with zero separation between you and your neighbor."
  • Check-in procedures: Be prepared for potential delays during check-in, as noted by a camper at Darien Lakes State Park: "Check-in was quick and easy, but we had to contact the park rangers and wait about 45 minutes until it got sorted out."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Plan for activities: Look for campgrounds with family-friendly amenities. One camper at Niagara Falls/Grand Island KOA Holiday said, "The play areas and pool were great for my 9-year-old."
  • Pack snacks and meals: Camp stores can be pricey. A visitor at Six Flags Darien Lake Campground noted, "The camp store was really expensive, so I’m glad we remembered to bring everything."
  • Choose the right site: Look for sites that offer shade and space for kids to play. A camper at Allegany State Park mentioned, "Our site was perfect, wooded, gravel pad, water spigot across the street."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site amenities: Make sure your site has the necessary hookups. One RVer at Branches of Niagara Campground said, "Every campsite is spaced apart so you have room to relax. Clean restrooms and showers."
  • Be prepared for setup: Some sites may require longer cords for water and electricity. A camper at Six Flags Darien Lake Campground noted, "Site is very unleveled; water and electric far away, bring long cord and hose."
  • Plan for noise: If you’re near popular attractions, expect some noise. A visitor at Six Flags Darien Lake Campground mentioned, "It was loud and not very relaxing."

Camping near Gowanda, New York, provides a mix of adventure and relaxation, making it a great spot for families and outdoor lovers alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Gowanda, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, Gowanda, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 112 campgrounds and RV parks near Gowanda, NY and 7 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Gowanda, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Gowanda, NY is East Otto State Forest with a 4.3-star rating from 10 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Gowanda, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Gowanda, NY.

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