Camping opportunities around Hamlin extend beyond the shoreline to include inland lakes, wooded areas, and seasonal accommodations open May through October. Average summer temperatures range from 65-85°F with July being the warmest month. The area sits at approximately 300 feet above sea level with campgrounds offering variable terrain from lake bluffs to wooded settings within 30 miles of Rochester.
What to do
Disc golf courses: Southwoods RV Resort features a disc golf field as noted by a visitor: "The campground has lots of amenities like two swimming pools, nice camp store, a large playground, miniature golf, sand volleyball and basketball courts, large recreation hall, bicycle track, and game room."
Hiking options: Lakeside State Park Campground offers extensive trail systems. "Over 4 miles of trails," mentions one camper, while another adds, "There is a short nature trail through the woods opposite the lake as well that goes through hard words and into wetlands."
Fishing spots: Webster Park provides access to fishing areas beyond Lake Ontario. A camper notes: "There is hiking in the park, lots of nice woods, big field for playing games/sports. It's close to town and home for us."
Water recreation: Red Rock Ponds RV Resort connects to waterways beyond the beach. One camper simply stated it was "Nice, smaller campground with adequate sites. Appears more for permanent campers."
Balloon festivals: Letchworth State Park Campground hosts special events worth planning around. "Try to get to the balloon fest on Memorial Day - and book a flight if you can. Voted Best State Park in the USA," recommends a visitor.
What campers like
Natural features: The landscapes around Devil's Nose at Lakeside State Park stand out to visitors. "The trail on the north side is referred to as the devil's nose. Beautiful sunsets can be seen from that vantage point," writes one reviewer.
Privacy levels: Hamlin Beach State Park Campground offers well-separated sites. "Our particular site was a little snug getting into but opened up nicely behind the tree line at the road. Overall very nice, roomy, wooded, private sites with a nice beach not too far from the sites," a camper shared.
Spacious sites: Campers consistently mention generous site dimensions. "The sites in the loop we stayed in had about 75' between driveways, all with varying levels of trees/brush between them, very secluded," noted one Hamlin Beach visitor.
Sunset viewing spots: Webster Park provides strategic spots for end-of-day views. One visitor mentioned that the park has "Nice scenery" and is a "Great place to go for the day, enjoy a nature hike and have a relaxing day."
Hidden beaches: Some parks offer less crowded alternatives to main beaches. At Hamlin Beach, a camper advises: "If you want secluded beaches, skip the public beach and head a little West of Area 4, take the sandy path to the water for an amazing hidden grotto."
What you should know
Cell coverage challenges: Reception varies widely between campgrounds. At Hamlin Beach, one camper reports: "At&t reception is almost non existent." Similar issues exist at other parks.
Reservation timing: Webster Park fills quickly during peak season. A camper notes: "This is a nice little park. I've stayed four times in 2021, for as much as 2 weeks at a time."
Off-season limitations: Services decrease outside summer months. At Hamlin Beach, a visitor observed: "The camp store is closed along with no firewood and no laundry."
Water connections: RV hookups require planning at several parks. One camper at Hamlin Beach advises: "Sites are electric only but with a 100' hose you can reach a spigot from most any spot to re-fill the camper."
Seasonal availability: The best places to camp near Hamlin, New York generally close for winter. Southwoods RV Resort operates from "May 1 to October 31" according to their listing information.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Big Guys Campground offers extensive kid-friendly features. One visitor shares: "They have a jump pillow, pool arcade, movie room, RC track, and bingo for everyone. 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!!"
Educational opportunities: Timberline Lake Park provides a nature-focused environment. A visitor describes it as "Super chill and secluded feeling. This is a great spot! It's really quiet and you can really feel like you're getting away out here."
Family-friendly loops: Webster Park organizes camping areas for different needs. A regular camper explains: "We stay close to the playground these days in our pop up usually at site 5 so our 5 and 9 year old can walk or ride to campground. We like site 1 as well."
Weekend activities: Southwoods RV Resort schedules regular events. A visitor mentioned: "During our stay they had a closing weekend pizza and wings party with live music for a small fee."
Safety features: Some of the best camping near Hamlin includes security measures. A camper at Lakeside State Park noted: "Staff were super friendly, and there is a safety officer who patrols at night."
Tips from RVers
Site navigation: Some campgrounds require careful maneuvering. Southwoods campers report: "Most of the roads in the park are paved with the exception of the pull-thru section in the front of the park which is gravel. All campsite pads are gravel except for three long pull-thrus."
Hookup limitations: Lakeside State Park Campground has mixed reviews about connections. One RVer said: "This campground had many large electric sites that sit overlooking Lake Ontario. All sites are back in only so you need skills in backing up if you are towing."
Winter storage: Options for long-term stays vary. At Southwoods, a seasonal camper shared: "WE STAYED MONTHLY AND GO TO FLORIDA FOR THE WINTER AND ARE COMING BACK NEXT YEAR!"
Site selection tips: Webster Park offers different hookup options. A visitor explained: "The difference is 30a power and no water or sewer, 50a power and water, and 50a power and water/sewer. There is a dump station."
RV-specific loops: Most campgrounds designate areas for larger vehicles. A Webster Park camper noted: "The motor home sites are all along the entrance road. The small and large trailer sites are distributed around the loop."
