Campers around Hamlin, New York can access multiple state parks and private campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The area sits at approximately 300 feet above sea level along Lake Ontario's southern shore, with seasonal temperatures ranging from summer highs in the 80s to cool fall nights in the 40s. Most campgrounds near Hamlin operate from May through October, with mid-July through August marking peak season when advance reservations become essential.
What to do
Fishing at Golden Hill State Park: Cast your line along the Lake Ontario shoreline with opportunities for trout, salmon, and bass fishing. The park provides easy water access through multiple points. According to one visitor, "It was glorious to sleep to the sound of waves hitting the shore and wake to the panoramic Lake Ontario view. The old lighthouse is a beautiful building, and the grounds in general are super well kept."
Hiking the conservation trail: Darien Lakes State Park offers hiking trails that connect to the regional Conservation Trail system. Winter camping is available at designated lean-to sites. One experienced camper noted, "We backpacked into the lean to along the Conservation Trail. It was in good condition and we had a large clearing for activities. No issues with animals."
Visit historic lighthouse: Golden Hill State Park Campground features the Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse, which provides educational tours and maritime history. "There is a gazebo I would love to sit in for hours with a good book," shared one camper who enjoyed the historic grounds.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Webster Park receives consistent praise for its well-spaced sites. "We stay on the outer ring on that side of loop as it gives access to the woods and trails behind the sites. The campground is very quiet and very kid friendly to allow them to walk around and ride or scooter the loop alone," explains one regular visitor.
Clean facilities: Bathroom quality ranks high on campers' priorities, with many mentioning shower cleanliness. One camper at Webster Park noted, "We did a last minute reservation and ended up loving the place. There was good separation between the campsites and the bathrooms and showers were clean. Wasn't too far from a park along Ontario."
Variety of accommodations: Letchworth State Park Campground offers yurt camping near Hamlin, New York with multiple camping styles in different loops. "The campsites are in two main areas of the park and further broken down into many different loops. The loops near the Lower Falls are our favorites, but any choice is a good one. All are close to the gorge/river and wooded, and connect to trails directly from your campsite."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds require advance booking, especially during summer weekends. Webster Park uses an online reservation system through the Monroe County parks website, with one camper noting, "They allow reservations online on the monroe county parks website, and are open May 1st to October 31st."
Weather considerations: Lake Ontario creates unique weather patterns, including potential for rapid temperature changes and fog. "We stayed in August and we really enjoyed the setup and location of all the amenities this campground has," mentions one Southwoods RV Resort visitor describing summer conditions.
Cell service limitations: Canandaigua-Rochester KOA and other rural sites have spotty coverage. "Cell phone coverage is poor by Verizon and T-Mobile, and there is no WiFi, and no camp store (but the town of Webster is nearby)," reports one camper who stayed at Webster Park for extended periods.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Southwoods RV Resort offers multiple play areas throughout the grounds. "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!" shares an enthusiastic visitor.
Swimming options: Several parks offer both pool and natural water swimming. "When we lived in Rochester we'd take out of town guests either here or to Watkins Glen. The park itself is fantastic," mentions a Letchworth visitor, highlighting its family appeal.
Entertainment for various ages: Theme park proximity provides additional options for family activities. "This KOA has all that you need for a relaxing family trip. It is close to the finger lakes, is clean, has kid activities and a pond where the fish are easy to catch with hotdogs!" notes a visitor to Canandaigua-Rochester KOA.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Timberline Lake Park and similar campgrounds offer varying levels of RV hookups. One RVer at Webster Park mentioned, "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."
Site selection strategy: Experienced RVers recommend choosing sites based on specific needs. "We chose a back-in 50-amp full hook-up site (M28) at $42/night. All the utilities were placed appropriately so we didn't need any extensions. The water pressure and electric were good," explains one detailed reviewer at Southwoods RV Resort.
Seasonal considerations: Some sites offer extended-stay options for the full camping season. "Very well managed, peaceful, friendly and well maintained Camping resort," notes one seasonal RVer who regularly returns to Southwoods RV Resort.
