Camping near Henderson Harbor, New York offers outdoor recreation around the western shores of Lake Ontario. This region experiences significant seasonal weather variation, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter temperatures frequently dropping below freezing. The coastal landscape features a mix of sandy beaches and rocky shorelines, creating diverse camping environments with elevation changes of 10-50 feet above Lake Ontario's surface.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Sun Outdoors Association Island provides direct lake access for anglers. "This place is amazing! It's not fancy but the location is spectacular... We were able to drop our kayaks right in the water in front of our rig and paddle to our heart's content. The water is clear and cool," notes camper Donna C. The area's fish species include bass, trout, salmon, and walleye.
Hiking trails: Selkirk Shores State Park Campground features walking paths through forested areas. A visitor mentioned, "They have nice hiking/biking trails," while another camper noted the park has "wildlife nosing around." Trails range from easy lakeside walks to more challenging forest paths.
Water recreation: At Bedford Creek Marina & Campground, boaters have convenient water access. "Wonderful setting just always have a wonderful time there. I love everyone riding around on golf carts," shares camper David G. The marina provides boat slips and launch facilities with direct access to Lake Ontario.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: Many campers praise the lake views at Burnham Point State Park Campground. "Beautiful view of the river. Easy access to swim in the water," writes John B. Another camper adds, "This is a nice little state park with great views on the St Lawrence river. Try to find a campsite by the river."
Clean facilities: Westcott Beach State Park Campground maintains well-kept bathrooms and shower facilities. As Theresa F. reports, "We have only camped the electric loop up on the hill across the Street from the rest of the park. It is spacious and restroom buildings are kept up." Another camper mentions the "nice new children's playground."
Sunset views: Lake Ontario's western exposure creates memorable evening scenery. At Long Point State Park Campground, a camper described their experience: "We went in the fall after Labor Day weekend so only weekends were crowded - we had the place to ourselves during the week." The park's position on a peninsula provides panoramic sunset vistas.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Strong winds can affect lakefront camping. At Nancy G. warns about Long Point: "Almost always a breeze and storms can come up quickly off the lake - be sure to keep things put away and weighted down, and be ready to 'batten down the hatches' as my dad used to say!"
Crowds vary by season: Campgrounds near Henderson Harbor experience different visitation patterns throughout the camping season. At Southwick Beach State Park Campground, one visitor noted the extensive beach area: "There is TONS of beach to explore at this little State Park in New York...the waves don't get too big, so it is very safe for kids."
Site selection matters: Some campgrounds have significant variation between sites. At Selkirk Shores, a camper explained: "This campground is 4 different loops- A loop is like the loop for people here for fishing, B loop is the mellower crowd, and C and D were our nightmares: mass chaos, children running amok, loud groups."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Westcott Beach, campers appreciate the family-friendly setup: "Nice new children's playground. Nice hiking trail as well," and another noted, "This is our kids favorite campground."
Beach safety: The shallow entry points at many Lake Ontario beaches provide safer swimming for young children. Southwick Beach State Park offers "TONS of beach to explore," and "the water is pretty warm in the summer time. The waves don't get too big, so it is very safe for kids."
Recreation programs: Selkirk Shores State Park offers organized activities. "The beach is good for children and they have a great recreation program for the kids. While we were there they had a reptile exhibit with huge snakes and crocodiles, another day they had tie dyeing t-shirts, other days they had bingo(candy was the prize), exercises, and crafty things to make."
Tips from RVers
Site sizes: At Sun Outdoors Association Island, RV sites vary in width. "Our site was a pull in and we faced a western view of Lake Ontario. We were treated to gorgeous sunsets and minimal light pollution at night," reports Donna C. Another camper noted, "Our site was a little narrower than others based on our proximity to a corner, but we still loved it."
Hookup options: Most developed campgrounds provide electric service, with some offering full hookups. At Brennans Bay Campground and Marina, one RVer shared, "A great park on Sandy Pond and Lake Ontario. Mostly Permanent sites with 6 transient sites overlooking the marina. The park has a nice pool, pavilion, store and kids playground with a basketball court."
Dispersed options: For self-contained rigs, Winona State Forest provides primitive camping. "The primitive campsite was a little difficult to find there's a tiny black and yellow placard that shows you where you can camp," notes Thomas E., while another camper adds, "The campsite was just feet off of Bargy Road. The only amenity was a fire ring made of rocks."
