95 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The eastern shore of Lake Ontario shapes the camping landscape around Henderson, New York, where waterfront sites and island retreats dominate the options. Sun Outdoors Association Island, accessible via a single-lane bridge, offers full-hookup RV sites with spectacular sunset views over Lake Ontario. State parks like Southwick Beach and Westcott Beach provide more traditional camping experiences with a mix of tent sites, RV spaces, and cabins. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally from May through mid-October, with a few extending into early November. The area's camping style ranges from developed state park campgrounds with modern amenities to more rustic options at places like Winona State Forest, where primitive tent camping is available.
Camping reservations are essential during the peak summer season, particularly for waterfront sites which fill quickly. As one camper noted, "If you don't grab a lakeside campsite early, they will definitely be taken." Weather conditions can significantly impact the camping experience, with Lake Ontario creating strong winds at exposed sites. According to a visitor at Association Island, "Being right on the lake allowed for the prevailing winds to be felt. One night we couldn't sit outside due to the high winds." Seasonal insect activity, particularly midges in early summer, can occasionally be intense. Most campgrounds in the area provide standard amenities including showers, restrooms, and fire rings, with many offering electric hookups and water access.
Lakefront access represents the defining feature of camping in this region, with sites offering both sunrise and sunset views over Lake Ontario. Campers consistently praise the water access, with one reviewer mentioning that "Lake Ontario is an amazing lake to be on and the water is pretty warm in the summer time." Family-friendly amenities are common, including playgrounds, swimming areas, and hiking trails. The camping atmosphere varies significantly between locations, with some visitors noting that certain campgrounds can feel crowded during peak season. A reviewer described one popular state park as having "a cramped, open site and everyone seemed to have a motorboat on a trailer." For those seeking more solitude, visiting during weekdays or in the shoulder seasons of late spring and early fall typically provides a quieter experience with fewer crowds.
"The sunsets were spectacular and our site was literally just steps from Lake Ontario. All sites are full hook up. Wifi is available and fairly good."
"We stayed at Association Island on Lake Ontario in Henderson, NY, for a three-night excursion to celebrate my daughter’s end-of-9th-grade and start-of-summer. We’re so glad we did! "
from $53 - $116 / night
Check Availability"There is TONS of beach to explore at this little State Park in New York. I used to visit here as a kid years ago because my grandparents owned a cottage on the lake."
"Favorites are the beachfront sites, access to the beach and beautiful Lake Ontario. Small campground but very nice."
from $24 - $39 / night
Check Availability"You can get campsites along Lake Ontario where you can see amazing sunsets."
"Nice hiking trail as well."
from $24 - $200 / night
Check Availability"I love everyone riding around on golf carts"
from $65 - $999 / night
Check Availability"Right on Lake Ontario and proximity to Saint Lawrence attractions make this a busy place. Its basically a field woth campsites."
"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!"
from $21 - $30 / night
Check Availability"A great park on Sandy Pond and Lake Ontario. Mostly Permanent sites with 6 transient sites overlooking the marina. "
"The campsite appears to be the trailhead for a man-made trail. It rained while we were here but overall the campsite was quiet and peaceful."
"Lake Ontario has great fishing. The beach is smaller than it was before now that it is guarded."
"Very nice rustic camping, amazing location, rocky beach. Love it there"
from $28 - $135 / night
Check Availability"Very nice thousand trail campgrounds. Very large I believe it's 1300 + sites. We went late summer show it was becoming offseason. Most amenities close down."
"A lot of locals camp here seasonally, and if you're not from around there, you'll stick out. We had a few awkward interactions but nothing serious. Mostly just funny."
ScoutVery nice campground, pool is awesome when it’s hot and, the water’s edge of the campground is beautiful, expect noise. Not a quiet place. From fellow campers to boats and sirens. No tru till station just a water line when you enter. Also check sites out was extremely up hill. Camper barely cleared.
GuideWe had a great stay at Oneida Shores Campground. Over the weekend it was nearly full, but it never felt crowded. The other campers were friendly and there were no issues. At 10 pm, it got very quiet, no issues. The newly paved sites are level. The grounds are well kept. I wouldn't say the sites were too close together. We had plenty of room. The tent area is shaded by trees, the rv section is not. We encountered several park employees, all were very friendly and helpful. Never saw any geese. The only negative is that the showers and restrooms need a deep clean and upgrade, but they were serviceable.
GuideWe found this little gem when planning our trip. It is owned & operated by a Patrick who works very hard to keep it in great condition. There are at least twenty RV sites with thirty amp & some with fifty amp power all with full hookups. He also has several vacation rental cabins on the site, some of which he has built. All this is located right on the shores of lake Ontario about six miles from Oswego NY. Great lake views. An inground in pool, restrooms and showers all kept clean & in great condition. On-site firewood at a good price. Very short walk to a restaurant offering seafood sandwiches/ platters as well as burgers etc with lots of lakeside seating. Also a fantastic Ice-cream shop with dozens of flavors within 2 minutes walk. Well worth staying. We will return.
ScoutIts a small park with lots of campers that park year round. Super friendly golf cart riding community always ready to help out. Wifi isnt the best, but it was quiet and peaceful.
GuideVery nice night spent at Winona State Forest with my boyfriend and our dog, Michelob. Lots of horseflies and mosquitoes but big spray did help and the fire. We have a truck bed tent we used for this trip and a canopy tent to put all of our stuff under. Each site does have a fire pit of some sort.
TravelerWe thought the campground was beautiful, tight to your neighbors on majority of sites, and lack of trash cans for pet waste especially since the campground is so big. It has ball field, 2 playgrounds, rec room, camp store, lake Ontario to swim, trails for multi use, and pavillions. Down fall for us was small site , lack of trash cans to toss pet waste, not being told about fill station because there is no water faucets like most state parks along campground. We were there for first time so not familiar with park. Office did not offer us a map to get to our site or clue us in on filling our tank prior to parking camper. Main gate personnel not on same information. bathrooms could be cleaned more often. bathhouse building is all gender with bathrooms on one side of building and showers on other. Bathroom and showers are private space rooms. Beach is very rocky with little sand area. Life guards only guard one side of beach making everyone crowded to one side
ScoutNot very welcoming at night. Kinda creepy.
ScoutThe problems started before we even arrived. When I called to make a reservation, the owner was rude and impatient, repeatedly complaining that he couldn't hear me, despite me having full service. I discovered cell service at the campground was spotty, which made his attitude even more frustrating in hindsight. I told him it would be us and our dog, his immediate response was,"IT'S NOT A PIT BULL, IS IT?" in a hostile tone. I said no, she's an American Staffordshire, and my husband's service dog. He rudely replied that it was"THE SAME THING" and that they have breed restrictions. When I asked whether he was denying us, he avoided answering and demanded"legal paperwork" for her. I told him that no such paperwork exists, but she is trained to perform a task. He completed the reservation, took my payment, gave us a site number, and hung up. Since the office was closed and we had already been assigned a site number and paid, we assumed we could go directly to our site and finish any details in the morning. While setting up, the owner drove over and confronted us for not reporting to the office first. He then demanded proof of rabies vaccination, which is reasonable. We apologized that we had forgotten the paperwork and said we'd email it to him first thing in the morning. We were extremely annoyed that we saw multiple pit bulls as soon as we pulled in the campground. The next morning, we emailed the records to the campground around 10:10 AM, exactly as promised, as soon as our vet's office had opened. About 11:00, the owner left a voicemail demanding that we leave the property immediately because he had not received the paperwork. I called back and asked him to check his email again, he accused me of sending it to the wrong address. I told him that if he still couldn't find it after checking again, I would come to the office once I was dressed. 30 minutes later, he left another voicemail saying he had escalated it to the sheriff's office because we had not complied. Meanwhile, my husband was already walking to the office to handle things and the owner informed him that we were no longer welcome and that he had called the sheriff's office. Again, my husband told them to check their spam folder, and the email had been there all along. We communicated throughout the entire process and did exactly what we said we would do. The owner's son was far more reasonable and they did apologize, but it didn't make the situation right. The sites were tight, muddy, unlevel, and had awkwardly placed hookups. We were packed so close together that the row behind us overlapped the rear of our camper by a few feet. We had to share water with the neighboring site through a splitter at the spigot. We didn't use the restrooms or amenities because after our interactions with management, we felt completely unwelcome. We only stayed because we were in town for our grandson's first birthday and couldn't find another campground on such short notice.
ScoutNice close packed little campground just thr sites by the lake can sometimes be under water.
Camping near Henderson, New York centers around the unique geography where inland waterways connect to Lake Ontario. The area sits at approximately 250 feet above sea level with a humid continental climate bringing warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Seasonal midges emerge in early summer from Lake Ontario, particularly affecting waterfront camping areas where insect activity can intensify during warm evenings.
Fishing opportunities: Sandy Pond and the inland bays provide excellent fishing spots. Bedford Creek Marina & Campground offers direct marina access for anglers. As one visitor notes, "Great area for fishing, bass, trout, salmon and walleye. Very clean and well maintained park."
Kayaking and paddling: Many waterfront sites allow campers to launch directly from their campsite. At Long Point State Park Campground, "You can easily launch kayaks right from your campsite. It can get quite windy on the point so take a wind break or shelter."
Swimming in Lake Ontario: The lake warms up nicely during summer months. Multiple beaches offer swimming access, though conditions vary by location. According to one camper at Selkirk Shores, "The beach is good for children and they have a great recreation program for the kids."
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds maintain trail systems for day hikes. At Westcott Beach State Park, visitors appreciate the "Nice hiking trail" that runs through the park, while Selkirk Shores has "nice hiking/biking trails" according to campers.
Individual bathroom facilities: Some campgrounds offer private bathroom units rather than communal facilities. At Long Point State Park, "Personal toilet, shower & sink are contained within separate rooms within the amenity block, perfect for couples and young families. They are new construction with plenty of room."
Campground activities: Many parks organize regular events for guests. Selkirk Shores State Park Campground runs "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."
Beach access: Sandy beaches remain a top draw for campers. The sandbar at Southwick Beach "goes on forever" according to one regular visitor who camps there "3-5 trips yearly."
Sunset views: Lake Ontario's western exposure creates memorable sunsets. At Sun Outdoors Association Island, "We were treated to gorgeous sunsets and minimal light pollution at night. The stars were everywhere."
Campground layouts vary significantly: Some areas offer more privacy than others. At Winona State Forest, primitive sites provide a quiet alternative to busier campgrounds. One visitor noted it's "a good free quiet place to camp," though "the primitive campsite was a little difficult to find."
Weather considerations: Lake Ontario creates its own weather patterns that affect camping conditions. Strong winds can impact waterfront sites. According to a camper at Association Island: "Being right on the lake means our site was wooded, roomy, and has full hookups, a fire ring, and picnic table. I could probably have fit another RV in the site and still had space to stretch."
Seasonal crowds: Most campgrounds experience peak crowds from late June through August, particularly on weekends. As one camper at Brennan Beach noted: "It was PACKED on the weekend, but they have a really efficient check in process and the staff is super nice."
Reservation timing: For the best sites, early booking is essential. At Selkirk Shores, certain loops are consistently more popular: "C and D were our nightmares: mass chaos, children running amok, loud groups, no thanks. Apparently C and D are always booked and full, because people like that it's closest to the beach trail, the playground, and the camp store."
Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated play areas for children. Westcott Beach State Park features a "Nice new children's playground" that makes it "our kids favorite campground" according to regular visitors.
Swimming safety: Beach conditions vary significantly between parks. At Selkirk Shores, "The beach is smaller than it was before now that it is guarded," providing supervised swimming for children.
Loop selection matters: Choose your camping loop based on desired atmosphere. At Selkirk Shores State Park, "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."
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer structured activities. Selkirk Shores provides organized recreation programs including "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."
Full hookup availability: Many campgrounds offer water, electric, and sewer connections. At Brennan Beach Campground, visitors appreciate that "Site we stayed at had full hook ups" along with amenities like "very nice camp store, pools, playground, and restaurants."
Site size considerations: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. At Association Island, "The spots were not very big. It was Memorial Day weekend but the spots were not very big," though staff "take you to your spot and help you get settled in. That is a marriage saver."
Dump station access: Several parks provide dump facilities even when full hookups aren't available. Long Point State Park offers modern bathrooms plus "laundry" facilities, making it suitable for longer stays.
Seasonal RV options: Many of the best places to camp near Henderson, New York cater to seasonal campers. Brennan Beach has many locals who "camp here seasonally, and if you're not from around there, you'll stick out."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Henderson, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Henderson, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 95 campgrounds and RV parks near Henderson, NY and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Henderson, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Henderson, NY is Sun Outdoors Association Island with a 4.3-star rating from 15 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Henderson, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Henderson, NY.
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