Camping sites near Irondequoit offer options from rustic tent spots to cabin rentals with electric hookups. Located along Lake Ontario's southern shore, the area maintains moderate summer temperatures averaging 75-80°F, with occasional thunderstorms common from June through August. Most campgrounds within a 45-minute drive provide wooded sites with varying levels of privacy and hookup options.
What to do
Hiking forest trails: At Webster Park Campground, visitors can explore well-maintained paths through hardwood forests. "This was our first trip here. It was nothing short of perfect. Camp sites are wooded and private. Very quiet and peaceful," notes Amanda M., highlighting the natural setting that makes hiking enjoyable.
Swimming in natural areas: Stony Brook State Park Campground features a unique natural swimming area carved from the mountain. According to Kayti D., "This park is beautiful and has a unique swimming area- a 'pool' carved from the mountain! There are lots of paths and picnic areas, as well as beautiful hiking trails and creeks to cool off in."
Fishing opportunities: Canandaigua-Rochester KOA provides accessible fishing for all skill levels. Frank M. shared, "We've stayed at a lot of KOA sites over the years and this one is as pleasant as expected. It is an excellent campground for families." The pond fishing is especially popular with children and beginners.
Historical exploration: Sampson State Park Campground offers educational opportunities with its Naval museum. Brian O. explains, "It was a Naval training base during WWII. It has a Naval museum with many authentic items from that era. Very shady and ample bathroom, shower, and water facilities."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Webster Park receives praise for its secluded camping areas. Joseph W. mentioned, "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."
Family-friendly amenities: Southwoods RV Resort caters to families with multiple recreational options. Hope C. noted, "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!"
Level sites with utilities: Junius Ponds offers practical camping setups that work well for various camping styles. One visitor, Kristine B., shared, "The roads are narrow and hilly, but we pull a 36' 5th wheel (mid-profile) and we had no issues with branches. They had an oversized, long pull through available that made entering and exiting the site nice and easy."
Yurt camping options: For those interested in yurt camping in Irondequoit, New York and surrounding areas, Letchworth State Park offers comfortable yurt accommodations with electrical hookups and heating options. These canvas-walled structures provide a middle ground between tent and cabin camping experiences.
What you should know
Water access logistics: Ontario County Park visitors should note water distribution arrangements. Nancy W. mentioned at Southwoods, "There is only one source for water fill up. This could end up being a very long wait if you arrive at the same time as other campers. Only 2 dump stations."
Seasonal popularity: Many campgrounds in the Irondequoit area fill quickly from June through August. Carl C. noted about Webster Park, "I've stayed four times in 2021, for as much as 2 weeks at a time. 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)."
Limited connectivity: Prepare for spotty cell service at several parks. Many campers report weak signals, particularly in wooded areas and ravines. Some campgrounds offer WiFi near central facilities, but connection quality varies greatly during peak usage times.
Weather considerations: The region experiences quick-changing weather patterns, particularly in spring and fall. Camping in alternative accommodations like yurts near Irondequoit provides more protection from unexpected rain while still offering an outdoor experience.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: At Lake Bluff RV Park, sites near play areas are popular with parents. Sara H. shared, "Near the playground they have a nice game room pool, air hockey, video games. There is a change machine too." Request sites within sight of play areas when booking with young children.
Kid-friendly activities: Choose campgrounds with structured recreation for children. Rich L. mentioned at Canandaigua-Rochester KOA: "We spent father's day weekend at the KOA. Our kids rented cabins and some used tents and others came for the day. The campground has so much to do between swimming, golf, bike and paddle boat rentals."
Loop camping with families: Webster Park's layout works well for group camping. Scott C. explained, "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. We stay on the outer ring on that side of loop as it gives access to the woods and trails behind the sites."
Child-friendly fishing spots: Several campgrounds feature stocked ponds with easy access and gentle slopes, perfect for teaching kids to fish. Look for sites that rent basic fishing equipment and offer simple shore fishing without requiring boats or specialized gear.
Tips from RVers
Hookup configuration: At Sampson State Park, Amanda K. notes, "Electric service boxes are shared in-between sites. This could pose an issue if your power cord is not long enough. There is only one source for water fill up. This could end up being a very long wait if you arrive at the same time as other campers."
Site dimensions: Larger rigs require careful site selection. Jim C. advised at Junius Ponds, "Most sites can accommodate large rigs with full hookups. Reservations recommended especially during summer weekends. Well priced $42 per night for full hookups."
Leveling requirements: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain. Jonathan G. mentioned about Ontario County Park, "Only downside is that the RV sites don't have much shade but the tent sites do. Also make sure to bring plenty of leveling blocks as some sites are far from level."
Access road conditions: The roads leading to and within campgrounds vary in quality and width. Several reviews mention tight turns and low-hanging branches that can be challenging for larger rigs, especially at older state park campgrounds in the area.
