Camping spots near Medina, New York primarily operate from May through October, with most facilities closing by mid-October before the harsh winter weather arrives. Campers should note the seasonal temperature fluctuations, as summer nights can dip into the 50s even during July and August. Several campgrounds offer easy access to Lake Ontario, located approximately 20 miles north of Medina.
What to do
Disc golf courses: Golden Hill State Park Campground features a complete disc golf course with multiple holes. "Lots of history at this place! Be sure to visit the light house on your visit. With standard sites and a beautiful water for fishing this camp ground is great for a weekend or even for a day hike or a nice game of frisbee golf," explains one visitor to Golden Hill State Park Campground.
Nature trails and wildlife viewing: Darien Lakes State Park Campground offers miles of hiking trails through diverse ecosystems. "This park is a nicely kept, clean and quiet gem. I live local to the area and still find a time to setup the tent and enjoy some peace and quiet away from the noise of daily life. There are miles of hiking trails, nice 'lakes' to fish and swim in," notes a regular visitor to Darien Lakes State Park Campground.
Shoreline exploration: Hamlin Beach State Park provides diverse Lake Ontario shoreline experiences. "Between Buffalo/Niagara Falls and Rochester on Lake Ontario, this park gives you a rocky and a sandy shoreline with gentle waves to lull you to sleep. Watch the sunrise/sunset over the lake! Excellent birding on site and in nearby Braddock Bay. Easy hiking through the woods, marshes, and along the beach."
What campers like
Spacious, wooded sites: Hamlin Beach State Park offers excellent site privacy. "The sites in the loop we stayed in had about 75' between driveways, all with varying levels of trees/brush between them, very secluded. The beach is a decent little hike, but very easy flat bike ride or about a minute in a car going 15mph. 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."
Lighthouse access: The historic lighthouse at Golden Hill State Park Campground provides educational opportunities. "Quaint site with historic buildings, nice views, great sunsets. Really clean and modern facilities, lots of water and electricity sites. Sites are semi-private, some right next to the shore. Nice isolated spot between Buffalo/Niagara Falls and Rochester. If you're with a group definitely rent the cabins."
Clean, modern facilities: Four Mile Creek State Park maintains excellent bathhouses. "The showers in the bathrooms were phenomenal - very clean with hot water and a private dressing area next to the shower. Showers were ADA compliant and had shower seats," notes one visitor to Four Mile Creek State Park Campground.
What you should know
Limited lake swimming access: Despite proximity to Lake Ontario, swimming options are restricted at some parks. "It's a very nice park if you want to sit by the water but don't want to touch it. Theres really not much of a beach if any at all. There's a decent cliff to get to the water," explains a camper about Lakeside State Park.
Weekday vs. weekend crowds: Campgrounds near tourist attractions experience significant population changes. "We stayed on a Wednesday and Thursday night, which had some advantages (it was nice and quiet) and some disadvantages (the Camp Store is open from 3-8 Monday-Thurs, so we had to travel around the area to find firewood)," notes a camper at Lakeside State Park Campground.
Cell service limitations: Service can be spotty throughout the region. "At&t reception is almost non existent," reports one camper at Hamlin Beach State Park. This is common across several camping areas near Medina, particularly those closer to the lake.
Tips for camping with families
Recreational amenities: Medina Wildwood Lake KOA offers numerous kid-focused activities. "This campground has everything and the KOA standards. Lots of activities for kids of all ages. There are multiple pools, an awesome creek, the store staff will inflate tubes to use in the creek for you. There is a lake with non-motor boat rentals," shares a family who stayed at Medina Wildwood Lake KOA.
Educational opportunities: Camping near historic sites provides learning experiences. "With standard sites and a beautiful water for fishing this camp ground is great for a weekend or even for a day hike. Be sure to visit the light house on your visit. Lots of history at this place!" recommends a visitor to Golden Hill State Park.
Swimming options: Niagara County Camping Resort offers alternative swimming facilities. "Nice secluded place. Quiet surroundings with lots of stuff for kids to do. Swimming, fishing, putt putt, petting zoo. Camp sites are clean and large," notes a visitor to Niagara County Camping Resort.
Tips from RVers
Power considerations: Some campgrounds experience electrical fluctuations. "Our problem was that the low voltage power would trip our EMS. Power went to as low as 109 volts that I saw," explains an RVer who stayed at Niagara County Camping Resort. Bring a voltage regulator if your equipment is sensitive.
Site selection strategy: Certain loops offer better amenities for larger rigs. "We chose a back-in 50-amp full hook-up site at $42/night. All the utilities were placed appropriately so we didn't need any extensions. The water pressure and electric were good. Most of the roads in the park are paved with the exception of the pull-thru section which is gravel," shares an RVer at Southwoods RV Resort.
Distance to services: Plan for fuel and supply runs carefully. "Rochester is about a 45-minute drive but the town of Batavia is about 15 minutes away and has groceries, fuel, restaurants, shopping, etc," notes a visitor to Southwoods RV Resort, which is representative of the rural location of many camping areas near Medina.
