Several campgrounds near Machias, New York offer seasonal operations with varying site configurations. Most facilities maintain open seasons from May through October due to harsh winter conditions in the region. The terrain features rolling hills with elevations ranging from 1,500-2,100 feet, creating drainage challenges during spring thaw and after heavy rains.
What to do
Creek recreation access: Woodstream Campsite features direct creek access from many sites. "We had access to the creek which was neat. One of the coolest things was rafting on the creek!" reports Stephanie B., who visited during a themed weekend.
Miniature golf opportunities: Both Woodstream Campsite and Jellystone Park of Western New York offer on-site mini golf courses. According to Sara H., "Put put was free" at Jellystone, making it an economical activity option for families.
Halloween activities: Themed weekends provide structured entertainment at several parks. Amy T. notes that at Jellystone Park, "their Halloween weekends are full of fun and fright!" Most Halloween events require advance registration due to high demand.
What campers like
Water features: The water amenities at larger parks receive positive mentions. Matthew M. appreciates that Jellystone offers "water park, fishing, kayaking, swimming. It has it all." These features typically operate from late May through Labor Day weekend.
Privacy options: Site configuration varies significantly between parks. At High Pines RV Park, Tammy Rae S. enjoyed "a perfect spot in a lovely field all to myself" while noting "there's full hook ups here and I have a nice flat private spot."
Local attractions: Regional points of interest enhance camping experiences. Ryan P. highlights that High Pines "is close to the Allegheny Reservoir and the Kinzua Bridge," providing day trip options within 30-45 minutes of the campground.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds enforce minimum stay requirements. Miranda at Woodstream Campsite reports "Have to stay at least 2 nights," highlighting policy variations between parks.
Site differences: Quality and layout of sites can differ dramatically within the same campground. Paul G. found at Skyline RV Resort that "the map was not correct and we did not have sewer hook up at the sight. The dumping station was free or included."
Noise factors: Location relative to roadways affects ambient sound. Miranda notes at Woodstream that "traffic very loud at night," indicating proximity to traveled routes impacts some sites.
Tips for camping with families
Activity scheduling: Family-oriented campgrounds provide structured programming for children. At Jellystone, Erica L. advises "our favorite tome of year to visit is around Halloween. They always have great activities and trick or treating with the kids."
Facility expectations: Older campgrounds may have dated but functional amenities. At Woodstream, Stephanie B. found "The bathrooms are outdated, but clean. Some of the showers cost a quarter and some don't, which was peculiar."
Crowd considerations: Popular campgrounds experience capacity issues. Robyn S. cautions about Jellystone, "your kids won't be bored while staying here. There is enough to keep them entertained for days. Down side is it is very busy if your looking to relax."
Tips from RVers
Extension cord needs: Power post locations can require additional equipment. At Colden Lakes Resort, Raquel H. found "We were able to park deeper off the road due to the kindness of the owners letting us borrow an extension cord. Behind us was a field and we parked between two trees which was awesome."
Repair services: On-site maintenance assistance varies between rv campgrounds near Machias, New York. Paul G. notes that Skyline RV Resort "have a repair shop on site," a valuable amenity for mechanical issues.
Site specifications: Precise measurements matter when selecting appropriate sites. Nick O. reports about High Pines, "Our site only had 30a power. Most seem to be that way. Looks like some updates are on the way. The price was great. We will go back again but making sure it's not peak summer due to not having 50A."
