RV campgrounds near Manchester, New York offer access to the Finger Lakes region from April through October, with most requiring advance reservations. During peak season, the area experiences temperatures ranging from 70-85°F with occasional evening thunderstorms. Gravel sites are common throughout the region, with campers noting the rural setting provides dark night skies perfect for stargazing.
What to do
Explore nearby state parks: Several campgrounds provide easy access to Chimney Bluffs State Park, featuring unique clay formations along Lake Ontario. "Chimney bluff state park which are a must see!" notes a camper from Lake Bluff RV Park.
Wine tasting excursions: The eastern shore of Seneca Lake offers multiple vineyard options within walking distance of some campgrounds. "They are bookended by two wineries with walking paths from the campground," mentions a visitor to Finger Lakes RV Resort.
Water recreation: Fishing, kayaking and boating opportunities abound on nearby lakes. "Kayak launches and boat marina nearby," reports a camper about Red's Twilight on the Erie RV Resort.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Visitors frequently praise the immaculate conditions at newer campgrounds. "The bath house is immaculate and rivals those at Fort Wilderness Resort," notes a camper at Finger Lakes RV Resort.
Spacious sites: Many RVers appreciate generous spacing between campsites compared to more crowded parks. "All of the sites are very nicely spread out with generous spacing," according to a review of Finger Lakes RV Resort.
Family activities: Organized weekend events keep children entertained. "Family friendly park, lots of activities, park hosts/owners are hands on and awesome," shares a visitor to Southwoods RV Resort. Another camper adds, "2 well kept pools, playgrounds, laundry facilities, mini golf, soccer, basketball."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds close during winter months. "We stayed in August and we really enjoyed the setup and location of all the amenities this campground has," notes a camper at Southwoods RV Resort.
Reservation requirements: Book well in advance for summer weekends. "We chose a back-in 50-amp full hook-up site (M28) at $42/night. All the utilities were placed appropriately so we didn't need any extensions."
Weather considerations: The region experiences occasional severe storms that can affect operations. "We experienced a severe thunderstorm one evening which resulted in an area-wide power outage that lasted a couple days," reports a visitor to Finger Lakes RV Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly speed limits: Some parks prioritize safety for children. "The speed limit is 5 MPH and they mean it.... Kids on bikes and having a good time in the enormous play area and the pool far enough from the campsites but close to the store and watchful eye of the staff," notes a camper at Red's Twilight on the Erie RV Resort.
Consider weekend activity schedules: Many campgrounds offer structured programs. "They do events for kids every weekend. If you camp 6 nights in one season you get a night free!" shares a visitor to Lake Bluff RV Park.
Check swimming options: Pools provide recreation when lake conditions aren't ideal. "2 well kept pools, playgrounds, laundry facilities, mini golf, soccer, basketball. The employees are so helpful and nice!"
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have terrain issues. "Almost all of the sites are not even close to level. Not a big issue with a fifth wheel but a real hassle with a motorcoach," reports a camper about Red's Twilight on the Erie RV Resort.
Road surface variations: RV parks have different internal road configurations. "Most of the roads in the park are paved with the exception of the pull-thru section in the front of the park (N12-N25) which is gravel. All campsite pads are gravel except for three long pull-thrus that are paved(M24-M26)," notes a visitor to Southwoods RV Resort.
WiFi reliability: Internet access varies by park and occupancy. "We had free WiFi which worked well except during peak hours and over the weekend when the park was full," shares a camper at Southwoods RV Resort.