Golden Hill State Park Campground overlooks Lake Ontario and offers several camping options including seasonal yurts that are available from May through October. The campground sits at approximately 300 feet above sea level with sites arranged in three distinct loops. Winter temperatures typically drop below freezing while summer highs average in the mid-70s, creating ideal camping conditions for most of the operating season.
What to do
Hiking trails and disc golf: Golden Hill State Park features multiple hiking trails and a disc golf course for visitors to enjoy. "The lighthouse is also worth checking out. There are also Yurts here that can be rented," notes Jeremy H. The park offers well-maintained paths through wooded areas and along the lakeshore, allowing for different difficulty levels and scenic views.
Fishing opportunities: Branches of Niagara Campground provides various fishing spots with boat rentals available. "There's a pretty large pond with a picnic island in the middle and a beach," shares Erin H. At Four Mile Creek State Park, fishing is popular along Lake Ontario's shoreline, with many campers enjoying sunset fishing sessions after a day of exploration.
Swimming options: Sleepy Hollow Lake Campground offers both a saltwater pool and lake swimming. "They have a huge lake to swim in, a salt water pool, fitness center," explains Frank N. Most campgrounds in the region provide swimming areas during the summer months, typically open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Historical exploration: Letchworth State Park offers historical sites within the park boundaries. "Bring your hiking shoes & camera. The gorge is spectacular," advises Rebecca E. The park contains several historical markers and preserved sites that document the region's past, with informational plaques located throughout the hiking trails.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Four Mile Creek State Park maintains exceptional bathroom cleanliness. "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," reports Leah L. Most campgrounds in the area prioritize bathroom maintenance with daily cleaning schedules.
Family activities: Medina Wildwood Lake KOA offers numerous family-friendly 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," shares Amy T. Scheduled activities typically run from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Spacious sites: Darien Lakes State Park provides well-spaced camping areas. "Sites were nice, the area we were in was a little too open for our liking, but in a park with this kind of scenery it was fine because we didn't spend a lot of time at the camper," Jason explains. Most sites accommodate standard camping equipment with room for additional setup.
Lake views: Golden Hill State Park offers unmatched lake vistas. "The best part of Golden Hill is being right on the shore of Lake Ontario," Jeremy H. mentions. These waterfront views change throughout the day, with morning mist often clearing to reveal the lake's vast expanse.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Yurt camping near Medina, New York typically runs from May through October. Most parks close during winter months due to harsh conditions and freezing temperatures. Reservations for yurts should be made at least 3-6 months in advance for summer weekends.
Site differences: Four Mile Creek State Park has varied site layouts. "Some sites in the A-B loops are right next to each other, and we preferred the space for the sites in the C loop," notes Leah L. Research specific site characteristics before booking to ensure it meets your needs.
Bathroom distance: Consider bathroom proximity when selecting sites. "It was quite a hike in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom from our site," Leah L. reports about Four Mile Creek. Most campgrounds have limited bathroom facilities that may be distant from certain camping areas.
Train noise: Southwoods RV Resort experiences occasional train noise. "One downside of this park is that the sites are pretty close and feel a little cramped when the park is full. There is a train track near the park which occasionally is quite noisy," Nancy W. explains. Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Branches of Niagara Campground features modern play equipment. "There was a very nice playground, camping store, and small grill. The employees were very nice and helpful," shares Glynnis A. The playground is centrally located and visible from many campsites for easier supervision.
Swimming options: Six Flags Darien Lake Campground connects to additional entertainment. "This campground is great if you're into the theme park. I used to go to kingdom bound and we always stayed at this campground," mentions Hannah B. The convenience of having swimming and entertainment within walking distance reduces travel time with children.
Educational opportunities: Branches of Niagara Campground offers learning experiences. "Nightly Hayrides around the grounds, and rentals for various boats available. Adult and kid zip lines," describes Erin H. Many organized activities include educational components about local wildlife and ecology.
Site selection for families: When yurt camping in Medina, New York area, choose sites near amenities. "The loops near the Lower Falls are our favorites, but any choice is a good one. All are close to the gorge/river and wooded, and connect to trails directly from your campsite," Harry H. advises about Letchworth State Park. Selecting sites near bathrooms and play areas reduces walking distance for younger children.
Tips from RVers
Hookup reliability: Niagara County Camping Resort has variable power supply. "Our problem was that the low voltage power would trip our EMS. Power went to as low as 109 volts that I saw," reports Gary P. Consider bringing a surge protector when connecting to campground electrical systems.
Site access: Southwoods RV Resort offers various site types. "All campsite pads are gravel except for three long pull-thrus that are paved(M24-M26)," explains Nancy W. Most RV sites are back-in with limited pull-through options, so practice your backing skills before arrival.
Parking surfaces: Different campgrounds have varied parking surfaces that affect leveling. "The campfire ring was right against the pad, which made it difficult to position our pop-up so that it was away from the fire ring," Leah L. notes about Four Mile Creek State Park. Bring extra leveling blocks as many sites throughout the region aren't perfectly level.
