Middlesex, New York sits in the rolling hills of the Finger Lakes region at an elevation of approximately 1,200 feet. The area features a mix of hardwood forests, open fields, and nearby waterways with distinctly warm summers and cold winters. Campers can expect moderate humidity during peak summer camping months with temperatures averaging in the 70s-80s°F from June through August.
What to Do
Hiking nearby trails: Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill offers multiple hiking paths with rewarding views. "Numerous pavilions that are wonderful for parties or weddings. Stunning overlook that is breathtaking (also great for weddings). Hiking, bike trails, fishing pond, playground, open fields for sports, much more!" says Sarah C.
Fishing opportunities: Several local waterways offer productive fishing. Ontario County Park maintains a fishing pond accessible to all skill levels. Kelly H. notes it's a "Good park to go with family. Fishing."
Visit local wineries: The Finger Lakes wine region surrounds Middlesex with dozens of vineyards within driving distance. Danielle P. describes camping at Stony Brook State Park as "beautiful, clean and affordable camping near Naples, NY" which puts you close to wine country.
Swimming in natural settings: Several parks offer swimming opportunities beyond traditional pools. "The gorge trail is very busy but you still can enjoy the beautiful waterfalls along with the gorge formation," notes Verity S. about Stony Brook State Park. She adds, "My favorite part about this park has to be their natural pool. It's beautiful and so refreshing."
What Campers Like
Privacy in tent sites: While RV sites often have less seclusion, tent campers can find more private spots. Jonathan G. notes at Ontario County Park, "Only downside is that the RV sites don't have much shade but the tent sites do."
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting allows for animal sightings. Dayne B. mentions, "Deer, chipmunks and rabbits will say hi in the early and late hours" at Ontario County Park, providing opportunities for nature photography.
Well-maintained facilities: Clean bathrooms and showers consistently receive positive reviews. Jim C. says Junius Ponds has "Well maintained and friendly staff. Clean facilities. Most sites can accommodate large rigs with full hookups."
Affordable camping options: The region offers budget-friendly camping. Stony Brook State Park receives praise as "beautiful, clean and affordable camping near Naples, NY" according to Danielle P.
What You Should Know
Limited connectivity: Cell service is spotty throughout the region. At Flint Creek Campgrounds, Lela S. warns, "Don't expect any cell phone service. I've had friends who climbed up on top of their RV and still, no signal. It's out in the middle of nowhere, hard to find but extremely worth it."
Site leveling challenges: Bring leveling equipment for RVs. Jonathan G. advises, "Make sure to bring plenty of leveling blocks as some sites are far from level."
Weather considerations: The area experiences typical Northeast weather patterns with occasional heavy rainfall. Geoff W. recalls, "Planned this campout about a month ahead and hoped for good weather. Turned out to be a rainy week and weekend, a few dry spells in between."
Reservation recommendations: Weekends fill quickly during summer. Jim C. suggests, "Reservations recommended especially during summer weekends" for Junius Ponds campground.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground options: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. Watkins Glen State Park recently upgraded their facilities according to Lindsay C.: "There is a huge new playground for the kids and lots of area to walk around the loops if you don't want to hike the gorge trail."
Swimming alternatives: When camping with kids, note that some campground pools have additional fees or seasonal availability. Kristine B. shares that her "teenagers even enjoyed the playground!" at Junius Ponds, which also has "a nice pool and games to play" according to Gib D.
Weekend activities: Many campgrounds schedule family-friendly events. Tyler G., a seasonal camper at Tamarack Campground, enjoys that there are "Lots of activities almost every weekend."
Nature exploration for children: Kids can interact with the natural environment. Dorothy P. shares her experience at Stony Brook State Park: "We picked blueberries off a bush near our campsite to have with our breakfast every morning. I love this place because it is a short drive from our home and we feel we are far away from the city."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For larger RVs, request specific sites. Kristine B. describes her experience at Junius Ponds: "We stopped here for the night and it was very pretty, quiet, and clean. 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 (site 88) that made entering and exiting the site nice and easy."
Hookup logistics: Electric hookups may require long cords at some campgrounds. Jonathan G. notes, "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."
Road conditions: Interior campground roads vary in quality and width. Ryan D. found Junius Ponds generally positive: "All in all a very nice place to camp" despite some issues with traffic from seasonal campers.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. Jim C. observed Junius Ponds has "Well priced $42 per night for full hookups," while Dayne B. notes Ontario County Park has "Dump stations are present, but I haven't used them yet."
