Middlesex, New York lies within the rolling hills of the Finger Lakes region, about 1,200 feet above sea level. The area experiences mild summers with average temperatures reaching the upper 70s°F, creating favorable conditions for outdoor recreation. Camping options range from established state parks to private campgrounds, with most facilities open from April through October when overnight temperatures rarely drop below 45°F.
What to do
Fishing at stocked ponds: Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill features a fishing pond where families can enjoy catching fish without complicated gear. "Fishing pond, playground, open fields for sports, much more! Great for photo shoots, weekend stress getaways etc.," notes Sarah C.
Hiking local trails: Several campgrounds offer direct trail access through forested areas. At Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill, "Deer, chipmunks and rabbits will say hi in the early and late hours," according to Dayne B. The park also offers "gorgeous views of the valley within a 5 min walk" of campsites.
Swimming in natural settings: Stony Brook State Park Campground provides a unique swimming experience with its natural pool. As Olivia R. describes, "My favorite part about this park has to be their natural pool. It's beautiful and so refreshing. Great hikes with bunches of little waterfalls and small pools for swimming."
Visiting local museums: Sampson State Park Campground includes a military museum documenting the area's naval training history. Brian O. explains, "It has a Naval museum with many authentic items from that era. Very shady and ample bathroom, shower, and water facilities."
What campers like
Secluded tent sites: For campers seeking more privacy, Stony Brook State Park offers secluded options. Emily S. shares, "I prefer to be secluded and remote, which you never get in a state park! However, we were happy with our campsite choice because we did not stay in the typical loop, instead staying at a campsite by the restrooms."
Level sites with hookups: Keuka Lake State Park Campground offers well-maintained sites with electrical service. Joseph B. notes, "Large grassy sites with privacy between the sites. Most sites have a good level gravel pad to park on. We stayed in the non-electric loop with a small travel trailer, but there are electric sites available."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention the cleanliness of park facilities. At Stay Bristol Woodlands, Justine I. reports, "Campground is adorable, you can see a lot of other campers, but the spots are spaced out. Showers were nice."
Quiet atmosphere: Country Charm Campground provides a relaxed setting without the bustle of activity-focused parks. Ryan D. observes, "If you're looking for a smaller, quieter campground and you don't have kids with you then this is the place."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Several campgrounds in the Middlesex area have poor connectivity. At Flint Creek Campgrounds, Lela S. warns, "However, 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."
Seasonal operating dates: Most campgrounds operate from mid-spring through mid-fall. Keuka Lake State Park operates from May 6 to October 16, while Sampson State Park has a longer season from April 22 to November 8.
Site leveling requirements: Some campgrounds require additional equipment for comfortable setup. At Ontario County Park, Jonathan G. advises, "Make sure to bring plenty of leveling blocks as some sites are far from level."
Water access points: Many campgrounds have centralized water sources rather than individual site hookups. Joseph B. explains at Keuka Lake, "Spigots for water are spaced well enough that with a few lengths you can fill up."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Many campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Canandaigua-Rochester KOA, Amy T. reports it "has all that you need for a relaxing family trip. It is close to the finger lakes, is clean, has kid activities and a pond where the fish are easy to catch with hotdogs!"
Kid-friendly swimming: Natural swimming areas appeal to families with children. At Stony Brook State Park, Dorothy P. shares, "Affordable, family friendly, loved the waterfalls. There is natural clay which my children used to make clay pots which air dried on the grass by our playground."
Nature activities: Wildlife viewing opportunities engage children in outdoor exploration. Verity S. notes, "A great park for bird watching. Particularly if you like Blue Jays. I couldn't get over how many there were!"
Accessible hiking: Several parks offer trails suitable for children. At Sampson State Park, Sheri S. mentions "Dog and kid friendly with activities such as wagon rides, arts and crafts, movie night and various themed weekend events."
Tips from RVers
Shared electrical boxes: At Sampson State Park, Amanda K. cautions, "Electric service boxes are shared in-between sites. This could pose an issue if your power cord is not long enough."
Dump station availability: RVers should note waste disposal options when planning stays. Amanda K. also mentions that Sampson State Park has "only 2 dump stations" which "could end up being a very very long wait if you arrive at the same time as other campers."
Parking orientation restrictions: Some campgrounds have specific requirements for RV positioning. Amanda K. notes that Sampson State Park "doesn't allow pull-in camping. Campers MUST be backed in."
Site spacing and shade: For RV campers seeking more room, Country Charm Campground offers generous sites. Jason describes "nice, large, level, shaded sites" making it "a very peaceful place with an awesome owner."