Panama, New York camping experiences range from lakeside to forest settings with significant variations in facilities and terrain. Situated at around 1,600 feet elevation, the region sits at the border of the Allegheny Plateau and Lake Erie lowlands, creating distinct microclimates between inland forest areas and coastal lake environments. Campsites near Panama, NY often feature transitional forest ecology with both northern hardwoods and mixed oak communities.
What to do
Water activities at Buckaloons Recreation Area: Located on the Allegheny River, this campground offers excellent paddling options. "This is a good river to canoe, kayak or tube on," notes Amanda K. The campground features "a boat ramp onsite" and as George points out, "You can start or end at Buckaloons and make many different combinations of trips to suit your fancy."
Wine tasting tours: The region around Westfield-Lake Erie KOA connects to local vineyards. Shannon C. recommends the "wine trail (Enjoyed Johnson's)" as a worthwhile day trip when staying multiple days. The grape-growing climate creates unique agricultural tourism opportunities within short driving distance.
Night sky viewing: The reduced light pollution at many campsites provides excellent stargazing conditions. John P. at Chautauqua Lake KOA confirms that "Night sky was perfect for viewing stars!" This activity requires no special equipment, though binoculars enhance the experience.
What campers like
Large, private sites: Many campgrounds in the area offer spacious accommodations. According to Jen W., Buckaloons Recreation Area features "roomy and wooded" sites. Similarly, John P. notes that Chautauqua Lake KOA has "the largest sites I've ever seen" with "plenty of space for our 30' TT, truck, and screen house."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms receive frequent mention in reviews. At Camp Chautauqua, Pete D. comments that "grounds were kept nicely" despite being a "popular location." Cyndi B. specifically praises the Westfield-Lake Erie KOA showers as "by far the cleanest and best we have seen yet at any campground."
Sunset views: Lakeside campgrounds offer remarkable evening vistas. Scott M. confirms that at Lake Erie State Park Campground, "the sunset was for sure worth it" and recommends planning evening activities around this natural spectacle. The park's position on elevated bluffs enhances viewing opportunities.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most facilities close by mid-October. Lake Erie State Park operates "May 14 to October 10" according to its listing, while Buckaloons runs "May 12 to October 17." Weather conditions can deteriorate quickly after these dates.
Highway noise: Some campgrounds experience road noise from nearby highways. Cyndi B. notes that at Westfield-Lake Erie KOA, "I-90 abuts the back of the property so you can hear semi trucks all night long, and there also seemed to be freight trains going through nearby with some regularity."
Site conditions at state forests: The less developed camping options require preparation. At Warner Road Dispersed Camping, Rose S. warns about site cleanliness: "The previous people who stayed at our site were messy and left litter, but it served its purpose as a free place to sleep along a longer trip."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. Candi G. recommends Camp Chautauqua as a "fun, family friendly campground" with "lots to do, fishing, swimming pool, petting zoo, hayrides and friendly staff."
Swimming options: Several locations offer swimming facilities. Ryan L. at Westfield-Lake Erie KOA reports "the kids loved the playground and the pool was very clean." Similarly, John P. notes Chautauqua Lake KOA has "nice large parks, mini-golf, and jump pad."
Beach alternatives: Wildwood Acres offers on-site water activities that complement nearby beach options. One reviewer simply states it "has everything you need," making it suitable for families wanting comprehensive facilities without daily travel to lakeshores.
Tips from RVers
Electric service types: Electric hookups vary by campground. Buckaloons offers sites "for surprisingly large RVs and trailers, mostly wired, shaded, and private," according to Kelly C., while Lake Erie State Park provides versatile "15/30/50 amp electric service."
Water fill locations: Water access points aren't always at individual sites. Brian P. explains that at Lake Erie State Park, "The water hookups are NOT at each site, but there is one CLOSE to each site, so you can run your hose over, fill your tank, and disconnect."
RV site dimensions: Site sizes can be limiting at some locations. Tim J. notes that at Buckaloons "our site was not level, but we were able to find the right spot." For longer rigs, Ryan L. advises: "I recommend having an extension power cord handy just in case if you are this long [37.5 feet]. I was able to angle my truck as I needed a few more feet to reach the pedestal."
