North Chili is located in western New York's Monroe County, with an elevation of approximately 600 feet and a humid continental climate featuring cold, snowy winters and warm summers. Camping options surround the area within a 25-mile radius, including state parks, private campgrounds, and RV resorts. The regional camping season typically runs from May through October, with most facilities closing during winter months due to heavy snowfall.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill offers extensive trail networks for hikers of varying skill levels. "Lots of trails at the park for hikers, mountain bikers and trail runners. Follow the Finger Lakes Trail all the way into town," notes one visitor to Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill.
Swimming options: Natural water features provide alternatives to traditional pool swimming during summer months. "The gorge trail is very busy but you still can enjoy the beautiful waterfalls along with the gorge formation... The picnic area is nice. There's a ton of picnic tables and the area is spread out," explains a visitor to Stony Brook State Park Campground.
Fishing access: Several parks offer stocked ponds and lake access for fishing enthusiasts. A visitor to Timberline Lake Park describes it as "Super chill and secluded feeling. It's really quiet and you can really feel like you're getting away out here."
Wildlife viewing: The natural wooded settings provide habitat for diverse wildlife species. "Deer, chipmunks and rabbits will say hi in the early and late hours," reports a camper who stayed at Ontario County Park, highlighting the morning and evening wildlife viewing opportunities.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Southwoods RV Resort earns praise for its thoughtful site layout. "We had a fire pit and picnic table and there was nice grass between sites," notes a camper at Southwoods RV Resort.
Clean facilities: Webster Park maintains high standards for their bathroom facilities. "The washrooms facility is very close and speaking for the men's side, it had 2 stalls, 2 urinals, 2 showers, multiple sinks, and a sturdy baby changing station," shares a visitor to Webster Park.
Accessibility to attractions: The strategic location provides access to regional points of interest. "The campground is about 20-25 miles from downtown Rochester and located in a quiet rural setting surrounded by farmland," explains a visitor to Southwoods RV Resort, highlighting its convenient location for exploring the region.
Water recreation: Multiple parks feature water activities as central attractions. "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," shares an enthusiast at Stony Brook State Park Campground.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most parks require advance booking, especially during peak summer weekends. "Book early. Bring your hiking shoes & camera. The gorge is spectacular," advises a visitor to Letchworth State Park Campground.
Park regulations: Rules regarding alcohol, noise levels, and pet restrictions vary by location. "All the facilities were nice and clean which is always a plus and you are not far from shopping or groceries if needed," notes a visitor to Darien Lakes State Park Campground about the convenience of local services.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds close for winter. "We stayed at Southwoods while visiting the Rochester, NY area and exploring attractions in the area... We stayed four nights (which included a weekend) and experienced the park going from half full and quiet to packed with lots of music, all-day fires, and big gatherings," explains a guest, highlighting how weekday and weekend experiences can differ significantly.
Yurt camping options: Several parks near North Chili offer yurt accommodations as alternatives to traditional tent camping. Darien Lakes State Park Campground features year-round yurt options with heating systems for off-season comfort, while Ontario County Park offers cabins with "new and ample beds and space."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play equipment for children. "Very well managed, peaceful, friendly and well maintained Camping resort," shares a visitor to Southwoods RV Resort, which maintains "2 well kept pools, playgrounds, laundry facilities, mini golf, soccer, basketball."
Activity scheduling: Canandaigua-Rochester KOA offers structured programming for families. "Our first KOA stop, so can't compare to other KOAs, but this place has a good number of family activities and events. Our 3 and 5 year olds really enjoyed the jump pad and woods obstacles," explains one parent.
Kid-friendly hiking: Select trails suitable for younger hikers. "Quiet relaxing atmosphere, lots of hiking trails and family friendly with parks and a pool for the kids to play," notes a visitor to Letchworth State Park Campground.
Water safety: Prepare for varying swimming conditions. "The campground is quite large and has separate sections for seasonal and transient campers and has a variety of different campsites from back-ins to pull-thrus, 50 to 30-amps, and full hook-up to water and electric only," explains a visitor to Southwoods RV Resort about the range of accommodation options.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose sites based on specific needs for rig size and hookups. "All sites in that section are on grass and water/electric," notes a visitor to Southwoods RV Resort about specialized camping areas.
Leveling requirements: Terrain varies significantly between campgrounds. "Make sure to bring plenty of leveling blocks as some sites are far from level," advises a camper who stayed at Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill.
Hookup accessibility: RV sites typically include water and electrical connections. "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. The water pressure and electric were good," shares a visitor to Southwoods RV Resort.
Dump station locations: Note sanitation facility locations before arrival. "Dump stations are present, but I haven't used them yet," reports a visitor to Ontario County Park, suggesting first-time visitors should confirm operational status.
