Orwell sits between Lake Ontario and the Salmon River, making it a prime gateway for camping experiences in Upstate New York. Most campgrounds near Orwell remain open from mid-May through mid-October, with typical summer daytime temperatures ranging from 75-85°F. Several campgrounds in this area offer cabin accommodations with varying levels of amenities and access to local water features.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Yogi Bears Jellystone Park Camp Resort offers direct access to salmon fishing along the Salmon River. "For the fisherman, it's located on Salmon River and appears to have quite a lot of large salmon this time of year. I was shocked at the size of the fish that were being cleaned," notes Justin F.
Beach activities: Southwick Beach State Park Campground features extensive shoreline access with sandy areas. "BEST beach in CNY-sandbar goes on forever-campsites roomy and well taken care of," states Theresa F. The park maintains a supervised swimming area during summer months.
Water recreation: At Delta Lake State Park Campground, visitors find multiple water access points. "Having the kayaks were great, there's so much to explore, and town is right down the road," reports Sierra K. The park includes two boat ramps for easy launching of personal watercraft.
What campers like
Sunsets over Lake Ontario: Campgrounds along the shoreline provide exceptional viewing opportunities. "Great place to watch the sun set," a visitor at Selkirk Shores State Park Campground notes. The park's positioning allows for unobstructed views across the water.
Variety of accommodation options: From rustic to upscale, the area offers multiple lodging types. At Yogi Bears Jellystone Park Camp Resort at Mexico, "the cabins were really nice and the pool was very clean," reports Sara H. This provides alternatives to traditional tent camping.
Family programming: State parks organize structured activities for younger visitors. At Selkirk Shores, one camper highlighted, "they had a reptile exhibit with huge snakes and crocodiles, another day they had tie dyeing t-shirts, other days they had bingo(candy was the prize), exercises, and crafty things to make."
What you should know
Loop differences: Campgrounds often have distinct areas with different atmospheres. At Selkirk Shores, "This campground is 4 different loops- A loop is like the loop for people here for fishing, B loop is the mellower crowd, and C and D were our nightmares: mass chaos, children running amok, loud groups."
Seasonal flooding: Water levels can affect beach access and site conditions. "The lake level flooding a few yrs ago ruined the sandy beach, but it's still a great view," notes a visitor at Ontario Shores RV Park.
Hookup limitations: Not all sites offer full services. At Jellystone Park, one camper noted "No sewer hookups available but does had a dump station on your way out." Many campgrounds offer electrical hookups but limited water connections to individual sites.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Green Lakes State Park Campground offers specialized recreation areas. "Beach also has a great playground for kids that is perfect for play and swim," reports Kelly J. This allows for convenient supervision while parents relax nearby.
Bike-friendly camping loops: Some areas are better suited for children's activities. Regarding Delta Lake State Park, a visitor stated, "Spacious, mostly flat sides. Complete shade and a lot of sites right on the water," making it safer for younger campers to explore.
Wildlife programs: Educational opportunities exist at several parks. "The campground was clean and staff friendly," notes one Selkirk Shores visitor, while others mentioned organized nature activities throughout the summer season.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Sun Outdoors Association Island, experienced campers recommend: "I definitely recommend the sunrise side. The sunset is of course beautiful but sunrise sites are much bigger and can lead right to the water which is much nicer. It's a lot less windy and easier to be in the water."
Hookup availability: Most campgrounds offer electric sites, but full-service options vary. At Green Lakes, "This state park campground is one of the few that offer full hook ups," notes Sheri S.
Pull-through access: Ontario Shores RV Park provides "7 overnight pull thru full hookup sites with concrete patio. Sites are level and spacious." This makes setup and departure easier for larger rigs with towed vehicles.
