Camping options near Oswego, New York range from family-friendly resorts to quiet lakeside sites along Lake Ontario's southern shore. The region experiences warm summers with average temperatures between 70-80°F and cold winters with lake effect snow, making late spring through early October the prime camping season. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 250-400 feet above sea level, with flat terrain along the lakeshore and gently rolling hills inland.
What to Do
Swimming and beaches: Fairhaven Beach State Park offers an expansive sandy beach on Lake Ontario. "We love this place it has just enough waves that the little kids can jump them. But small enough that they don't get pulled over by the waves," notes Kelly J. about the Lakeview Camping Area.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds provide excellent fishing access. Justin F. shares that Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park "is 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."
Renaissance Festival visits: For a unique cultural experience, the Sterling Renaissance Festival runs weekends in July and August. Scott H. notes that SutterCreek Campground "is a 4 minute drive to the Renaissance Festival. The camp was very quiet and the owners were friendly and helpful."
What Campers Like
Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds provide well-sized sites. Bella J. describes their experience at Bluff Camping Area: "Spacious sites, not all are enclosed with trees but still plenty of room to spread out, we had two tents, two cars, a boat & a pop up table over tent and had plenty of room."
Kid-friendly amenities: Family activities abound at certain resorts. Michael O. says of Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park: "So many activities for the kids, a great pool, mini-golf, parades, just non stop action to keep them going and tire them out!"
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention well-maintained bathrooms and showers. Layla P. shares, "The showers and bathrooms are mostly clean and well stocked and there is a dedicated sink outside the building for dishes."
What You Should Know
Seasonal variations: Some campgrounds offer limited services in shoulder seasons. Carl G. mentions about Drumlin A Camping Area: "One downside, NYS needs to upgrade electricity and make more sites electric. Lots of picnicking during the weekend."
Water conditions: Be aware of potential water advisories. Laura M. notes, "When we were there the city was under a water advisory - all water had to be boiled before any kind of use."
Site selection matters: Not all sites offer equal experiences. Laura P. advises about Selkirk Shores State Park: "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."
Tips for Camping with Families
Nature programming: Look for parks with organized activities. Colleen S. shares about Selkirk Shores State Park Campground: "While we were there 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."
Biking-friendly loops: Some campgrounds offer safe cycling for kids. Justin F. notes that at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park: "Smaller campground than others I have been too but made it nice for kids to rides bikes safely since there weren't golf carts located at this campground."
Wildlife viewing: Kids can spot various animals. Sandy T. describes the experience at Fair Haven Beach State Park: "Swans are everywhere even though they are not native to the area. My grand kids love to fish on the pond and then go to the huge beach at the lake."
Tips from RVers
Hookup options: Electric sites are available but water hookups vary. Frank W. says about Selkirk Shores State Park: "Nice place to camp all electric no water hook ups bath house clean but could use more."
Leveling challenges: Some campsites have terrain issues. Laura M. observes about Fair Haven Beach State Park: "The non-electric sites were pretty much all on hilly areas, most would be impossible for an RV to get level, though there were a few that would have worked."
Dump station access: Many campsites near Oswego, New York provide dump stations. At Thorndon Meadows, you'll find more primitive camping with fewer amenities but beautiful natural surroundings. Ashley F. describes it as "Dispersed camping with Wildlife views! Valerie clearly takes pride in their property."
