Best Tent Camping near Oswego, NY

If you're looking for a place to pitch your tent near Oswego, look no further. The Dyrt helps you find campsites with tent camping near Oswego. From remote to easy-to-reach, these Oswego campsites are perfect for tent campers.

Best Tent Sites Near Oswego, NY (11)

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Showing results 1-10 of 11 campgrounds

Recent Tent Reviews in Oswego

214 Reviews of 11 Oswego Campgrounds


  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Verona Beach State Park Campground
    Oct. 14, 2024

    Verona Beach State Park Campground

    Nice stop

    We needed a campground not too far off our route from Niagara Falls to NH and this was great. Very windy when we arrived. Our campsite 8 did not have a fire ring but others did. Right on water…can’t drive on path in front of the water sites so you are essentially on the water. Nice clean facilities.

  • R
    Camper-submitted photo from Sterling Creek Campground
    Sep. 30, 2024

    Sterling Creek Campground

    Lipstick on a pig

    After 6 years of 2 weeks visits

    Pros: New owners have made improvements to be up to code and qualifications for KOA standards. 

    Cons: Still has environment of nosy, trashy seasonal campers who are always being rude or commenting on your gear/unit. 

    If you are looking for a quick flip bit same ole suspects, this is the place for you.

  • m
    Camper-submitted photo from Cayuga Lake State Park Campground
    Sep. 24, 2024

    Cayuga Lake State Park Campground

    Tent camping in a backyard

    Tent camping here felt like we were camping in a neighborhood backyard. We could hear so many different families talking and really doing everything you do while camping but the area felt so open and unobstructed voices carried and in the evening when everyone was building campfires the smoke could be overwhelming at times.

  • Jim G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Brennans Bay Campground and Marina
    Sep. 4, 2024

    Brennans Bay Campground and Marina

    Great RV park with Marina

    A great park on Sandy Pond and Lake Ontario.  Mostly Permanent sites with 6 transient sites overlooking the marina.  The park has a nice pool, pavilion, store and kids playground with a basketball court.  Great area for fishing, bass, trout, salmon and walleye.  Very clean and well maintained park.

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Winona State Forest
    Aug. 8, 2024

    Winona State Forest

    Small but quiet campsite

    Pulled in on a Thursday afternoon and found a single camp site. While there I talked to a state forest maintenance guy. He said there were currently two camping sites and that more might be added.

    The campsite was just feet off of Bargy Road. The only amenity was a fire ring made of rocks. The campsite appears to be the trailhead for a man-made trail.

    It rained while we were here but overall the campsite was quiet and peaceful.

  • Randall K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Green Lakes State Park Campground
    Jul. 17, 2024

    Green Lakes State Park Campground

    If you love a good bathroom…

    Yes, it’s true! You’ve hit the campground bathroom lottery here!

    Let’s start off with the pros: bathrooms are great! Super modern and clean and hot, free showers! Very handicap accessible as well.

    The whole campground is very well kept. Completely litter free and all the buildings and signs are modern and cool looking. Five stars all the way for the people running this place. They are doing an awesome job keeping it very fresh.

    Maintenance/facilities: 5 stars

    Camping sites:

    I’ll start with the positive. It was a simple and easy, level site. And we had electric. So it was good.

    The cons: There is zero privacy here. Virtually no trees or shrubs between sites and sites are close to each other. In the rolling meadow sites opt for the electric as the tent only sites are basically a sardine can of campers. I mean in one spot the tents were so close to each other I thought it was a group campsite but it was not. Like a group hostel room but with tents instead of bunks.

    We were only here for 1 night passing through and it was great for that but I would not feel comfortable hanging outside at my site in quarters so close. Maybe I’m just weird because many people did. I can’t imagine spending any longer than 1-2 nights here. I would stay again but would check out other camp spots first. In our area 118 and 120 seemed to the best that backed up onto trees as opposed to just other sites.

    Camping sites: 2 stars

    Amenities: there’s a lot to do here. However I feel I must say you cannot reach the lakes from the rolling meadow campground without a car, bike or very long walk. You can see a bit of round lake through the trees but it really isn’t accessible. Expectations are the doom of any trip so just keep that in mind. You’re not going to bed with any sort of lake views or sounds near you. Also you can only swim at the beach which is pretty small and guarded by some pretty enthusiastic lifeguards taking the job pretty seriously. I guess you will appreciate it if you have little kids to me it was a turn off as I don’t prefer to feel like a fish in a bowl when I swim. But again this is just personal preference! Also there were a lot of rules at this tiny beach - more than I have seen at pretty much any other beach anywhere in the world. Mostly I assume the rules are there to protect the water which I can appreciate but don’t expect a relaxing lake vibe here. Lots of picnic tables and a perfect place to have a picnic and chill for a bit. Very clean beach bath area and I really appreciated the charging station with 4 covered outlets available and a charging counter. I didn’t use it but was impressed someone thought to add that in to the building plans.

    With all the rules in place there is just one missing: No political propaganda of any type should be allowed at the campsites. We were almost blinded by idiocy each time we walked to the bathroom as we had to go past a full size Trump flag someone was flying in front of their site. Can’t even imagine the rage I would’ve felt if I had to camp next to that. Fortunately I found a cut through in the woods which I used to get around it on the way to the bathroom. Camping is where you go to get away from all of it! This is state owned land and they should not be allowing that sort of inflammatory full sized political flag in any area as it only raises the blood pressure instead of dropping it. You can’t bring your own SUP or kayak, face mask or list of any other things to the lake (rules) but you can have your heart attack inducing propaganda all over your site and in everyone else’s face - makes no sense.

    Would I stay here again: Yes. But only for 1 night passing through. I felt too crowded to be there for any length of time. It was hard for me to relax outside.

    Value was a 5 star because I had full electric for $30/night and there was plenty to do. I should note for kids this place is a goldmine! Great playgrounds everywhere and you can rent kayaks. And it’s great for bikes. And it was all very handicap accessible which I thought was very impressive. You can tell a lot of thought went into the facility side of park. If they cut out 1/4 of the camp sites it would be spacious and amazing. And the trumpeter is just a case of bad timing for me, not a permanent thing (although I do think they should ban that decoration of insanity at state run parks).

  • Bella J.
    Camper-submitted photo from Southwick Beach State Park Campground
    Jun. 23, 2024

    Southwick Beach State Park Campground

    Not for me

    Unfortunately when we arrived at southwick the rangers & staff had all gone home so we were unable to get a map or check in. We went to our camp site & there were people playing very loud music until about 12am, no rangers around the say anything about quiet hours so I had to. Sites are on top of eachother & there’s no boarders inbetween, fine for some people but not for me. After it rained one night our site & others around us were completely flooded. The beach area & bathhouses we’re nice though so that helped the stay not be a complete wash

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lakeview Camping Area — Fair Haven Beach State Park
    Dec. 28, 2023

    Lakeview Camping Area — Fair Haven Beach State Park

    We decided to move on

    We drove through here but didn’t stay. 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. 

    We drove through the “bluffs” loop (electric sites), thinking it would be beautiful and look out on the water, but it was a nightmare for us, with huge RVs jam packed side by side like a parking lot. 

    The lakeview loop was nicer, but still too many RVs all in a row. There are also cute cabins here for rent. 

    When we were there the city was under a water advisory- all water had to be boiled before any kind of use. There was a dump station, and trash bins but no recycling (I’m disappointed in the lack of recycling at NY State campgrounds!) So, we moved on to Selkirk SP and stayed there instead.

  • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Selkirk Shores State Park Campground
    Dec. 28, 2023

    Selkirk Shores State Park Campground

    4 Different Loops

    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, no thanks. Apparently C and D are always booked and full, because people like that it’s closest to the beach trail, the playground, and the camp store. We chose a site in loop B and were happy with our choice. None of the sites at the campground have any privacy from your neighbor, you’re all sort of camped in a big circle. Sites 66 and 67 are the exception that we saw, they’re off together to the side and would be a good choice for two groups camping together. 

    There are dumpsters here, and there’s recycling for redeemable bottles and cans only, with proceeds going to the campground’s rec center. That was the most recycling I’ve seen offered at a NY state park campground yet, at least it’s something. 

    All sites are electric, some are 30 and some are 50amp. There’s a nice new dump station with several dumps and potable water. Good cell reception for both Verizon and ATT. NY State campgrounds require proof of rabies vaccinations for your dogs.

  • Ashley F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from The PineApple Farm
    Oct. 27, 2023

    The PineApple Farm

    New listing

    Ashley here with The Dyrt. We're happy to welcome this new property to our platform. Check them out and come back here to leave some love!

  • Carl G.
    Camper-submitted photo from Drumlin A Camping Area — Fair Haven Beach State Park
    Oct. 2, 2023

    Drumlin A Camping Area — Fair Haven Beach State Park

    love Fairhaven Beach

    We have been coming here for years. Nice large beach, swimming, fishing in Ontario or Sterling pond. Boat launch, or small boat launch in Sterling pond. The town has a small town charm, a couple of small shops, ice cream, mini golf, etc. It's worth the trip. Campground will also deliver wood to the site. One downside, NYS needs to upgrade electricity and make more sites electric. Lots of picnicking during the weekend.

  • Noah D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Towsley Road Dispersed Camping
    Sep. 24, 2023

    Towsley Road Dispersed Camping

    great little spot

    nice place to sleep. good for someone who doesn’t want something too off the road. when you get to the destination you have to go a little more up the road until you see a sign and a sand patch on the side of the road.

  • Sara B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Cayuga Lake State Park Campground
    Sep. 2, 2023

    Cayuga Lake State Park Campground

    Large Campground, Small Sites

    Cayuga Lake State Park has a massive campground but most of the sites don't have water or electricity and are squeezed together in tiny loops. If you stay, I'd recommend the 800 or 1000 loops--the sites were much bigger in those areas. But we stayed in the 100 loop (appropriately named "Minnow) and ended up leaving early because our neighbors were just too close for comfort. 

    The lakefront area of the park was very nice and we enjoyed walking on the drive down in front of the lake. Plus, Seneca Falls is an adorable town and it was great to visit the Women's Rights National Historic Park and the homes of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Harriett Tubman, while we were in the area! 

    To be fair to this park, we came directly from Watkins Glen State Park (which we loved) and our neighbors were rambunctious. We may have had a better opinion, had the circumstances been different. And in any event, we did really enjoy the area but decided to leave after 2 nights (rather than the 5 we had booked). 

    Oh and if you have a boat--the dock area of the park seemed really nice. We'd have loved to get out on the lake!

  • B M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Streamside RV Park & Golf Course
    Sep. 1, 2023

    Streamside RV Park & Golf Course

    Small campground

    We stopped here for a night going from Niagara Falls area to upper vermont. All sites are a back in site yet it was long enough for us to stay hooked up. We had full hook up. The sites are tight like most RV parks. The office is at the 19th hole. There is a bar that serves food called Divots. They had prime rib on the menu yet Sundays they close early so we didn't get to eat there. 

    There is a 12 hole golf coarse that surrounds the campground. 

    There are a lot of seasonal campsites that have decks, nice furniture out at their spots. They all left Sunday afternoon yet the rigs stay there.

    we paid #37.50 for a one night stay. That is a good price for full hook up.

  • G
    Camper-submitted photo from Willows on the Lake
    Aug. 29, 2023

    Willows on the Lake

    Good Overnight stop

    Mostly long term folks but transient spots have easy road access. Clean bathrooms good WiFi. Sites are gravel, pretty level. Campground is well maintained.

  • M
    Camper-submitted photo from Oneida Shores County Park
    Aug. 28, 2023

    Oneida Shores County Park

    Campground Nazis

    We recently booked a weekend stay at Oneida Shores campground. This wasn't our first stay here but will most likely be our last. Upon arrival, we pulled in front of the office and decided to turn around knowing we would be going in the other direction towards the lake. As we were turning around, another car was pulling in but stopped to let us turn around. We were immediately met by the irate campground owner screaming at us telling us it was a one way and we couldn't go that way. So we tried to back up and he screamed at us to stay off the grass. My husband asked where do you want me to go and the owner just threw his hands in the air and went to the other car. I got out of the car to get our reservation as my husband was too upset. Side note, there are no signs marking the road as a one way. I told the owner my son would be camping with us and would be arriving later. He said he would have to park in the parking lot which is quite a walk from our site. The campsite allows two tents per site but apparently only one car although there was plenty of room for him to park there. My son arrived late as he had been attending the NYS Fair that night. He went to the parking lot as instructed and was met with a flashlight in his face and was questioned by police. He then had to carry all of his camping gear from the parking lot to the campsite. My sister and brother in law also had a run in with the police patrolling the campground. While we were camping in tents on the lakefront, they brought their camper and were in the RV side of the campground. They drove down to our site for dinner and a campfire. They left to return to their camper around 10pm. They were met at their site with flashlights in the face. Two cops questioned them separately asking if they were lost and said that they were observed driving in circles. My sister and brother in law explained that they were yelled at earlier by the owner for driving the wrong way so they were just making their way back. The police response was that they don't like strangers here. We have had a couple issues with the owners of this campground in previous years. One year they yelled at us for putting a tent on the border between two sites even though we purchased both sites. Another year they sold us green wood that would not burn and last year, our site was infested with bees. We keep returning because we love attending the NYS Fair and staying at the lakeside campground is a beautiful and inexpensive way to make a weekend out of it but between the irate owners and the police harassment, it no longer seems worth it.

  • Tate T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Oneida Shores County Park
    Aug. 25, 2023

    Oneida Shores County Park

    Camping with the boys

    We did a over night camp as a send off for one of my buddies. The campground was beautiful right on Oneida lake. Good luck at underwater welding school Cannon!!!!

  • Kevin M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cayuga Lake State Park Campground
    Aug. 23, 2023

    Cayuga Lake State Park Campground

    Tent sites were spacious, some privacy

    The tent sites on the west camp were roomy and reasonably private, but there weren't many water locations and no electric on that side of the park. The facilities were about as nice as you can expect at a state run campground. We're already planning to go back next year for more nights.

  • V
    Camper-submitted photo from Pleasant Lake Campground
    Aug. 21, 2023

    Pleasant Lake Campground

    Great place, fantastic people

    This is a fantastic place for kids and adults. There are rent, RV sites and cabins. The RV sites are spacious enough that you don’t feel like you are too close. A beautiful private lake for fishing, swimming and other water sports. Beautiful woodsy location. Special events that the family will enjoy. The people that run the campground and the seasonal folks are the BEST! We love it there!

  • Gib D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Junius Ponds
    Aug. 7, 2023

    Junius Ponds

    Nice place

    Well taken care of place. Friendly staff. Plenty of space between sites. Nice pool and games to play.


Drive Time


Guide to Oswego

Oswego, New York, offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for a memorable experience in nature.

Tent campers should check out Stoneys Pineville Campground

  • Enjoy a friendly atmosphere and great fishing opportunities at Stoneys Pineville Campground, located right on the river.
  • This campground allows pets, making it a perfect choice for families who want to bring their furry friends along.
  • With amenities like showers and toilets, you can enjoy the great outdoors without sacrificing comfort.

Local activities for adventure seekers

Tips for tent camping near Oswego

  • Make sure to pack your own firewood if you plan to stay at Sunset RV Park, as it does not provide this amenity.
  • Bring plenty of drinking water and supplies when visiting The PineApple Farm, as it’s a more secluded spot with limited resources.
  • Always check the campground's specific rules regarding pets and fires to ensure a smooth camping experience at places like Twilight on the Erie RV Resort.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Oswego, NY?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Oswego, NY is Stoneys Pineville Campground with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find tent camping near Oswego, NY?

    TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Oswego, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.