Pittsford area camping spans Monroe County's western woodlands and extends to the scenic Finger Lakes region. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 500-800 feet, with seasonal temperatures ranging from 70-85°F in summer to 30-45°F during spring and fall camping seasons. Potable water access varies significantly between established campgrounds and wilderness sites, with many locations requiring campers to bring their own drinking water during non-peak periods.
What to do
Hiking along gorge trails: Stony Brook State Park Campground offers unique hikes with multiple waterfalls. According to one camper, "Stony brook is one of my all time favs. A clean and welcoming park with gorgeous views and trails for all adventurers." The gorge trail gets busy but remains manageable even during peak times.
Fishing in stocked ponds: Timberline Lake Park provides dedicated fishing spots with higher catch rates than surrounding public waters. A visitor noted it's "Super chill and secluded feeling. Their little cabins are really cute and not too expensive too!"
Seasonal events and tournaments: Many campgrounds organize themed weekends from May through September. Campers at Southwoods RV Resort mention "a busy events calendar throughout the year with lots of get-togethers. During our stay they had a closing weekend pizza and wings party with live music for a small fee."
What campers like
Private woodland sites: Webster Park receives consistent praise for site privacy. A recent visitor observed, "Camp sites are wooded and private. Very quiet and peaceful. Clean and well maintained... will definitely visit again." Many sites back up to accessible hiking trails.
Clean restroom facilities: Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill maintains high standards for facilities. According to one camper, the men's side had "2 stalls, 2 urinals, 2 showers, multiple sinks, and a sturdy baby changing station." Most campgrounds clean bathrooms at least twice daily.
Natural swimming options: Sampson State Park Campground offers swimming in Seneca Lake. A visitor mentioned, "Great little beach and swimming area; water was very clean." The swimming areas typically open from late June through early September, with lifeguards on duty from 11am to 7pm.
What you should know
Water fill station limitations: Some parks have restricted water access points. At Sampson State Park, "There is only one source for water fill up. This could end up being a very very long wait if you arrive at the same time as other campers."
Seasonal camper presence: Junius Ponds has a high percentage of seasonal residents which affects availability. One visitor noted, "Most of the sites are for seasonal guests so it can be difficult to get a reservation."
Variable cell coverage: Some parks have limited connectivity. A camper at Webster Park explained, "Cell phone coverage is poor by Verizon and T-Mobile, and there is no WiFi, and no camp store (but the town of Webster is nearby)."
Site leveling challenges: Ontario County Park requires preparation for uneven terrain. A visitor advised, "Make sure to bring plenty of leveling blocks as some sites are far from level."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: When booking at Webster Park, a parent recommended "We stay close to the playground these days in our pop up usually at site 5 so our 5 and 9 year old can walk or ride to campground. We like site 1 as well."
Recreation options: Letchworth State Park Campground offers family-friendly amenities beyond hiking. As one camper stated, it's "Quiet relaxing atmosphere, lots of hiking trails and family friendly with parks and a pool for the kids to play."
Historic exhibits: Sampson State Park includes educational components. A visitor mentioned, "There is a museum, boat launch, pavilions, and ice cream shop on the camp ground... They were building amazing lakeside cottages the last time I went."
Loop selection: At Lake Bluff RV Park, families prefer certain areas: "We camped in our favorite spot. We camped so much here we got a free nights stay!" The campground maps typically note which loops are designated for family camping.
Tips from RVers
Power cord length: Some parks have unusual hookup placements. At Sampson State Park, "Electric service boxes are shared in-between sites. This could pose an issue if your power cord is not long enough."
Site backing requirements: Some parks have strict parking rules. A camper at Sampson noted, "They don't allow pull-in camping. Campers MUST be backed in."
Weekend capacity: Junius Ponds can get crowded during peak periods. A visitor observed, "A would be beautiful campground is over run with seasonal campers and their golf carts. These fine folks never stop driving and take the time to walk."
Site selection for larger rigs: Avoid disappointment by researching site sizes. At Junius Ponds, one RVer found, "The roads are narrow and hilly, but we pull a 36' 5th wheel (mid-profile) and we had no issues with branches. They had an oversized, long pull through available (site 88) that made entering and exiting the site nice and easy."
