Camping opportunities near Baldwinsville, New York range from state parks to family-owned farms with cabin rentals. Located in Onondaga County at approximately 400 feet above sea level, the area experiences warm summers with average July temperatures around 82°F and cold winters dropping to 16°F in January. Several campgrounds remain open from April through October, with most closing by mid-October before snowfall begins.
What to do
Swimming at designated beaches: Green Lakes State Park Campground offers a large beach area on its uniquely colored glacial lakes. "The bathrooms have been remodeled and most are private with a toilet, shower and sink which makes this a wonderful family campground," notes one camper at Green Lakes State Park Campground.
Fishing for multiple species: Fair Haven Beach State Park provides lake access for anglers of all skill levels. "We camped here two nights at the lake view area and loved it! Spacious sites, not all are enclosed with trees but still plenty of room to spread out," according to a visitor at Bluff Camping Area.
Kayaking on calm waters: Both lakes and rivers in the region offer paddling opportunities. "Fun place. Access to water and swimming. Nice playgrounds. We kayaked in the lake it was a lot of fun," reports one visitor about Cross Lake Park Campgrounds.
Hiking on maintained trails: Multiple trail systems offer routes for various ability levels. One camper mentioned, "The hiking includes an easy 3.1 mile loop with much shade around two glacier formed turquoise lakes."
What campers like
Private bathrooms: Many campgrounds have upgraded their facilities with individual bathroom units. "The bathrooms are well spaced and plentiful, and well maintained. The showers are actual showers, and are taller than I am (which is nice!)," writes a visitor at Yogi Bears Jellystone Park Camp Resort.
Spacious campsites: Sites at many campgrounds provide ample room for setup. "Sites were very spacious! Great camping location with plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy or just sit and enjoy the peace," notes a visitor at Cayuga Lake State Park Campground.
River access: Several campgrounds offer direct river or lake frontage. "Fantastic first trip with our new camper. Excellent site right on the little salmon river. Kids had a great time and the adults enjoyed it just as much," according to one Jellystone visitor.
Farm settings: For a different experience, some locations offer camping on working farms. A visitor at Woonton Family Farms shared, "We had an excellent stay at the farm of the Woonton Family Farms with our RV, it was a cozy and beautiful campsite with personal attention of the owner. We had a great campfire, fresh blackberries and the option of canoeing."
What you should know
Bathroom codes: Some campgrounds restrict bathroom access. "Great Views from Tent Sites. You need a code to use the bathroom and there is only 1. Showers could be closer and seem more accommodating to day users," explains a visitor at Oneida Shores County Park.
Watercraft restrictions: Rules about personal watercraft vary by location. One camper noted, "You cannot bring your own kayaks you have to rent."
Maintenance issues: Some facilities report occasional upkeep problems. A camper observed, "Signs/photo ops were crooked/loose/broken. Planted annual flowers were dead, overgrown with weeds. Miniature golf holes were falling apart."
Seasonal considerations: Weather affects camping conditions significantly. "Campground is recently paved. Lots of geese, therefore lots of goose poop. Sites are small and close together. Nice wooded setting on the lake," reports an Oneida Shores visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose sites near play areas for convenience. "Nice playground and bathrooms available. Life guards around. Nice playground and bathrooms available," notes a camper about Oneida Shores.
Kid-friendly activities: Several campgrounds offer organized events. A visitor at Pleasant Lake Campground shared, "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."
Event scheduling: Plan around peak activity times. "This campground offers so much for people of all ages. Crafts, Games, Activities, Playground, Pool, Bouncy pillow, Twice Daily wagon rides with Yogi and Boo Boo, Bike parades," explained a Jellystone visitor.
Beach selection: Beaches vary in depth and safety features. "The beach is wide and shallow in most areas. In close proximity to the store and snack shop (ICE CREAM)," according to a Green Lakes visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Check specific site measurements before booking. "I booked this site for one night and ended up staying three. Trying to avoid the heat, I was relieved that the shaded electric camping area staved off most of the days heat," reports a camper at Bluff Camping Area.
Hookup quality: Water and electrical connections may vary. "We arrived late around 9. The fire pit was dirty with trash. The water hookups were stuck or coated with paint. The site next to us had the same problem," noted a visitor at Riverforest Park Campground.
Off-season advantages: Consider camping during shoulder seasons. "I found this location to have very clean sites with plenty of amenities. Had no issues with the Wi-Fi watching Bills games and play a few video games," shared a visitor about Pleasant Lake Campground.
Nearby services: Some campgrounds offer delivery services. "Close to grocery, great walks and fun lake to swim in," explains a Green Lakes camper about the location's convenience.
