Selkirk Shores State Park sits along Lake Ontario's shoreline at an elevation of about 300 feet. The Pulaski area features a mix of lakeside camping and inland forest options, with seasonal temperature fluctuations that create distinct camping seasons. Water levels on Lake Ontario can fluctuate significantly between years, affecting beach access at lakefront campgrounds.
What to do
Salmon fishing: Located on the Salmon River, Yogi Bears Jellystone Park Camp Resort at Mexico offers prime fishing opportunities. "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," shares Justin F.
River exploration: Kids can enjoy splashing in the water at Yogi Bears Jellystone. "The kids had a blast playing in the river, heck the adults had fun too. Camp sites were good size and easy to access," notes Carrie N. The river offers opportunities for wading and catching crayfish.
Golfing: Streamside RV Park & Golf Course combines camping with a 12-hole golf course. "There is a 12 hole golf coarse that surrounds the campground," mentions B M. The campground caters specifically to adult golfers, with no children present.
What campers like
Beach access: Southwick Beach State Park Campground offers extensive waterfront recreation. "BEST beach in CNY-sandbar goes on forever-campsites roomy and well taken care of," notes Theresa F. The sandy shore extends far into the lake, creating shallow swimming areas.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain spotless amenities. At Southwick Beach, "bathrooms are meticulously cleaned" according to Theresa F. This attention to cleanliness extends to shower facilities at multiple parks in the area.
Marina access: Brennans Bay Campground and Marina offers boating opportunities directly from your campsite. "A great park on Sandy Pond and Lake Ontario. Mostly Permanent sites with 6 transient sites overlooking the marina," reports Jim G. The location provides direct access for fishing various species.
What you should know
Site privacy varies: Campgrounds offer different levels of separation between sites. At Selkirk Shores State Park Campground, "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." Laura M. explains this helps campers choose appropriate areas.
Weather considerations: Lake Ontario can create unpredictable conditions. "Got to the park on Friday night with storms looming about. Our fire pit was underwater. Lake Ontario was so high, there was barely any beach, and the wind was insane," describes Gabrielle C.
Seasonal access: Most campgrounds operate from May through mid-October. Streamside RV Park runs from April 15 to October 15, while Selkirk Shores opens May 13 and closes October 16.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Stoneys Pineville Campground provides river access for family fishing trips. "We have been out three years consecutively for salmon fishing and I have had a great time what a great place to stay," shares Eric F. The location is ideal for introducing children to fishing.
Water play options: Jellystone Park offers multiple water recreation choices for children. "Crafts, Games, Activities, Playground, Pool, Bouncy pillow, Twice Daily wagon rides with Yogi and Boo Boo, Bike parades, River access, Fishing, Tubing, Lounging," lists Cory W. about the extensive family-oriented activities.
Beach safety: Southwick Beach provides secure swimming areas for children. "Lake Ontario is an amazing lake to be on and the water is pretty warm in the summer time. The waves don't get too big, so it is very safe for kids," explains Matt G.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Camping near Pulaski offers various levels of RV hookups. At Selkirk Shores, "All sites are electric, some are 30 and some are 50amp. There's a nice new dump station with several dumps and potable water," notes Laura M.
Seasonal considerations: RV sites at Ontario Shores RV Park provide concrete patios and full hookups. "A well kept quiet place. The seasonal campers are friendly. There are 7 overnight pull thru full hookup sites with concrete patio, Sites are level and spacious," reports Tim W. who spent four nights in a motorhome.
Size limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. Streamside RV Park has back-in sites that can work for staying hitched overnight. "All sites are a back in site yet it was long enough for us to stay hooked up. We had full hook up," explains B M., who paid $37.50 for a one-night stay.
