Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill sits at approximately 2,256 feet above sea level, making it one of the highest points in the Finger Lakes region for luxury camping near Canandaigua. The park offers a mix of wooded tent sites and upgraded cabins within a 30-minute drive of downtown Canandaigua. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing from November through April, so most glamping operations close during these months.
What to do
Fishing at local ponds: Flint Creek Campground offers a peaceful creek setting perfect for casual fishing. "The creek is wonderful to fish in and sit by. There are things for kids to do and they have planned activities," notes Amy T., though she cautions "the spring can be tricky with the rain, some sites can get messy."
Hiking wooded trails: Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill features multiple hiking paths suitable for different skill levels. "Plenty of trails at the park for hikers, mountain bikers and trail runners. Follow the Finger Lakes Trail all the way into town," recommends Danielle P. The park also offers "stunning overlook that is breathtaking" according to Sarah C.
Wildlife viewing: Webster Park provides opportunities to spot local wildlife in a natural setting. "Deer, chipmunks and rabbits will say hi in the early and late hours," reports Dayne B. from Ontario County Park, making early morning or dusk the best times for animal sightings.
What campers like
Spacious camping areas: Sampson State Park Campground receives consistent praise for its generous sites. "Large tent and RV sites most with electric. Potable water fill station and dump tanks at entrance/exit," writes Stephanie C., adding "Loop 5 has beautiful views of the lake."
Clean facilities: Watkins Glen State Park maintains high standards for their restrooms. "The bathhouses are clean and well lit at night," reports Deb S., while Lori F. notes that "some of the shower houses are better than others," suggesting campers check reviews for specific loops before booking.
Lake recreation: Cayuga Lake State Park offers excellent swimming opportunities. "Kayaking in Cayuga Lake was not lacking some beautiful views," writes Laura Nicole A., while Colleen M. describes the sites as "very spacious!" with "plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy or just sit and enjoy the peace."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds in the region have spotty connectivity. At Flint Creek Campgrounds, "don't expect any cell phone service. I've had friends who climbed up on top of their RV and still, no signal," warns Lela S., noting it's "out in the middle of nowhere, hard to find but extremely worth it."
Seasonal considerations: Junius Ponds operates from April 15 to October 15 annually. "Well maintained and friendly staff. Clean facilities. Most sites can accommodate large rigs with full hookups," reports Jim C., adding that reservations are "recommended especially during summer weekends."
Water access logistics: At Sampson State Park, Amanda K. points out that "there is only 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." The park also has "only 2 dump stations."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Canandaigua-Rochester KOA has strong family amenities. "This KOA has all that you need for a relaxing family trip. It is close to the finger lakes, is clean, has kid activities and a pond where the fish are easy to catch with hotdogs!" shares Amy T.
Child-friendly recreation: Cayuga Lake offers recreational options for all ages. "Great playground for my son to enjoy and meet other kiddos," notes Dayne B., while Jeremy T. suggests bringing "lots of bugspray and fire starters as it does rain up here which affects the fire wood."
Activity planning: Greg S. recommends scheduling time for the town amenities: "Canandaigua is a really cool little town too and has a beautiful lakefront park with beach and playground, only ten minutes from this campground."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Webster Park has a unique layout that affects RV placement. "The motor home sites are all along the entrance road. The small and large trailer sites are distributed around the loop," explains Scott C., who adds that staying "close to the playground" works well for families with children.
Hookup planning: Janelle G. advises Webster Park visitors to come prepared: "You need a long hose for fresh water in the RV. No sewer sites." Despite this limitation, she rated the park highly: "Friendly people, plenty for the kids to do. Playground in walking distance and private sites!"
Leveling preparations: At Ontario County Park, Jonathan G. recommends RVers "make sure to bring plenty of leveling blocks as some sites are far from level," though he notes the campground has "plenty of room on each site for whatever you need."
