Camping spots near Richland, New York include both established campgrounds and primitive options within the region's diverse landscape. The area sits along Lake Ontario's eastern shore, where temperatures can fluctuate rapidly due to lake effect weather patterns. Seasonal campers should note that spring conditions often include higher water levels and muddy sites after winter thaw.
What to do
Salmon fishing access: Stoneys Pineville Campground provides riverside sites popular with anglers. According to one visitor, it's a "great site for fishing" with "friendly hosts and great place on the river." Another camper reported they've "been out three is consecutively for salmon fishing and I have had a great time."
Golf while camping: Streamside RV Park & Golf Course combines camping with a 12-hole golf course. One reviewer noted, "This is a privately owned very nice campground! The owners take pride in their business and the grounds are meticulously kept. Everyone here is a golfer and there are no children."
Lake Ontario swimming: The beaches provide cooling options during summer months. At Southwick Beach State Park Campground, one camper highlighted the "BEST beach in CNY-sandbar goes on forever" and noted "sunsets are gorgeous from here as well." Another mentioned that "Lake Ontario is an amazing lake to be on and the water is pretty warm in the summer time."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Selkirk Shores State Park Campground maintains high standards for bathrooms and common areas. A camper noted, "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."
Quiet primitive sites: Winona State Forest offers minimalist camping with few amenities. A visitor described it as "Free and Quiet" while noting "The primitive campsite was a little difficult to find there's a tiny black and yellow placard that shows you where you can camp." Another camper mentioned it was "Small but quiet" and "overall the campsite was quiet and peaceful."
Family-focused activities: Yogi Bears Jellystone Park Camp Resort at Mexico organizes events for children. One reviewer listed numerous options: "Crafts, Games, Activities, Playground, Pool, Bouncy pillow, Twice Daily wagon rides with Yogi and Boo Boo, Bike parades, River access, Fishing, Tubing, Lounging."
What you should know
Site flooding concerns: Heavy rains can affect low-lying areas. At Southwick Beach, a camper reported "After it rained one night our site & others around us were completely flooded." Another noted the park "is currently in a construction zone and is experiencing flooding and dune erosion."
Camp store payment policies: Some locations have limited payment options. One camper at Southwick Beach mentioned "Store only takes cash" despite the bathrooms being "immaculate."
Availability challenges: At Towsley Road Dispersed Camping, finding the sites requires attention to detail. A camper advised "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."
Limited primitive amenities: Winona State Forest offers basic camping with minimal facilities. A camper noted "The only amenity was a fire ring made of rocks" and mentioned that while "there were some firewood set out except it was wet."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: J and J Campground features kid-friendly facilities. A camper mentioned there "is a pool and playground. Clean shower and toilet bath house recently renovated."
River play areas: At Jellystone Park, children can enjoy safe water access. A reviewer noted that "The kids had a blast playing the the river, heck the adults had fun too" and highlighted "mini golf, jumping pillow, water balloon fights and much more."
Beach safety: Ontario Shores RV Park provides lake access appropriate for families. While "the lake level flooding a few yrs ago ruined the sandy beach," it's still considered "A well kept quiet place" with "Open field to walk the dog or for children."
Seasonal activities: Several campgrounds offer fall events. At J and J Campground, they're "Close to a small farm stand that Jeff tows a hay wagon down to for pumpkin picking in the fall."
Tips from RVers
Dump station access: Selkirk Shores provides convenient facilities. A camper noted "There's a nice new dump station with several dumps and potable water. Good cell reception for both Verizon and ATT."
Pet vaccination requirements: State regulations affect campers with animals. At Selkirk Shores, "NY State campgrounds require proof of rabies vaccinations for your dogs."
Site layout and privacy: RV sites vary significantly between campgrounds. At Brennan Beach Campground, "Sites are close together, but kind of what is expected at an RV resort." For those seeking more space, Streamside RV Park offers sites that are "long enough for us to stay hooked up" though they are "tight like most RV parks."
