Camping options near Rochester, New York include small county parks and established state parks within a one-hour drive radius. The camping season typically runs from May through October due to the northern climate and winter conditions. Water access is common at most campgrounds, with Lake Ontario providing recreational opportunities at several locations.
What to do
Fishing at private ponds: At Gravel Ponds Fishing / Recreation / Camping, visitors can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with special events. "My mom used to play in a band called boys lie - we used to go to gravel ponds every 4th of July for AMAZING fireworks! And a really cool atmosphere," notes one visitor about this lesser-known recreation area.
Hiking trail access: The wooded setting at Webster Park provides direct access to nature trails from campsites. "There is hiking in the park, lots of nice woods, big field for playing games/sports. We stay on the outer ring on that side of loop as it gives access to the woods and trails behind the sites," explains one regular camper who visits several times a year.
Swimming at Lake Ontario: Head to Hamlin Beach State Park for water activities along the shoreline. "Great access to the shores of Lake Ontario from campground. Also few mile stretch of beaches. Short but pretty nature trail through the woods opposite the lake as well that goes through hard words and into wetlands," notes a visitor who appreciated the natural diversity.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Campers consistently mention site separation at Monroe County parks. "This was our first trip here. It was nothing short of perfect. Staff was super helpful and friendly. Camp sites are wooded and private. Very quiet and peaceful. Clean and well maintained," reports a camper who visited Monroe County Webster Park.
Clean facilities: Southwoods RV Resort maintains high standards for their amenities. "Bathrooms were very clean. Quiet campground. Lots of plays areas for kids. Weekend sites would be pretty tight together if they were fully booked," notes a recent visitor. Another reports that the campground is "Very well managed, peaceful, friendly and well maintained."
Spacious campsites: The best places to camp near Rochester, New York often feature good site separation. At Hamlin Beach State Park, one camper described, "The sites in the loop we stayed in had about 75' between driveways, all with varying levels of trees/brush between them, very secluded. The beach is a decent little hike, but very easy flat bike ride or about a minute in a car going 15mph."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Some camping areas have connectivity issues. At Letchworth State Park, visitors should prepare for variable cell reception. "In most states, those without falls like Niagara, this state park would be the pride of the land. With three serious drops in as many miles, the Genesse River winds it's way through what locals call the 'Grand Canyon of the East.'"
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared with leveling blocks at some locations. One camper at Red's Twilight on the Erie RV Resort noted, "Almost all of the sites are not even close to level. Not a big issue with a fifth wheel but a real hassle with a motorcoach. We changed sites three times and finally resigned ourselves to not being leveled."
Weather considerations: The Rochester area experiences a full range of seasonal conditions. Spring camping may involve muddy conditions. One camper at Monroe County Webster Park reported, "We stayed 6 nights. There was an okay bathroom (a bit run down) and clean, separate hot showers nearby our site, but our site was muddy and numerous sites around us were muddy, too. There was standing water in the road way."
Tips for camping with families
Choose campgrounds with playgrounds: Canandaigua-Rochester KOA offers numerous family activities. "Our first KOA stop, so can't compare to other KOAs, but this place has a good number of family activities and events. Our 3 and 5 year olds really enjoyed the jump pad and woods obstacles," notes a family who stayed with young children.
Select sites near play areas: When camping with children, site location matters. At Webster Park, one visitor explains, "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. The campground is very quiet and very kid friendly to allow them to walk around and ride or scooter the loop alone."
Look for lakes with easy access: Younger campers appreciate water activities. One visitor at Hamlin Beach State Park recommends, "If you want secluded beaches, skip the public beach and head a little West of Area 4, take the sandy path to the water for an amazing hidden grotto."
Tips from RVers
Water hookup logistics: At Timberline Lake Park, RV campers should plan accordingly for their setup. "This is a great spot! It's really quiet and you can really feel like you're getting away out here. Their little cabins are really cute and not too expensive too," notes a camper who appreciated the secluded atmosphere.
Bring extension hoses: Some campgrounds require longer-than-standard water connections. At Hamlin Beach State Park, one RVer advised, "Sites are electric only but with a 100' hose you can reach a spigot from most any spot to re-fill the camper."
Check site dimensions before booking: Rochester area campgrounds vary in site size. At Canandaigua-Rochester KOA, one visitor noted that "sites are small" despite the excellent amenities. Another camper at Southwoods RV Resort mentioned that "Weekend sites would be pretty tight together if they were fully booked."
