Rochester is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Discover great camping spots near Rochester, reviewed by campers like you.
Located in Western New York state, about 45 miles southwest of Rochester, Letchworth State Park is known as the “Grand Canyon of the East.” Straddling the Genesee River for 17 miles the park encompasses more than 14,000 acres of deep river canyon and dense woodlands. The area was purchased in 1859 by William Pryor Letchworth, who recognized its natural and scenic value. He then granted it to the state in 1906 to be preserved as a public park. The park’s main attraction is the three dramatic waterfalls on the Genesee, which pour over escarpments up to 100 feet high. In addition to the spectacular scenery, the park also offers year-round outdoor recreation, from hiking, fishing and birdwatching to a variety of snow play.
The large campground in Letchworth State Park makes a good basecamp for exploring the area’s many sights and recreation opportunities. It contains 270 tent, trailer and RV sites in eight separate loops. All sites have electrical hookups, and there are water spigots, restrooms with showers, recycling stations and a dump station available. Additional accommodations in the park include camping cabins and the Glen Iris Inn. Visitors also have access to several picnic areas and playgrounds, a swimming pool, sports fields, trout pond, a museum, and nature center. Campsite rates range from $24–$26/night, plus additional fees; cabin and lodge rates vary; reservations recommended.
The best way to see many of the park’s sights is to get out and walk, hike or bike on any of the 66 miles of multiuse trails that wind through the park, and vary in distance and difficulty. The waterfalls are best viewed along the 7-mile Gorge Trail. One of the more unique and exciting ways to see the park is by hot air balloon. Other activities in the park include paddling on the river, nature programs, guided walks, and interpretive exhibits. The park also offers some of the best birdwatching in the state. In winter, many of the park’s trails become snowshoe and cross-country ski routes, and a few are even open to snowmobiles, so no matter what time of year you visit, there’s a way to play outdoors.
Nestled among the blue waters of Lake Ontario in northern New York, Lake Bluff Campground is a family-oriented Wayne County campground just one mile from Chimney Bluffs State Park. Bring the whole family and truly get away from the push and pull of your everyday life! Whether you stay for a weekend, month, or longer, our Lake Ontario RV resort is the ideal place for your next family vacation, romantic weekend getaway, or family reunion.
$50 - $220 / night
Darien Lakes State Park's terrain is hilly with woodlands, ravines, streams and 12-acre Harlow Lake. Darien Lake Campground has a total of 154 campsites, 141 with electricity and 13 primitive sites without. Also available are heated comfort stations and showers, a beach, playgrounds, fishing, hiking and horseback riding trails, picnic areas and a rustic bridge over the lake channel to Picnic Island. In winter, multiple-use trails are open for hiking, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Darien also has two picnic shelters available for a fee by reservation only.
Finger Lakes Family Camping At Junius Ponds If you're looking for a peaceful campground setting with a family-friendly atmosphere, and tons of activities, then Junius Ponds Cabins & Campground is the perfect spot for you! Join us by pitching a tent, renting a cabin, or by parking your RV. We've got sites you will fall in love with after just one stay that will make you want to start a family tradition. Whether you are just passing through or planning a vacation with us you will not be disappointed with your stay. We simply offer the best camping experience you can have within the Finger Lakes location, complete with camping amenities and a broad selection of camping activities. There is something to do for everyone, check out our activities for our different weekend events.
$36 - $999 / night
DYLAN & TIFFANY ARE AWESOME! THEY ARE HELPFUL CARING AND SO NICE!!! WE STAYED MONTHLY AND GO TO FLORIDA FOR THE WINTER AND ARE COMING BACK NEXT YEAR!
Nice trails and lots to do. Verizon coverage at our campsite was mostly non-existent. Showers were spacious but floors were always wet from floors not being sloped properly. Yea, we're shower snobs. :). Beautiful waterfalls and gorge!
After 6 years of 2 weeks visits
Pros: New owners have made improvements to be up to code and qualifications for KOA standards.
Cons: Still has environment of nosy, trashy seasonal campers who are always being rude or commenting on your gear/unit.
If you are looking for a quick flip bit same ole suspects, this is the place for you.
Tent camping here felt like we were camping in a neighborhood backyard. We could hear so many different families talking and really doing everything you do while camping but the area felt so open and unobstructed voices carried and in the evening when everyone was building campfires the smoke could be overwhelming at times.
Amazing views and spacious layout. Bathhouse are far and few between and nothing special. The views are what really make it worthwhile.
Lots of activities available for both kids and adults. Cozy sites. Clean bathrooms near the campground store.
I stayed here and it was very peaceful, but it was also pretty empty. Some of the sides are very close together, but if you look around, you can get one that has a little bit more privacy. Clean bathrooms, clean showers. Hikes from the site. Swimming as well!!
Check-in was quick and easy. Our site was spacious, clean, and pretty darn level. Bathrooms were dated, but pretty clean for the amount of traffic. Water was hot and had great pressure. We were there for @KingdomBound2024. The campground was 6 minutes from Darien lake Amusement Park. We will definitely be back next year.
If you have any concerns about their park or services they will immediately avoid you like the black plague!!! It's almost like they have things to hide, or don't want to justly return not even $1 that they are not entitled to. Running away from customers says a lot about their lack of professionalism, level of maturity, lack of integrity after they get paid, and the possible false statements they are making in their advertisements. To make a long story short, I did not receive all the services that they were supposed to deliver after paying them. The petting zoo is also questionable and one that should be looked at by PETA. Never going here again.
Great work! This was very helpful and clear. Solar
We had a great time here we stayed for a whole week to get the extra savings and we loved every day of it. There was something new every day. The waterfalls were amazing. The rec center had tons of activities and sports for the kids to do. They had a really cool playground, which was like a rope course.
Thanks for this wonderful article. It was very enlightening and useful. Solar
Great insights! Thanks for providing such detailed and helpful information. Solar
This article is fantastic. Appreciate the valuable information shared here. Solar
Your blog always inspires me. Thanks for the amazing content. Solar
Bathrooms were very clean. Quiet campground. Lots of plays areas for kids. Weekend sites would be pretty tight together if they were fully booked. Golf carts not available.
Plenty of activities around the campground. Golf cart rentals available. Clean restrooms near the store.
This is a big park with a pretty nice campgrouns. The sites aren't huge, but it's nicely laid out. There seems to be a lot to do for the whole family here without leaving the campground. There's a bathroom in every section that seems to be in need of updating, but functional. The playground is huge and there's lots of room for riding your bike around. The rest of the park is huge with a ton of trails and lots to see. Only downside is that the park is so big you really need to drive around to see everything.
KOA Canandaigua/Rochester NY:
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(70 yr olds in 17’ trailer). I rate based on desire for at least a moderate wilderness type experience w at least some camp site privacy.
Overall Rating: for a KOA :4 - see map for nicest sites.
Price 2023: $61 for a 30 amp site
Usage during visit: Light - off season
Site Privacy: Our site : None
Site Spacing: Close
Site surface: Gravel and grass
Reservations: They take reservations- Recommend the KOA app
Campground Noise: Quiet during our stay.
Road Noise: There will some noise at sites near Town Line Rd. Traffic is minimal
Through Traffic in campground: None
Electric Hookup: Yes
Sewer Hookup: Some sites.
Dump Station: Yes
Potable Water Available: At the site.
Bathroom/ Showers: Individual shower/toilet rooms. VERY clean.
Pull Throughs: Yes
Cell Service (AT&T): 2 bars.
Setting: Parklike - typical KOA
Weather: Highs are pin the low 50s during our stay
Bugs: None this time of year.
Host: Yes. Johnny on the spot.
Rig size: Large rigs
Sites: See the map in photos . Best sites are circled with green marker. Request a perimeter site or lake side if you want one is my suggestion. Otherwise you get what they give you.
The waterfalls and gorge had several overlooks to enjoy if you are not able to hike. The campground is on the opposite end of the park from the falls, so it is a long and pretty drive. We enjoyed hiking along the falls trails. The museum had some interesting history, although we were left wondering how Letchwork made his original money. There were lots of lovely places for picnics.
Suzeas Gluten Free bakery is advertised on the map and located in Mount Morris. The owner is a character, and we loved all the baked goods we purchased there. It was another bonus for us.
Cayuga Lake State Park has a massive campground but most of the sites don't have water or electricity and are squeezed together in tiny loops. If you stay, I'd recommend the 800 or 1000 loops--the sites were much bigger in those areas. But we stayed in the 100 loop (appropriately named "Minnow) and ended up leaving early because our neighbors were just too close for comfort.
The lakefront area of the park was very nice and we enjoyed walking on the drive down in front of the lake. Plus, Seneca Falls is an adorable town and it was great to visit the Women's Rights National Historic Park and the homes of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Harriett Tubman, while we were in the area!
To be fair to this park, we came directly from Watkins Glen State Park (which we loved) and our neighbors were rambunctious. We may have had a better opinion, had the circumstances been different. And in any event, we did really enjoy the area but decided to leave after 2 nights (rather than the 5 we had booked).
Oh and if you have a boat--the dock area of the park seemed really nice. We'd have loved to get out on the lake!
The tent sites on the west camp were roomy and reasonably private, but there weren't many water locations and no electric on that side of the park. The facilities were about as nice as you can expect at a state run campground. We're already planning to go back next year for more nights.
Visited Letchworth State park in late July 2023. We stayed in loop 500.
The park, itself, is great. Not a particularly "wild" experience. The trails are mostly paved, and there are snack bars and toilets located throughout. A road runs along the south rim providing access to the overlooks, waterfalls, nature center, and visitors' center. But the gorge itself is fantastic, and the trails are pleasant. We liked the nature center, though it was a little small. Staff was universally helpful and friendly.
The campsite wasn't spectacular, but it was solid. The sites are a little close together (you can see your neighbors through the trees), but it was still quiet. They all have the standard fire pit and picnic table. There are central showers for each loop, and we found these to be clean and in good working order.
Well taken care of place. Friendly staff. Plenty of space between sites. Nice pool and games to play.
Really enjoyed our 3 nights of camping at Letchworth. The camp sites are large and spread out. Bath houses are modern and clean. Electric hookups at each site and water spigots spread through out.
We camped in the 700 loop with allows pets.
The camp store was great and even had a separate mini farmer's market with fresh veggies and fresh baked goods.
Lots of good hiking and some great vistas.
I made a reservation for 7 nights for cabin #8. Plans changed and we arrived two days into our reservation intending to stay for 5 nights. We did not realized until the first morning that the pile of black stuff on the patio was bat dung. That morning we witnessed dozens of bats returning home for the night to the building we were staying in. On the third afternoon we saw a bat hanging from the outside of a screen door. My husband and I inspected the grounds for the bat but it had gone(or so we thought). He and I remained outside at the picnic table and a short time later I realized my arm was bleeding. When I cleaned the wound my husband and I both observed that I had two little distinct puncture wounds. I was at the emergency room until about 9PM and was told that I had to go home to New Hampshire to be treated with a series of shots that I will endure over the next couple of weeks. I camp often. This is my first time camping in NY. I believe it will be the last time. I knew that there was no bathroom in the cabin. I knew that there was no hot water. I knew that I had to bring a lot of stuff with us like bedding and cookware, But I did not think that I would be living in a bat house, full of flies.. I did not know that we would find rodent dung behind the microwave on the counter where I would be preparing food. I did not think there would be carpenter ants crawling all over that same counter. If I had known all that, I never would have rented the Hell hole. I get to visit with my daughter just once per year and that cabin completely ruined that visit. That building is unsuitable for people and pets. In addition, There is a highway that runs through it. The other guest were very quiet, but the traffic noise did not really add to the ambiance. The lake is across the street and the swimming area is small and too shallow for an adult to swim in. And the RVs are packed pretty tight. I would not recommend this place to anyone. I cannot think of one good thing to say about it. I am including pics that my daughter took hastally as we fled. But since it was dark you cannot really see the mouse turds on the kitchen counter. And the roof leaks. I keep forgetting that because it just seemed like something I should have expected. Most of what I have written I have already sent to the park and I think everyone should take a look at the response I got to my request, no my demand, for my money back(at least) and compensation for the hotel we had to stay in and my medical bills. I think if you are thinking about staying there you should read their response because I think it will help you decide if this place is really for you."Hello, We are very sorry that your experience at Cayuga Lake State Park was not a pleasurable visit. There is a very high population of wildlife in the area. Animals such as bats, mice, chipmunks, ants, flies, bees, birds, skunks, racoons, fox, coyote, etc are a normal occurrence when camping in a nature setting. We take precautions and continue to make improvements to try and minimize wildlife interactions. This area also has a very high bat population. It is not uncommon at all for the bats to roost on the outside of the buildings and under porch eves on the buildings in the park. Unfortunately there are times when wildlife such as mice, chipmunks, flies or bees find entry, occupy the space and may leave droppings or get into a food source. This may be very unappealing, but our cleaners do very well to ensure the dwelling is clean and ready for use when you arrive. Many times animals gain entry after the patron has arrived. We cannot issue a refund for your camping stay. You will not be reimbursed your hotel costs or your medical costs, as there was no negligence on the part of the park that caused what occurred."
We rented a trailer with slide outs for a few days in the middle of the week for a birthday party for our friend’s daughter and it was perfect! The trailer was close to the entrance to the park and was clean and hooked up when we got there. The screen door was broken and the little plastic slider was missing so it let in bugs, but everything else’s worked.
Not all rides are open every day so it was nice to spend multiple days going to the park multiple times a day, plus it’s really great to be able to head back to the trailer to change or eat. The camp store was really expensive so I’m glad we remembered to bring everything, there’s was a huge mark up on everything.
All in all, everything was totally worth it and birthday girl had an awesome time going on her first roller coasters.
Camping near Rochester, NY, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From beautiful parks to family-friendly campgrounds, there’s something for everyone looking to enjoy nature.
Camping near Rochester, NY, has its ups and downs, but with the right preparation, you can have a great time enjoying the outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Rochester, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Rochester, NY is Letchworth State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 77 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Rochester, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 25 glamping camping locations near Rochester, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
