Best Tent Camping near Rochester, NY

Tent campgrounds around Rochester, New York offer varied experiences for outdoor enthusiasts seeking canvas shelter options. Red's Twilight on the Erie RV Resort in Macedon provides tent sites with amenities including drinking water, fires allowed, and picnic tables. Holiday Hill Campground in Springwater offers a more primitive experience with electric hookups but fewer amenities, situated near Hemlock and Canadice Lakes, making it a strategic basecamp for hikers.

Most tent campsites in the Rochester area maintain basic amenities with varying levels of development. Dream Lake Campground features drinking water, fire rings, picnic tables, and trash disposal services for tent campers. The speed limit at Twilight on the Erie is strictly enforced at 5 MPH to ensure safety for families and children using the facilities. Seasonal availability varies across locations, with most campgrounds operating approximately May through October, requiring advance planning for prime summer weekends. Bathroom facilities range from basic vault toilets to shower buildings depending on the campground.

Tent camping areas near Rochester provide access to natural attractions including lakes, trails, and waterways. Holiday Hill Campground serves as a gateway to Reynolds Gully and Johnson Hill trails, offering tent campers direct access to hiking opportunities. Sites at Twilight on the Erie provide reasonable spacing with nearby kayak launches and a marina, though level ground may be limited. Most locations balance accessibility with a sense of retreat from urban environments. A camper observed, "Lots of trails, and Hemlock and Canadice Lake so close by. Mostly known for Reynolds Gully, and Johnson Hill trails! Tons to do in the area but town isn't too far."

Best Tent Sites Near Rochester, New York (7)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Rochester, NY

2 Photos of 7 Rochester Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Rochester, NY

431 Reviews of 7 Rochester Campgrounds


  • Jama A.
    Jul. 15, 2025

    Canandaigua-Rochester KOA

    Camping near Canandaigua, New York

    Campers exploring the Canandaigua area discover a delightful mix of lakeside retreats, wooded state parks, and family-friendly RV resorts. Just minutes from downtown, Canandaigua City Park Campground offers easy access to local shops and the lakefront beach, making it a convenient base for those who want town amenities within walking distance. A short drive farther out leads to Keuka Lake State Park Campground and the privately owned Canandaigua-Rochester KOA, both of which feature spacious sites, clean facilities, and excellent opportunities for swimming, kayaking, and fishing on the Finger Lakes. For those seeking a quieter experience, numerous backcountry and dispersed sites are tucked into the surrounding National Forest, where campers can truly unplug—though it’s essential to bring all necessary supplies and practice Leave No Trace principles. Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill and the Stay Bristol Woodlands campground blend rustic charm with modern comforts: well-maintained restrooms, picnic shelters, and on-site hiking trails that wind through hardwood forests and offer scenic overlooks, especially stunning during fall foliage season. Travel logistics are a breeze when visitors prearrange an airport shuttle from Rochester or Syracuse airports, ensuring a smooth transition from plane to campsite. And for adventurers mapping out multiple stops across the Finger Lakes or beyond, reliable multi-city transfers provide comfortable, door-to-door rides—no rental car necessary. With its blend of waterfront sites, wooded hideaways, and nearby attractions—wineries, waterfalls, and historic villages—the Canandaigua region truly has something for every type of camper. Whether pitching a tent under the stars or rolling in with an RV, visitors will find endless opportunities for adventure and relaxation.

  • K
    Jun. 29, 2021

    Sterling Creek Campground

    Nice tent spot, quiet, nice owner

    We stayed on a Monday night and it was very quiet. A lot of empty spaces. And a lot of seasonal campers were gone for the week. The owner was super nice and it was close enough to the State Park to run over to the beach. Nice large, flat spot with full shade. Maybe I'm still on Midwest pricing, but I get annoyed when I have to pay for a shower when I've played $25 for a non-electric and no water tent site. The bathrooms were clean.

  • Jess W.
    Aug. 19, 2018

    Letchworth State Park Campground

    Amazing state park, crappy campground

    The state park is breathtaking. The campground is horrendous. The restrooms were disgusting. The site barely fit our one tent (8man Coleman) even though it was advertised as a two tent site. The camp fire ring had no solid base- it just sat on the grass and fires would not stay lit. The quiet hours were not enforced. Yelling and loud music kept us up until ridiculous hours. I would not rate this as family friendly.

  • J
    Aug. 15, 2021

    Cayuga Lake State Park Campground

    Great stay, choose your site wisely!

    We stayed 2 nights at site 1002. I think this site is one of the best in the campground! Very secluded and private. Be weary that some of the camp sites are closer to playgrounds than they appear on the map.

    Great facilities, dumpsters, potable water! Bring lots of bugspray and fire starters as it does rain up here which affects the fire wood.

  • Randall K.
    Aug. 25, 2023

    Genesee Country Campground

    Great spot - esp for tents!

    What a great place this was!

    Everyone was very nice and bathrooms were so clean! To top it off the sites for tents are amazing - so private and pretty. In fact it’s so private we were able to set up our own portable toilet and have complete privacy.

    Nice little store too! Overall this place was great and we’d stay here again in a heartbeat. Very easy place to spend the night.

    Also they have golfing here and tent areas back up to the 9th hole (but still separated so you don’t feel like you are right on top of it) so you can easily knock around there and do a little golfing too!

  • D
    Jul. 31, 2022

    Hamlin Beach State Park Campground

    Is this a spot? Dirty and loud but a nice beach

    Big park with several loops.  Separate and across two roads from the Beach section of the Park. Got a reservation for Friday and Saturday but the spot in loop D was an inclined driveway next to the high voltage boxes for the campground.  Had to move the fire ring after smoking ourselves out the first night.  Right across from the building they called a bath house.  Filthy, urinal broken, one shower broken in mens.   Feces on the floor in womens.  Friday night quiet hours did not exist.  Spent Saturday early am listening to the neighbor loudly declare her preferences in music, men and liquor.  No Ranger in sight.

    Minor redeeming qualities:  Nice beach and bike trails across road from campground.  Three lane dump station (only one for a four loop campground with 100s of "spots")

    Beware:  Rigs approaching from East there are very low bridges (11' 3') between Rochester and the Park on the Parkway.

  • Michael B.
    Sep. 3, 2020

    Stony Brook State Park Campground

    Beautiful park. Too bad we missed the pool.

    Had a great time at Stony Brook State Park this week! The campground side doesn't open until around 11 we were told, and we reached at 8am, so we started at the North (day-use) side, parked there, hiked, ate, and eventually drove back to the other side, checked in, and set up camp. 😁 It was a very nice time. Due to the COVID-19 regulations, masks need to be worn in the bathhouse (except when brushing teeth or showering). Was a good, quiet, fun time, with a few other families nearby. The only negatives: *According to their website, the natural pool would be open the day we went. It was not. ☹️ *No alcohol permitted in the whole campgrounds. Fine for us, but annoying for many. From the trash in the bathhouse, looks like some were anyways. *No "camp store" - so if you forgot an essential item, you've got to go out from the park. Positive part: town is only 8 minutes away via car. Also, we got GREAT and easy burning from the people selling wood for $5/bundle just outside the campground entrance.

    All in all, a GREAT time! We all enjoyed it!

  • H
    Sep. 30, 2017

    Bluff Camping Area — Fair Haven Beach State Park

    This haven is more than fair

    Not too far from Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany. Sunsets are amazing. Sandy beach and hilly wooded park. Basic though recently renovated facilities with electricity at a lot of the tent sits. Get a site by the buffs if you have a tent that can take some serious wind (especially in fall). Avoid Drumlin loop, it’s sandier and smaller sites. They have cabins too. Favorite park in the area and they take good care of it.

  • Leah L.
    Aug. 2, 2020

    Golden Hill State Park Campground

    Quiet Campground Over Lake Ontario

    We camped at Golden Hill over the weekend of July 24-26, 2020. Due to COVID, advance reservations are required to book a spot at any NY state campground. We had site 47 in loop C, which was across the road from the lake view sites. I recommend sites 40-45 for lake-front views. Loops A and B were more crowded and more suitable to RV trailers and rigs (we were camping in a pop-up camper). Site 47 was large and had a few trees. The campfire ring was right against the pad, which made it difficult to position our pop-up so that it was away from the fire ring. 

    Things to consider: There are 2 bathrooms in the campground, one near the A-B loops and one near the entrance. It was quite a hike in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom from our site. Some sites in the A-B loops are right next to each other, and we preferred the space for the sites in the C loop. 

    Wonderful things: The views are spectacular, particularly at sunset. The campground was quiet at night. The Niagara Wine trail is close to this campground, and Niagara Falls is about a 50 minute drive away. We hiked Devil's Hole and Whirlpool State Parks on this camping trip. The showers in the bathrooms were phenomenal - very clean with hot water and a private dressing area next to the shower. Showers were ADA compliant and had shower seats.


Guide to Rochester

Tent camping options near Rochester, New York extend beyond the city limits into the scenic Finger Lakes region, farmlands, and Erie Canal corridor. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from May through October, with water access frequently available. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F, making preparation for both warm days and cool nights essential.

What to do

Hiking access: Holiday Hill Campground provides strategic positioning for outdoor enthusiasts. "Clean bathrooms and Verizon reception is consistent at 3 bars. There is a lot to do for kids & teens, but that makes it loud with kids running through your site," notes Terry F., suggesting campers should "plan ahead to get a site away from the main area" if seeking quieter surroundings.

Canal exploration: Red's Twilight on the Erie RV Resort offers camping adjacent to the historic Erie Canal. "The staff are really nice and the place is clean. Almost all of the sites are not even close to level," reports Donna C., adding "Very few of the sites actually sit on the canal and access to the footpath is a good 1/2 mile or better walk or ride."

Water activities: Boating and fishing opportunities abound near many Rochester area campgrounds. "Kayak launches and boat marina nearby," explains Rachel T. about Twilight on the Erie, with the proximity to water making it convenient for day-long paddling excursions without needing to transport equipment far from camp.

What campers like

Friendly atmosphere: Dream Lake Campground receives praise for its social environment. "Nice friendly environment, clean facilities. Lots to do for kids and adults. Weekend activities," mentions Nick O., highlighting the community feel that appeals to repeat visitors.

Entertainment options: Organized activities enhance the camping experience at several locations. "The snack house food is great, if you don't feel like cooking they offer a nice menu almost anyone would love," adds Nick O. about Dream Lake, indicating campers can occasionally take breaks from campsite cooking.

Convenient location: The proximity to both natural areas and towns creates practical camping bases. "Tons to do in the area but town isn't too far," notes Peter about Holiday Hill Campground, providing campers flexibility for supply runs or exploring local communities.

What you should know

Site conditions: Terrain varies significantly across Rochester area campgrounds. At Twilight on the Erie RV Resort, "We changed sites three times and finally resigned ourselves to not being leveled," reports Donna C., suggesting campers bring leveling equipment.

Reservation timing: Securing spots at popular campgrounds requires advance planning. "Short term full hook up sites were harder to get. Online booking was seamless, however, so that was another plus," explains Terry F. about Holiday Hill Campground.

Cost considerations: Pricing remains competitive compared to other regions. "As was cost- $43 per night for end of the season weekend isn't bad," mentions Terry F., providing a benchmark for tent camping budget planning in the Rochester area.

Management approaches: Campground policies and enforcement vary widely. "Nice amenities. Nasty owners create a terrible atmosphere. Not relaxing," warns Kimbey S. about Dream Lake, suggesting researching reviews about management before booking.

Tips for camping with families

Activity options: Family-focused amenities make certain locations more suitable for children. "Very family friendly lots of activities been going here 6 years now and never have had a bad time," shares Robyn M. about Dream Lake Campground.

Safety considerations: Campground rules often prioritize family safety. "The speed limit is 5 MPH and they mean it.... Kids on bikes and having a good time in the enormous play area and the pool far enough from the campsites but close to the store and watchful eye of the staff," explains Rachel T. about Twilight on the Erie.

Weekend planning: Activity schedules increase on weekends at many locations. "Weekend activities. The snack house food is great," notes Nick O., indicating families might prefer weekend bookings for more organized entertainment options.

Tips from RVers

Leveling challenges: Several Rochester area campgrounds present terrain difficulties. "Not a big issue with a fifth wheel but a real hassle with a motorcoach," advises Donna C. about Twilight on the Erie, suggesting fifth wheels have easier setup.

Site selection strategy: Backing larger vehicles requires planning. "We had to maneuver a lot to back our 25' trailer into a tight spot, but sites are clean and spacious side to side," explains Terry F., indicating RVers should request specific site information when booking.

Campground development status: Facility age affects amenity quality. "The story of how this newer campground came to be is wonderful. It is new and growing," states Amy T. about Twilight on the Erie, suggesting campers adjust expectations at developing properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Rochester, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Rochester, NY is Red's Twilight on the Erie RV Resort with a 4-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Rochester, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Rochester, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.