Best Tent Camping near Rochester, NY

Tent Camping Reviews near Rochester, NY

430 Reviews of 7 Rochester Campgrounds

• 

  Jama A.

  Scout

  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.

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• K

  K H.

  Traveler

  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.

  Scout

  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

  Jeremy T.

  Scout

  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.

  Ranger

  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

  Douglas

  Traveler

  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.

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• 

  Michael B.

  Ranger

  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!

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• H

  Harry H.

  Ranger

  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.

• 

  Brian O.

  Guide

  Jul. 8, 2016

  Sampson State Park Campground

  Historic Site

  Right on the water front of Seneca Lake(a Finger lake in Central NY) It was a Naval training base during WWll. About 45 minutes from Rochester and about hr and half from Syracuse. It has a Naval museum with many authentic items from that era. Very shady and ample bathroom,shower, and water facilities. If you like wild life you may run into some animals that are indigenous to Central/Western NY. There are boating ramps and nice places to fish off a wall, plus a nice public beach fully staffed with life guards. A store and rec center is located at entrance area of camp ground as well as a big playground for the children

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