Association Island provides waterfront glamping accommodations on Lake Ontario, 25 miles from Rodman, New York. The region sits at the eastern end of Lake Ontario where the St. Lawrence River begins, featuring a mix of sandy beaches and rocky shorelines. Campsites in this area typically experience strong winds off Lake Ontario, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season from May through October.
What to do
Water activities on Lake Ontario: At Selkirk Shores State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy swimming at designated beach areas and fishing. "The beach is good for children and they have a great recreation program for the kids. While we were there they had a reptile exhibit with huge snakes and crocodiles, another day they had tie dyeing t-shirts," notes camper Colleen S.
Riverfront recreation: Explore the St. Lawrence River by kayak or paddleboard. "Fishing was fun…lots of places to go to fish and the scenery was awesome. Water sport potential was huge if you have your own watercraft (boats, jet ski, kayaking, etc)," writes Tracey G. about her experience at Association Island.
Local history exploration: Visit Alexandria Bay's historic castles and take boat tours of the Thousand Islands region. "Within an hours drive of lots of cute, small river towns with tons of ambiance. Highly recommend a boat tour of the St. Lawrence River!" suggests a visitor to Swan Bay Resort.
What campers like
Waterfront views: Many campsites near Rodman offer direct views of Lake Ontario or the St. Lawrence River. "We were able to drop our kayaks right in the water in front of our rig and paddle to our heart's content. The water is clear and cool," shares Donna C. about Sun Outdoors Association Island.
Sunset vistas: Lake Ontario is known for spectacular sunsets viewed from waterfront campsites. "The sunsets were phenomenal! I mean, jaw dropping gorgeous," writes a visitor to Association Island. Another camper adds, "I love going here! Going across to the island is so fun and feels so special. The views are beautiful."
Clean facilities: Burnham Point State Park Campground receives praise for its maintenance. "Beautiful view of the river. Very clean bathrooms. Electric site with water. Boat launch. Plenty of tree to hang your hammock," notes John B. Another visitor adds, "Bathrooms/showers were clean, and there was electricity at the site."
What you should know
Weather considerations: The Lake Ontario region experiences significant wind that can damage camping equipment. A visitor to Association Island mentioned, "One HUGE downfall was the amount of BUGS! Millions (not exaggerating) of midges and mayflies swarming the grounds from Lake Ontario."
Site characteristics: Many campgrounds feature open sites with limited privacy. At Long Point State Park Campground, one camper observed, "Its basically a field with campsites. At first the openness bothered me but after a few days I grew to like it."
Seasonal timing: Most glamping options near Rodman operate from May through mid-October. A camper at Selkirk Shores notes, "We went in the fall after Labor Day weekend so only weekends were crowded - we had the place to ourselves during the week."
Water levels: Lake Ontario water levels can affect beach access. "Lake Ontario was so high, there was barely any beach, and the wind was insane," reported a visitor to Southwick Beach State Park Campground, though adding that "bathrooms were immaculate."
Tips for camping with families
Look for recreational programs: Several campgrounds offer organized activities for children. "So many activities for the kids, a great pool, mini-golf, parades, just non stop action to keep them going and tire them out!" reports Michael O. about Jellystone Park at Mexico.
Consider beach access: Beaches vary significantly between locations. At Southwick Beach, a camper shares: "BEST beach in CNY-sandbar goes on forever-campsites roomy and well taken care of-bathrooms are meticulously cleaned."
Check playground facilities: Many campgrounds feature play areas. A visitor to Swan Bay Resort notes, "The playground is awesome and huge with lots of cool features for kids to explore."
Book weekdays when possible: Campgrounds are typically less crowded mid-week. "Great for families. Lots of kids safely and respectfully running around on bikes, scooters, etc," notes a camper at Association Island.
Tips from RVers
Prepare for wind: The Lake Ontario shoreline experiences significant wind that can damage RV awnings. One seasonal camper at Association Island "lost three awnings to the wind," according to a review.
Choose site location carefully: Waterfront sites offer views but may face stronger winds. "Our site backed up to the water and although it was windy they thought ahead and built the fire pit up to block it," shares April L. about her Association Island experience.
Check hookup availability: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. A visitor to Brennan Beach Campground notes, "Site we stayed at had full hook ups. Very nice camp store, pools, playground, and restaurants."
Arrive with proper equipment: Some areas have limited supplies. "At check in they take you to your spot and help you get settled in. That is a marriage saver," notes a camper about the staff assistance at Association Island.
