Camping near Henderson, New York centers around the unique geography where inland waterways connect to Lake Ontario. The area sits at approximately 250 feet above sea level with a humid continental climate bringing warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Seasonal midges emerge in early summer from Lake Ontario, particularly affecting waterfront camping areas where insect activity can intensify during warm evenings.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Sandy Pond and the inland bays provide excellent fishing spots. Bedford Creek Marina & Campground offers direct marina access for anglers. As one visitor notes, "Great area for fishing, bass, trout, salmon and walleye. Very clean and well maintained park."
Kayaking and paddling: Many waterfront sites allow campers to launch directly from their campsite. At Long Point State Park Campground, "You can easily launch kayaks right from your campsite. It can get quite windy on the point so take a wind break or shelter."
Swimming in Lake Ontario: The lake warms up nicely during summer months. Multiple beaches offer swimming access, though conditions vary by location. According to one camper at Selkirk Shores, "The beach is good for children and they have a great recreation program for the kids."
Hiking trails: Several campgrounds maintain trail systems for day hikes. At Westcott Beach State Park, visitors appreciate the "Nice hiking trail" that runs through the park, while Selkirk Shores has "nice hiking/biking trails" according to campers.
What campers like
Individual bathroom facilities: Some campgrounds offer private bathroom units rather than communal facilities. At Long Point State Park, "Personal toilet, shower & sink are contained within separate rooms within the amenity block, perfect for couples and young families. They are new construction with plenty of room."
Campground activities: Many parks organize regular events for guests. Selkirk Shores State Park Campground runs "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, other days they had bingo(candy was the prize), exercises, and crafty things to make."
Beach access: Sandy beaches remain a top draw for campers. The sandbar at Southwick Beach "goes on forever" according to one regular visitor who camps there "3-5 trips yearly."
Sunset views: Lake Ontario's western exposure creates memorable sunsets. At Sun Outdoors Association Island, "We were treated to gorgeous sunsets and minimal light pollution at night. The stars were everywhere."
What you should know
Campground layouts vary significantly: Some areas offer more privacy than others. At Winona State Forest, primitive sites provide a quiet alternative to busier campgrounds. One visitor noted it's "a good free quiet place to camp," though "the primitive campsite was a little difficult to find."
Weather considerations: Lake Ontario creates its own weather patterns that affect camping conditions. Strong winds can impact waterfront sites. According to a camper at Association Island: "Being right on the lake means our site was wooded, roomy, and has full hookups, a fire ring, and picnic table. I could probably have fit another RV in the site and still had space to stretch."
Seasonal crowds: Most campgrounds experience peak crowds from late June through August, particularly on weekends. As one camper at Brennan Beach noted: "It was PACKED on the weekend, but they have a really efficient check in process and the staff is super nice."
Reservation timing: For the best sites, early booking is essential. At Selkirk Shores, certain loops are consistently more popular: "C and D were our nightmares: mass chaos, children running amok, loud groups, no thanks. Apparently C and D are always booked and full, because people like that it's closest to the beach trail, the playground, and the camp store."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated play areas for children. Westcott Beach State Park features a "Nice new children's playground" that makes it "our kids favorite campground" according to regular visitors.
Swimming safety: Beach conditions vary significantly between parks. At Selkirk Shores, "The beach is smaller than it was before now that it is guarded," providing supervised swimming for children.
Loop selection matters: Choose your camping loop based on desired atmosphere. At Selkirk Shores State Park, "This campground is 4 different loops- A loop is like the loop for people here for fishing, B loop is the mellower crowd, and C and D were our nightmares: mass chaos, children running amok, loud groups."
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer structured activities. Selkirk Shores provides organized recreation programs including "reptile exhibit with huge snakes and crocodiles, another day they had tie dyeing t-shirts, other days they had bingo(candy was the prize), exercises, and crafty things to make."
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Many campgrounds offer water, electric, and sewer connections. At Brennan Beach Campground, visitors appreciate that "Site we stayed at had full hook ups" along with amenities like "very nice camp store, pools, playground, and restaurants."
Site size considerations: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. At Association Island, "The spots were not very big. It was Memorial Day weekend but the spots were not very big," though staff "take you to your spot and help you get settled in. That is a marriage saver."
Dump station access: Several parks provide dump facilities even when full hookups aren't available. Long Point State Park offers modern bathrooms plus "laundry" facilities, making it suitable for longer stays.
Seasonal RV options: Many of the best places to camp near Henderson, New York cater to seasonal campers. Brennan Beach has many locals who "camp here seasonally, and if you're not from around there, you'll stick out."
