Camping near Rush, New York offers visitors access to diverse terrain along the western Finger Lakes region at elevations ranging from 500 to 2,000 feet. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer highs averaging 82°F and winter lows reaching 18°F. Seasonal campground operations typically run from May through October, with some facilities closing earlier based on weather conditions.
What to do
Hiking trails and gorges: Stony Brook State Park Campground features multiple waterfall trails with varying difficulty levels. "The gorge trail is very busy but you still can enjoy the beautiful waterfalls along with the gorge formation. We also did the east trail that goes up to the top of the gorge and is also a little further into the woods. It was much quieter up there and the views looking down from there were breathtaking," notes one visitor.
Swimming options: Natural swimming areas provide alternatives to manufactured pools. At Stony Brook State Park Campground, "My favorite part about this park has to be their natural pool. It's beautiful and so refreshing," shares one camper. The park features "bunches of little waterfalls and small pools for swimming."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer stocked ponds for fishing. At Canandaigua-Rochester KOA, one family discovered that their "pond where the fish are easy to catch with hotdogs!" This accessibility makes fishing enjoyable even for beginners.
Seasonal events: Check campground calendars for special activities. "During our stay they had a closing weekend pizza and wings party with live music for a small fee," reports a visitor to Southwoods RV Resort. Letchworth State Park hosts a popular balloon festival: "Try to get to the balloon fest on Memorial Day - and book a flight if you can."
What campers like
Privacy levels: Site selection affects seclusion. At Webster Park, "Camp sites are private and have everything you need for tent camping!" while another visitor notes that "This was our first trip here. It was nothing short of perfect. Staff was super helpful and friendly. Camp sites are wooded and private."
Natural features: The region's geology creates unique camping environments. At Letchworth State Park Campground, known as the "Grand Canyon of the East," visitors appreciate that "the campsites are in two main areas of the park and further broken down into many different loops. The loops near the Lower Falls are our favorites, but any choice is a good one."
Facility maintenance: Clean bathrooms rank high in camper satisfaction. At The Ridge Campsite, one visitor mentioned, "Campground is large and spacious. Family owned. Large mature trees. Clean facilities." Similarly at Webster Park, guests appreciate that "bathrooms and showers were clean" and there's a "sink available for dishes."
Weather considerations: Local conditions affect camping experiences. One visitor to Letchworth noted, "Beautiful state park, very lush green from all the rain unfortunately the smoke from the Canadian fires near have made it unhealthy here, especially strenuous outdoor activities." Plan activities accordingly during fire season.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Peak seasons demand advance booking. For Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill, camping options include "secluded tent camping (recommend numbers 7 and 8)" and "cabins are new and ample beds and space." Camper sites offer "less privacy" but are "close to everything."
Site characteristics: Level variations affect setup requirements. At Ontario County Park, visitors advise to "make sure to bring plenty of leveling blocks as some sites are far from level." This preparation ensures comfort during your stay.
Wildlife encounters: Small animals frequent some campgrounds. At Stony Brook, one camper reported, "Most of the camp areas washed out from rain with water running through them. Rats and mice all over." Consider proper food storage containers.
Seasonal closures: Facilities operate on limited schedules. Most campgrounds in the Rush area close by October 31, with a few extending to mid-October. Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill operates from "mid May to mid October," making fall foliage viewing possible but requiring timely planning.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple play areas keep children entertained. At Southwoods RV Resort, "Had a wonderful weekend and the owner and family were amazing. The kids had so much fun on the playgrounds and with all of the other kids." The campground features "2 well kept pools, playgrounds, laundry facilities, mini golf, soccer, basketball."
Activity options: Family-oriented campgrounds offer structured entertainment. Canandaigua-Rochester KOA provides extensive recreation: "We spent father's day weekend at the KOA. Our kids rented cabins and some used tents and others came for the day. The campground has so much to do between swimming, golf, bike and paddle boat rentals. There's Ziplines with treetop walk and a bounce. And even a play area for your dogs."
Site selection for families: Choose locations based on proximity to amenities. At Webster Park, families appreciate that "We stay close to the playground these days in our pop up usually at site 5 so our 5 and 9 year old can walk or ride to campground. We like site 1 as well. The campground is very quiet and very kid friendly to allow them to walk around and ride or scooter the loop alone."
Budget considerations: Glamping close to Rush, New York can be affordable with cabins. At Timberline Lake Park, "Their little cabins are really cute and not too expensive too!" This option provides comfort without premium pricing.
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Utility placement affects setup. At Webster Park, RVers note that "You need a long hose for fresh water in the RV. No sewer sites." Prepare accordingly with extension hoses and plan for dump station visits.
Space considerations: Site dimensions vary between campgrounds. At Canandaigua-Rochester KOA, "The sites for large rigs are very close together but that is not surprising. Our site was clean and reasonably level but there was no shade at all. We were comfortable, though, after putting out the awning and setting up our portable gazebo."
Access challenges: Entrance roads may present difficulties. At The Ridge campsite, one RVer warns, "Driveway getting in and out is a little tight for big units, definitely have to swing wide. Sites are very big and clean has plenty to do with multiple fishing ponds, swimming pool and playgrounds."
Amenity variations: Full-hookup availability differs. While some parks offer complete services, others like Ontario County Park provide electric but no sewer connections. Darien Lakes State Park Campground offers a dump station for those without sewer hookups at their sites.
