Camping options near Sackets Harbor, New York include both established campgrounds and upscale sites, with Lake Ontario as the dominant geographical feature. The area's camping season runs primarily from May through mid-October, with most campgrounds experiencing high winds due to the lakefront location. Water levels have varied in recent years, with flooding causing shoreline changes at several waterfront camping areas.
What to do
Riverside recreation opportunities: At Yogi Bears Jellystone Park Camp Resort at Mexico, families can enjoy the Little Salmon River that runs through the property. A camper notes, "The river is awesome, wading, catching crayfish, cooling off." The river access provides alternatives to Lake Ontario swimming.
Astronomy and stargazing: The minimal light pollution at Burnham Point State Park Campground creates ideal conditions for night sky viewing. As one visitor mentioned, "We were able to see the Milky Way!" Many sites have open areas that provide unobstructed views of the night sky.
Beach activities: Beyond swimming, the sandy beach at Southwick Beach State Park extends far into Lake Ontario. A regular visitor explains, "BEST beach in CNY-sandbar goes on forever." The sandbar formation creates shallow wading areas ideal for families with younger children.
What campers like
Private bath facilities: Swan Bay Resort offers uncommon bathroom amenities. A visitor shared, "Bathrooms and washing machines are in all of them. They offer boat, kayak, and paddle board rentals." The resort maintains two swimming pools and a tiki bar with regular specials.
Easy kayak access: Waterfront sites at several campgrounds allow for immediate water entry. A guest at Sun Outdoors Association Island appreciated that "Our site was a pull in and we faced a western view of Lake Ontario... We were able to drop our kayaks right in the water in front of our rig and paddle to our heart's content."
Fishing opportunities: The region offers diverse fishing experiences beyond Lake Ontario. According to a visitor at Jellystone Park, "For the fisherman, it's located on Salmon River and appears to have quite a lot of large salmon this time of year. I was shocked at the size of the fish that were being cleaned."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Wind can be a significant factor at lakefront sites. A camper at Association Island warns, "Our neighbor (who has camped here seasonally for the last four years) mentioned that he lost three awnings to the wind. So, don't leave your awning out when you leave your camper."
Insect preparation: Lakeside camping brings specific bug challenges. A visitor noted, "BUGS! Millions (not exaggerating) of midges and mayflies swarming the grounds from Lake Ontario. Be prepared to deal with this as we were not and had to vacuum inside the RV every night for about an hour."
Site conditions after rain: Some campgrounds experience drainage issues. A camper at Southwick Beach reported, "After it rained one night our site & others around us were completely flooded." Similarly, at Long Point State Park, a visitor arrived "to find out that the site is very wet."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Jellystone Park offers structured entertainment for children. A parent shared, "Organized the Halloween activities nicely. Yogi and the characters were very involved... Lots of kids safely and respectfully running around on bikes, scooters, etc."
Camp store convenience: Several campgrounds maintain well-stocked stores with necessities. At Selkirk Shores State Park Campground, "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."
Playground accessibility: When selecting sites, consider proximity to playgrounds. A visitor to Swan Bay Resort mentioned, "Great for families. Lots of kids safely and respectfully running around on bikes, scooters, etc." Many campgrounds organize scheduled activities that require advance sign-up.
Tips from RVers
Assistance with parking: Some staff provide parking help at arrival. A visitor to Sun Outdoors Association Island appreciated that "At check in they take you to your spot and help you get settled in. That is a marriage saver."
On-site maintenance facilities: For longer stays, Swan Bay offers practical amenities. A camper noted, "Adjacent to the entrance is a self-service car wash with bay large enough for motorhomes."
Site selection strategy: At Selkirk Shores, an experienced camper advises, "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."
Glamping close to Sackets Harbor, New York: For luxury camping experiences near Sackets Harbor, several campgrounds offer elevated accommodations. Beyond traditional tents and RVs, Southwick Beach State Park Campground has newly constructed facilities with lakefront glamping options. A visitor confirmed, "Beautiful new buildings on site, variety of campsites. Favorites are the beachfront sites, access to the beach and beautiful Lake Ontario."
