Campsites near St. Bonaventure, New York range in elevation from 1,400 to 2,300 feet above sea level across the region's varying terrain. The area sits within the northern reaches of the Allegheny Plateau, where summer temperatures can fluctuate by up to 20 degrees between day and night due to the hilly topography. Winter camping options remain limited to Red House Area at Allegany State Park and select sites at Willow Bay Recreation Area where roads receive regular snow clearance.
What to do
Trail exploration beyond the popular routes: At Red House Area — Allegany State Park, hikers can access less-traveled paths beyond the main attractions. "This park is a fun place to hike and explore. Check out Thunder rocks and climb boulders the size of a house," notes camper Jeremy H. The park maintains over 65 miles of trails with varying difficulty levels.
Kayaking on the Allegheny River: Riverhurst Park Campground offers direct river access for paddlers with multiple entry points. "There's lots of amenities like volleyball, basketball, playground, swings, all in a safe area away from roads. There's entrance spots to kayak/play in the river," shares JoJo S. Kayak rentals available at $15/hour or $45/day.
Educational nature programs: Seasonal ranger-led activities teach visitors about local ecology and wildlife. "This is an awesome place to camp. New improvements to the park have been made the last few years! They run daily activities you can go to and learn about different things in nature," explains Kelly B. about Red House Area programs, which typically run Thursday through Sunday during summer months.
What campers like
Tree identification trails: Some campgrounds feature educational elements integrated into the camping experience. At Riverhurst Park Campground, visitors appreciate the labeled flora: "QR codes labeling different trees on the property. Coming from Arizona this was a nice feature and something I'd never seen at another park," notes Ryan M.
Off-the-grid disconnection: Many camping areas in the region have limited connectivity, providing a true escape. At Willow Bay Recreation Area, "You'll get a chance to relax as there is no cell service or wifi available. The closest town is about 15 miles away so stock up before you get there," advises Amy W.
Multi-season amenities: Some campgrounds offer year-round activities. "The cabins are awesome all year round. The park has a lot to do in the summer but a group can still have a blast in the winter," shares Alex B. about Quaker Area — Allegany State Park.
What you should know
Early booking essential: The most desirable sites fill months in advance. "Upon entering the park it was a 20-minute drive to our site. Our site was perfect wooded, gravel pad, water spigot across the street, bear proof box (a first for us)," notes Bobby C. about Quaker Area, recommending reservations 6+ months ahead for summer weekends.
Firewood purchasing strategy: Campers report significant price variations for firewood. "My problem is when you get to the park the small bundles way over priced 35$ lasted for a night. The next day we found camp wood 32"x60" rack for 15$ that lasted us 2 days. Buy firewood outside the park save yourself some cash," advises Bobby C.
Variable bathroom facilities: Facilities differ widely between campgrounds and even between camping loops. At Willow Bay, "vault toilets on the tent side and plumbing and showers on the RV side. Bathrooms were very clean and didn't smell, the showers were hot," explains Sean C., noting this setup is common throughout the region.
Tips for camping with families
Activity-rich campgrounds for kids: Some campgrounds provide extensive child-friendly amenities. At Triple R Camping Resort, "So much for the kids to do with splash pad, pool, playground and Rec room. Worth every penny," says Joshua G. The splash pad operates from late June through August, weather permitting.
Site selection for social opportunities: Certain campgrounds naturally facilitate interaction between families. "We stayed at site 131. It was nice and clean. We were not far from the bathrooms. But this area, all of the camp sites are right on top of each other. It was great for the kids because they were able to find instant friends and ride their bikes around," explains Verity S. about Quaker Area.
Evening entertainment options: Many campgrounds host structured activities after dinner. At Shamrock Pines Campground, "On Saturday night there was a band in an outdoor stage that was great," reports Douglas, noting their Saturday evening entertainment runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Tips from RVers
Site slope considerations: Many campsites in the region have uneven terrain requiring leveling equipment. "The fresh water spigot was at the end of our driveway, which is on a slight incline. A couple of extra tongue blocks would've been useful since the site slopes in the front and at the back," advises Tim J. about Willow Bay Recreation Area.
Cell service variability by loop: Coverage can change dramatically within the same campground. "First of all, the Hemlock loop has literally zero Verizon coverage. If you walk up to the entrance of the loop, you'll get 2 bars. We're staying at Willow Bay again in a few weeks, but in the Aspen Loop. We already drove by our future campsite and it registered 3 bars," reports Tim J., highlighting the importance of choosing sites based on connectivity needs.
Water hookup planning: Many campgrounds have limited full-hookup sites. "We ran low on fresh water, so a 75' hose was long enough to reach the fresh water spigot. The other campers used the spigot, but they toted water carriers," notes Tim J., recommending bringing extra-long hoses or portable water containers for partial hookup sites.
