99 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Sterling, New York provides access to several established campgrounds along Lake Ontario's southern shoreline. Fair Haven Beach State Park contains multiple camping areas including Bluff, Lakeview, Drumlin A and B, and Pond Shore Cabin areas, offering tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Additional campground options include Lake Bluff RV Park, SutterCreek Campground, and Sterling Creek Campground, creating a mix of public and private camping facilities within this lakefront region. Most campsites are concentrated around Fair Haven, approximately 5 miles north of Sterling.
Camping facilities throughout the area operate primarily from April through October, with most fully closing during winter months. "We love Fair Haven Beach State Park. It has something for everyone - fishing, boating, swimming, picnic areas, and of course, camping! You will see lots of wildlife from chipmunks to deer," notes one visitor. The campgrounds typically provide electric hookups at many sites, with water hookups and sewer connections available at select locations. Road access is generally well-maintained for standard vehicles, though some tent sites may require short walks from parking areas. Reservation requirements vary by property, with state park campgrounds typically requiring advance booking, especially during summer weekends and holidays.
The Sterling area offers distinctive camping experiences due to its proximity to both Lake Ontario and inland ponds. Many campsites provide water views or access, particularly at Fair Haven Beach State Park where campers can enjoy both lake and pond environments. According to one review, "You have Lake Ontario on one side of the road within the park and Sterling pond on the other. Very unique." Campers frequently mention the area's appeal for fishing enthusiasts and families seeking sandy beaches. Sites on the bluff overlooking Lake Ontario are particularly prized for their sunset views but can experience strong winds, especially during fall months. Bathroom facilities are generally well-maintained at established campgrounds, though amenities vary significantly between state park campgrounds and private facilities.
"I was in site 63 the first night and 68 the other two. 63 has more shade but 68 is right next to the bathroom and water spout if that’s important. I was able to find shade."
"weve camped here quite a few times as its close by for us. We have been in both the electric loop and the bluff, electric and non electric. The view from the bluff is unbeatable."
from $31 / night
Check Availability"Range of camping available from non electric to sites with electric also cabins are available. 2 swimming, sand beachs on lake Ontario with diving area in the canal that leads to a pond that has excellant"
"Cabins A++,Bathrooms A+, swimming,activities,views,location,nearby town. All the best."
from $24 - $88 / night
Check Availability"Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, there is to be no interaction with other campers and a mask must be worn when walking around campground. Everything for the kids was closed due to social distancing."
"Close to the beach which was very pretty and clean. Hiking trails, kayaking, and lots of other fun activities."
from $43 - $999 / night
Check Availability"The swimming area was a bit of a walk, but was worth it. Great place to camp if you are heading to the Sterling Renaissance Festival."
"Nice large beach, swimming, fishing in Ontario or Sterling pond. Boat launch, or small boat launch in Sterling pond."
from $24 - $33 / night
Check Availability"Close to town and lots to do."
"We love walking the pier. My boys love riding their bikes."
from $24 / night
Check Availability"We have gone here multiple years, during weekend trips to the Sterling Renaissance Faire. We have had a great experience each time."
"Sutter Creek is a 4 minute drive to the Renaissance Festival. The camp was very quiet and the owners were friendly and helpful. The activity room is for seasonal people only."
from $20 - $100 / night
Check Availability"You have Lake Ontario on one side of the road within the park and Sterling pond on the other. Very unique. Swans are everywhere even though they are not native to the area."
from $81 - $161 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 / night
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ScoutWe just enjoyed being outside, made dinner at camp, and stayed up talking around the fire. This was a pretty spontaneous getaway for us and ended up being one of the more relaxing weekends we have had this summer.
TravelerClean, safe RV park off a small lake. Functioning electric and water hookups as well as sewage. Very kind and helpful owners and friendly campers.
ScoutWhat I liked about Riverbend East is that our trip could be as simple as we wanted it to be. We brought some food, a couple of chairs, books, and not much of a plan.
ScoutMy favorite memory from our trip is probably the simplest one. I got up before everyone else, made coffee, and sat outside while the campground was waking up. No rushing anywhere and nothing that needed to get done. Sometimes those quiet mornings are the whole reason we go camping.
ScoutI didn’t realize how much I needed a few days away from screens and work until we got here. Most of our time was spent reading outside, making food at the campsite, and taking walks. By the second day I had completely stopped checking the time. That is exactly what I want out of a camping trip.
GuideOverall best camp in the area. Cabins A++,Bathrooms A+, swimming,activities,views,location,nearby town. All the best.
GuidePros: clean, good location,nice bathrooms,hot showers nice playground.
Cons: this cabin was on main thoroughfare,so people and traffic, stiff mattresses, very large religious group singing and playing loud music.
ScoutThis was our kids’ first proper camping trip, so we weren’t sure how they would handle sleeping somewhere completely different. They ended up loving the whole experience.
ScoutRiverbend East was where we decided to take our new camper for its first real trip. We were still figuring out where everything went and probably took twice as long as everyone else to get settled, but it ended up being a great weekend. Having the hookups available made our first trip much less intimidating. We are already looking forward to getting back out again.
Sterling's camping sites sit along Lake Ontario's eastern shore at approximately 250 feet above sea level. The area experiences warm summers with average highs around 80°F and cold winters dropping below freezing. Camping season typically runs April through October, with most facilities closing completely during winter months due to heavy lake-effect snow common to this region.
Fishing at multiple locations: Sterling pond within Fair Haven Beach State Park offers excellent freshwater fishing opportunities separate from Lake Ontario. "My grand kids love to fish on the pond and then go to the huge beach at the lake," notes one visitor at Pond Shore Cabin Area. The park provides diverse fishing environments within walking distance of campsites.
Renaissance Festival attendance: Campers staying at SutterCreek Campground often visit the nearby Sterling Renaissance Festival during summer months. "Sutter Creek is a 4 minute drive to the Renaissance Festival. The camp was very quiet and the owners were friendly and helpful," reports a camper. The festival typically runs weekends from early July through mid-August.
Beach and pier walking: Lake Ontario's shoreline provides recreational opportunities beyond swimming. "Every time we go to fair haven we have a great time... The beach is great. We love walking the pier. My boys love riding their bikes," mentions a visitor to Drumlin B Camping Area. The main pier extends approximately 300 feet into Lake Ontario, offering fishing spots and sunset viewing.
Spacious campsites: Many campers appreciate the room to spread out at Bluff Camping Area. "Spacious sites, not all are enclosed with trees but still plenty of room to spread out, we had two tents, two cars, a boat & a pop up table over tent and had plenty of room," notes one visitor. Most sites accommodate standard camping setups plus additional equipment.
Clean facilities: Bathhouse cleanliness receives frequent positive mentions from campers. "Showers were super clean & wicked spacious. Staff was friendly and extremely helpful when we needed to switch our site due to unkind neighbors," reports a camper at Bluff Camping Area. Most facilities include flush toilets and hot showers.
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting provides opportunities to observe local wildlife. At Thorndon Meadows, visitors can "Come lay under the stars and enjoy this gorgeous, native land." Another camper at Little Creek Camp noted, "I heard a Great Horned owl... Lovely weekend weather, curious creatures."
Site selection considerations: Terrain varies significantly between camping loops. "The non-electric sites were pretty much all on hilly areas, most would be impossible for an RV to get level, though there were a few that would have worked," notes a camper about Lakeview Camping Area. Topography affects site leveling, especially for larger units.
Weather factors: Lake Ontario influences local conditions, particularly wind. "Get a site by the buffs if you have a tent that can take some serious wind (especially in fall). Avoid Drumlin loop, it's sandier and smaller sites," advises one camper. Lakeside sites experience stronger winds than inland locations.
Seasonal dynamics: Campground atmosphere changes throughout the operating season. At Lake Bluff RV Park, "We camped so much here we got a free nights stay!" The campground offers loyalty incentives: "If you camp 6 nights in one season you get a night free!"
Kid-friendly activities: Children find numerous recreation options at most campgrounds. "Nice playground for kids. Access to park trails. A very nice sand beach on the lake," mentions a visitor to Bluff Camping Area. Most facilities maintain dedicated play areas with equipment suitable for various age groups.
Swimming options: Multiple beaches accommodate different swimming preferences. "Sterling pond on the other... Very unique," remarks one visitor. The pond offers calmer waters compared to Lake Ontario, making it suitable for younger swimmers. As one camper notes, "Great place to camp or even go for the day. Beach is a nice place to go and relax."
Family-centered amenities: Some campgrounds provide additional entertainment options. At Lake Bluff RV Park, "Near the play ground they have a nice game room pool, air hockey, video games. There is a change machine too." These features become particularly valuable during inclement weather.
Site selection for larger units: RVers should carefully consider campground layout when booking. "We drove through the 'bluffs' loop (electric sites), thinking it would be beautiful and look out on the water, but it was a nightmare for us, with huge RVs jam packed side by side like a parking lot," reports one RVer who ultimately moved to a different park.
Hookup availability: Sterling Creek Campground offers full hookup sites for RVers requiring complete connections. "Nice large, flat spot with full shade," notes one visitor, though they also mentioned, "Maybe I'm still on Midwest pricing, but I get annoyed when I have to pay for a shower when I've paid $25 for a non-electric and no water tent site."
Loop characteristics: Different camping loops offer varying experiences for RVers. "The lakeview loop was nicer, but still too many RVs all in a row," observed one visitor comparing different sections of Fair Haven Beach State Park. Sites in most loops are arranged to maximize capacity, with electric sites typically placed closer together than non-electric areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping options are available in Sterling, NY?
Sterling, NY offers diverse camping options centered around Lake Ontario and Sterling Pond. Fair Haven Beach State Park provides multiple camping areas with large, private sites and easy access to the beach. The park features both lakeside and pond-side camping experiences with swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities. Southwick Beach State Park Campground is another excellent option with extensive beach access on Lake Ontario. Additional camping areas in the region include Lakeview Camping Area, Bluff Camping Area, and Pond Shore Cabin Area, all offering varying levels of amenities from basic tent sites to cabins. The Sterling area's campgrounds are particularly popular during summer months when visitors can enjoy water activities and the small-town charm of the region.
Where can I find campgrounds near Sterling Renaissance Festival?
SutterCreek Campground is an excellent option for Renaissance Festival attendees, with many campers choosing this location specifically for festival weekends. The campground provides a convenient base for multiple-day festival visits, though be prepared for potential weather challenges during summer thunderstorms. Drumlin A Camping Area at Fair Haven Beach State Park is another great choice, with campers specifically mentioning it as an ideal location when attending the Sterling Renaissance Festival. While the campsite might require a short drive to the festival grounds, it offers the added benefits of swimming areas, fishing opportunities, and large private sites that make for a comfortable stay during the festival weekend.
Are there RV-friendly campgrounds near Sterling, New York?
Lake Bluff RV Park provides dedicated RV facilities near Sterling, with amenities designed specifically for recreational vehicles. The park offers a comfortable base for exploring the Sterling area and Lake Ontario shoreline. Sterling Creek Campground is another RV-friendly option, featuring big-rig-friendly sites with necessary hookups and toilet facilities. Many of the Fair Haven Beach State Park camping areas can also accommodate RVs, though some sites have unusual electrical post arrangements where one post serves two non-pull-through sites. When planning an RV trip to Sterling, it's advisable to check specific site dimensions and hookup arrangements before booking, especially during peak summer months when the most desirable RV sites fill quickly.
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