Camping areas near Lyons, New York sit within the Finger Lakes region at elevations ranging from 400-900 feet, creating distinct microclimates around each lake basin. The camping season typically spans mid-April through mid-October, with July temperatures averaging 70-85°F during the day and 55-65°F at night. Most campgrounds close after Columbus Day weekend as temperatures begin to drop and seasonal staff departs.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Junius Ponds Cabins and Campground offers a catch-and-release fishing pond that's stocked and easy to fish. As one camper notes, "They offer themed weekends and have activities for kids."
Swimming beaches: Several campgrounds maintain swimming areas with varying amenities. At Lake Bluff RV Park, visitors appreciate the "beautiful and clean" beach area. One visitor mentioned, "Close to the beach which was very pretty and clean. Hiking trails, kayaking, and lots of other fun activities."
Historic exploration: The region's rich history includes former military installations. Sampson State Park contains preserved elements from its past as a naval training base. A visitor shared that "There is a museum, boat launch, pavilions, and ice cream shop on the camp ground."
Biking paths: The Cayuga-Seneca Canal Trail provides flat, scenic riding opportunities accessible from several campgrounds. A reviewer at Waterloo Harbor Campground mentioned, "Easy access to the Cayuga Seneca Canal Trail."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campsites in the region provide ample room between neighbors. At Sampson State Park Campground, a camper noted, "Huge sites. Spacious park. Wonderful beach and nice fishing areas."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds throughout the area maintain well-kept bathrooms and showers. One visitor to South Shore RV Park praised the "Quite campground, well maintained, clean bathhouse, definitely will stay again."
Variety of campsite settings: From waterfront to wooded sites, campers can choose their preferred environment. A visitor to Cayuga Lake State Park Campground described, "We stayed in the 800 loop along the tree line. Sites were very spacious! Great camping location with plenty of outdoor activities."
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings and evenings offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. At Little Creek Camp, one camper shared, "I heard the most beautiful sounds!" while another mentioned, "Heard a Great Horned owl."
What you should know
Seasonal camper presence: Many campgrounds have a significant number of seasonal residents. At Canandaigua-Rochester KOA, a visitor observed, "Our first KOA stop, so can't compare to other KOAs, but this place has a good number of family activities and events. We lucked out with a nice private site in the back. The sites here for the most part are lacking in privacy."
Site drainage issues: Spring camping can be challenging after rainfall. At Cheerful Valley Campground, a visitor cautioned, "The spring can be tricky with the rain, some sites can get messy."
Varying levels of privacy: Site privacy differs significantly between and within campgrounds. One camper at Cayuga Lake State Park Campground noted, "Tent camping here felt like we were camping in a neighborhood backyard. We could hear so many different families talking and really doing everything you do while camping but the area felt so open and unobstructed voices carried."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially for summer weekends and holiday periods. A visitor to Junius Ponds noted, "Most of the sites are for seasonal guests so it can be difficult to get a reservation."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Many campgrounds schedule regular events for children. One visitor to Cheerful Valley Campground mentioned, "There are things for kids to do and they have planned activities."
Playground availability: Multiple campgrounds feature playgrounds of varying sizes and conditions. At Canandaigua-Rochester KOA, a camper shared, "Our 3 and 5 year olds really enjoyed the jump pad and woods obstacles."
Swimming options: Family-friendly swimming areas can be found throughout the region. A visitor to Lake Bluff RV Park commented, "Had a large, private plot in drumlin loop. Close to the beach which was very pretty and clean. Hiking trails, kayaking, and lots of other fun activities."
Biking opportunities: The relatively flat terrain and paved campground roads provide safe cycling for children. At Sampson State Park, a camper noted, "Paved loops - good for bikes and scooters."
Tips from RVers
Hookup configurations: Electric service boxes are sometimes shared between sites. At Sampson State Park, one RVer cautioned, "Electric service boxes are shared in-between sites. This could pose an issue if your power cord is not long enough."
Water access points: Limited water filling stations can create bottlenecks during busy check-in periods. An RVer at Sampson State Park warned, "There is only source for water fill up. This could end up being a very very long wait if you arrive at the same time as other campers."
Site leveling: Site grades vary significantly across campgrounds. A visitor to Junius Ponds mentioned, "The office staff was polite and kind, chatted with a couple campers that were also very pleasant. A little highway noise, but would still recommend staying here."
Pull-through availability: Pull-through sites are limited at some parks. A camper at Junius Ponds appreciated that "They had a oversized, long pull through available (site 88) that made entering and exiting the site nice and easy."
