Camping options near Victor, New York range from lakeside facilities to woodland retreats within a 30-mile radius. The area sits at elevations between 600-900 feet in the Finger Lakes region, characterized by rolling hills, deep glacial lakes, and mixed hardwood forests. Winters are cold with heavy lake effect snow, while summer camping season typically runs from May through October with average temperatures between 65-85°F.
What to do
Hiking trails and waterfalls: Stony Brook State Park Campground features multiple trail options for different skill 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 to Stony Brook State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Bluff RV Park offers access to catch-and-release fishing areas. A camper reports, "This is our favorite place! Not too far away clean! Friendly family owned! Pool, frog pond, catch and release fishing. Has a nice camp store. They do events for kids every weekend. If you camp 6 nights in one season you get a night free!"
Local attractions: The area provides access to both natural spaces and nearby towns. "Canandaigua is a really cool little town too and has a beautiful lakefront park with beach and playground, only ten minutes from this campground. The water in Lake Canandaigua was very clear!" writes a visitor to Canandaigua-Rochester KOA.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the area offer well-sized camping spots. At Sampson State Park Campground, "Most sites are pretty spacious. Pets allowed in some loops. Marina convenience store with pontoon boat rentals. Fishing. Swimming. Ice cream and concessions stand. Arcade room. Outdoor movie screen. Nice playgrounds. Military museum. Paved loops - good for bikes and scooters."
Natural swimming areas: Several parks feature swimming options beyond standard pools. At Stony Brook State Park, one camper mentioned, "My favorite part about this park has to be their natural pool. It's beautiful and so refreshing. Great hikes with bunches of little waterfalls and small pools for swimming."
Weekend activities: Many campgrounds organize regular events. "The campground is clean and well maintained. The staff are ALL so nice. The amenities are plentiful and well cared for. The sites are level, in great shape, and has a wonderful large wooded area," explains a visitor to Canandaigua-Rochester KOA.
What you should know
Site selection considerations: Some campgrounds have specific site layouts that require planning. At Sampson State Park, "Electric service boxes are shared in-between sites. This could pose an issue if your power cord is not long enough. 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. Only 2 dump stations. They don't allow pull-in camping. Campers MUST be backed in."
Yurt camping in Victor, New York: While Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill doesn't specifically offer yurts, it provides alternative glamping options. A visitor to Ontario County Park at Gannett Hill notes, "Great secluded tent camping (recommend numbers 7 and 8), cabins are new and ample beds and space. Camper camping is close to everything, but less privacy."
Cell service limitations: Some locations have limited connectivity. At Flint Creek Campgrounds, "Don't expect any cell phone service. I've had friends who climbed up on top of their RV and still, no signal. It's out in the middle of nowhere, hard to find but extremely worth it."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Webster Park, "Nice central playground and bathroom/shower house. There is hiking in the park, lots of nice woods, big field for playing games/sports. The campground is very quiet and very kid friendly to allow them to walk around and ride or scooter the loop alone."
Planned activities: Many sites offer organized events for children. At Canandaigua-Rochester KOA, "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."
Nature exploration: The region offers opportunities for kids to interact with wildlife. At Cheerful Valley Campground, "This is a great place to relax. The creek is wonderful to fish in and sit by. There are things for kids to do and they have planned activities."
Tips from RVers
Site specifics: RV campers should note the varying quality of sites. At Junius Ponds, "Well maintained and friendly staff. Clean facilities. Most sites can accommodate large rigs with full hookups. Reservations recommended especially during summer weekends. Well priced $42 per night for full hookups."
Seasonal considerations: The camping season typically runs from May through October. At Letchworth State Park Campground, "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. All are close to the gorge/river and wooded, and connect to trails directly from your campsite."
Hookup availability: Campgrounds offer varying levels of services. At Webster Park, a long-term camper reported, "This is a nice little park. I've stayed four times in 2021, for as much as 2 weeks at a time. Cell phone coverage is poor by Verizon and T-Mobile, and there is no WiFi, and no camp store (but the town of Webster is nearby)."
