Camping sites near Gowanda, New York sit within the region's varied topography, ranging from river valley lowlands at 760 feet to surrounding hills reaching 1,800 feet elevation. The camping season typically runs from early May through mid-October, with July temperatures averaging 70°F but evening temperatures dropping into the 50s even during summer months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: East Otto State Forest offers primitive camping with fishing access. "Nice campground, free, fishing, secluded, everyone needs to start picking up their trash though," notes Joseph F. about the East Otto State Forest.
Water activities: Kayaking and swimming opportunities exist at several campgrounds in the region. At Lake Erie State Park Campground, campers can access the lake shore directly. "We stayed here two nights and traveled around the area. It was located near the things we wanted so we wouldn't have normally stopped, but glad we did both nights as the sunset was for sure worth it," reports Scott M.
Hiking exploration: The region offers numerous trails through varied terrain. At Allegany State Park, campers find extensive trail systems. "We camped here with one of our children, and hiked a couple of trails, that were beautiful!" shares Trina W. about Quaker Area — Allegany State Park.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campgrounds vary in spacing and privacy. "Sites were spaced out enough that you know someone was in the site next to you, but you couldn't see them," explains Nicholas K. about East Otto State Forest.
Lake views: Several campgrounds provide water views and access. "This campground is FANTASTIC! When you think State Park there is almost always a compromise, but not here. We stayed on site A23 for a week in mid-July... and the views are EPIC!" says Brian P. about Lake Erie State Park.
Winter options: Some parks remain open year-round for cold-weather camping. "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," notes Alex B. about Quaker Area — Allegany State Park.
What you should know
Variable cell service: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. "It said there would be verizon cell service, there was absolutely nothin. I will absolutely be back!" mentions Courtney C. about East Otto State Forest.
Campground cleanliness concerns: Site conditions can vary based on previous campers. "The real drag was the cleanliness of the sites, we arrived on Thursday and pretty much had our pick of sites out of 15. I think we found the cleanest non occupied one by far, but there were others that it looked like a kegger was hosted there the night before," reports Nicholas K.
Bathroom facilities: Amenities differ between primitive and established campgrounds. At Sprague Brook Park, "Bathrooms with showers were spotless. Grass maintained. One small complaint is checkin and out times not enforced. Checkin states 3 pm but we saw many checking in as early as 8 or 9 AM," notes Marilyn C.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. "This is a quiet park with fairly level campsites updated power to upper loop kids can play in creek. The lower loop you can see small children ride around the loop and watch them gain their independence but still have a eye one them friendly atmosphere of all the campers," explains James K. about Sprague Brook Park.
Pet-friendly options: Most campgrounds welcome dogs with proper supervision. "We went for a quick weekend trip with 3 people and 4 dogs. What a great spot! We were nice and secluded, which was great for the dogs to run around, be safe, and not bother other campers," shares Maddie C. about East Otto State Forest.
Creek exploration: Several campgrounds feature shallow creeks safe for children. "The park is so big I only got to do some of the hiking. very nice," mentions Angie S. about Quaker Area at Allegany State Park.
Tips from RVers
Electrical hookups: RV sites with electricity are limited at some campgrounds. At Evangola State Park Campground, "This campground has three loops. One has 30 amp power, one has 50 amp power (with a 30 amp outlet on the same pedestal) and the third loop is for tent camping. There are several places to get water in the camp, so be sure to fill up your tanks before you park," advises Kim D.
Water access points: Most campgrounds don't offer full hookups but provide water fill stations. "The water hookups are NOT at each site, but there is one CLOSE to each site, so you can run your house over, fill your tank, and disconnect," explains Brian P. about Lake Erie State Park.
Site selection: RV site quality varies significantly between and within campgrounds. "Most campsites are a decent size and have electric hook ups. There is a playground for the kiddos and a pond to fish in," notes Amanda K. about Sprague Brook Park.
