Sampson State Park Campground

We got a spot last minute on the loop nearest the lake. Did not have a lot of shade so it was hot but the park is lovely. Decent bath houses— not well cleaned especially on the weekend. Utilities can be far from the parking spot.

Well maintained campground on an old Naval Training Center. Lots of mature trees shade most of the sites. Sites are all gravel and backin’s- no pull throughs. Sites are generous in size but the power poles are between sites and are often more than 20 ‘ away, however the camp store will rent you 30a extensions. Place is great for kids. Lots to do with a couple of playgrounds, guarded swimming area, kayak rentals, movie nights and a concession stand to get pizza and snacks! Seems to always have a breeze off the lake on loop 5. Sites 222,224,226,228,230 and 232 are all on the water. Book quickly because they fill up fast and then you’re waiting for cancellations.

HIGHLIGHTS : 

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

NEAR BY ATTRACTIONS: Wineries

CONS: 

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

Large sites, clean restrooms & showers. Should be a model for other state campgrounds. Nice swimming beach & playgrounds for kids. About half hour to Watkins Glen. Beautiful sunsets over the lake.

We camped here for 3 nights, I had an event in Geneva. Location was handy, easy in and out. It’s an old navy/Air Force base that was converted in the 60’s. Sites have a weird thing with one electric post per two sites… but they aren’t pull through. So, apparently, New York doesn’t care if you just park anywhere in the general area of your site, which is a vibe, but bring an extension cord. There’s some kind of “resort” co-located that appears to have more conventional hookups, but I’m unclear on how to book that. Price was fine, spot was ok, lake swim beach and playground were nice.

Spent 4 days at this beautiful State Park. Sites have electric bring and extension cord for some are more then 30' from the pads. The bathrooms were super clean and well maintained. There are 2 convenient stores on the campground property, one also serves hot food to order. There is over 5 miles of paved and unpaved trails. And the park is right on the Lake so you can launch your kayaks straight from the shore line or use the boat ramp for 5 dollars should you have a boat. Most of the pads are level

Very friendly and clean. Campsites were enormous. I will be back.

Have been coming here for many years! It may not have changed much but still an awesome place to camp especially with kids! Bathrooms and showers are kept very clean in all circles and they have added a new up to date playground! Only draw back is all out of staters are charged $5 more each night to camp which I think is very unfair!

Best campground in the Finger Lakes area. Reserve early thru Reserve America! Lake access & beach area, playgrounds for kids, bicycling, close to area wineries, etc. Large sites, easy access. super clean bath houses, safe, no seasonals. This is a past military training base, large open spaces. Military museum on property. Cons: no water or sewer on sites; dump stations, water available at stations; bring your hoses & prepare to conserve.

large tent and rv sites most with electric. Potable water fill station and dump tanks at entrance/exit. Bathrooms were very clean and had dish washing stations in them. Loop 5 has beautiful views of the lake. Great little beach and swimming area; water was very clean. Small camp store and concession stand with fish fries, breakfast foods and ice cream. I saw someone mention issues with park police, we didn’t even see one!

The campground is right along the lake with great access to the water and close to the many wineries of the finger lakes. There is a store with lots of food and supplies. The sites are not private as most are in a field. Cute cabins available as well.

The campground is beautiful and if you reserve early enough you can reserve a site overlooking Seneca lake. Clean area to swim and close to several wineries. Fun for the whole family!

This campground is close to 40+ wineries and Watkins glen. It has a pretty beach and clean large sites.

Beautiful. Spacious campsites, electric and water hook ups. Bathhouses are clean

Huge sites. Spacious park. Wonderful beach and nice fishing areas.

some cool adventure drives around the old base.

This park is very clean, good size sites. Has a very nice military museum.

Only about 15 minutes to the closest large town (Geneva), Sampson State park has it all. Recreation Hall, swimming, fishing, great lake front playground,camp store, hiking trails(many wheelchair friendly) and boating. This campground is also dog friendly.

Great place! Lots of places to go, friendly people and clean. Bring bicycles and definitely go on both visual and audio tours

added new cabins

There is a museum, boat launch, pavilions, and ice cream shop on the camp ground. The bathrooms are great with showers and each camp spot has plenty of distance away from the next one. They were building amazing lakeside cottages the last time I went and the cabins were small but could sleep 3-4 people in one room. Parking was great and the trails were clear. Maintenance crew starts around 7.

Right on the water front of Seneca Lake(a Finger lake in Central NY) It was a Naval training base during WWll. About 45 minutes from Rochester and about hr and half from Syracuse. It has a Naval museum with many authentic items from that era. Very shady and ample bathroom,shower, and water facilities. If you like wild life you may run into some animals that are indigenous to Central/Western NY. There are boating ramps and nice places to fish off a wall, plus a nice public beach fully staffed with life guards. A store and rec center is located at entrance area of camp ground as well as a big playground for the children