OT--Camping in NY State near Buffalo - Rochester

[MomofPirate&Mickey]

Hi all, I'm fairly new to the site. We are going to NY this summer to take my step-kids (princess: 10 & pirate: 8) tent camping. Any suggestions for a good campground? We are currently looking at Niagara County Camping Resort. Has any one been here? What did you think??

Jody :tinker:

Wife to Rob :darth: , Mom to Ben pirate: 4, & Leo:mickeyjum almost 2.

[des1954]

My DBro, NTSammy5, lives in the Niagara area & does a lot of camping. Hopefully, he'll see this and reply. I lived there like.... 35 years ago... (now in Fla myself) so I don't know what's available and/or good. Whenever I go to Niagara Falls, I stay at DBro's house!! It's only fair because he crashes my week long stays at FtW!!:lmao:

If he doesn't see this, send him a PM.

[ntsammy5]

If he doesn't see this, send him a PM.

Deb, you won't believe this, but this is the old Bedford Beach!

To answer the question, yes we used to stay summers here many, many, many years ago (mid 60s). I actually drove through it a couple of years ago. I'm not impressed with it.

If you're looking for a good place to stay, near Rochester I have 2 suggestions -- both State Parks. Letchworth State Park and Stoney Brook State Park. Nearer to Niagara Falls is a place called Four Mile Creek which is on Lake Ontario. It's also a state park. If you decide on Stoney Brook, there is no electricity but it's right on a creek that's great for hiking in. Bring some old sneakers along to walk in the creek with. Here's a link to Reserve America which handles reservations for NYS parks now.

http://www.reserveamerica.com/

Good luck and PM me if you'd like more informatiion.

[MomofPirate&Mickey]

If you're looking for a good place to stay, near Rochester I have 2 suggestions -- both State Parks. Letchworth State Park and Stoney Brook State Park. Nearer to Niagara Falls is a place called Four Mile Creek which is on Lake Ontario. It's also a state park. If you decide on Stoney Brook, there is no electricity but it's right on a creek that's great for hiking in. Bring some old sneakers along to walk in the creek with. Here's a link to Reserve America which handles reservations for NYS parks now.

Good luck and PM me if you'd like more informatiion.

Thanks, I don't think I have enough posts yet to PM though (I think this is my 7th one).

The step-kids live in Fairport, near Rochester. That's why we're going all the way up there. Thought it would be a cheaper alternative that flying them (and their mother, long story) down here to FL. Besides, we all just went to Disney at Christmas time w/ the in-law's as well & stayed at Pop Century.

I'll have to look into the State Parks. I did like the price and all the free stuff to do at this campground though. It would cost us the same for a wk there as it would for 2 nights (as we're doing on Mother's Day w/e) at Disney:scared1: .

What about the KOA parks?? I know there's one near Niagara and one in Canadaiga (sp??)... Have you had any luck with those??


Thanks for the advice!!

[ntsammy5]

The KOAs aren't too good around here. The campground in Lockport really is just OK. I'm not sure what's there now, but look at the place where the Griswolds stayed in Christmas Vacation, the tents, and that's kind of what it used to be like.

We mostly camp at State Parks or in the Adirondaks-- and backpacking along AT -- but with an artificial knee now, I'm not sure how much of that I'll be doing.

Look at Reserve America and see what they have to offer.


ALSO -- I just saw Mother's day -- it can be pretty cool camping in May around here. You may want to look at cabins. I can tell you that most swimming facilities don't open until after Memorial Day.

[MomofPirate&Mickey]

[/QUOTE]
ALSO -- I just saw Mother's day -- it can be pretty cool camping in May around here. You may want to look at cabins. I can tell you that most swimming facilities don't open until after Memorial Day.[/QUOTE]

No, we're going to the Ft. for Mother's Day weekend. :woohoo:

We'll be going camping in NY in July around the 4th.:beach:

Thanks for the advise. I've been looking at the state parks up there since you mentioned them. I've got a couple that I'm kind-of starting to like. So, we'll probably go there. Thanks again!!

[ftwildernessguy]

Letchworth is a nice park. There is some good hiking to do around there, too.

[MomofPirate&Mickey]

Letchworth is a nice park. There is some good hiking to do around there, too.

Thanks FTWGuy, I think that maybe where we end up. It's pretty close to where the kids live too, so their mom won't have to drive too far to bring them to us.:goodvibes

[ntsammy5]

Letchworth has a very nice swimming pool, but you have to drive to it from the camp grounds. Maybe 2-3 miles. It's got some absolutely great trails and the scenery is spectacular. Better make reservations soon because the 4th tends to fill up. We were there last August and had a great time -- eating clams and drinking beer. About 15 of us -- some of our kids and their pets and spousess also showed up. Went through a lot of beer and wine. Great time.

[MomofPirate&Mickey]

Letchworth has a very nice swimming pool, but you have to drive to it from the camp grounds. Maybe 2-3 miles. It's got some absolutely great trails and the scenery is spectacular. Better make reservations soon because the 4th tends to fill up. We were there last August and had a great time -- eating clams and drinking beer. About 15 of us -- some of our kids and their pets and spousess also showed up. Went through a lot of beer and wine. Great time.

Well, with 4 kids in tow, I doubt that we'll be drinking anything other than Water, Soda & Tea. Although I might need something heavier by the end!!!;) ;) :laughing:

I think it's between there & 4 Miles, so I'll have to get my husband to take a look at them, then we'll decide. Do you know how much you have to put in for the deposit? I know in Ohio for their state parks, it was one night per site, like with Disney.

[ntsammy5]

I think you have to prepay completely to make the reservation.

4 Mile is about a 20 minute drive to Niagara Falls and there's a place called Art Park that's nearby that's pretty good for kids. Swimming pool is about a 5 minute drive to Fort Niagara which is also a great place to go to. Have fun.

BTW our youngest is 26 so when we get together beer & wine is almost always involved.

[MomofPirate&Mickey]

I think you have to prepay completely to make the reservation.

4 Mile is about a 20 minute drive to Niagara Falls and there's a place called Art Park that's nearby that's pretty good for kids. Swimming pool is about a 5 minute drive to Fort Niagara which is also a great place to go to. Have fun.

BTW our youngest is 26 so when we get together beer & wine is almost always involved.

:laughing: :laughing:

I think we're going to end up at Letchworth. Do you like any site in particular? I'm looking at the 300 & 800 loops there.

[MomofPirate&Mickey]

Isn't there a Jellystone Campground in that area?? I think I remember seeing it on their site. Have any experience with this?

Still weighing my options.....:cool2:

[ntsammy5]

There's one south of Buffalo, but I've never been there.

[MomofPirate&Mickey]

There's one south of Buffalo, but I've never been there.


Thanks. I haven't been since I was a child, and then it was the one here in FL on the way down to Disney.....

I looked at the information for Letchworth. They said that the pool (south pool, I think) was closed for 2008, but there was another pool open to campers, but it was a 20 min. drive.... Bummer:sad1: :eek: I'm sure we'd still go if we choose this park, but still, what a drive just to go swimming!!:sad2:

[ntsammy5]

It's more like a 5-10 minute drive, but the park is quite long.

I think they may be talking about the distance from the cabins in the lower falls area to the pool. The tent/RV sites are further north. We like the 100 loop, but they're all good.

[des1954]

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12/12_6_14.gif (http://*******************************************ZSzeb00 1_ZNxmk762YYUS) I vote for Letchworth!!! (Oh, I'm not a part of this trip.)

If I were a part of your trip, I'd vote for Letchworth. I've not camped there since I was a kid - but have been there lots as an adult. Trust me.... there are so many places to explore that if you never used the pool, you wouldn't miss it. There are (I think) 3 different sets of waterfalls (2 for sure) that are great to hike to and beautiful to see.

IIRC, there are parts of the Genessee River that are shallow enough to wade into and look for critters & crawfish. You are also near enough for a day trip to the Corning Factory in Corning, NY. Neat place to visit!

Like NTSammy5 (my bro) said - - - get your ressies in soon!!!

I hope you have a great time!

Deb

[MomofPirate&Mickey]

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/12/12_6_14.gif (http://*******************************************ZSzeb00 1_ZNxmk762YYUS) I vote for Letchworth!!! (Oh, I'm not a part of this trip.)

If I were a part of your trip, I'd vote for Letchworth. I've not camped there since I was a kid - but have been there lots as an adult. Trust me.... there are so many places to explore that if you never used the pool, you wouldn't miss it. There are (I think) 3 different sets of waterfalls (2 for sure) that are great to hike to and beautiful to see.

IIRC, there are parts of the Genessee River that are shallow enough to wade into and look for critters & crawfish. You are also near enough for a day trip to the Corning Factory in Corning, NY. Neat place to visit!

Like NTSammy5 (my bro) said - - - get your ressies in soon!!!

I hope you have a great time!

Deb




Ok, Ok, we'll go there. I actually think there was only 1 or 2 sites left in the 100 loop. I sure my boys would love that loop, as it is the pet loop, but I don't think we'll get our ressie put in, in time to get that one. I'm shooting for 800, it still had a lot left on it. 300 looked alright, but only had 1 on the outside of the loop, 4 on the inside though.

All my step-son wanted to do when he was here in Dec was go into the pool for the first day or two. He finally got to go in that first night, after MGM, but that's all he bugged about. Didn't want to ride anything, just swim. We finally told him to knock it off:mad: , or we wouldn't let him go swimming at all for the entire time he was here, even if the other kids got to go. He finally settled down, and was able to go for a longer period of time a couple of days later. So he was happy:) But he was 7 at the time, Oh the priorities of kids!!!!:jumping1:

[gail789]

In NY, the state parks are marvelous.
Letchworth, absolutely beautiful, lots to do
Allegheny -more senic, you may even see a bear
Lake Erie State Park -right on the water

look up NY state Parks and you are sure to find a match that suits you.
Have fun, and bring the smores.

[des1954]

In NY, the state parks are marvelous.
Letchworth, absolutely beautiful, lots to do
Allegheny -more senic, you may even see a bear
Lake Erie State Park -right on the water

look up NY state Parks and you are sure to find a match that suits you.
Have fun, and bring the smores.

OMG.... I completely forgot about Lake Erie State Park!! Our family went there a lot when I was a kid - and you took your life in your hands by swimming in the lake (pollution was horrible in the 60's). I do remember hiking for hours on end in a ravine that was entirely black shale. I also picked up lots of "treasures" on the beach...mostly tumbled glass - but it was treasure to a 7 year old girl! (Ha). Allegheny is also a lovely park (or was back in the 70's). Ya know... there are quite a few state parks in NY that are good!

[MomofPirate&Mickey]

Thanks to everyone for their great advise on camping in NY:cool1: . We're all starting to look forward to it. Talked to the Step-Kids last night, and they're starting to get on board and get excited.:thumbsup2