Ready to pitch a tent and go camping this summer? Consider visiting one or both of these campgrounds in Western New York. Keuka Lake State Park and Letchworth State Park were both named among the top 10 best places to camp in the Northeast, with the Yates County park topping the list. The Dyrt, a website for camping and camping enthusiasts, recently compiled a list of the best camping spots, based on camping reviews and ratings by their community.
Keuka Lake State Park Campground in New York
Keuka Lake State Park, located in Yates County near the northwestern portion of the Y-shaped lake, ranked first on The Dyrt’s list.
This is what Dyrt said: “Keuka Lake State Park is ideally located in New York State’s Finger Lakes wine country. It is known for excellent fishing, as well as hiking, swimming and boating. There is an inviting beach with playground activities. Large campsites are scattered throughout on a hill above. The lake, with trees for privacy, leads from the campsites to the beach. Modern bathroom/shower facilities and paved paths provide shaded picnic tables, rentable pavilions and grills for a scenic drive around Keuka Lake can become a wine tasting tour and the nearby towns of Penn Yan and Hammondsport are full of character.
Joseph B. of the Dyrt community said the campground offered “large, grassy areas with privacy.”
“The lake was beautiful and fun to swim in with the kids,” said Alex R. of The Dyrt Community. “Nice sanitary facilities within a short walking distance and not too close.”
If you go to Keuka Lake
If you plan to visit the Keuka Lake State Park campground this summer, there are sites available.
According to the website, rates range from $18 to $30 for an overnight campsite stay. Campsites are booked through the New York State campground system. The campsite has 150 pitches for tents and caravans, of which approximately a third have electricity.
Letchworth State Park Campground in New York
Letchworth State Park is about 45 minutes from Rochester and approximately 17 miles long, spanning Livingston and Wyoming counties. It ranks seventh on the list.
This is what Dyrt said: “The campground is ideally located for exploring the 14,000-acre park surrounding the Genesee River, known as the ‘Grand Canyon of the East.’ With its beautiful waterfalls, hiking, fishing and bird watching, the area attracts visitors all year round. The large campground has nice restrooms with showers plus camping cabins, a swimming pool, playgrounds and picnic areas. You can explore the seven-mile Gorge Trail also paddle the river or view an interactive exhibit at the Humphrey Nature Center. Winter activities include snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Jeff from Dyrt Community said he loved camping in Letchworth as the sites are large and spread out and the camp store is great with a separate mini farmers market with fresh produce and baked goods.
“Beautiful and accessible,” says Christine M. from the Dyrt Community. “The falls and gorge had several views that you can enjoy if you can’t hike. The campground is on the opposite side of the park from the falls, so it’s a long and beautiful drive. We enjoyed hiking along the waterfall trails. There were many beautiful places to picnic.
If you go to Letchworth
If you plan to camp at Letchworth State Park this summer (or fall), there are campsites available.
According to the website, rates range from $24 to $26 for an overnight campsite stay. Campsites are booked through the New York State campground system.
Cabins, tents and caravan camping are all available in the park. Letchworth has more than 250 campsites, but none are on the Genesee River. Some of the 81 cabins are available all year round. Reserve cabins early as they sell out during peak season. Not all cabins have electricity or bathrooms.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Best Places to Camp in Northeast? Keuka Lake, Letchworth State Parks
