The reviews are in and these 10 New York state parks get the most twinkles! We love to camp at New York State's Parks and there are so many to choose from. The parks have big lots that are often wooded and private and almost all have water and hiking nearby. In our quest to conquer as many as possible, we have hit only about 16 out of 118. That's why I am always dreaming where our next camping trip will find us and, if you are too, here are the 10 most well reviewed parks, in no particular order.
1.Chenango Valley State Park: This park is located near Binghamton, NY and has 206 campsites (24 cabins). The camping gets mixed reviews but still seems to score above a 4 out of 5. However, the park itself scores high with the majority of reviewers. While staying at this park you can enjoy the beach, biking, hiking, fishing, boat rentals, a concession stand, pavilions and a playground. This one has been crossed off our list after staying for a cold June weekend. The bathroom was clean but the shower wasn't cooperating so thumbs down on that. Overall we liked the park and enjoyed the trails, rented a row boat, tried out the playground and had a private spot with a field behind for the kids to do their thing.
2.Wellesley Island: The 1,000 Islands are an area unexplored by my family but on the short list. When we, finally, get there Wellesley Island may have to be our jumping off point. If you are bringing more than the family or the whole family for a reunion, this park would be great. There are 430 sites, some are woodsy and private, some sit along the banks of the St. Lawrence, some can only be reached by four or boat, some are cottages, some cabins and some even have full hook-ups. The park has a sandy beach, a concession stand, a recreation barn, a 9 hole golf course, and a camp store. There is also a marina, docks and great waters for anglers. This park tops it all off with the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center and all it has to offer. The park is in a beautiful location that is just a 20 minute drive from Alexandria Bay.
3.Lakeside Beach: This park has more than 250 campsites that sit on a bluff above Lake Ontario and is a great campground for watching the sun set. The park is not well named, since there is no swimming permitted at this beach. There is, however, plenty of other things to do and Hamlin Beach is just down the road. The park has many playgrounds scattered throughout, a camp store, a rec building, playing fields, hiking trails, a disc golf course and basketball hoops. Most of the campsites are on deep, private, wooded lots. We visited in the fall and it was a perfect time to drive along the country roads filled with farms and orchards, pick apples, carve pumpkins and walk the trails among the colored leaves.
4.Golden Hill: This is a park that wasn't even on my bucket list because the sites are all out in the open and not very private but, I hear this doesn't matter when you are here. The park is said to be very well maintained, the bathrooms are clean, quiet hours are quiet and the lighthouse and water make this a tranquil, beautiful place to get away to. The campground was recently updated with a brand new playground and a new bathroom. Tours are given of the 1875 lighthouse. I love this area so, with the great reviews, I may have to park the camper here one weekend and hike the trails, watch the light shine, have a sandwich at Thee Barker Store's lunch counter and tour the house.
5 . Letchworth:The Grand Canyon of the East is a great place to pitch your tent and was voted #1 state park in the country, in a national poll. There are 3 waterfalls, including Inspiration Falls, the tallest in the state. This park has 66 miles of hiking trails, whitewater rafting, bike paths, a museum, 2 restaurants, an overnight lodge, a large swimming pool and 339 campsites. The park has many events and tours to keep you busy and the big one is Red, White and Blue Balloon Festival. The balloon festival takes place on Memorial Day weekend and offers you a chance to fly up, up and away in a beautiful balloon. This park is great for a day and even better to lay your head, roast your marshmallows and sing your campfire songs. Like most NY state parks most of the sites are deep and woodsy and almost 200 of them are deep enough to fit the big rigs.
6. Rollins Pond: Rollins Pond State Park is the quieter sister of Fish Creek Pond but the news of that has spread and the park is growing louder. Most of the 284 sites are on the water and they are set apart from each other with trees and space. The showers and the bathrooms were very clean and a delivery service comes through with firewood, ice and ice cream! The pond is perfect for kayaking, canoeing or just floating about. The only downfall is said to be the drive in through Fish Creek. It is a slow go and it takes awhile to arrive or venture out but this also makes this a more secluded destination and there are still plenty of places to check out for the day. Overall, Rollins Pond is a secluded and quiet campground huddled down in the Adirondacks' beautiful landscape.
7.Moreau Lake: All the things to love about state park camping are present at Moreau Lake, the low cost, the trees, a beach, a nature center, boat launch, 20+ trails, playgrounds, a picnic grove, and deep, private campsites. The new and improved bathrooms are ready for your liking and there are cabins and cottages too. The towns of Saratoga Springs and Lake George are just down the road and if you don't mind a little bit more of a drive, the Berkshires are about an hour and a half away. Pack the kayaks, fishing rods, bathing suits and firewood for some time in the great outdoors at Moreau Lake.
8.Watkins Glen: We visited Watkins Glen State Park on a cold and wet Memorial Day Weekend and were very happy to have an electric site:) We still managed to ride bikes in between rain showers and the kids enjoyed the large and new playground. The pool was not open yet but the trails always are and the hikes through the Glen were beautiful and probably the biggest reason for 4.7 stars in reviews. The town had just enough for us to shove into a phone booth for insta and have a yummy lunch at the Wildflower Cafe. We drove around the wine-centric towns and the shoreline in town. We visited the Glenn H. Curtis Museum and spent some time out of the rain checking it out. Watkins Glen is a beautiful park with 293 campsites to choose from.
9. Robert H. Treman: This park is definitely on the top of my family's list. Not all the sites are as private or wooded as some other state parks but we had no problems with noise or people walking through our site and there was plenty of places for the kids to roam. They loved spending time on the banks of Enfield Creek and playing on the playground across the way. The bathrooms were clean and there was a block of cabins that sat near one the hiking trails. The trails, waterfalls and swimming holes were what made this trip great. Ithaca is, of course, gorges (anyone around has seen the bumper sticker). This park is so perfect for a summer weekend.
10.Lake Durant: There are not a lot of reviews in on this park but the ones that are rate this park high. Lake Durant State Park sits on a man made lake and is very private and tucked away in the town of Indian Lake. The area has over 300 miles of trails to explore in Indian Lake with hidden lakes, fire towers and critter sitings. Blue Mountain Lake is just down the road and is where The Adirondack Museum is located. Best of all this campground affords lazy days by the water, kayaking or fishing. Lake Durant is a great place to unplug and enjoy nature and family.
New York State Parks are the perfect places to escape to but remember to book early-the good spots go quick. Check out campadk website for pictures of each site at most NY State parks and go to reserve america to book the best camping!