Camping is an excellent way to get out of the house, travel, and experience the great outdoors. It is great to be able to connect as a family, try new adventures, and experience what our country has to offer.
When we first started camping, I found the entire process overwhelming. It is easy to become stressed out over which campsites to pick, packing lists, and what everyone will do on the trip.
We had some great friends to show us the ropes. We wanted to share some strategies to make planning easier for you.
1. Make a Reservation
Reservations are key to the success of any camping trip. As camping has become more popular, some state parks and private campgrounds can require a reservation made 9 months to a year in advance for popular holiday weekends. Many campgrounds offer visual maps with photos of each site. Take the time to check out your site before booking to see how large it is and if it will meet your needs.
Reservations for NYS Parks can be made at https://www.reserveamerica.com/ When you have a state park reservation, you have free access to any state park during your stay. We often like to visit other state parks in the area when we plan our trips.
If you like private campgrounds, we’ve been very impressed by the KOA Campgrounds that we have stayed in. They also offer a rewards program. Bookings can be made at www.koa.com.
We like the rule of spending at least 3 nights in every campground. When you are camping, a large part of the trip is setting up and taking down camp. If you spend at least 3 nights, it allows you to truly experience “camp life.”
2. Check the Amenities at the Campground
Not all campgrounds are the same. Most of the time, you can find this information on the site where you are booking your reservation. If not, take the time to call the campground or state park directly and talk about what you can expect.
Some questions you may want to know ahead of time are:
Do all sites have electricity?
Are there sewer dumping stations on site?
Is there potable water available?
Are there bathrooms with showers?
Is there a camp store where you can purchase firewood?
Are there planned activities or events? Some
campgrounds offer theme weekends, kid’s activities,
and/or live music. Many state parks have pools,
beaches, and nature centers with programs.
3. Research Activities
Most campgrounds have spotty Wi-Fi and cell service. It’s a good idea to plan out your research before the trip. Following the campground or state park on social media can give you an idea of events that will be occurring during your visit. If a private campground is having a theme weekend during your visit, it is good to know in advance so you can bring extra money for special activities. We also like to search nearby festivals, restaurants, and attractions using TripAdvisor.
We also like to check out the NYS Empire Pass from our local library if we are camping at a private campground. This allows us to be able to visit any state park for free.
4. Plan your meals
Meal planning is key for any camping trip. Many campers choose to cook some meals in advance prior to leaving. This can include muffins for breakfast, pasta salads, or browning meat for walking tacos. We like to plan meals that are easy to prepare and clean up. We also, when possible like to do a few meals out when we are exploring the area
- Figure out how many meals you plan on cooking and what you want to eat. Then make a grocery list so you have everything on hand before you head to the campground.
- Don’t forget to bring an extra insulated bag for snacks at the pool, beach, or while you are out and about.
- We always make sure to bring our refillable water bottles.
5. Get Organized
- We make a checklist and start packing things in bags and boxes a few days before our trip. Our check list is digital, so we use the same list for every trip and modify it as needed.
- We always plan our first camping trip of the year close to home. This gives us a chance to test out our equipment and make sure we have everything before we venture further from home.
- Always plan for rain. We always bring rain gear, umbrellas, tarps to cover our stuff.
- Invest in a weather radio. As cell service is spotty, we have a special weather radio that will alert us to potential strong storms and/or severe weather.
- Make sure your first aid kit is stocked and up to date. When camping in a remote area, you will be happy to have all the essentials.
6. Have Fun
Camping and enjoying nature is a great way to connect as a family. Make sure to take that morning hike, find the beauty in nature, and take time to relax.
Rochester and the Finger Lakes have a variety of camping options. These are just a few of the many places my family has enjoyed.
Jellystone Park™ of Western New York Located in North Java, this resort offers the perfect destination for your next family vacation! Explore their hiking trails, swimming pool, water slides, playgrounds, and mini golf. There is plenty to do for you and your family. They also have planned activities and themed weekends, ensuring that there’s always something fun happening.
https://www.campjellystone.com/park/4-north-java-ny-buffalo-rochester/
Cast your line into the pond at the Canandaigua/Rochester KOA, and you may pull in a Canandaigua/Rochester KOA Holiday
A stay here puts you in the heart of Finger Lakes country with rolling hills, glacial lakes and vineyards. You will find many on-site fun things to do such as an obstacle course, jump pad, mini-golf, trails, ice cream socials, basketball/gaga ball/pickleball, game room, and paddle boats/bike rentals. Campers have access to quality fiber Wi-Fi and brand new luxury family bathrooms. They offer theme weekends for Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Halloween weekends in September and October. This KOA is close to CMAC or Lincoln Hill Farms for concerts and entertainment. You can also visit Downtown Canandaigua for The Central on Main, summer festivals, and Roseland Water Park.
https://koa.com/campgrounds/canandaigua/
Letchworth State Park
Also known as ‘The Grand Canyon of the East,’ there’s a reason Letchworth was once voted the ‘Best Park in the Nation.’An Olympic-sized swimming pool, family-friendly campgrounds, and White Water Rafting on the Genesee River will make campers wonder why other campgrounds cannot be like this. Be sure to check out the many shops and restaurants in the town of Mt. Morris on your way to the park. https://parks.ny.gov/parks/letchworth
Fairhaven State Park
Fair Haven Beach State Park is located in upstate New York on the eastern portion of the Lake Ontario shoreline. It has towering shoreline bluffs, sandy beaches and adjoining hilly woodlands. Fairhaven State Park is conveniently located close to the Sterling Renaissance Festival. This festival is open weekends during the summer. You should consider taking a scenic hike at Chimney Bluffs State Park located less than a half hour drive from Fairhaven. We also love to visit the town of Fairhaven in the summer and explore the shops and restaurants.
https://parks.ny.gov/parks/fairhavenbeach/details.aspx
Sampson State Park
On the eastern shore of Seneca Lake, Sampson State Park features camping and boating as the primary recreational activities. Activities include tennis, horseshoes, basketball and volleyball, a sandy beach with guarded swimming, playgrounds, and a scenic lake trail. Other popular activities include fishing, hunting, biking, hiking, local golf, geocaching, and wildlife viewing and photography. Sampson State Park has free entry and its own military museum. They host an outdoor Farmer’s Market and there are outdoor movies nightly at the theater near the concession stand. Located next to Seneca Lake Resorts, campers also have access to the weekend food trucks, entertainment, and arcade.
https://parks.ny.gov/parks/sampson/details.aspx
You can also discover hundreds of independently owned campgrounds for RV sites, tent sites, cabin rentals, or glamping with Camp New York. You can request a free guide on their website.
If you are looking to camp outside of the Rochester area, check out these ways to save money on your trip.
Would you like to visit NYS Parks for free? Head to your local library and see if they have an Empire Pass to check out. Passes are available for 1 week.
Do you have a 4th grader? If so, you can apply for a free National Parks Pass that allows your entire family to get free admission to our National Parks. This pass is good for a year. Find out the details at https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm
