Campground Owners of New York, which hosts CampNewYork.com, highlights new, expanding and improving campgrounds across The Empire State
Independently owned and operated campgrounds in New York are making improvements in preparation for the 2023 camping season.
“Most independently owned and operated campgrounds make improvements of some kind each year,” said Donald G. Bennett, Jr., President and CEO of Campground Owners of New York (CONY), a trade association that operates CampNewYork.com, a travel planning website of approximately 200 campgrounds and RV parks in New York State.
“Improvements range from new campsites and rental accommodations to playgrounds, jumping pillows, gem mining sluices, new recreation halls, swimming pools and other attractions of interest to families,” Bennett said.
CONY has recently partnered with Livingston Energy Group, a Lynkwell company, to assist member parks in navigating the process for installing EV charging stations, including seeking power company approval, grant administration, and installation. This is a total turnkey program to assist park operators who desire to install EV charging stations to improve the quality of offerings for the camping public at more parks across New York State.
Following is information on some of New York’s newest campgrounds as well as descriptions of some of the improvements park operators have been making in preparation for the upcoming camping season:
Finger Lakes:
— Finger Lakes RV Resort in Hector: This quiet new park, which opened in 2022, is located on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail and tends to have adult campers as opposed to families. The park features pull through sites and fiber optic WiFi. The park’s owners are currently constructing a timber frame pavilion and a community fire pit. They also plan to install six charging stations for electric vehicles.
Chautauqua-Allegheny Region:
— Jones Pond Campground & RV Park in Angelica: This campground is renovating its swimming pool and surrounding area with all new cement, an expanded pool deck, landscaping and a new lighting and sound system. This campground is “male only” for guests 21 years and older.
— Triple R Camping Resort in Franklinville: This park is installing new electrical infrastructure that will give it the ability to install new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations next year. The EV charging stationswill be available for guest use as well as use by the general public.
Central New York:
— Cooperstown Beaver Valley Cabins & Campsites in Milford: This campground, which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, has added 14 new campsites with water, electric and sewer service in addition to adding sewer service to seven existing campsites. The park’s owners have also resurfaced the swimming pool.
— Kellystone Park Campground in Ninevah: This park is adding two goats as well as some pigs, chickens and ducks to its petting zoo, which also includes a pony named ‘Buttercup” and an alpaca named “Snowball.” Other improvements include the installation of horseshoe pits and new laundry facilities.
Greater Niagara Region:
— Southwoods RV Resort in Byron: This park has made several improvements over the past couple of years, including adding 37 new pull-through RV sites with 50 amp service. The park has also added a new recreation hall with a stage and warming kitchen, laid black top surfacing on more roadways and parking lots and added another exit with security gates.
Hudson Valley:
— Spacious Skies Woodland Hills in Austerlitz: This campground will offer new amenities this year, including two new playgrounds, a jumping pillow, and a gem mine. A swimming pool is also under construction. Other improvements include two renovated bath houses and new laundry facilities.
Thousand Islands-Seaway Region:
—Swan Bay Resort & Marina in Alexandria Bay: This park has expanded, adding 33 new back-in and pull-through RV sites right next to the playground and dog park, a perfect location for families. The resort is also adding two more rental cottages.
The Catskills:
— Nickerson Catskill Mountain Campground: Numerous improvements are planned for this 312-site campground, formerly known as Nickerson Park Campground, which is located along Schoharie Creek. Improvements planned for this year include upgraded WiFi service and the addition of Berg Pedal Karts, Conestoga modular bathrooms, an outdoor dog washing station, and a security gate. Longer term improvements include the addition of 50 to 60 campsites and construction of a new camp store. The park is also planning to upgrade its electricity service to 50 amps at the sites that need it. The park is also planning to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.
— Whip-O-Will Campsites in Round Top: This campground plans to add two electric vehicle (EV) charging stations this year.
The Adirondacks:
— Spacious Skies Adirondack Peaks in North Hudson: This park (formerly Camp Tin Box) has added a dog park to the facility under new management. Also new are a gem mining activity and jumping pillow. Park operator Spacious Skies Campgrounds, LLC announces that their company is partnered with Black Folks Camp Too and is now the first “unity blazed certified” collection of private campgrounds, ensuring that all 14 parks and their teams are committed to the Unity Blaze motto of, “treating everyone, everywhere, equally.”
About Campground Owners of New York
Campground Owners of New York is the trade association that represents independent campgrounds and RV parks in New York. Based in Pittsford, CONY provides education, government affairs and marketing services for campgrounds, including hosting CampNewYork.com, a travel planning website, and publishing a printed directory of New York campgrounds.
