Located in upstate New York, Fair Haven Beach State Park is on the eastern part of the shoreline of Lake Ontario. The public lakefront has tall shoreline bluffs, sandy beaches and adjacent woodlands set in rolling hills. Within the park are 1500 feet of sandy beach along with a swimming area of 600 feet.
There is a lot to do at Fair Haven Beach State Park; visitors can enjoy fishing and boating on Lake Ontario as well as on Little Sodus Bay (which borders Lake Ontario). Boat rentals are available and include rowboats, paddle boats, canoes, and kayaks. Swimming is popular at the park and there are opportunities for bike rides, hikes, and picnics. Within the rolling hills of the park are campgrounds and cabins. Fair Haven Beach State Park also has opportunities for recreation during winter months; enjoy snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and ice fishing. Visitors can take in beautiful views and enjoy a tranquil destination.
When seeking a place to visit where you will find plenty of outdoor recreation regardless of the season, Fair Haven Beach State Park is a perfect choice for your next RV adventure.
From Syracuse, take I-690 W for 13.7 miles to the NY-31 E/NY-370 E exit towards Baldwinsville; after exiting, turn right onto NY-31 W/NY-370 W and continue for 13.1 miles. Next, continue onto Conquest Victory Town Line Rd for
.3 miles; keep right to continue on NY-370 W. Proceed along this two-lane road for 3.3 miles. Upon reaching NY-38 N, turn right and continue for 8.4 miles to NY-104A E, where you will make a left. Proceed for a very short distance until reaching NY-104A W. Turn left on NY-104A W, which is a two-lane, paved road. You will pass the Sterling Christian Church and then the Village Grill of Fair Haven. After 2.5 miles, make a right onto State Park Road, which will take you to Fair Haven Beach State Park.
Parking is available at Fair Haven Beach State Park.
Public transportation is not available to Fair haven Beach State Park.
With electric hook-ups available, the Bluff Electric Camping Area is a great option for those looking to camp at Fair Haven Beach State Park. Located along rolling woodlands, sites at the campground offer easy access to the Park’s recreation activities and a place to relax before and after a day of adventure. RVs and trailers that are up to 35 feet can be accommodated and each site includes a fire pit and a picnic table. Restrooms are available at the campground, as is running water. There are 46 sites at the campground and reservations can be made online.
Located to the west of Sterling Pond is the Drumlin Non-Electric Camping Area. The campground is able to accommodate RVs and trailers that are up to 35 feet in length. While there are no hook-ups present at the campground, there is water available, along with restrooms with showers.
Each site includes a picnic table and a fire pit and those traveling with kids will appreciate the play area with the campground. From your campsite, you can easily access the beach and swimming area, as well as opportunities for boating, fishing, and hiking.
The third option for camping within Fair Haven Beach State Park is the Lakeview Nonelectric Camping Area. Located to the east of the Bluff Electric Camping Area, Lakeview can accommodate RVs and trailers that are up to 35 feet long. Restrooms are available in the camping area and while the camping area does not have showers, it is an easy walk to the Bluff Electric Camping Area where showers are available.
Each site has a picnic table and a fire pit and water is available at the campground. Enjoy easy access to the lake and other activities, as well as excellent views and plenty of fresh air!
Fair Haven Beach State Park is popular for swimming, offering a swim area of 600 feet that is overseen by life guards. During the warmer months of the year, a swim is a great way to relax and cool off, perhaps after warming up with a hike or bike ride in the park. The swim area even has a diving board! Visitors of all ages will enjoy taking a dip in the refreshing water.
A popular activity at Fair Haven Beach State Park is to spend some time on the water in a vessel of your choosing. Within the State Park, there is a boat launch and a marina, where you can rent rowboats, paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes. Watercraft are only for use in the inland Sterling Pond waterway, where you can move along at your own pace, enjoying the scenery and solitude of the area. If you enjoy fishing, bring along your fishing rod; you may catch a bite!
During your visit to Fair Haven Beach State Park, you can enjoy spending some time hiking, regardless of the time of year. The State Park offers several trails, one of which is the Lakeshore Trail, which takes you along the shoreline where you can look up and view bluffs that rise above you. Explore the trails at your own pace, taking in views of the water along with the Park’s forested areas.
Springbrook Greens State Golf Course is located within Fair Haven Beach State Park, making it easy to get in a game of golf during your visit. The course has 18 holes (traditional wooded play and links-style holes) and since 2006 has been owned and operated by the State of New York. Playing a round is affordable and the course is challenging. Enjoy excellent views (like the 11th hole which overlooks Sterling Marsh).
During your visit to Fair Haven Beach State Park, it is a short trip to the Fort Ontario State Historic Site. The fort, which is star-shaped, dates back to the 1840’s; improvements to the fort were made in 1863 and 1872.
The current Fort Ontario has been built on the ruins of the original and its improvements. The U.S. Army occupied the fort through World War II and it served as the only refugee camp in the United States for victims of the Nazi Holocaust. In 1953, the fort opened as a state historic site.
In nearby Oswego is the Safe Haven Museum and Education Center, which presents the history of 982 refugees, most of whom were Jewish, who fled Europe through the “Safe Haven” program run by the U.S. Government in August, 1944, where they arrived at the Fort Ontario Emergency Refugee Shelter. The Safe Haven Museum and Education Center tells the stories of these individuals, who remained at Fort Ontario until February 1946.
