Lake Erie State Park is located along the shores of Lake Erie in New York’s picturesque Allegheny region, which is part of the Appalachian Mountain range. This region spans much of southwestern New York and is a beautiful section of the state. Visitors coming to Lake Erie State Park from many of the major cities in the area will revel in the scenery along their route that turns a long drive into a stunning ecological tour.
About 51 miles away from Buffalo, New York, the thickly forested Lake Erie State Park runs along Lake Erie’s vibrant blue water and sandy shoreline. The quaint bridges and rustic buildings help to create the idyllic image of a New York countryside. The park offers a variety of activities, including fishing, swimming, hiking, bird watching, and exploring New York's wine country. The park is also a popular spot among cross-country skiers during the winter months when the hiking trails are covered in snow and converted into thrilling ski routes.
RV campers will find solace, relaxation, and beautiful scenery while camping here. The large shaded campground offers 99 campsites, most of which have electrical hookups. A water fill-up station is also provided so that guests can stay well-hydrated. The park is open year-round, but many of the facilities, including the campground, operate seasonally. Visitors should be sure to check the current operating schedule before planning a trip.
Getting to and from this state park is easy from many different locations, both in state and out of state. Depending on the route, guests might be required to take toll roads, so plan ahead and be aware of the toll system in each state. When entering the park, understand that most New York state parks charge a vehicle use fee to enter the facility. Guests who are bringing a boat to the campground should be aware that rainfall may impact where they can park their trailer. Additionally, if their assigned campsite is too wet after heavy rains, the park staff may suggest a different site, depending on the ground saturation.
The Lake Erie State Campground is a pet-friendly, seasonally operating campground that surrounds RVs and trailers with trees and ample shade. The campground has a total of 99 sites that come in many different types of spaces. When making reservations, visitors can choose between modern amenities or a more primitive experience. Eighty-one of the gravel back-in sites offer electrical hookups. Guests should be aware that there are no water hookups; however, there is a water fill up station. Visitors also have the option to choose between full and partial shade. The campground offers all campers access to hydrants, showers, flushing toilets, a dump station, sheltered picnic areas, and a playground located on the southeast side of the campground. Generator hours are 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Westfield, New York, a small town by the northeastern shore of Lake Erie, features vineyards, lush greenery, and historic charm. Visitors can enjoy a day and night in the partially shaded Westfield / Lake Erie KOA with electric service offering up to 50 amps. Water and electric sites are also available. Visitors can make their stay more pleasant with a snack bar, Kamping Kitchen, and propane and firewood on-site. The Westfield KOA also offers Wi-Fi and cable TV. Activities include fishing, swimming at the pool or renting bicycles. Rigs up to 75 feet are welcome, and pets are allowed.
Fishing enthusiasts will most assuredly want to try their hand fishing in one of the Great Lakes. The waters offshore of Lake Erie State Park are considered excellent for fishing. The most common catches are small and largemouth bass, sunfish, walleyes, yellow perch, and white bass. While the park doesn’t have a boat launch, guests can bring their own boat to any of the many boat launching locations that are within ten miles of the park. In the state of New York, anglers over the age of 16 need to have a valid fishing license to freshwater fish.
One of Lake Erie State Park's main attractions is the beautiful natural scenery found throughout the park grounds. Guests will want to spend as much time as possible outside taking in the view, and having a picnic is one of the best ways to do it. The park has several picnic shelters spread throughout the park. Nearby playgrounds, horseshoe pits, and open fields provide guests with plenty of space for the kids to play while everyone else relaxes outdoors. Sunset is one of the most popular times to picnic, and Lake Erie is known for having some of the most stunning and colorful sunsets in the world.
Guests who want to venture outside of the park for a day trip will definitely want to explore Lake Erie Wine Country. With more than 30,000 vineyard acres and 23 wineries, western New York’s wine presence is continually growing. Guests can visit the Grape Discovery Center to learn about the area’s grape history and traditions, or set up a tour from one of the many vineyards. Many of the vineyards offer guided group tours and are also willing to provide guests transportation to the vineyard.
Sprawling over 180 open and wooded acres with 246 sites, Chautauqua KOA offers stunning views of Chautauqua Lake. Visitors can cruise around on Chautauqua Lake or check out the Chautauqua Institute which features concerts, shows, and lectures. Nearby, in Dewittville, visitors can find antiques, wineries, and great dining. At Chautauqua Lake KOA there is a large playground for the kids to play on as well as fun, planned activities for everyone. On-site amenities include a swimming pool, volleyball, cornhole, horseshoes, basketball and mini-golf. Wi-Fi and cable TV are available, and pull-through sites can accommodate rigs up to 90 feet long.
In addition to the main campground, Lake Erie State Park offers ten cabins available by reservation only. These cabins are pet friendly with a maximum of two pets being allowed in each cabin. There is no smoking allowed in any of the cabins, and one cabin is designed to be ADA-accessible. Guests should be aware that during peak season there are minimum stay requirements.
For campers who are craving a relaxing day at the beach, Lake Erie has plenty of shoreline to go around. The swim beach draws visitors each season, and the campground makes every effort to provide a safe swimming experience for all of its guests. The park staffs lifeguards and continually tests the water quality to ensure that all of the swimmers remain safe. Although the beach is open seasonally, circumstances may require the beach to close, so always check with the park staff for operating hours and possible closures.
Spend a day wandering around the multi-use trail system in Lake Erie State Park. The park has several different trails that range in length and difficulty. Many of the trails connect with other loops so that hikers can choose to shorten their hike if desired. Remember to pack all necessary provisions to be prepared for the elements. Guests can use the trails to see the beauty of the park by foot or bike.
There are three trailheads where guests can start. From there, they will be taken through a variety of scenery, including wandering through wooded areas, passing along the shoreline, and meandering across footbridges. All of the trails show off the park's stunning natural beauty and give guests an opportunity to see some of the native wildlife that call the park home.
One of the most popular activities at this park is bird watching. Visitors can enjoy watching the sunset over Lake Erie while looking for the many unique native birds. Among the most incredible sights at this park is the majestic Bald Eagle. Many species of migratory birds also pass through the area, settling along the lakeshore. In these places, the most commonly sighted bird is a raptor or another diurnal migrating bird. This park is a must-visit for any bird watching enthusiasts.
