Southwick Beach State Park
Guide

If you want something to do out of the water, you can explore the park’s network of hiking trails. Wander through the sand dunes that border the park’s beaches. Or walk through the shaded forests that stretch near the water.

The Lakeview Wildlife Management Area is also connected to the park’s trails, giving you even more ground to cover. You’ll find dozens of species of birds in the area, as well as a variety of mammals.

Visitors to Southwick Beach State Park will find excellent hunting. The forests surrounding the park make for great deer hunting, as well as small game hunting.

You’ll need a New York state hunting permit if you plan on hunting in the park. Although most of the park is open to hunters, you should check with park officials before hunting to make sure that you aren’t hunting in a restricted area. And always take extra caution, as the park is popular with hikers.

The main highlight at Southwick Beach State Park is the miles of sand stretching along Lake Ontario. The beaches are all well maintained and don’t get too crowded, even during the peak summer season. Make sure you pack your swimsuit in your rig because you won't want to miss the chance to jump into these pristine waters.

There’s also food near the beach, and you’ll find a variety of picnic shelters nearby as well. You’ll also be right next to the sand dunes, should you want to explore after a day of lounging in the sun. And you’re within walking distance of the park’s playing fields.

The frozen shores of Southwick Beach State Park also make a great destination for snowmobilers. The varied terrain of sand dunes, hills, and forests makes every ride exciting. And you’ll still find plenty of wildlife living in the area during the winter.

In addition to the trails that you’ll find in the park, you can also access a network of trails that lead you through the surrounding coast. This allows you to make your ride into a day trip. The park doesn’t offer rentals, so you’ll have to be sure to bring your own snowmobile with your camper or trailer.

RV campers who visit the park in the winter can use the network of hiking trails as a cross-country skiing course. The lake is beautiful in the winter as the shoreline begins to freeze. And the rolling terrain makes for exciting skiing.

The trails are not groomed, so less experienced skiers may have some difficulties moving through the park after a heavy snow storm. But the varied terrain means that there are trails for skiers of all experience levels.

If you are planning on skiing during your stay at the park, make sure you bring your own gear with your rig, as there are no rentals.

The open waters of Lake Ontario are also an excellent destination for fishers. The most popular form of fishing on the lake is trolling. Bring a few lines and see if you can reel in trout or salmon. The waters of the lake are well populated with other fish species as well including bass, crappie, yellow perch, northern pike, and catfish.

There’s a boat launch that makes getting your vessel from your campervan to the water easy. Fishing tends to be best in the spring, but you’ll be able to catch fish no matter what time of year you visit the park.