Discussion: Camping

Anyone know about the comparative merits of Verona Beach State Park versus Green Lakes State Park for camping at the North Americans? Anyone already made a reservation? It would be great to have a group together like we did in Pennsylvania!

That would certainly be great. We live an hour south of Green Lakes, and have been there a few times in the past but have never camped there, or even seen the campground. Verona Beach we've driven past many times but never stopped at. My imagination says it would be cold there, being at the eastern end of a sizeable lake.

As a very general rule of thumb, at least in New York, we find the state parks to be better than county or private parks for camping. I expect we will be camping somewhere that weekend, but haven't begun thinking about it, due to being on vacation this week, and due to having spent a fair amount of time planning a rediculously long trip to the COC event in a couple weeks.

If Verona Beach is the only state campground in the region of the meet sites then that is quite likely the best choice.

Ok, Green Lakes is a state park. I thought it was a county park. After looking at maps a bit, that one seems the least convenient in terms of minimizing driving. Better choices appear to be Verona Beach or Selkirk Shores, both of which are at the eastern end of large lakes. :-(

I have this strong urge to not want to stay at Verona Beach, based on a vague recollection of being able to see the lake from the highway, even though the park is between the two, though it might be that I'm recalling Sylvan Beach and not Verona Beach. They are apparently close or adjacent to each other. I've never been to Selkirk Shores, but find myself drawn to that one after looking at the map. It's just west of Pulaski on the shore of Lake Ontario. I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who's actually been there and can say if there is shelter from the prevailing westerlies at the campground. Being on a bluff, it could conceivably be.

Talked to the wife today and was reminded that she's not really into sprints. So seeing as how the sprints require a day off from work/school, I will probably drive up for the sprints alone on Friday and then return home. Then we'll all head back up on Saturday morning and only camp one night.

According to Google Maps:
From Verona Beach to West Amboy 26.3mi/37min
to Altmar 31.6mi/47min

From Green Lakes to West Amboy 39.1mi/47min
to Altmar 43.9mi/55min.

So that puts Verona Beach a bit closer, but not significantly. And of course for people doing the sprint Green Lakes is great for Friday night.
Green Lakes is closer to 'the city' for dining out options if needed. Verona Beach is apparently rated in the top 100 US campgrounds ... not sure by whom ...

I'm afraid that doesn't enlighten things much. Still hoping some upstate NYer will enlighten us with their first-hand knowledge ....

And Selkirk Shores to West Amboy 20.1mi/26min
to Altmar 13.3mi/22min.

Definitely it is the closest. Loop D looks like no electrical (thus no RVs). There seems to be tons of space in all the campgrounds, so I don't think we are in a rush like we were for Memorial Day weekend!

I would also love to know about wind ...
and whether we are allowed to swim anywhere after Labor Day.

An all too common tactic, at least in NY state parks, is to put up a sign at the beach that says something like "Beach closed - No lifeguard on duty". A few years ago, on a busy weekend, we asked the park staff about this and they said, essentially, "Nobody is going to bust you for swimming when that sign is up." So it seems to be a cost-saving issue, and as long as you lifeguard your own kids, you're ok. But we remain concerned that it doesn't send the right message to the kids when we ignore the sign and swim anyway...

Unfortunately, I haven't been to any of the parks being looked at but since they are all state parks my guess is the that the level of amenities will be similar. Selkirk Shores is very close to Pulaski, and while there isn't any fine dining to my knowledge, it is a decent sized town and there are options. Ultimately, I would defer to those who are coming from afar, and what looks to be most convenient/interesting for them. We will have the option of going home and sleeping in our beds if the going gets rough.

I am not sure just yet what our exact schedule will be with the kids, but I think at the latest, they would head over Saturday morning and camp Saturday night.

I'll be travelling solo - kids have prior engagements - but would just as soon camp where the rest of the crowd is concentrated, so will keep my eyes on this thread accordingly...

Also don't be too sure about no RV's. We've camped in numerous state parks that have no electric at all. Every one of those big RV's has a GENERATOR on board. They are the worst of the worst when it comes to next-door neighbors.

It looks like CNYO has set up some rates for the private 'campground' that is next to the Day 3 venue and only 15 miles from Day 2. The rates are only a couple $ more per night than the State campgrounds

I think the proximity (walking distance for day 3!) is pretty appealing and might outweigh the RV factor. Any others interested?

We'll go where everyone else goes ... but I do tend to like State Parks. I was leaning toward Selkirk Shores (most central), but we'll go with the flow.

We are camping and have looked around and read the commments....we seem to be drawn to the Oneida Shores Park in Brewertown (found 1 good review from '05)...any comments on this - It is a County park, but close to the host Hotel (walking distance?) and Saturday Dinner (5-10 min) Seems to be centrally located and have the neccessary ammenities, (electric and hot showers). Right on a large lake - but the south west shore. Close to Rt 81 (noise?)

I just made a reservation for Saturday night at Hidden Acres, the private campground adjacent to Day 3 mentioned by L-Jackson above. We're on site 10, next to the playground.

She read me the names of the other orienteers reserved so far and there were probably about 8 or 10, many of which I recognized, but none I recognize as having young kids. For those with young kids who want to camp together like we did at Hickory Run, she said you can tell her you want to be near site 10 (or near the playground).

If this catches on, maybe I'll be able to add Friday night to our plans. There is supposedly a fishing pond there, too. Our kids will want to give that a try if time allows.

Thanks for the heads up Mitch. Tyler asked me at bedtime when we were camping again and I realized it was only three weeks away. Time to make reservations!

I will be up early - but I think the kids and Kameron will join me Friday night. So we will make reservations for both nights.

Okay, after starting all this, we are going to back out. My parents invited us to join them in their hotel room, and the kids decided that Grandparents were better than camping. Hope the kids get plenty of time to play together at the events though!

Expect us at hidden acres Sat night. We will hotel it Friday night since we will be there late in the evening. 3 older kids

3 of us will be at Selkirk Shores Fri and Sat nights. #119, loop D.

I'm next to eddie in 117.