Lake Erie State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Between Dunkirk and Westfield on the southern shore of Lake Erie in Chautauqua County, NY, Lake Erie State Park provides visitors with opportunities to fish, canoe, and hike. During the winter, hiking turns to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Picnicking, whether in the provided pavilions or otherwise, is also popular, particularly during the summer when breezes off the lake help keep the area cool.
The park is closed until May 16, 2024, because of upgrades to utilities at the park and campground. Current indications are that even after the park and campground reopen, some of the facilities, such as the restrooms, showers, and portions of the disc golf course, will be unavailable for a while. Contact the park or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for further details before visiting.
Nearby Cities:
Buffalo, NY
Dunkirk, NY
Westfield, NY
Erie, PA
Spring 45–68 F
Summer 77–82 F
Fall 50–73 F
Winter 19–37 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Lake Erie State Park
Campground Accommodations
Lake Erie State Park Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 50 feet
Other amenities: Dump station, picnic pavilions, potable water, showers, restrooms, playground
West Haven RV Park & Family Campground
When you're looking at RV parks near Lake Erie State Park, be sure to consider West Haven RV Park & Family Campground. Amenities you have to choose from include sandy beaches and world-class fishing. The fishing ponds at the campground are full of bass, bluegill, and catfish. There are also nearby trails for hiking and biking. The nightly rates for sites here are $54 for those with a full hookup and $48 for those with just water and electricity.
Westfield KOA
Another great RV campground worth learning about during your search is Westfield KOA. This RV park has a prime location and is one of the closest options to Lake Erie State Park. Amenities offered to guests include a pool, playground, and laundry services. It's also part of Kampgrounds of America, the largest network of privately held campgrounds in the world. You can choose from both 30- and 50-amp sites that come with full hookups, including water, electricity, and sewer.
What to Do at
Lake Erie State Park
Lake Erie itself is famous for its excellent fishing and boating opportunities. There are trails throughout the park that you can hike or bike, and both the trails and the park roads are flat enough for leisurely walks and rides. Bring your binoculars and birding notebook because the southern shore of Lake Erie is notable for its place on the migratory routes of many avian species. You can even break out the Frisbee and play disc golf along the shoreline.
Stroll through the park to enjoy a late spring or summer day, or launch your canoe or kayak from the pebbled beach. Sitting and relaxing while enjoying the view is also a good way to spend an afternoon.
Inside Lake Erie State Park
As indicated, visitors of Lake Erie State Park love to spend time at the park’s main attraction, Lake Erie. With options ranging from swimming to fishing, the available activities can seem endless. There's also an 18-hole disc golf course called the Shipwreck Bluff DGC, which has been active in the park since 2015. Discs and equipment are available for purchase at the park grounds, so there's no need to worry about bringing your own supplies. Other popular attractions include boating, bird-watching, camping, cross-country skiing, and hiking.
Hiking
Stroll through the park to enjoy a late spring or summer day, or launch your canoe or kayak from the pebbled beach. Sitting and relaxing while enjoying the view is also a good way to spend an afternoon.
Stargazing
The area is cloudy, which makes stargazing tough on most nights. However, on clear nights, especially those with either a gibbous moon or a new moon, you can set up your telescope on the beach and get some great views. Be sure to check the weather forecast before arriving.
Flora and Fauna
Birds make up nearly all the wildlife in Lake Erie State Park. Bald eagles make an appearance occasionally, but the real draw here is the vast array of waterfowl species. Ducks of various kinds, wading birds, and even seabirds either stop off near Lake Erie State Park or fly past it during their migrations. The state of New York is also using specific species of mushrooms to help clean bacteria out of certain streams in and near Lake Erie State Park.
Fishing
The big draw for anglers is the large population of walleye in Lake Erie. You can also catch both common species of bass, multiple kinds of trout, and even an occasional salmon right from the beach in Lake Erie State Park.
Boating
There is no boat ramp, but canoeing is popular close to shore. The same is true for kayaks and other small watercraft.
Swimming
If there is no sign posted that prohibits swimming, then you may swim at the beach. There are no lifeguards on duty, and Lake Erie currents can be treacherous, so it's a good idea to check water reports before swimming.
How to Get to
Lake Erie State Park
From Buffalo, to avoid the tolls on the New York State Thruway, follow Route 5 southwest out of town. Route 5 takes you right by Lake Erie State Park. Follow the signs for the turnoff.
From Erie, Pennsylvania, and all points west, follow Route 5 northeast, which will go right by Lake Erie State Park. There are signs for the turnoff for the park and campground.
From Jamestown and all points south, follow Route 60 north until you reach the junction with Route 5 in Dunkirk. Turn west-southwest on Route 5, and drive until you see the signs for Lake Erie State Park, which will be on the north side of the road.
Entering Lake Erie State Park
he parking and day-use fee for Lake Erie State Park is $7.
Lake Erie State Park Per Vehicle (1-4 Adults) : $7.0
You'll make memories that last a lifetime when you take an RV adventure to Lake Erie State Park. If you don't have an RV of your own, rent one with RVshare! If you share your trip photos on social media, be sure to tag us, or send them to [email protected] for a chance to be featured on our blog.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Erie State Park
The period from Memorial Day until Labor Day is the best time to visit Lake Erie State Park because it's the time when the staff is present. Winter is good for day-use snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.
The birds are famous. In fact, Lake Erie State Park is listed as one of the top 10 bird-watching locations in the entire country.
Yes, there are 99 RV-specific campsites in Lake Erie State Park.
Yes, reservations are required. Depending on the campsite, the cost per night is between $15 and $28. There is a $7.25 nonrefundable reservation fee. The cancellation policy involves other fees, depending on the date you cancel, so be sure to check out all the correct information online.
You may bring your pets to Lake Erie State Park. You must have them on a leash no more than 6 feet long, and you must clean up after them. Additionally, if you're away from your campsite without your pets, then they must either be in their own tent or in your vehicle.