Lake Erie State Park

4.23

114 reviews

5838 Route 5, BROCTON, New York, 14716, United States

Scenic ViewsSummer Destination

Quick Facts

636 ft

Price

$15 - $30/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

99 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens Regional Programs and Services - Camping Unit site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

636 ft

Price

$15 - $30/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

99 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV FriendlyElectricShowers

Opens Regional Programs and Services - Camping Unit site

Official Website

Get Directions

Lake Erie State Park

$15.00 - $30.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Camping fees range from $15 to $30 per night for campsites. Cabins have peak season requirements with a 7 or 14-night minimum stay and off-season...

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$15.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.23

Satisfactory

Based on 114 reviews

716 Google reviews

Most mentioned

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Some mention

noise

"Lake Erie State Park receives mixed reviews. While many visitors praise the natural beauty, spacious campsites, and clean facilities, others note issues with dated restrooms, flooding at campsites, and lack of staff presence during late hours."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

5838 Route 5, BROCTON, New York, 14716, United States

Lake Erie State Park

5838 Route 5, BROCTON, New York, 14716, United States

Driving directionsWest on the NYS Thruway (I-90): Take exit 59 to Route 60 North. Turn left on Route 5. The park is located 7 miles west of Dunkirk, New York. East on the NYS Thruway (I-90): Take exit 60 to Route 394 North. Turn right on Route 5. The park is located 8.5 miles from Westfield, New York.

Accessibility from major roads is straightforward with paved roads leading to the park. Some reviews mention potential challenges for RVs due to low clearance bridges on certain routes. One user advised avoiding the right exit from Route 5 west as it leads to a 12' clearance arched tunnel under Route 5.

Nearby places

Dunkirk (7 miles, approximately 15 minutes), Westfield (8.5 miles, approximately 17 minutes)

Nearby supplies

Groceries, fuel, and supplies available in nearby towns like Dunkirk and Westfield. Ice and wood are sold at the campground entrance.

Best Time to Camp at Lake Erie State Park

Each season paints the park in dramatically different hues. Summer arrives with warm, dry days perfect for lakeside picnics and evening campfires. As autumn approaches, refreshing rains nurture the landscape while temperatures create ideal hiking conditions. Spring brings its own gentle showers, awakening wildflowers and filling the air with birdsong. Winter transforms the park into a snow-dusted wonderland, where the lake effect creates a pristine blanket of white and temperatures invite visitors to bundle up for crisp walks along frost-kissed trails.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Peak season: warm days, family activities and full services; some crowding and flooding reports.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 17% in NY

Autumn offers fewer crowds, scenic colors and strong birding/migration viewing opportunities.

Spring(Mar-May)

3.5 / 5

Spring bird migration and greening are positives, but reviewers note flooding/mud in wet periods.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.5 / 5

Park is open year‑round but winter activities/facilities are limited; solitude possible.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: End of June to end of August.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open year-round. Peak season runs from the end of June to the end of August.
Current Alerts: Sites 11-21 are closed due to erosion concerns, with reevaluation planned for spring 2025.

About Lake Erie State Park

Perched along 355 pristine acres of Lake Erie's southern shore, this beloved state park beckons outdoor enthusiasts with 99 thoughtfully placed campsites and 10 cozy cabins nestled among rolling hills and scenic bluffs. Families gather here for endless adventures, from spirited volleyball matches to challenging rounds on the 18-hole disc golf course that winds through the wooded landscape. Bird watchers flock to these grounds year-round, binoculars in hand, as the park has earned its reputation as one of the region's premier destinations for spotting rare and migratory species. Children's laughter echoes from the playgrounds while the gentle breeze carries the sounds of Lake Erie's rhythmic waves.

Lake Erie State Park offers a mix of camping accommodations, including primitive, tent, RV, and cabin lodging options.

Historical SignificanceSince opening its gates in 1928, this cherished park has watched nearly a century of memories unfold along its shores. Nestled in the heart of Western New York's renowned grape belt, the park sits in the cultural shadow of the prestigious Chautauqua Institution, where intellectual and artistic traditions have flourished for generations. This unique location weaves together the natural beauty of the lakeshore with the rich agricultural heritage of the surrounding vineyards and the vibrant cultural tapestry of the region.

Weather and SeasonsEach season paints the park in dramatically different hues. Summer arrives with warm, dry days perfect for lakeside picnics and evening campfires. As autumn approaches, refreshing rains nurture the landscape while temperatures create ideal hiking conditions. Spring brings its own gentle showers, awakening wildflowers and filling the air with birdsong. Winter transforms the park into a snow-dusted wonderland, where the lake effect creates a pristine blanket of white and temperatures invite visitors to bundle up for crisp walks along frost-kissed trails.

ElevationThe park's varied topography creates an ever-changing landscape that delights visitors as they explore its diverse terrain and discover new vantage points throughout their stay.

Natural Features and SceneryStand atop the park's dramatic bluffs and let your breath catch as Lake Erie stretches endlessly before you, its waters shifting from deep sapphire to glittering silver as clouds dance overhead. The landscape rolls and dips in gentle waves, mirroring the lake itself, while mature trees provide cooling canopies over picnic areas where families have gathered for generations. These high perches offer some of the most spectacular sunset views in Western New York, painting the sky in brilliant oranges and purples as day melts into evening.

Geological RegionThe park claims its spectacular position along Lake Erie's southern shores in Chautauqua County, where ancient geological forces sculpted dramatic high bluffs that now serve as natural observation decks. These elevated vantage points, carved by millennia of wind and water, rise majestically above the lake, while inland, the terrain softens into the characteristic rolling hills of Western New York. This unique meeting of lake and land creates a diverse ecosystem where the powerful presence of one of the Great Lakes shapes every vista and influences every breeze that rustles through the park.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

3PM

Check-out

11 AM

Stay Limit

Acamping party may occupy a site for a maximum of 14 continuous nights.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Guests per site limits are not specified for campsites.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutIncludes loops with electric and non-electric options. Bluff-side sites are more exposed; wooded sites in the 90s loop provide shade.

Reservation PlatformsReserve America website and call center.

Walk-in AvailabilityWalk-up reservations available for one-night stays if booked within 3 days of arrival.

Cancellation PolicyReservations outside the 9-month maximum window cannot be changed or cancelled until 18 days after the reservation was made.

AccessibilityThe campground includes handicap access, and reviews show some paths are suitable for walking or biking. The level of accessibility for bathrooms or other facilities is not explicitly detailed.

Site SizeCampsites are described as good-sized and spacious by some visitors, while others mention that sites are more exposed and close together, particularly non-lakefront sites.

PrivacyPrivacy varies; some sites are close together with limited seclusion, while others, especially those in the '90s loop,' are more shaded and slightly separated.

Total Campsites99 campsites

Recommended SitesUsers recommend loop 90s for more shade and privacy. Bluff-side sites offer superior lake views but are more exposed to wind and erosion risks. Avoid flooded sites during rainy periods.

Amenities available

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

Activities you can enjoy

Visitors at Lake Erie State Park can enjoy a variety of activities, including picnicking, hiking, biking, fishing, and more. The park also has volleyball courts, a baseball field, a basketball half-court, horseshoe pits, and an 18-hole disc golf course.

HikingHiking opportunities include scenic trails, particularly in the eastern part of the park. The trails are considered easy and suitable for walking or biking.

FishingFishing is available, but specific details about the types of fish or quality of fishing are not provided.

SwimmingSwimming in Lake Erie is permitted, but no lifeguards are on duty. Visitors are reminded to contact the park office for nearby supervised swimming options.

BikingThe park's paved roads make it suitable for biking. Visitors particularly enjoy the long, quiet park roads for cycling.

BoatingVisitors have reported boating experiences, including using canoes and kayaks, although there is no drive-up access for launching boats onto the lake.

Wildlife viewingThe park is known as one of America’s Top 10 Bird Watching Spots, offering opportunities to observe local bird species and other wildlife.

Beach activitiesBeach access is available with rocky and shale shores. Visitors note that the beach is not sandy and that it is better suited for walking than swimming.

Cultural and Educational ProgramsThe park features a recreation room with activities like foosball, pool, air hockey, and board games. Movies for children are shown on Saturdays with free popcorn, though these programs appear to have low attendance.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsSome sites, particularly bluff-side, are closed due to erosion concerns. Poison ivy and site flooding after heavy rain have been noted in user reviews.

Active AlertsSites 11-21 are closed due to erosion concerns, with reevaluation planned for spring 2025.

Fire PolicyCampfires allowed; fish scrap disposal now prohibited within the park.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours enforcement noted as inconsistent in user reviews.

Emergency ServicesHospital within 10 miles; exact details unavailable. Police station and ranger station contact number is 7167929214.

Trash & RecyclingTrash receptacles are described as not being close to many campers, requiring a bit of effort to dispose of waste. Recycling options are not explicitly mentioned.

Water FeaturesLocated along Lake Erie with limited water access due to rocky shoreline.

Camp HostHosts have been noted as friendly and helpful in user reviews, often providing dog treats and assistance.

Weather at Lake Erie State Park

Reviews

4.2

114 reviews

Satisfactory

Lake Erie State Park is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Lake Erie State Park receives mixed reviews. While many visitors praise the natural beauty, spacious campsites, and clean facilities, others note issues with dated restrooms, flooding at campsites, and lack of staff presence during late hours.

Review Summaries

Based on 114 reviews

What Campers Love

Commonly mentioned positives include the park's beautiful views, well-maintained grounds, clean bathrooms, and family-friendly atmosphere. Visitors also appreciate the hot showers with great pressure...

Based on 114 reviews

Common Concerns

Frequent complaints revolve around dated restroom facilities, flooding at campsites after rain, lack of privacy at some sites, and limited staff enforcement of rules during late-night disturbances.

Based on 114 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Visitors recommend selecting campsites in the 90s loop for more shade and privacy. Bringing long extension cords for RVs is advised for certain sites. For cabin users, carrying additional supplies...

Based on 114 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews highlight the family-friendly environment and activities, while complaints about site flooding are more common during the rainy season. Off-peak seasons are noted for reduced crowds...

Based on 114 reviews

Camper Quotes

"We took the canoe out from the beach which was great," noted one user. Another mentioned, "Sunsets are really spectacular." A reviewer highlighted, "Bathrooms are clean and always had paper. Showers...

Based on 114 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Sites in the 90s loop are recommended for better shade and a quieter experience. Lakefront sites like site 17 offer great views but may be affected by erosion issues.

Based on 114 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility-related reviews indicate that the park has handicap access and is generally suitable for walking. No detailed feedback from visitors with disabilities is provided.

Based on 114 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

The park is described as dog-friendly, with a maximum of two pets allowed per site. Visitors appreciate the pet-friendly policies but occasionally express concerns about unattended barking dogs.

Based on 114 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026

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