The Lake Ontario shoreline around Sterling and Fair Haven is quiet walking country: bluffs, ponds, shoreline woods, and a great blue heron rookery, all within a 10-minute drive of the village. Fair Haven Beach State Park anchors the trail options with hiking around Sterling Pond and the lakeshore, and the Sterling Nature Center next door adds shoreline trails and quiet beaches most summer visitors never find. None of it is mountain terrain; the reward here is water views and birdlife, not elevation.
This guide sorts out where to walk near Sterling, how the trails differ, and where to stay between hikes. The featured base is Fair Point Marina and RV Resort on Blind Sodus Bay, with waterfront full-hookup RV sites and cabins about 5 minutes from the state park. Searches for a “Fairhaven trailer park” usually land here too: the RV sites at the marina are the closest match, and they come with a dock.
Fair Haven Beach State Park: Lakeshore and Pond Trails
About 5 minutes from the village, Fair Haven Beach State Park covers the busiest stretch of this shoreline: a Lake Ontario sand beach, hiking around Sterling Pond and the lakeshore, and pavilions for a post-walk picnic. Difficulty stays gentle; this is lakeshore walking on rolling ground, fine for kids and casual walkers, with the beach as the payoff at the end. Summer weekends bring the crowds to the sand, so walkers who want quiet should aim for mornings or come in the shoulder seasons, when the same trails feel like private property. The park charges standard New York State Parks day-use fees in season, so check current rates before you go.
Sterling Nature Center: Heron Rookery and Quiet Shoreline
About 10 minutes out, the Sterling Nature Center is the quieter sibling: shoreline trails, lake bluffs, and a great blue heron rookery that draws birders through the warm months. The beaches here stay calm even when the state park fills, and the walking is the same easy grade, woods and water with no climbing involved. It’s the better pick for a slow morning with binoculars or a dog on a leash.
For longer days, the Finger Lakes sit about 45 minutes south, where the wine-trail towns around Cayuga and Seneca Lakes add gorge and lakeshore walks to the itinerary. Around Fair Haven itself, the shoreline does the work.
Where to Stay Between Hikes
Fair Point Marina and RV Resort puts you on Blind Sodus Bay, about 5 minutes from the state park trailheads and 10 from the nature center. Waterfront RV sites run full hookup with 30 and 50-amp service from $40.80 a night, cabins cover travelers without a rig, and the marina’s boat slips mean a hiking trip can turn into a fishing trip without moving camp. The resort runs seasonally, spring through fall, which matches the walking season here almost exactly. After a day on the trails, the patio over the bay handles the recovery.
Fair Point Marina & RV Resort by RJourney: Waterfront on Blind Sodus Bay
Fair Point Marina and RV Resort sits at 14990 West Bay Road in Fair Haven, on the south shore of Lake Ontario where Blind Sodus Bay meets the lake, between Syracuse and Rochester. The resort pairs waterfront RV sites with a working marina: boat slips, full hookups, cabins, kitchen and patio access, and direct waterfront views. Rated 4.6 stars across 119 reviews, it’s a small, water-first resort built for boaters and anglers.
Golf carts are welcome for getting around the marina with proof of insurance on file at the office.
Sites & Hookups
RV sites run full hookup with 30 and 50-amp service, in pull-through and back-in layouts, and every site includes water hookups. Many sites sit close to the water with views over Blind Sodus Bay. There’s no dump station on site, so plan a stop on the way in or out, but the trade is waterfront access most parks can’t touch. Once you’re on West Bay Road, follow it all the way down to the marina on the right.
What's On-Site
This is a water-first resort, so the amenities point at the lake: a full-service marina with boat slips, waterfront access, a swimming area, a kitchen and patio, restrooms, and outdoor games. Golf carts are permitted around the property with insurance on file. WiFi covers the resort for trip planning and posting the day’s catch. The draw here isn’t a water park; it’s the water itself, right off your site.
Things to Do Around Fair Haven
Troll Lake Ontario for salmon and trout, work Blind Sodus Bay for bass and walleye, or just take the boat out for a sunset cruise. Kayaks and small craft launch easily from the protected bay, and the marina keeps you steps from the dock.
Fair Haven Beach State Park has a sand beach, trails, and pavilions minutes away, with the Sterling Nature Center next door for quiet shoreline walks. The Sterling Renaissance Festival draws crowds on summer weekends. It’s an easy town to spend a slow day in.
Drive south into the Finger Lakes for wineries around Cayuga and Seneca Lakes, head to the Sodus Bay lighthouse to the west, or make a day of Syracuse or Rochester, each about an hour away, for city food and museums.
Good to Know Before You Roll In
There's no dump station at the resort. Plan a stop on the way in or out; all RV sites include water hookups.
Fair Point runs seasonally, spring through fall. Peak lines up with summer boating and the fall salmon run; ask about seasonal sites and slips.
The Chinook salmon run peaks in late summer and fall. Book early if you're coming for it; charters and slips fill up.
Golf carts are welcome around the marina, but you'll need to show proof of insurance at the office.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best hiking trails near Sterling, NY?
Fair Haven Beach State Park has hiking around Sterling Pond and the Lake Ontario lakeshore, about 5 minutes from Fair Haven village. The Sterling Nature Center, about 10 minutes out, adds shoreline trails, quiet beaches, and a great blue heron rookery. Both stay gentle and family-friendly.
How difficult are the trails around Fair Haven?
Easy. This is lakeshore country, so trails run over rolling ground along ponds, bluffs, and beach, with no real elevation. Most walkers can handle any route here in regular shoes, though waterproof ones help in spring. The draw is water views and birdlife rather than a workout.
Is there a trailer park in Fairhaven, NY?
The closest match is Fair Point Marina and RV Resort at 14990 West Bay Road in Fair Haven (2 words is the correct spelling). It has waterfront full-hookup RV sites with 30 and 50-amp service from $40.80 a night, plus cabins and a working marina with boat slips on Blind Sodus Bay.
Can I hike at the Sterling Nature Center?
Yes. The center keeps shoreline trails and quiet beaches along Lake Ontario, about 10 minutes from Fair Haven, and its great blue heron rookery is the standout feature for birders. It stays noticeably quieter than the state park, even on summer weekends.
Where should I stay for hiking near Sterling?
Fair Point Marina and RV Resort on Blind Sodus Bay is about 5 minutes from Fair Haven Beach State Park and 10 from the Sterling Nature Center. Waterfront RV sites, cabins, and boat slips make it an easy base to walk in the morning and fish in the afternoon.
Fair Haven Beach State Park or Sterling Nature Center: which should I pick?
The state park if you want the sand beach, pavilions, and a swim after the walk; it’s the livelier of the two. The nature center if you want quiet shoreline, birding, and the heron rookery. They sit minutes apart, so most weekend visitors manage both.
Plan Your Stay on Lake Ontario
Summer weekends and the fall salmon run fill the marina fast. Our team can help you line up a waterfront site, cabin, or slip for your dates.
Check Availability at Fair Point Marina (315) 216-7330