Sterling sits on the south shore of Lake Ontario in Cayuga County, halfway between Syracuse and Rochester, where the lake, Blind Sodus Bay, and the village of Fair Haven put waterfront camping within easy reach. This is a summer corner of New York: warm-weather boating, beach days at Fair Haven Beach State Park, and a fall salmon and trout run that pulls anglers to the tributaries up and down the shoreline.
Campgrounds near Sterling lean seasonal, opening for the summer and filling on July and August weekends, so reserving ahead matters once school lets out. Whether you are bringing an RV, towing a cabin-free rig, or renting lodging on-site, here is what you need to know about the best campgrounds near Sterling, with Shady Shores RV Resort & Campground as the waterfront home base.
Why Sterling Works for Lakeside Camping
Lake Ontario and Blind Sodus Bay
Sterling and Fair Haven sit on the south shore of Lake Ontario, where the open lake meets the sheltered water of Blind Sodus Bay. That combination gives campers both worlds: big-water sunsets and boating on the lake, plus calmer bay water for paddling and fishing. Waterfront campgrounds here put the shoreline a few steps from your site.
Salmon and Trout Country
The south shore is serious fishing water. Lake Ontario and its tributaries draw anglers for Chinook and Coho salmon, brown trout, steelhead, and smallmouth bass, with the fall salmon run a highlight on the calendar. Camping near Sterling puts you within easy reach of the launches, piers, and shoreline that make this stretch a draw for warm-weather and fall anglers alike.
Between Syracuse and Rochester
Fair Haven sits roughly halfway between Syracuse and Rochester, which makes Sterling-area campgrounds an easy weekend reach from either city and a comfortable base for exploring the Finger Lakes region to the south. The village of Fair Haven keeps the essentials close: a small grocery, restaurants, and the state-park beach.
Shady Shores RV Resort & Campground by RJourney
Shady Shores RV Resort & Campground sits on West Bay Road in Fair Haven, on the south shore of Lake Ontario between Blind Sodus Bay and the lake itself. The park has welcomed families for over 50 years of summers, and that history shows in the waterfront access, the shaded sites, and the easygoing pace. You are minutes from Fair Haven Beach State Park, the village shops, and some of the best salmon and trout fishing in the region. RV sites come in pull-through and back-in layouts, cabins and lodging are available for guests traveling without a rig, and the property runs as a seasonal summer campground. Confirm open months and in-season office hours before you book.
Sites & Hookups
Shady Shores offers RV sites in both pull-through and back-in layouts, set among shaded grounds with waterfront access to Lake Ontario and Blind Sodus Bay. RV sites come with hookups, and a dump station sits near the office at the bottom of the hill. Cabins and lodging are available for guests who want a bed and walls without bringing their own rig. Every stay puts you steps from the water, the fishing, and the village of Fair Haven. Golf carts are allowed on-site with proof of insurance.
What's On-Site
Shady Shores is built around the water. Waterfront access to Lake Ontario and Blind Sodus Bay anchors the property, with fishing right off the shoreline and shaded sites throughout. On-site recreation includes basketball, volleyball, horseshoes, a game room and arcade, and an outdoor movie theater that runs in the warm months. A pavilion, playground, picnic tables, and fire rings round out the common areas, and showers and park-wide WiFi cover the basics. A dump station sits near the office at the bottom of the hill. Golf carts are welcome with proof of insurance. After a day on the beach at Fair Haven or out chasing salmon, the outdoor movie nights and the lake breeze do the rest.
What Guests Say
4.4 stars across 103 Google reviews. Guests come back year after year for the waterfront setting, the shaded sites, and the summer-camp feel of a park that has run for over 50 seasons. The lake access, fishing, and outdoor movie nights come up often, along with the easygoing pace and the staff. For a seasonal campground this size, the rating reflects a loyal base of returning families who treat it as a summer tradition.
Other Campgrounds Near Sterling, NY
Shady Shores is the waterfront resort-style option in Fair Haven, but a couple of New York State Parks nearby serve campers who want a state-park setting. Availability and policies change by season, so call ahead before making plans.
Fair Haven Beach State Park
A New York State Park on the Lake Ontario shoreline with a sandy swimming beach, bluff overlooks, hiking trails, and a boat launch on Little Sodus Bay. Campsites and cabins are available, with electric at some sites but no full hookups. A natural fit for tent campers and smaller rigs who want the beach a short walk away. Reserve through New York State Parks. Visit website.
Selkirk Shores State Park
A Lake Ontario state park east of Sterling near the famous Salmon River, with wooded and bluff-top campsites, cabins, a beach, and trails. It is a go-to base for the fall salmon and steelhead runs. Electric is available at some sites but there are no full hookups, so plan accordingly for larger rigs. Reserve through New York State Parks. Visit website.
Things to Do from Your Campground Base Near Sterling
The water is the whole point here. Lake Ontario and Blind Sodus Bay sit on Shady Shores’ doorstep for boating, paddling, and swimming, while Fair Haven Beach State Park has a sandy swimming beach and a boat launch on Little Sodus Bay. Anglers come for the Chinook and Coho salmon, brown trout, steelhead, and smallmouth bass, with the fall salmon run drawing crowds to the tributaries up and down the south shore. Launches and shoreline access are easy to reach from any Sterling-area campground.
Fair Haven Beach State Park has hiking trails along the bluffs and around Little Sodus Bay, with overlooks above Lake Ontario. The rolling Cayuga County countryside and the Finger Lakes region to the south add wineries, farm stands, and country roads for a slower day off the water. The village of Fair Haven itself is walkable, with ice cream, a small grocery, and local restaurants a short drive from the campgrounds.
Sterling sits within easy reach of both Syracuse and Rochester, each about an hour away with museums, dining, and city amenities. The Finger Lakes wine country opens up to the south around Cayuga and Seneca lakes. History buffs can reach the Women’s Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls, and the Sterling Renaissance Festival runs summer weekends just outside Fair Haven, a regional draw in its own right.
Seasonal Guide for Campers Near Sterling
Summer (June through August)
Peak season on the south shore. Warm lake days, beach trips to Fair Haven, boating on Blind Sodus Bay, and outdoor movie nights at the campground. July and August weekends fill fast, so reserve well ahead. This is when a seasonal park like Shady Shores is at its best.
Fall (September through October)
The fall salmon and steelhead run draws anglers to Lake Ontario’s tributaries, and cooler, quieter days make for comfortable lakeside camping where seasonal sites remain open. Confirm closing dates before you plan a late-season trip, as summer campgrounds here wind down through the fall.
Winter (November through March)
Lake-effect snow defines a south-shore winter, and seasonal campgrounds near Sterling close for the cold months. Plan summer and shoulder-season trips, and confirm a park’s open window before booking anything outside the warm season.
Spring (April through May)
The shoulder window as the lake warms and seasonal parks prepare to reopen. Weather is variable and the water is still cold, but late spring brings the first warm-weather weekends. Confirm a campground’s exact opening date before you plan an early trip.
Practical Tips for Campers Near Sterling
Campgrounds near Sterling, Shady Shores included, run as seasonal summer parks. Confirm open months and in-season office hours before you plan a shoulder-season trip.
July and August weekends on the Lake Ontario shore fill fast. Reserve well ahead once school lets out, especially for waterfront sites.
If you are coming for the fall fishing, check tributary conditions and confirm which campgrounds stay open into the run before you commit.
Lake Ontario makes its own weather. Bring layers and rain gear even in summer, and secure your awning when the wind comes off the water.
Shady Shores allows golf carts on-site with proof of insurance. Bring documentation if you plan to use one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What campgrounds are near Sterling, NY?
Shady Shores RV Resort & Campground sits on West Bay Road in Fair Haven with RV sites, cabins, and Lake Ontario waterfront access. Nearby state-park options include Fair Haven Beach State Park and, farther east, Selkirk Shores State Park near the Salmon River.
Is Shady Shores open year-round?
No. Shady Shores runs as a seasonal summer campground, as do most parks on the Lake Ontario south shore. Confirm open months and in-season office hours before you book, especially for spring or fall trips.
What does it cost to camp near Sterling?
Rates at Shady Shores start at $45 per night, with monthly rates from $800 for extended summer stays. State-park campgrounds nearby charge New York State Parks camping fees, which vary by site type.
Is the fishing good near Sterling?
Yes. The Lake Ontario south shore is prime water for Chinook and Coho salmon, brown trout, steelhead, and smallmouth bass, with the fall salmon run a major draw. Shady Shores has waterfront access to the lake and Blind Sodus Bay.
Is Shady Shores pet-friendly?
Yes. Pets are welcome at up to 2 per site, leashed, with owners asked to clean up after them. Service animals are welcome with no fee.
Reserve Your Campsite Near Sterling
Shady Shores RV Resort & Campground by RJourney gives you Lake Ontario waterfront access, RV sites with hookups, cabins and lodging, fishing off the shoreline, and over 50 years of summer-camp tradition in Fair Haven. You are minutes from Fair Haven Beach State Park and the salmon water of the south shore. It runs as a seasonal summer park, so confirm open months when you book.
See all site types, rates, and live availability on the Shady Shores RV Resort & Campground page.
Book Your Campsite 315-216-7331