The Lake Ontario south shore around Sterling is New York State Park country. Fair Haven Beach State Park sits right in the village, with a sandy swimming beach, bluff trails, and cabins overlooking Little Sodus Bay. A little east, Selkirk Shores State Park anchors the famous Salmon River water near Pulaski. Both deliver the classic state-park experience: tent and small-rig sites, some electric, cabins, and a beach within walking distance.
What the state parks do not offer is full-service hookups, reservations that hold a big rig, or amenities like a game room and outdoor movie nights. That is where Shady Shores RV Resort & Campground comes in: a waterfront resort on West Bay Road in Fair Haven that pairs the same Lake Ontario shoreline with RV sites that have hookups, cabins, and a dump station. Here is how state park camping near Sterling compares to a full-service base.
State Park Camping Near Sterling: What to Expect
Fair Haven Beach State Park
The closest state park to Sterling, right in Fair Haven on Lake Ontario at the mouth of Little Sodus Bay. It has a sandy swimming beach, bluff overlooks, hiking trails, a boat launch, tent and trailer sites, and cabins. Electric is available at some sites but there are no full hookups, which makes it a natural fit for tent campers and smaller rigs who want the beach a short walk away. Reserve through New York State Parks.
Selkirk Shores State Park
East of Sterling near Pulaski and the famous Salmon River, Selkirk Shores has wooded and bluff-top campsites, cabins, a beach, and trails along Lake Ontario. 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 larger rigs should plan accordingly. Reserve through New York State Parks.
When a Full-Service Base Makes Sense
State parks win on price and on that rustic, beach-adjacent setting. They lose on hookups, big-rig sites, and amenities. If you are towing a larger rig, want full RV hookups, or want a game room and movie nights for the kids on a rainy afternoon, Shady Shores gives you the same Lake Ontario shoreline with the services the parks do not carry.
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. It gives you the same waterfront the state parks are known for, with the full-service extras they lack: RV sites with hookups, a dump station near the office, cabins and lodging, and on-site recreation from a game room and arcade to outdoor movie nights. The park has welcomed families for over 50 years of summers and runs as a seasonal summer campground, so it makes a comfortable base for exploring Fair Haven Beach State Park, Selkirk Shores, and the Lake Ontario shoreline. Confirm open months and in-season office hours before you book.
Sites & Hookups
Here is the practical difference between the state parks and Shady Shores. Fair Haven Beach and Selkirk Shores offer state-park campsites and cabins with some electric sites, but no full hookups, so larger rigs need to plan around dry-camping and a shared dump station. Shady Shores offers RV sites in both pull-through and back-in layouts with hookups, a dump station near the office at the bottom of the hill, and cabins and lodging for guests traveling without a rig. If you want a state-park setting on the cheap, the parks deliver. If you want the same Lake Ontario shoreline with hookups and resort amenities, Shady Shores is the base. Golf carts are allowed on-site with proof of insurance.
What's On-Site
State parks keep amenities simple: a beach, trails, a boat launch, restrooms, and not much more. Shady Shores is built around the water but adds the extras. 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, and golf carts are welcome with proof of insurance.
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 travelers weighing a bare-bones state-park site against a full-service base, the rating reflects a loyal base of returning families who treat Shady Shores as a summer tradition.
State Parks Near Sterling, NY
If a state-park setting is what you are after, two New York State Parks on the Lake Ontario shore serve campers near Sterling. Availability and policies change by season, so reserve through New York State Parks and 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. Tent and trailer sites 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, at the state parks and at Shady Shores alike. Lake Ontario and Blind Sodus Bay sit on the resort’s 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 Salmon River near Selkirk Shores and 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, and Selkirk Shores adds wooded trails near the Salmon River. 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 for both the state parks and Shady Shores. Warm lake days, beach trips to Fair Haven, boating on Blind Sodus Bay, and outdoor movie nights at the resort. State-park cabins and waterfront sites book out far in advance, so reserve well ahead.
Fall (September through October)
The fall salmon and steelhead run draws anglers to the Salmon River and Lake Ontario’s tributaries, and Selkirk Shores is a prime base. Cooler, quieter days make for comfortable lakeside camping where seasonal sites remain open. Confirm closing dates before you plan a late-season trip.
Winter (November through March)
Lake-effect snow defines a south-shore winter, and seasonal campgrounds near Sterling, the state parks and Shady Shores included, 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 State Park Camping Near Sterling
Fair Haven Beach and Selkirk Shores offer some electric but no full hookups. If you tow a larger rig or want full RV hookups, Shady Shores is the full-service base with the same lake access.
Cabins at Fair Haven Beach and Selkirk Shores are popular and book far ahead for summer. Reserve through New York State Parks as soon as your dates are set.
Shady Shores runs as a seasonal summer park. Confirm open months and in-season office hours before you plan a shoulder-season trip.
For fall fishing, Selkirk Shores near the Salmon River is the angler's pick. Check tributary conditions and 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What state parks have camping near Sterling, NY?
Fair Haven Beach State Park sits right in Fair Haven on Lake Ontario with tent/trailer sites, cabins, and a swimming beach. East of Sterling, Selkirk Shores State Park near Pulaski has lake-bluff sites and cabins by the Salmon River. Both offer some electric but no full hookups.
Does Fair Haven Beach State Park have cabins?
Yes. Fair Haven Beach State Park rents cabins on the bluffs above Little Sodus Bay, alongside tent and trailer campsites. Cabins are popular in summer, so reserve early through New York State Parks.
Do the state parks near Sterling have full hookups?
No. Fair Haven Beach and Selkirk Shores offer some electric sites but no full hookups. For full RV hookups and a dump station with the same Lake Ontario access, Shady Shores RV Resort & Campground in Fair Haven is the full-service option.
What does state park camping near Sterling cost?
Fair Haven Beach and Selkirk Shores charge New York State Parks camping fees, which vary by site type and cabin. Shady Shores starts at $45 per night with monthly rates from $800 for extended summer stays.
Is Shady Shores open year-round?
No. Shady Shores runs as a seasonal summer campground, as do the state-park campgrounds on the Lake Ontario south shore. Confirm open months and in-season office hours before you book, especially for spring or fall trips.
Reserve Your Campsite Near Sterling
State parks like Fair Haven Beach and Selkirk Shores deliver beach-side, rustic camping near Sterling, but if you want the same Lake Ontario shoreline with RV hookups, a dump station, cabins, and resort amenities, Shady Shores RV Resort & Campground by RJourney is the full-service base. 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