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Outdoors

Camping near Rochester

Campgrounds and camping areas near Rochester on federal land, with which ones take reservations on Recreation.gov.

24campgrounds and camping areas
56 mito the closest
April–Octoberbest months

Good to know: Popular campgrounds book up months ahead on Recreation.gov; first-come sites fill early on weekends and holidays.

Closest picks

1

Almond Lake

56 mi south · US Army Corps of Engineers

Kanakadea Park operated by Stuben County, NY is located on Almond Lake. Camping and day use facilities for picnicing and boating are available.

2

Backbone Horse Campground

62 mi southeast · USDA Forest Service

Backbone Horse Campground is a small, semi-primitive campground designed primarily for campers or picnickers that bring horses with them.

3

Blueberry Patch Campground

62 mi southeast · USDA Forest Service

Blueberry Patch Campground is a small, semi-primitive campground located along Picnic Area Road (County Route 2), next to the large blueberry patch it received its name from.

Map of all 24 places

Map of 24 places loads as you scroll.

30 to 75 miles (4)

56 mi south · US Army Corps of Engineers

Almond Lake

Kanakadea Park operated by Stuben County, NY is located on Almond Lake. Camping and day use facilities for picnicing and boating are available.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Hiking
  • Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

62 mi southeast · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Backbone Horse Campground

Backbone Horse Campground is a small, semi-primitive campground designed primarily for campers or picnickers that bring horses with them.

  • Camping

62 mi southeast · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Blueberry Patch Campground

Blueberry Patch Campground is a small, semi-primitive campground located along Picnic Area Road (County Route 2), next to the large blueberry patch it received its name from.

  • Camping

62 mi southeast · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Potomac Group Campground

Potomac Group Campground and Day Use Area provides a primitive camping experience for groups of 8-40 people. It is an excellent site for family events and youth group activities.

  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Hunting
  • Swimming
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Winter sports

75 miles and farther (20)

84 mi south · US Army Corps of Engineers

Cowanesque Lake

This Corps project located near the New York state line in North Central Pennsylvania provides a 1,085-acre lake with 17 miles of shoreline for use by campers and day trippers.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Nature education
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

84 mi south · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

South Shore Recreation Area

South Shore Recreation Area is located on the south side of the Cowanesque Lake along State Route 49, just five miles west of Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking

84 mi south · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Tompkins

Tompkins Campground is on the north shore of Cowanesque Lake in the northern tier of Pennsylvania, less than one mile from the New York state border.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking

85 mi south · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Lawrence Recreation Area

Lawrence Recreation Area is a day-use facility on the south side of Cowanesque Lake. It is conveniently located on State Route 49 approximately 4 miles west of Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania.

  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking

90 mi south · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Ives Run

Ives Run Campground sits on the eastern shore of Hammond Lake in north-central Pennsylvania.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Disc Golf
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Hunting
  • Swimming

90 mi south · US Army Corps of Engineers

Tioga-Hammond Lakes

Twin lakes in north central Pennsylvania with overnight and dayuse facilities in a scenic environment, southwest of Tioga, PA and north of Wellsboro on PA Route 287, which is acessable from U.S. Route 15 northeast of Tioga and U.S.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Nature education
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

96 mi south · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

Lambs Creek Recreation Area

Lambs Creek Recreation Area is located at the southern end of Tioga Lake, just north of the borough of Mansfield, PA. The recreation area is easily accessible from US Route 15 and offers a great location for picnicking, hiking and biking.

  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Hiking
  • Hunting

104 mi southwest · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Willow Bay

Willow Bay is located within the Allegheny National Recreation Area, about 16 miles from Bradford, in northwestern Pennsylvania.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Ranger programs
  • Swimming
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

106 mi southwest · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Tracy Ridge

Tracy Ridge Campground is located within the Allegheny National Recreation Area, approximately 15 miles from Bradford, Pennsylvania. Allegheny Reservoir is just minutes away.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Water sports

115 mi southwest · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Dewdrop

Dewdrop Campground sits on the Kinzua Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir in northwest Pennsylvania, offering a popular getaway for boaters and families. Recreation Water activities abound, including lake fishing, boating, and water skiing.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Mountain Biking
  • Swimming
  • Water sports

115 mi southwest · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Kiasutha

Kiasutha Campground sits on the Kinzua Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir in northwest Pennsylvania, offering countless water activities. Recreation Visitors enjoy the large, grassy beach for swimming and relaxing.

  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Swimming

115 mi southwest · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Red Bridge (Pa)

Red Bridge Campground sits on the eastern shore of the Kinzua Arm of the Allegheny Reservoir in northwest Pennsylvania, offering a peaceful getaway for families and outdoor enthusiasts.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking

116 mi southwest · US Army Corps of Engineers

Allegheny Reservoir

Totally surrounded by forest, Kinzua Dam and Allegheny Reservoir are the heart of one of the largest and most popular outdoor recreation complexes in the northeastern United States.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Nature education
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

121 mi southwest · US Army Corps of Engineers · Campground

East Branch Campground

East Branch Campground is located at East Branch Lake in Northeastern Elk County. East Branch Lake offers an excellent freshwater fishery as well as other recreational opportunities from hiking, boating, and picnicking.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Canoeing
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Kayaking
  • Water Activities
  • Wildlife viewing

121 mi southwest · US Army Corps of Engineers

East Branch Clarion River Lake

Elk State Park is located at this lake in scenic western Pennslyvania, 14 miles north east of Johnsonburg.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Hiking
  • Nature education
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

122 mi southwest · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Twin Lakes (Pa)

Rec.gov campsite availability grid is not reflective of availability. For more information on reservations, please visit http://fotlanf.org/ Twin Lakes Campground is located near a small, spring-fed, trout-stocked lake, popular with…

  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Swimming

124 mi southwest · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Buckaloons

Buckaloons Campground sits at the confluence of the Allegheny River, Brokenstraw Creek and Irvine Run in northwestern Pennsylvania.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Canoeing
  • Fishing
  • Kayaking

128 mi southwest · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Farnsworth Cabin

Farnsworth Cabin is tucked away in the northwest portion of Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest. Built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the stone cabin is conveniently located 8.5 miles northwest of Sheffield.

  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Hunting
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Winter sports

131 mi southwest · USDA Forest Service · Campground

Hearts Content Recreation Area

Hearts Content Campground is a semi-primitive family campground bordering the Hickory Creek Wilderness Area and surrounded by native hardwoods and a patch of planted pine forest.

  • Camping
  • Hiking
  • Winter sports

134 mi southeast · US Army Corps of Engineers

East Sidney Lake

The recreation area is lease to the Town of Sidney, NY. Facilities include camping, picnic area, boat launch and beach.

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Picnicking
  • Water sports
  • Wildlife viewing

Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Rochester. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.

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More outdoors near Rochester

Questions

Where is the closest place for camping near Rochester?

Almond Lake (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 56 miles south of Rochester as the crow flies. Next are Backbone Horse Campground (62 mi) and Blueberry Patch Campground (62 mi).

When is the best time for camping near Rochester?

Based on Rochester’s average highs, April–October. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.

Can I reserve a campsite near Rochester?

17 of the 24 places listed here take reservations on Recreation.gov; others are first come, first served.

Who manages these places?

Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, USDA Forest Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.

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