“Walk by the Scenic Lake”
Encompassing just over 2000 acres on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake, Sampson State Park features camping and boating as the primary recreational activities. The park has a total of 309 campsites with 245 electric and 64 non-electric sites. The marina has just over 100 boat slips and a large multiple ramp launch site. A key feature of the park is the beautiful view of the lake at its center. Facilities include courts for tennis, horseshoes, basketball and volleyball, a swimming beach with nearby playground, a low impact fitness circuit and a scenic lake trail. Other popular activities include fishing, bicycling, jogging, geocaching, and nature watching. Picnic shelters are available and may be reserved for events.
Reviews of Sampson State Park Campground
15 people have reviewed this location
Ratings Summary
Cell Coverage
Verizon 4G/5G
Confirmed by 4 users | Last reported on September 09, 2023AT&T 4G
Confirmed by 6 users | Last reported on June 04, 2024T-Mobile 4G/5G
Confirmed by 4 users | Last reported on August 04, 2024Reviews
Most of the tent campsites are in a wide open grassy field with no trees. Not the most enticing. But the rv sites are nicer and cozier. Even though we only had a tent, we chose a rv site instead.
We stayed four nights here in August 2024. This was a nice State campground. Spacious sites and good if you can get on loop 5 close to the lake. Facilities are good. No WiFi which we wish they had.
Nightly Rate: $30.00
Days Stayed: 4
Site Number: 208
RV Length: 25 ft
RV Type: Class C
Cell Coverage Rating
T-Mobile 4G
We stayed at Sampson State Park for one night on our way from Boston to Toronto. The Park is huge, with a museum on site, and well kept.
The welcome was somewhat cool and rushed as reception closed at 6:00 pm - it was in mid-October, so perhaps it had to do with the fact that it was late season. No firewood was available and the on-site store was closed. We were lucky that our reservation was still recognized.
All of this was even more surprising as the Park was busy. We saw at least two loops that were close to, if not at, capacity.
We were excited to have a waterside site, but when we arrived at loop 5, we found that all of the sites, and especially those facing the water were so sloped to be almost unusable. Some fifth wheels were parked at an acute angle, with their back practically scraping the ground and the front raised up high. There was absolutely no way we could have leveled our Airstream, so in the end, we parked perpendicular to the site, with the side of our trailer facing the lake. We were still not quite level, but it was workable.
There is no privacy between sites, and the park was fairly noisy with large groups partying - although that appeared to stop around 11:00.
I'm pretty sure that this can be a lovely Park during the summer but choose your sites carefully.
Nightly Rate: $29.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 132
RV Length: 34 ft
Cell Coverage Rating
AT&T 4G
We have stayed at this State Park the last 5 years. Loop 1 is close to the office but still very quite. The sites are fairly level and quite large. All the sites are hard packed gravel and very stable. The sites that are on the interior of the loops tend to have more space as the open to a large meadow area. If you have a larger rig (over 26') or have a Class A or C motor home stay away from Loop 5. Those site are all sloped with no way to level them. I have seen travel trailers have the ball hitch on the ground and their rear end 3-4' off the ground.
Check in is fast and easy if you pre-register and the bathhouse/bathrooms are clean.
The sites all have 30 amp electric and there is shared water to fill our tanks if you did not prior your arrival. I would suggest that you have at least 50' of electrical cord to reach some of the electrical connection as they are shared between sites but not evenly spaced.
Nightly Rate: $29.00
Days Stayed: 3
Site Number: 10
RV Length: 38 ft
RV Type: Class A
Cell Coverage Rating
AT&T 4G
I love staying at the New York parks, and this was no exception. The sites are spaced out wonderfully, and there's plenty of room for everyone to do their own things without being in someone elses space. The only problem we had was the water pressure was low. Otherwise the workers were very nice, the beach was clean, and the compsites were prestine! I would definitely recommend this campground to others.
Be cautious when entering the campground, the road definitely needs repair and will bounce your rig around quite a bit.
Nightly Rate: $28.00
Days Stayed: 4
Site Number: 143
RV Length: 36 ft
RV Type: Fifth Wheel
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
Great campground! Campsites are spacious and grassy with gravel pads for your rig. Although there is little cover between sites, there is ample space between sites. Sites are electric only so fill water tank before setting up. Electric posts are shared between sites so you will probably need extra cable. I needed 50 ft to reach the outlet. Loop 3 is a short walk to the lake and beach. There are miles of paths and roads for biking. Bathhouse was clean. Closest grocery store in Geneva. Store in park marina has firewood and basic supplies.
Nightly Rate: $25.00
Days Stayed: 5
Site Number: -
RV Length: 26 ft
RV Type: Travel Trailer
Cell Coverage Rating
T-Mobile 4G
This is our 5th stay at Sampson State Park. We love the large open areas in Loop 1. There is plenty of room for kids to play and also not be right on top of your neighbors. Site are fairly level and have a good solid base of gravel. There is a water spigot close to site 10 and the electrical post is close to site, but on the passenger side of the coach. I would suggest to bring extra electrical cords to reach post as some sites are more than 40' from site. The bath house was clean and the grass area is well maintained.
The only issue I have with the park is that they only have 2 dump stations to use at check out. That means if you do not leave before 8:00 am on Sunday you will have to wait to dump. Some people have waited almost 45 minutes.
Nightly Rate: $25.00
Days Stayed: 2
Site Number: 10
RV Length: 38 ft
RV Type: Class A
Cell Coverage Rating
AT&T 4G
Nice treasure! Stopped here for just one night and will be back again soon. Right on Seneca Lake, site size just right for this type of campground. Lots of families and kids and when the sun went down it was peaceful and quite. In the morning I slept in by accident because I didn't hear anyone outside like you normally do when it's 6-7am. Great neighbors from Osewego NY, made the visit more welcoming. Nice bathrooms and showers. 2 showers in men's room, but not backed up waiting. Very clean and well managed campground, checkin super quick and nice people at desk.
Nightly Rate: $33.00
Days Stayed: 1
Site Number: 3
RV Type: Van
Cell Coverage Rating
T-Mobile
Fantastic campground. Spacious, clean, shaded sites with views of Saranac Lake on loop 5. Great playgrounds throughout the park. Small concession stand and camp store. Swimming and boating areas. The previous night, we stayed a little farther south on the lake at Watkins Glen State Park, and were not impressed. Sampson State Park wins hands down! Such a different atmosphere! We love it here!
Nightly Rate: $33.00
Days Stayed: 3
Site Number: 229 & 239 (loop 5)
Cell Coverage Rating
Verizon 4G
We stayed here over the weekend so it was full and busy, but quieted down during the nighttime hours. Lots of families, big playground but not near loop 2. Easy access to Seneca lake in a short drive or a walk. Beach with lifeguard. Close to lots of vineyards and nice towns. We were able to access our TMobile cellular with our booster, but quite slow and went in and out.
Nightly Rate: $32.00
Days Stayed: 3
Site Number: 45
Cell Coverage Rating
T-Mobile 4G
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Sampson State Park Campground
Hours
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Parking
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Pets Allowed
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Restrooms
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Wifi
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
- Affiliation
- State park or forest
- Back In RV Sites Count
- 15
- Last Nightly Rate
- 30.0
- Longest Vehicle Length Reported
- 38 ft
- Lowest Nightly Rate
- 22.0
- Max Stay
- 14
- Season End
- fall
- Season Start
- spring
- Sites Count
- 238
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Paved Sites
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Fifty Amp
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Full Hookup
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Rec Facilities
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Pull Through
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Tent Sites
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Dump Station
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Big Rigs
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Open Seasonally
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Age Restricted
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Back In RV Sites
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Boondock
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Cabin Sites
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Dispersed Sites
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Firewood
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Fulltime Residents
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Group Tent Sites
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Laundry
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Mobile Homes
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Permit Required
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Potable Water
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Propane
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Public Water
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Pull Through RV Sites
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Reservations
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Sewer Hookup
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Showers
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Sites
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Standard Tent Sites
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Vehicle Wash Permitted
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Water Hookup
Campground, Restrooms
Nearby Hotels
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