Forum Discussion

el_jefe1's avatar
el_jefe1
Explorer
Jan 04, 2019

Family Niagara Falls Campgrounds (US side)

I'm looking to spend a couple of nights at Niagara Falls this summer, looking for campground recommendations on the US side. We're limited to the US side because we have foster kids with us so we can't cross the border with them at all. Favorite family campgrounds in the area for a family with kids?
  • bukhrn's avatar
    bukhrn
    Explorer III
    We stayed at Four Mile Creek SP last August, pretty nice CG, far more secluded than staying near near/in town, unless that's important to you, not a very long drive to the falls.
  • wife and i stayed at branches of niagara this past september. very nice park. if you plan on visiting the falls and have a passport spend a day on the canadian side. better scenery. fyi parking is expensive on either side.
  • Another Four Mile Creek SP suggestion. Just know that the sites are electric only.

    However, they have water spigots through out the campground. The office staff tells people camping next to them that as long as they put a "Y" on the spigot and leave an open side, they can stay hooked up to water. We saw one spigot near the back of the campground that had 3, if not 4, "Y" splitters on it!

    Dump station is at the front of the park - paved and decent.

    It was well worth going without to save money. I think it was $35/night vs. almost $100/night when I went last summer.
  • I'm sure a visit to the falls is on your agenda, so it's worth noting that a stay at Four Mile Creek SP includes free parking at Niagara Falls SP and Fort Niagara SP.
  • This post reminds me of a story...

    A guy I used to work with decided to take his family, and the German exchange student staying with them, on a day trip to Niagara Falls. Just before arriving at the MI/CA border he realized the German girl's passport was at home. Rather than abandon the trip, he decided to wing it and hope nobody would notice that he had a non citizen minor child with no identification of any sort sitting in the back seat.

    BAD idea. They were detained at the border for several hours, and Bill was informed on no uncertain terms that human trafficking was a serious crime in Canada.

    They were released after a few hours of sweating.
  • We stayed at Branches of Niagara Campground & Resort for a week while at Niagra this summer. Great park for the kids. Zip lines, and all sorts of games/activities.
  • Consider Four Mile Creek State Park:
    https://parks.ny.gov/parks/6/
    You'll save a few bucks compared to private campgrounds and you'll be on Lake Ontario. It's just a short ride to Niagara Falls and also close to Youngstown or Lewiston if you're looking for a restaurant or grocery store and other shops. But make reservations as soon as possible, especially if you are planning to be there on a weekend. There is also a KOA in Lewiston which I'm pretty sure is less expensive than the one on Grand Island and in a much quieter location. And, again, 15-30 drive into the Falls depending on where you are going.

    Our first RV camping took place at Four Mile Creek back in 1988 after we purchased a slightly used Starcraft Meteor pop-up camper. Our boys were 4 and 8, and it was a great Memorial Day weekend. We still have fond memories of that trip and the many family campouts and trips that followed. Bless you for taking in foster children and sharing your love with them! Have a great trip!
  • Branches and KOA both on Grand Island. You'll have to look at each web site and decide for yourself. We have never been to either one, but looks like we may be heading that way in Aug. For us, it appears that Branches will be the better of the 2 as it will be DW and 19 yo DS w/ me. Falls nearby, Anchor/Duff's bars nearby (always fightin' as to has the best/orig chicken wings. Letchworth State park/ Darien Lake (6 Flags) within a couple hour drive as well as Allegheny State park.

    Perhaps Rob from western NY can chime in and help out here.