Camping near or at Niagara Falls

[FandRChambers]

Hello everyone,

I want to plan a trip to Niagara Falls. Any suggestions on a campground up there. I prefer to stay on the US side! I've seen a few north of the park, but would like feedback from people who have been there. Thanks in advance.

[mark0224]

Four mile Creek State Park is about 20 minutes from Niagara Falls and about 5 min to Fort Niagara. You really need to visit the Canadian side while you are there, so much to do over there. Also make sure and go to Goat Island on the American side its in between the American and Canadian Falls. I stayed at the KOA on Grand Island many years ago, its not far to the Falls, maybe 15 min. Just looked at their site and it looks like it has made a lot of improvements since I was there.

[FandRChambers]

Thanks Mark0224, I plan to visit the Canada side, just prefer to stay on the US side. Hope the Northern border is a lot faster crossing than the Mexican Border. Long wait down there.

[mark0224]

It usually is pretty fast at the Niagara bridge but sometimes I wish it wasn't the view is great from the bridge.

[bodzcampers]

The Canadian side is much nicer. Much!!!!!

[FandRChambers]

I have always heard it's much nicer.

[dezolen]

Four Mile Creek State park gets my vote.

[5erDriver]

Hi
We stayed at the Lewiston KOA. Grand island is closer to the falls but was more $$ and as we were not planning on spending alot of time around the CG we went with it. It's 10 miles north of the falls and an easy ride. The CG is a little tight for bigger rigs. The distance between you and the neighbor that is. Pool is OK and store is OK. Wouldn't rush back tho now we have a much bigger 5th wheel. I do know Grand Island is right beside the highway. You can see it campers as you ride by and from memory there is an amusement park next door.
All that being said the area and the falls are spectacular. Well worth the trip. Loved it.

[FandRChambers]

I found a map with the different CGs close to the park, just trying to figure out which one to stay at. Some of the pictures on their sites look pretty old, so hard to tell. Most of the good ones look north of the falls park.

[mark0224]

Four mile creek has all kinds of space to maneuver.Some shady spot, a great view of Lake Ontario if you walk down to the shore and on a clear day you can see Toronto from the shore. Go into Lewiston also and look around Pretty area and its where the Jet Boat ride starts if you want to go on it. Fort Niagara was great to explore. If you have no kids the you can loose your shirt at the Casino, if you have Kids, Marine Land is worth seeing. One thing you want to do is bring money.

[Kaadk]

Originally Posted by mark0224

Four mile creek has all kinds of space to maneuver.Some shady spot, a great view of Lake Ontario if you walk down to the shore and on a clear day you can see Toronto from the shore. Go into Lewiston also and look around Pretty area and its where the Jet Boat ride starts if you want to go on it. Fort Niagara was great to explore. If you have no kids the you can loose your shirt at the Casino, if you have Kids, Marine Land is worth seeing. One thing you want to do is bring money.

Marineland seems to be getting some pretty lousy reviews. None the less, we'll be there in June and can send some feedback then.

[mark0224]

Originally Posted by Kaadk

Marineland seems to be getting some pretty lousy reviews. None the less, we'll be there in June and can send some feedback then.

Just looked up some of the Marine Land bad press was because of a disgruntled employee and a news paper that listened. They had people come in and check the place out and it passed with flying colors one of the inspectors was even coming back with his family.

[Kaadk]

Originally Posted by mark0224

Just looked up some of the Marine Land bad press was because of a disgruntled employee and a news paper that listened. They had people come in and check the place out and it passed with flying colors one of the inspectors was even coming back with his family.

Yeah, I saw that too. I don't put a lot of stock in those "cruel to animals" reviews. I've seen the same thing said of zoos, etc... Heck, I even heard about that for a bird sanctuary, where they're purposely kind to animals.

If you filter out those reviews, and look at ones about the park, you'll see a lot of:

1) Too far too walk between rides
2) Cost too much for what you get
3) Cost too much to feed 'x' animals
4) Place is run down, outdated, old, whatnot.
Etc...

Aside from the standard Yelp or Tripadvisor, I found some good information here:

Does Everyone Love MarineLand? | Kids Out and About.com (Rochester)
(In particular the one review about King Waldorf's campground)

Of course that's not going to stop us from going. The family wants to go, so we're going to go. I'm just going without high expectations.

[itat]

We've been to Marineland once and I won't go back. Too crowded and not good value for the price you pay IMO. If you have younger children they'll love it but I just didn't enjoy it that much. My teenagers liked it more than I did so maybe its just me.

Niagara Falls tends to be very expensive on the Canadian side no matter what you do within the city but its absolutely gorgeous scenery in the area, particularly along the parkway up to Niagara-on-the-Lake. The Canadian side is definitely prettier than the American side. Parking near the Falls is nearly always full. Definitely don't try to find parking for a motorhome! You'll just need to be prepared to walk a fair distance but it is worth it.

If you don't like tourist traps, you'll want to pass on the Clifton Hill area, but if you like wax museums, Ripley's Believe It Or Not, and that type of attraction you'll enjoy it.

We stayed at Sherkston Shores Resort about a half hour out of Niagara Falls, closer to Welland. If you like privacy and shady sites it won't be for you but we enjoyed the great amenities on site. Just avoid long weekends. The kids really enjoyed the water slides and the beaches. The premium sites are best since they give you lots of room and paved drives. Even the premium sites where a decent value compared to other similar resorts. I hear Bissell's Hideaway Resort is nice, too, but I think it's a bit more pricey because it's closer to the Falls.

If you do go to the Canadian side, stop in at Betty's Restaurant at 8921 Sodom Rd. for a great meal in an traditional-style restaurant where you'll get buns and water with your meal.

[FandRChambers]

Thanks itat, and everyone for your input. Keep it coming. I'm looking at going mid July. I do have kids so a park with amentities for them is a must. Thanks again for the info.

[5erDriver]

Originally Posted by FandRChambers

Thanks itat, and everyone for your input. Keep it coming. I'm looking at going mid July. I do have kids so a park with amentities for them is a must. Thanks again for the info.

Marineland was great and especially for younger kids up to maybe 12. Rides are geared more toward that age group and younger. Older park but fun rides

[Kaadk]

Originally Posted by FandRChambers

Thanks itat, and everyone for your input. Keep it coming. I'm looking at going mid July. I do have kids so a park with amentities for them is a must. Thanks again for the info.

We're making use of our VKR and planning to stay at the Niagara KOA. Haven't been there yet so I can't provide any other info.

[another_newfie]

If I had a choice I'd go with Four Mile Creek. Especially lake front sites. Nice! Can be windy though.

The Lewiston KOA is also a fine choice for a park to use as a destination park. I wouldn't stay very long if I was going to spend much time in the park.

[RogerCaiazza]

Because we are from Syracuse visiting the Falls is usually a day trip but we stayed overnight en route to Canada at this place at 2405 Niagara Falls Boulevard Niagara Falls, NY 14304. It claims to be the closest to the falls and as you would expect that comes with a price. Sites are very close together and the amenities are just OK. I would not consider this a destination campsite but if you plan to spend most of your time away from the camper then it is all right

[David 01]

Four Mile Creek! What a GREAT View!