Come for the Great Lakes and Niagara Falls; stay for the canyons, forests, and waterfalls.
Buffalo does what few cities can—it effortlessly blends urban comforts with outdoor adventures. From downtown, you can sail Lake Erie or water-bike past historic grain elevators. When it’s time for a getaway, there are tons of beautiful campsites a short drive away. Take your pick: canyon campgrounds, lakeside RV parks, and forest tent sites await.
Just 20 miles north of Buffalo, Niagara Falls State Park is open for hiking year-round. Choose from a huge range of luxe private campgrounds in New York and Canada. Each one puts you close to paddling, biking, and waterfall-watching. On Grand Island, you can even hunt waterfowl along the West River Shoreline Trail.
An hour from town, camp in the “Grand Canyon of the East” at Letchworth State Park. There’s an adventure for everyone—raft the whitewater, hike 66 miles of trails, or ride a hot air balloon. If you’re bringing kids, head south to the calm waters and sandy beaches at Allegany State Park. With 125 forest campsites and 128 winterized cabins, you can camp any time.
After summer winds down, camping near Buffalo is all about crisp weather and fall foliage. When the snow falls, the fun is just getting started. Hiking trails turn to snowshoeing and Nordic skiing routes, and frozen ponds open for ice skating.