Satellite view of Sampson State Park
Sampson State Park is situated along the east shore of Seneca Lake. As you can see from the satellite image, the main campsite area is up on a bluff above the lake with a wooded buffer between Loop 5 and the lake. No sites are on/by the water. Note Loop 6 is totally in the open. The beach and marina are a fair distance down a hill to waters level.
Site 83 is a typical campsite at Sampson - flat and partially shady
Sampson State Park is one of a few New York State campgrounds where you don't have to be so selective of your specific site! You are likely to be choosing a site based on the proximity to a bathroom, or a play feature rather than the specific characteristics of an individual campsite.
All sites 300 will accommodate a 40 foot trailer and all provide for easy access (back in) to the campsite pad. If you aren't one to wrestle with trees and an uneven slope to get onto your site, then Sampson would be a great choice for you.
Site 222 is a rare site with lake view!
Sites in the electric loops (Loop 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) are your best bet. Loop 1 includes sites1-43, Loop 2 includes sites 44-97, Loop 3 includes sites 98-144, Loop 4 includes sites 145-195 and Loop 5 includes sites 196-245. They are all large, flat with some trees. All sites are only partially shaded as the trees are well spaced. Some sites that back onto the bluff overlooking Seneca Lake might offer a glimpse of the lake when the trees are not out in full bloom, but for the most far you don't get the view. Loop 5 does seem to be the most popular loop. Site 222 (Loop 5) would be the rare site that actually does have a decent view. It's a large site and has a nice sitting area overlooking the lake. It also offers more shade than most sites.
Site 350 All sites in Loop 6 (non-electric) are in a wide open field
Sites in the non-electric loop (Loop 6) are located in a wide open field and you definately feel like you are in a wide open area! I would not recommend this area unless you don't care at all about the quality of your camping experience. On the plus site you can save $6 in this area if you don't need electric. Loop 6 is also the closest to the beach area.
Sampson would be a great place to bike. There are miles of biking and hiking as this was at one time it was a Naval training facility with a maze of old roads. The hiking will be quite flat however.
There are so many great wineries to visit near Sampson!
Sampson is well situated for doing some wine tours. Within a hour hour drive you will find Hosmer Winery, Myer Farm Distillers, 3 Brothers, Sheldrake Point Winery, Lucas Vineyards, Goose Watch, Knapp Winery, The Inn at Varick Winery, Swedish Hill Winery, Wagner Vineyards, Penguin Bay Winery, Americana Vineyards, Frontenac Point Vineyard and Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards.
3 Brothers is a fun/unique winery!
Of the wineries in this area, our favorites were Lucas, Knapp and Sheldrake. 3 Brothers wasn't a favorite for its wine (or beer) but for its decore. I would highly recommend a stop at 3 Brothers pictured here.
