12 Best Things to Do and See Around Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario has been all over the news lately, and not for the fishing. We will leave the arguing over what to call it to everybody else, because this has always been a politics-free zone and we plan to keep it that way.
We are going with Lake Ontario here for a couple of practical reasons. More than half the lake, roughly 52 to 55 percent of the surface, sits on the Canadian side of the border, and Lake Ontario is the name on the campground listings, the marina charts, and most of the highway signs you will actually be following.
Fair warning, though: depending on which app you navigate with, you may start seeing the new name turn up, since some mapping and GPS programs pull from U.S. federal data and some do not. There is no sign of a resolution yet, so expect the maps to stay confusing for a while.
None of that changes the good part.
The land around this lake is waiting for you, and it is terrific RVing, with quiet state and provincial parks, lighthouse towns, wineries, and sunsets that will keep you in your camp chair long past dinner.
The lake is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec to the north and east, and the US states of New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont to the south and west. The city of Toronto, Ontario, is located on the northern shore of the lake, while the city of Rochester, New York, is located on the southern shore.
Here are the spots worth pointing the rig toward.
Here are all of our favorite things to do and see around Lake Ontario…
Lake Ontario is the smallest of the Great Lakes, with a surface area of 7,340 sq. miles…but its waters run deep.
So much so that it holds about 4 times the water volume of Lake Erie, even though the two lakes are similar in length and width (Erie being just slightly bigger).
Back in 2017, Lake Ontario’s waters reached the highest in 100 years, leading to massive flooding and erosion.
As the easternmost of the Great Lakes, Lake Ontario is positioned at the base of Niagara Falls. It straddles the U.S. and Canadian border, with the province of Ontario to the southwest and north, and New York to the south.
12 Best Things to See and Do at Lake Ontario
These highlights around Lake Ontario barely scratch the surface of everything there is to experience on the shoreline on the U.S. side.
But they're some of the best of the best that we've experienced. Oh, and as a perk, they're in driving order from East to West!
Wellesley Island State Park
This large state park in New York is located in the Thousand Islands area just off of Interstate 81 northwest of Watertown. It is full of wildlife and has a nature center along with a beautiful swimming beach.
To reach it, you’ll need to cross the Thousand Islands International Bridge (a toll bridge).
Antique Boat Museum
Back on the mainland, follow Highway 12 south to the town of St. Lawrence. This museum holds some gorgeous examples of boat-making craft on display at this waterside museum, where you can view the still-working boats and try your hand at traditional wooden skiffs.
Tour the glam houseboat La Duchesse, once owned by George Boldt, proprietor of Manhattan’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
Selkirk Shores State Park
Follow the shoreline on Highway 3 heading south from Watertown to this glorious State Park overlooking the bluff on Lake Ontario. Here you can swim, fish, and best of all, enjoy spectacular sunsets.
It is located near Pulaski, NY. Bring your binoculars – the park is directly in the migration route for a wide variety of bird species.
Lakeside Beach Park
Near Waterport, NY on Lake Ontario State Pkwy, this park offers a stunning panoramic view of Lake Ontario and is surrounded by fruit orchards and farms.
There are miles of hiking/biking trails, fishing along the lakefront, picnic grounds, and the well-designed Shore Winds Disc Golf Course, an 18-hole course that is both challenging and scenic.
Derby Hill Bird Observatory
Located 17 miles NE of Oswego towards the eastern end of the lake at the junction of Hwy 3 and Hwy 104. This is one of the premier hawk-watching sites in the eastern U.S.
It sees an average of 40,000 birds of prey, who use the thermals around the edge of Lake Ontario while migrating further north every Spring. April is the best month to see them, but summer means bald eagles, butterflies, and a plethora of other breeding birds.
Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse
Located just off Highway 104.
There have been lighthouses at the mouth of the Oswego River as it flows into Lake Ontario since 1822. Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse is the 4th iteration of its kind.
In season, boats run here from the H Lee White Marine Museum. The rest of the year, it is best to admire it from afar.
The Rochester Public Market
In the town of Rochester at 30 Church St., this is a great place to load up on RV supplies in the way of fresh food and food-to-go. Plus, plenty of retail shops, and other shopping experiences.
During your shopping, sit down and stay awhile with a coffee, beer (or other favorite beverage) and people watch.
Golden Hill State Park
Located on the scenic shores of Lake Ontario on Highway 18 just east of Olcott.
This park is home to the Thirty Mile Lighthouse. Get a glimpse of maritime history, while enjoying boating, fishing, hiking, and walking tours of the Thirty Mile Point lighthouse.
Jell-O Museum
Located right in Le Roy, about 45 minutes south of the shoreline, south of Waterport on Highway 237.
This fascinating place chronicles and celebrates America’s most famous dessert. In 1897, Pearle Wait, a carpenter in Le Roy, NY, experimented and invented a fruit-flavored dessert that his wife, May, named Jell-O.
He then tried to market his product, but lacking the capital to do so, he eventually sold his formula in 1899 for the whopping sum of $450. Not bad money back then!
Niagara Falls
The oldest state park in the U.S., with numerous islands, the famous Prospect Point area, and many unique views of the world-famous falls.
It lies near the southwest side of Lake Ontario, smack dab between it and Lake Erie on the Niagara Falls Scenic Parkway. There is an entrance on both the U.S. and Canadian sides of these world-famous falls, which straddle the U.S. and Canadian border.
If Niagara Falls gives you the waterfall bug, check out these 13 Stunning Waterfalls in the U.S.
Niagara Falls State Park
The nation’s oldest state park should be on every American’s bucket list, and campers don’t have an excuse to miss it.
The region offers plenty of campgrounds (about a dozen), totaling hundreds of campsites close to the powerful natural wonder of Niagara Falls.
That includes an ideal basecamp in the Niagara Falls/Grand Island KOA just a few miles away. Follow the Niagara River south on the Niagara Scenic Pkwy.
Old Fort Niagara
Located at the mouth of the Niagara River just off of Highway 18 near the Canadian border, this is the oldest continually running military site in North America.
Along with the great view of the water, they offer a variety of presentations on Native American history, blacksmithing, 18th-century cooking, and soldier life.
How many of these have you visited?
How many are on your Bucket List? Let us know in the comments!
10 Facts about Lake Ontario
- Lake Ontario is the smallest of the five Great Lakes by volume and the second smallest by surface area.
- It lies on the border between the United States and Canada, with most of the lake in Ontario, Canada.
- The lake is named after the Iroquois word “Ontario,” which means “great lake.”
- Lake Ontario provides drinking water for millions of people in the surrounding area.
- The lake is home to a diverse range of fish species, including lake trout, salmon, and bass.
- The lake is a popular destination for recreational activities, including boating, fishing, and swimming.
- Lake Ontario connects to the other Great Lakes through the St. Lawrence River, which flows from the lake to the Atlantic Ocean.
- The lake covers about 7,340 square miles (19,000 square kilometers).
- The lake averages about 243 feet (74 meters) deep, with a maximum depth of 802 feet (244 meters).
- The lake is known for cold, sometimes unpredictable weather, with strong winds and heavy waves that can create hazards for boaters.
Can You Camp on the Shore of Lake Ontario?
Yes, you can camp on the shore of Lake Ontario. A variety of campsites around the lake offer a range of amenities, including tent sites, RV sites, and cabin rentals. Many of these campsites are located in state parks or national parks, and some are privately owned and operated.
When camping on the shore of Lake Ontario, follow the campsite's rules and regulations and practice Leave No Trace principles to protect the natural environment. This may include packing out all trash, staying on designated trails, and respecting the wildlife and natural habitats in the area.
It is also important to be prepared for the weather, as the lake can experience significant temperature fluctuations and sometimes unpredictable conditions. It is always a good idea to bring warm clothing and other necessary camping gear, and to be aware of safety hazards such as strong winds or lightning storms.
What is the historical significance of Lake Ontario?
Lake Ontario has a rich history that spans thousands of years. The lake and its surrounding region have been home to a variety of indigenous cultures, including the Iroquois, Huron, and Neutrals. These cultures relied on the lake for transportation, fishing, and other daily life needs.
The lake was also an important trade route for European explorers and settlers, who used it to access the continent's interior. During the American Revolutionary War, the lake was a site of significant military conflict, with both British and American forces using it to transport troops and supplies.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the lake played a key role in the region's industrialization, with several ports and industries along its shores. The lake remains an important economic and recreational resource for surrounding communities.
Today, Lake Ontario is a popular destination for tourism, recreational activities, environmental conservation efforts, and, of course, campers and RVers.
Mike and Jennifer's Great Lakes Shoreline Tour (U.S. Side)
Instead of the usual 7 days some of our other guides can be done in, we suggest you budget more time for this one. This is why we are calling it a “Tour” instead of a 7-Day Guide! There are 86 pages in this ebook.
In this new Great Lakes Shoreline Tour, we cover in detail:
- Notable U.S. Cities/Towns along each Great Lake (US side) like Watertown, Grand Island, Geneva-on-the-Lake, Vermillion, Mackinaw City, and so many more!
- What to See/Do Around EACH Lake: Ocqueoc Falls Scenic Site, Les Cheneaux Islands, Antique Boat Museum, and many, many more places, including BONUS side trips!
- And good Campgrounds for each Lake (US side) – at least 4 or 5 for EACH Lake! With all the info you need to set up reservations.
Life’s Best Chapter Starts Here
in the RV Community
You’ve raised the kids. Done the 9-to-5. Now it’s your time.
Join a private, ad-free community built just for RVers who crave connection, adventure, and meaningful conversation.
- In-person meetups & rallies
- Twice a week member only livestreams and Virtual Campfires that are pure fun
- Exclusive courses on mastering the RV lifestyle
- Real people. No drama. No ads.
- Special interest spaces for more than two dozen RV subjects
Because the open road is better with friends. Check it out here https://RVCommunity.com
You missed Fair Haven Beach State Park. It has sooo much to do. Shallow water beach, deep water swimming in the channel. Picnic and playground areas. Hiking. Golf. Fishing. Marshy area. Swans. Camping for everything from tent to RV in a variety of setting. ( Try the Bluff). Water craft rental, pier to walk, pavilions ,,,,t he list goes on and on! TRY IT!
Rochester is not a town. It is a city and the 3rd largest in the state. It is also home to Eastman Kodak and the George Eastman Museum. Between Oswego and Rochester is Chimney Bluffs State Park. Spectacular views of the Lake and interesting Rock/Sand Formations. . . . another not to miss.