Parks & Outdoor Attractions

Chimney Bluffs State Park - One of the most beautiful state parks in the state of New York, Chimney Bluffs State Park was formed over ten thousand years ago when great glaciers advanced over the landscape from Canada, forming egg-shaped hills. Guests can visit Chimney Bluffs State Park and view these beautiful formations, as well as enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including fishing, hiking, picnicking, nature study and wildlife viewing. The state park offers the most dramatic landscape on the Lake Ontario shore. You can experience massive earthen spires from above or along the lakeshore on nature trails. Day-use services include picnic areas, nature trails and restrooms. Chimney Bluffs State Park is just two miles from Lake Bluff Campground, making it an ideal place to spend an afternoon.

Seaway Trail - Come enjoy a “great American road trip” on the 504-mile Seaway Trail, one of America’s Byways. In the Wayne County section of the Trail, you’ll discover a vacation’s worth of unique attractions: the spectacular Chimney Bluffs overlooking Lake Ontario, the Hill Cumorah Pageant with a cast of 600-plus, Wolcott’s Enchanted Fountain, and the former Shaker homestead at ALASA Farms. Meander through Long Acre Farms Amazing Maize Maze, and taste regional flavors at diverse farm markets. View scenic Sodus Bay from the lantern room of Old Sodus Lighthouse Museum, one of 29 lights on the Seaway Trail. Follow the Seaway Trail logo signs by bike, boat, RV, car or on foot. Travel East along the lake to the St. Lawrence River, or go West toward the Seaway Trail of Pennsylvania. Your Seaway Trail journey is just a few minutes’ drive from Lake Bluff Campground.

Fort Ontario State Historic Site - Visitors to Fort Ontario State Historic Site today will see the star-shaped fort restored to its 1868-1872 appearance. An orientation exhibit in the Enlisted Men’s Barracks tells the fascinating history of the fort and together with costumed interpreters, recreates the lives of the officers, the enlisted men, their families, and civilians. Activities at the Fort Ontario State Historic Site include audio-visual and interpretive programs, re-enactments, a visitor center and museum, group tours, guided and self-guided tours, scenic views, and more. The Fort Ontario State Historic Site is located in Oswego, New York, just 27 miles north of Lake Bluff Campground.

Erie Canal - The New York State Canal System offers numerous vacation opportunities for the young and old alike. Try your hand at captaining your own boat or ride your bike along the over 260 miles of Canalway Trail. Opened in 1825, the Erie Canal was the engineering marvel of the 19th Century. When the planning for what many derided as “Clinton's Folly” began, there was not a single school of engineering in the United States. With the exception of a few places where black powder was used to blast through rock formations, all 363 miles were built by the muscle power of men and horses. Designated as the nation’s 23rd National Heritage Corridor, the New York State Canal System joins the ranks of America’s most treasured historical resources.

Wildlife Viewing

Huckleberry Swamp - Huckleberry Swamp is part of the Olga Fleisher Ornithological Foundation. The preserve contains 79 acres of diverse, high quality wetlands for bird and wildlife habitat conservation. A beautiful wooden boardwalk and trail system is handicap accessible and takes visitors into the heart of open swamp, shrub wetland, forested wetland, and hardwood forest. Huckleberry Swamp provides significant habitat for wildlife and rare plants. Open Tuesday through Sunday, from dawn to dusk.

Lake Shore Marshes Wildlife Management Area - Lake Shore Marshes Wildlife Management Area is bounded on the north by. Lake Ontario and contains approximately 6,179 acres of wetlands and adjacent uplands. The area offers a unique combination of lake-bay marsh environments providing varied habitats for many species of fish, mammals, songbirds, shorebirds and waterfowl. Black ducks, mallards, wood ducks and teal are the principal waterfowl species along with a variety of diving ducks on the open water areas.

Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area - Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area is part of the 50,000 acre Montezuma Wetlands Complex, which is known to be a globally significant, important bird staging and breeding area within the Atlantic Flyway. The Complex includes the federally-owned Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, and lands owned by other conservation groups and private land owners with an interest in wildlife. The entire Complex is located in what was historically called the Montezuma Swamp, one of the largest wetland systems in the Northeast. This vast area once supported over 40,000 acres of contiguous wetland habitat, extending northward from Cayuga Lake almost to Lake Ontario.

Montezuma Audubon Center - The Montezuma Audubon Center features five different types of habitat, two restored freshwater marshes, a one-mile hiking trail, and an all-access observation platform on its 198 acres. The Montezuma Wetlands Complex is one of the largest conservation projects in the nation for reclamation of important wildlife and wetland habitat. The complex is a crucial migration stopover point for migrating waterfowl in the northeast.

Fishing & Boating

Arney’s Marina - Arney’s Marina is a 6 acre facility with 800 feet of waterfront located on the West side of Sodus Bay, 1 mile South of the Village of Sodus Point. The facility includes a 110 slip floating marina for boats from 18' to 32' in length. Two fuel docks, a sanitation pump-out station, two launching ramps open to public use with their permit. If you are looking to boat on Lake Ontario, this is the most convenient location to launch.

Bulldog Charters - Captain Barry Oswald offers fishing charters for Salmon, Steelhead, and Brown Trout. His 27 ft. SeaRay Amberjack is fully loaded, with a 10 ft. beam. Weekday and weekend rates. Contact Barry at (610) 390-1659.

Ridge Runner Sportfishing Charters - Ridge Runner Sportfishing Charters operate out of Sodus Bay with Captain Ray Hopping, who has been fishing the Great Lakes for over 22 years.

Silver Hook Charters - Silver Hook Charters fishes the waters of Lake Ontario with Captain Jerry Zalucki, who has been fishing the lake and its tributaries for over 20 years. His specialty pursuit is King Salmon and Steelhead Trout. He takes pride in his sport and does his best to give his clients a trip they will remember.

Silver Waters Sailing - Silver Waters Sailing provides sailing instruction, women only sailing classes, charters, and excursions on Lake Ontario and Little Sodus Bay, sailing out of Shawn’s Marina in Fair Haven. Their goal is to raise awareness of, and appreciation for, Lake Ontario through writing, sailing instruction, and nature study.

Nearby Public Fishing Access
Leroy Island Bridge (1/2 mile) • Ridge Road Bridge (2 miles)

5 Bays on Lake Ontario Within Less than 20 Miles!
Sodus Bay (1/2 mile) • East Bay (1 mile) • Port Bay (4 miles) • Blind Sodus Bay (under 20 miles) • Little Sodus Bay (under 20 miles)

Golf

Sodus Bay Heights Golf Club - Adjacent to the cool clear waters of Lake Ontario nestles a golfer’s dream course: Sodus Bay Heights Golf Club - one of the state’s finest. A little-known golf course gem, Sodus Bay Heights Golf Club is rich in history, as is its neighboring town, Sodus Point. Both offer great golf and local flavor for a new player or returning visitor alike. Play it now at attractive rates and enjoy the experience of great golf on a Great Lake, with spectacular views as you play. The course plays 6,682 yards from the championship tees, 6,316 from the men’s tees and 5,529 from the ladies’ tees. The signature hole is the 5th, a 458 yard downhill par 4 with water crossing the fairway at 300 yards and a pond on the left about 240 yards from the tee. It plays into a severely elevated large green, surrounded by three traps. The course isn’t exceedingly long, but the rolling hills and winds create conditions that are challenging for all levels of golfer. Sodus Bay Heights Golf Club is within minutes of Lake Bluff Campground.

Port Bay Golf Course - Port Bay Golf Course is a beautiful 18 Hole Golf Course located in Wayne County near Lake Ontario. The 18-hole course is located in Wolcott, New York and features 5,900 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 70. The course rating is 66.2 and it has a slope rating of 116. Designed by Bob Beardsley, the Port Bay golf course opened in 1962.

Museums

Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum - The Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum is operated by the Sodus Bay Historical Society on the southern shores of Lake Ontario. A three story stone block structure whose central section is approximately 35 feet square, the lighthouse is preserved in excellent condition. There are free summer concerts and a 4th of July celebration, as well as many historical displays of maritime, lighthouse, and Sodus Bay history.

Heritage Square Museum - Visit a historic crossroads community of the mid-1800's at the Heritage Square Museum. Step into the past and relive a touch of mid 19th Century Americana. See the sights, hear the stories, experience being where families like yours lived over a hundred years ago. Heritage Square Museum at the Brick Church Corners was proudly placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

Entertainment

Sterling Renaissance Festival - Make plans now to travel back in time. Thrill to more than 200 professional actors and stagehands who recreate an authentic English Renaissance Village and Summer Marketplace. You will revel in the raucous doings at every corner you turn. Join the merriment at the pub sing, wench auction, and trial & dunke. The Festival welcomes patrons of all ages and ensures there is fun for everyone. Just bring your imagination and they will take care of the rest! Only 20 minutes away from Lake Bluff Campground.

Restaurants & Dining

Connelly’s Cove - Connelly’s Cove offers waterfront dining overlooking beautiful Sodus Bay. Featuring steaks, seafood and spirits, with a tiki bar during the Summer season and live bands on the deck on weekends. Serving lunches and dinners for over 50 years. Only a half mile from Lake Bluff Campground.

Oak Park Resort Marina - The WayPoint Restaurant at Oak Park Resort Marina features waterfront dining and live music on Friday nights during the Summer season. Only one mile from Lake Bluff Campground.

Skipper’s Landing - Skipper’s Landing features relaxed dining on the East side of Sodus Bay, with a fabulous view from their dining room and waterfront deck. Featuring seafood, pasta, a great soup and salad bar, and prime rib. Only a half mile from Lake Bluff Campground.

Shopping Adventures

Heluva Good Cheese Country Store - The Heluva Good Cheese Country Store, in Sodus, is a unique cheese and gift shop located at the home of Heluva Good Cheese. The well-known brand name dates back to 1925, when Perry Messinger, Heluva Good’s founder, began making wedges of homemade washed curd cheese in his basement. Messinger sold a little, but mostly made his cheese as a hobby. One day a traveling salesman stopped in and sampled a wedge. Upon tasting it, he declared, “That’s a hell of a good cheese.” At that moment, Messinger knew he had something very special.

Mills Fruit Farm - Mills Fruit Farm, in Wolcott, sells fresh produce, home-made baked goods, salsa, preserves, and seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables. It also offers unique gifts and decorative items, including handcrafted wood and all natural hand and woven baskets. Open 7 days a week, you won’t have any trouble finding the perfect gift!

Wineries

Thorpe Vineyard - Thorpe Vineyard calls itself “The Little Winery on the Great Lake”. It is situated on the South shore of Lake Ontario, adjacent to Chimney Bluffs State Park. It is open for tasting from April through December. Thorpe Vineyard is less than 2 miles from Lake Bluff Campground.

Young Sommer Winery - Young Sommer Winery is located between Williamson and Pultneyville in the heart of New York’s largest apple growing area. The winery specializes in award winning grape and fruit wines that truly embody the unique climate that clings to the Lake Ontario Shoreline. Young Sommer Winemaker Jan Klapetzky has more than 3 decades of experience in producing quality wines with more than 30 gold medals in both regional and national competitions.

For More Information

The Great Sodus Bay Association • Wayne County Tourism