Campgrounds near Highland-on-the-Lake
Highland-on-the-Lake is a small hamlet in the town of Evans, in southwestern Erie County, New York, sitting on bluffs above the Lake Erie shoreline south of Buffalo. It is a census-designated place on high ground on the shore of Lake Erie, on bluffs that in some places rise well above the water. RV travelers use it as a quiet Lake Erie base within easy reach of Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and the Ontario side of the border.
The closest full campground is Evangola State Park, a New York State Parks facility with a natural sand beach on the lake. The park features swimming, several picnic shelters, a banquet room, grassy picnic areas, baseball diamond, basketball and tennis courts, 80 campsites, 6 yurts, a cabin and a nature center. Additional options within an easy drive include Pleasant Beach Campground on the U.S. side and, across the Peace Bridge in Ontario, Windmill Point Park, Sun Retreats Sherkston Shores, and Riverside Park Motel and Campground.
Between the New York state park system and the private Ontario resorts, RV travelers can choose between rustic lakefront tent-and-electric sites and full-hookup resort camping with beaches, pools, and family programming.
Things to do near Highland-on-the-Lake
Lake Erie is the main draw. Evangola State Park's major attraction is its beautiful arc-shaped shoreline and natural sand beach on Lake Erie, and low cliffs of Angola shale line the edge of the beach. Anglers target smallmouth bass, walleye, and perch from shore, piers, and boats.
Inside Evangola State Park, families can swim at a guarded beach, hike short nature trails, and use the disc golf course, ball courts, and playground. Park amenities include a swimming beach, restrooms, bathhouse, picnic facilities, cycling, nature center, fishing, snack bar, hiking trails, baseball diamonds, pavilions, playgrounds, and disc golf.
Across the border, Sun Retreats Sherkston Shores adds resort-style amenities. The resort offers a private beach, water park, restaurants, and sports courts, and all stays include access to the beaches, quarry, water park, FunPlex passes and unlimited miniature golf. Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and the Crystal Beach area are all within a short drive.
When to visit Highland-on-the-Lake
March - May
55° / 37°F 84 mm
Cool and wet; lake stays cold into May
June - August
79° / 61°F 89 mm
Peak season; weekends book out early
September - November
61° / 45°F 97 mm
Mild early, cold late; season ends by Columbus Day
December - February
34° / 21°F 81 mm
Lake-effect snow common; campgrounds closed
The Lake Erie camping season runs late spring through mid-fall. The Evangola State Park camping season runs mid-May to Columbus Day. Sun Retreats Sherkston Shores operates from May 1 to October 31, and Windmill Point Park is open seasonally from about May 1 to mid-October.
July and August are peak. Weekends fill fast at the state park and at the Ontario resorts, so bookings should be locked in well ahead. During peak summer months, especially weekends, the campground fills quickly, so booking well in advance is recommended. Guarded swimming at Evangola is available from Memorial through Labor Day.
Spring is cool and often wet, and the lake itself stays cold well into May. The ice on Lake Erie does not usually disappear until mid-April and remains chilly through most of May. Winter shuts campgrounds down, but Evangola stays open year-round for day use. Visitors here love biking, fishing, hiking, hunting, picnicking, and camping in the warm months, and winter visitors to the park enjoy snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
How to book near Highland-on-the-Lake
Evangola State Park is reserved through the New York State Parks system on ReserveAmerica. Camping reservations for Evangola State Park can be made through the New York State Parks reservation system by visiting ReserveAmerica.com or calling 1-800-456-CAMP, and reservations can be made up to nine months in advance. Same-day reservations are allowed until 3 p.m. on the day of arrival, and this applies to campsites only. A camping party and their equipment may occupy a site for a maximum of 14 continuous nights, after which the party and equipment must leave the site and facility for 48 hours before registering again.
Windmill Point Park and Sun Retreats Sherkston Shores are private resorts booked directly through their websites or by phone. Sherkston is also listed on Campspot, and its own portal handles nightly, weekly, and seasonal stays.
What to expect near Highland-on-the-Lake
Expect a mix of quiet state-park camping and larger, activity-heavy private resorts. The Evangola campground has three loops with different electrical options, so specify whether you need 30-amp service, 50-amp service, or a tent site when booking. The beach is within walking distance of the campground.
Quiet hours and pet rules are enforced. Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. and are strictly enforced, and all patrons must be 21 to possess or consume alcohol. Current proof of rabies inoculation is required at check-in.
Sun Retreats Sherkston Shores is a large, amenity-rich resort. RV sites provide full hookups with 30-amp electric, back-in and pull-through availability on gravel pads that accommodate up to 30 feet with room for slide-outs, plus WiFi, a picnic table, and fire pit, and all sites have resort access to the beaches, quarry, water park, and FunPlex. Cross-border trips require passports for all occupants.