Our Stay at Canandaigua KOA Holiday [2024 Review by Campers]
Canandaigua KOA Holiday is a fantastic location for Finger Lakes camping, with all the resort amenities you expect from a KOA Holiday! This review of Canandaigua KOA will highlight why it’s a top choice for families and travelers. Located just a short drive from New York’s Finger Lakes, only 15 minutes to Canandaigua Lake. This KOA offers a perfect of activities and amenities that make it a top choice for families and travelers.
We stayed at the Canandaigua KOA for one night on our way from Louisville, KY to Boston, MA (Normandy Farms Campground).
TL;DR – Quick Facts:
- RV & Tent Sites: 135 +/-
- Kozy & Deluxe Cabins: 10+
- Check-in: After 1 PM
- Check-out: Before 11:30 AM
- Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, pool, dog park, gaga ball, mini golf, wagon rides, pedal boats, propane sale, fishing pond, and MORE!
- Campground Store: Open daily 9 AM to 8 PM during the season
- Location: Easy access to Interstate 90 and conveniently located near the Finger Lakes. Making it a great stopover or vacation spot.
Arrival and First Impression
We arrived in mid-June on a hot summer day, and the KOA was alive with activity. Families were everywhere, laughing, smiling, and having fun in the pool to stay cool. The vibrant atmosphere was immediately welcoming.
Check-In
We found the check-in process easy and efficient. The staff even took the time to teach us how to pronounce “Canandaigua,” which was much appreciated since phonetics isn’t my strong suit!
Guided to Our Campsite
Larry, our KOA guide, was very helpful. He escorted us to site 10, a full hookup site with 50 amp service. Larry not only helped us back into the site but also recommended the Open Roads fuel card program, which we already use and love.
Pro Tip: It’s crucial to request 50 amp service beforehand to ensure availability.
Our power watchdog surge protector kept our rig safe, providing peace of mind on a day when everyone was running their ACs and pulling a lot of power from the campground grid.
Site 10 Review
- View: Front view of the lake, rear view of the camp store.
- Spacing: Average, with a picnic table and fire ring.
- Proximity: Steps away from the bathhouse, camp store, campground kitchen, mini-golf, pool, arcade, fishing lake, and playground.
- Level Site: Yes.
- Utility Hookups: Good and easy to reach.
- Drawback: The afternoon sun hits the side of our fifth wheel, making it tough to cool down. A rain shower reduced the temperature by about 10 degrees, helping our A/C units.
Pool Area
The pool area was impressive, with a zero-entry feature perfect for young kids. The water was warm, like bathwater. There were plenty of chairs and some umbrellas to relax and watch the action. Sara was able to sit in some shade while we swam and cooled off in the pool.
Mini Golf
We did not play mini golf on this trip, but the course looked fun and featured several larger-than-life characters.
Laundry Facilities
The laundry room had several washers and dryers, along with an iron. Very convenient!
Bathhouses
The bathhouses were clean and air-conditioned, which was nice after showering, not be surrounded by hot humid air! Shower stalls are private and include a bench to place clean clothes and a hook for your towel. The water was warm with decent pressure. As a reference we used the front bathhouse near the campground store.
A second bathhouse is available in the rear of the campground. This bathhouse includes a dishwashing station for tent campers to use!
Fishing Pond
The fishing pond allows catch-photo-and-release fishing and offers paddle boats for rent. We are not fisher-people, but the pond was lovely to look at as well as watch several campers try catching (e.g., the act of actually catching fish)!
Pro Tip: No fishing license is required!
Jumping Pillow and Pavilion
The jumping pillow was smartly placed under a large pole barn, providing shade and protection. Cubbies are placed near the pillow for shoes and other items you don’t want to jump with. This was the largest jumping pillow we have seen at a KOA!
There was also a huge pavilion for shows and other fun activities. The campground hosts a variety of family-friendly events like Bingo. The staff publishes and shares seasonal activities with guests at check-in. Announcements are made via the campground PA system to announce upcoming activities. This was the first time we have seen or heard a campground make announcements!
Trails and Play Areas
At the rear of the campground, short trails lead to play treehouses and an agility course. I tried part of the agility course and found it quite fun – kids will love it!
Additional Amenities
- Playgrounds: Several, plus a basketball court, pickleball, gaga ball, and a dog park.
- Seasonal Sites: These sites are well-maintained and in better shape than most we’ve seen.
Overall Experience
We stay at many KOAs, and Canandaigua KOA Holiday ranks among the top. If you’re visiting the New York Finger Lakes, we highly recommend this KOA. Our Review of Canandaigua KOA covers all you need to know for a fantastic stay. Our one-night stay was delightful, and we were impressed by the amenities and friendly atmosphere.For more family adventure tips and reviews, visit Our Campfire Unplugged. Happy camping!
About Us
We are Mike and Sara, and our kids and dog are exploring the US while camping in our fifth wheel! Since the late 90s we have been exploring the great outdoors one hiking trail at a time. We introduced our kids to hiking while they were young and they love exploring new places. We call Kentucky home and we find ourselves exploring the state parks, national parks, and other wildlands in our area as often as we can!
Our RV camping journey began during the COVID-19 pandemic. Waking up close to the trails we love hiking was enough for us to get hooked on the camping lifestyle! Thanks for following our adventures!
