Smith Memorial Park - Hector, NY
Smith Memorial Park: A Dog-Friendly Gem in Hector, NY
Smith Memorial Park is a peaceful and scenic destination in Hector, New York, perfect for families and dog owners seeking a relaxing getaway in the heart of Seneca Lake wine country. Known for its beautiful lake views, pet-friendly trails, and well-maintained grounds, this park offers lakeside access, a playground, and picnic areas shaded by mature trees. Dog lovers appreciate its open spaces and grassy areas ideal for on-leash walks, with trails leading directly to the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail for dog-friendly hiking adventures.
The park provides numerous amenities including restrooms, clean bathhouse facilities, and plentiful benches and shaded reading spots. With water access for swimming, fishing, and boating, as well as easy proximity to wineries and the greater Finger Lakes attractions, Smith Memorial Park serves as a prime location for visitors traveling with their pets. The campground is lauded for its friendly staff, cleanliness, and thoughtful touches like dog waste stations, ensuring an enjoyable visit for both humans and their four-legged companions.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? Dogs must remain on-leash except in designated areas.
- Are poop bags or waste stations provided? Yes, dog waste stations are available throughout the park.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, shaded areas and benches are available for visitors.
- Are restrooms available for owners? Yes, there are clean bathrooms and a bathhouse on site.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? Yes, there are benches and seating scattered throughout the park.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, there is direct access to the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, there is a small playground for children at the park.
- Is swimming allowed? Yes, swimming is allowed, and there’s lakeside access.
- Is the park regularly cleaned and maintained? Yes, reviews mention the park is exceptionally clean and well-maintained by friendly staff.
- Where is the best place to park? Parking is available near the docks, though it can be limited during busy times.
Reviews
This campground is prime location if you’re looking to camp and enjoy the wineries. The bathrooms are clean and the girl in the office was very nice and friendly. Very pleasant campsite and I felt like each campsite was spacious and spaced out enough.
What an amazing public park!!! We needed a place to store our trailer and boat during our one week vacation and Smith Park was a huge help! We can’t thank you enough!! The woman in the office was very friendly and went above and beyond for one of the families camping there.
The boat launch could be improved by being less steep so it’s possible to exit the vehicle without stepping in water and having boat cleats added to the docks.
The parking area by the docks is very limited, but worked out the times we needed it. The longer term parking is also limited, but had enough space.
Clean, quiet, and peaceful campground. The firewood was a bit wet, so starting a fire took some effort, but overall the area is well-maintained with friendly staff. Having a private beach was very convenient. The bathhouse was also clean and comfortable. Would definitely recommend!
We stayed at Smith Memorial Park for 5 days in May and really enjoyed the peaceful and secluded atmosphere. It is a quiet and scenic campground that feels tucked away from the world, perfect if you are looking to relax. The views, especially from the sites near the bluff overlooking the lake, are absolutely stunning. You are definitely paying a bit more for this campground, but it is worth it if you enjoy a beautiful and calming setting.
Some of the campsites can be tricky. Several are gravel and quite steep, so just keep that in mind when reserving or backing in. Once you are set up, though, it is a great place to unwind.
The bathrooms were clean and perfectly fine for a campground. I even used the shower one day, which I usually avoid and stick to the RV shower. It was better than expected.
The only real negative was the dump station. The owners keep it locked, which I understand to an extent, but when we were ready to leave at 830 AM on a Sunday morning, no one was around to unlock it. We called the host and they seemed annoyed, saying they were busy meeting someone and could not come by for at least 45 minutes. That was frustrating, especially since we had a 6 hour drive ahead. This could easily be avoided by keeping the key in a pass coded lock box. We ended up stopping at a Love’s and paid ten dollars to dump there.
Other than that, I highly recommend this campground. It is only 20 minutes from Watkins Glen Raceway and close to Watkins Glen State Park, Buttermilk Falls, and many other great places to explore in the Finger Lakes region.
I love swimming here with the kids. So mellow and beautiful. You don’t need water shoes in the deep end if you aren’t touching the bottom but definitely if walking in the shallow water. The walk to the water is definitely an incline on the way back up so don’t bring anything too heavy down. The trails and lake are beautiful!!