Presently under the ownership of Tony and Penny Spaid, the accommodations at Lakeside Campground are available seasonally from May 1st to October 15th. The owners appreciate the property's location, which is in a hilly woodland area known as the Endless Mountain Region, as Tony describes an experience at Lakeside Campground as feeling "like traditional camping because of the forest feel." Hawkins Pond State Forest, which partially contributes to the natural environment of the vicinity, neighbors the establishment. While the trees play a significant role in the campground's atmosphere, the forty-acre property also has an on-site lake that visitors can fish and swim in. Tony and Penny hope that patrons will feel "at home" and safe during their time at Lakeside Campground.
Lakeside Campground encompasses a 40-acre expanse in the northeastern United States. Situated on the outskirts of Windsor, New York, a total of 110 units are available at the establishment for visitors to reserve, which are divided into the following categories: rentals (6 cabins, 5 RV rentals, 2 yurts, 1 platform tent, and several tent sites), full-hookup RV units, and water/electric RV and tent sites. On account of its location in a more rural area of New York, Lakeside Campground is fairly wooded, with a significant amount of shade throughout the park.
Regarding the amenities that are provided inside the six cabins, each accommodation is equipped with different features than the others. Two of the cabins are one-bedroom units, one is a two-bedroom unit, and two are what Tony, one of the owners, describes as an "open concept" accommodation with a futon and bunk beds. In Tony's words, the final cabin is "more simple in its design," as it solely supplies a water system and a toilet. With the exception of the latter, every cabin has a bathroom and kitchenette area. As for the two yurts, one of these contains a futon bunk system—akin to one of the cabins—as well as a full-sized bed, mini refrigerator, microwave, and coffee pot. The other yurt has a queen-sized bed in addition to a loft, a kitchen area, and a bathroom. Concerning the RV rentals, these campers are stationed on sites that offer full hookups, and a picnic table and fire ring are available as well.
One of the more unique units out of the total is the platform tent. Tony explains that this accommodation was added with the intent to enhance the site's performance in terms of popularity, and since then, the owners have noticed improvement. A maximum of five occupants can be accommodated in the platform tent. This unit may appeal primarily to those who enjoy traditional tent camping, as the tent is based in a relatively secluded and forested setting on the campground. It should be noted that all tent sites offer water and electrical services.
Apart from the previously listed units that Lakeside Campground has available to visitors, the grounds also comprise an office building with a convenience store that sells candy items, ice cream, firewood, ice, and beer, among other similar merchandise. Three bathhouses additionally constitute a portion of the acreage, two of which contain coin-operated laundry machines for patron usage. Guests should be aware that showers can be found in every bathhouse. As far as on-site activities go, Lakeside Campground provides a fairly wide range of outdoor pastimes for visitors to enjoy over the course of their stay. One such activity is a four-acre lake where people can go swimming or fishing, as a dock extends into the water. Tony remarks that a license is not required to fish on the lake. Some of the species of fish that one can expect to catch include bass, bluegills, catfish, sunnies, and perch. For those who may be interested in exploring the lake to a further degree, Lakeside Campground also provides boat rentals, including kayaks, pedalboats, rowboats, and a canoe. Beyond the lake, the establishment has a swimming pool, a game room with arcade games, a recreation room with a pool table, TV, and games, and a playground for children. Guests who are hoping for a more leisurely experience at Lakeside Campground have the option of utilizing the property's pavilion for a picnic or simply as a place to lounge.
While the park itself can serve as a vacation destination, a number of attractions can be found outside the premises as well. To the southeast, the property is bounded by the Hawkins Pond State Forest, which covers roughly 500 acres of land, according to Tony. A particular site that the owners often recommend to their guests is the Animal Adventure Park which Tony says is where April the giraffe hails from. This park gained popularity in 2017 when the birth of April's baby was live-streamed. Windsor and its surrounding cities also serve as the setting for events, as the owners of Lakeside Campground suggest that visitors attend the Spiedie Fest Balloon Festival, the Priesthood Restoration Site, and the medieval-themed Fairie Fest. With regard to the dining options in the vicinity of the campground, Tony suggests his patrons visit Halal Windsor Pizza & Gyro, Red Rock BBQ, The Windsor Diner, and Beer Tree Brew, the latter of which is located in the city of Binghamton.
With the goal to help guests feel safe over the course of their stay, Tony and Penny Spaid, the owners of Lakeside Campground, strive to provide "service with a smile" to everyone. Tony believes that the gate that borders the acreage can contribute to the secure feeling that he and Penny hope their guests will feel. The owners make an effort to greet visitors upon their arrival with the intent to help them feel "at home." Interaction between the camp hosts and those who stay on-site occurs daily, as reported by Tony. A camper who previously stayed at the property commented on the park's environment in a review, as they expressed, "We really enjoyed the people and the whole atmosphere; they were wonderful and very friendly."
In an attempt to develop a social atmosphere among guests, Tony and Penny host several events throughout Lakeside Campground's open season from May 1st to October 15th. In June, Tony says the Father's Day breakfast is a significantly popular celebration that "brings everyone together." The following month, people are often drawn to the establishment's Fourth of July event, which typically involves what Tony and Penny refer to as the "Pop-Up Burger Burn." As the name would imply, the Pop-Up Burger Burn is a cookout shared among family, friends, and other visitors of the campground who gather to eat burgers and hot dogs along the beach of the lake. Late June, July, and August are the busiest times of operation for the campground, as children are out of school, and a higher number of patrons go to participate in these occasions. Another event, which caters more toward a younger demographic, is a carnival day where a blow-up bounce house, dunk tank, and other similar activities are organized on-site. Food trucks and BBQ food are typically present on carnival day as well. A couple of other notable events that are held at Lakeside Campground are BINGO on Friday or Saturday nights, crafts, and potlucks.
Future visitors should be aware of a few policies that are enforced at the park. Tony notes that the two most important to abide by are the five-mile-per-hour speed limit and quiet hours, which begin every night at 10:00 p.m. and last until 8:00 a.m. To further emphasize safety on-site, the owners expect kids to wear bicycle helmets while they ride their bikes on the premises. With respect to pet guidelines, Lakeside Campground is a pet-friendly establishment. However, a maximum of two dogs is permitted per site, and guests are expected to keep pets on a leash, pick up waste, and keep barking to a minimum. There are currently no restrictions on dog breeds. Finally, smoking is prohibited inside any of the buildings and accommodations. Generally speaking, Penny and Tony want everyone to be courteous to others during their stay.
The history of Lakeside Campground began in the early 1970s when a local car company purchased the campground to utilize as a retreat for the employees. Following this company's ownership, another owner took over and started operating the property as a campground. Jim and Teresa Heatherington, the previous owners, bought the acreage nearly 35 years ago, and according to Tony Spaid, one of the present owners, the business has been growing ever since. Tony and his wife, Penny, stumbled upon Lakeside Campground in 2018 during a visit to the area. However, it wasn't until 2020 that the couple bought the establishment. Tony remarks that he and Penny "fell in love with the site" and were prompted to take ownership. The owners have come to find that their favorite part of their job is the people that they meet. Visitors have come from various parts of the United States, Canada, Asia, and Spain, as observed by Tony. The owners also enjoy "the camping environment" and the location of the campground in a forested area.
A fair amount of updates have been made throughout Tony and Penny's ownership. The first feature that was introduced was the playground. Cabin 2 was also added, as well as the platform tent, the fishing dock, and the two yurts. Tony also explains that electrical and structural upgrades are being conducted, and more recently, the property has obtained a new septic system. Concerning any future plans for the business, the owners hope to update some of the RV rentals and improve the condition of the roads in the park.
336 Hargrave Road
Windsor, New York 13865
United States
Campground
Tony and Penny Spaid
