Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Hours of Operation

• The park is open year round.
  Park hours and facility operations are subject to change. Patrons are encouraged to contact the park directly to confirm operating hours before traveling.
  Vehicle entry fee collected from mid-May to September.
  
  Restrooms may not be available in winter months; availability is limited in March-April and October-November.
• Daily operating hours are from dawn to dark. Visitors not registered to a campsite or boat slip must leave the park no later than 10pm.
• 2017 Swimming Season: June 17 - September 4. 11 am - 7 pm, daily.
• Marina:
  Transient Slips - April 1 to October 24
  Seasonal Boat Slips start April 1 to October 24. Half season starts July 15th.
• 2017 Camping Season: 4/21 - 11/7*
          Rustic Cabins: 4/21 - 11/7
  
  *Campsites & cabins closed 9/26 - 10/2/16 for Dog Show
  
  *Please note within the camping season time frame, some loops/sites may open later or close earlier. For more details, please call the park or visit http://www.newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com
• Military Museum: 5/27 - 10/28, Wednesday-Sunday 9:00am - 5:00pm
  
  10/07 - 10/28: Open Saturdays and Sundays. Please call for hours.
  
  Please call ahead for group arrangements.
• Hunting is allowed with a daily permit during published seasons.
• Shelters/Pavilions: Available for reservation from April 30 to October 18. Please call for reservations.

Fees & Rates

Most New York State Parks charge a vehicle use fee to enter the facility. Fees vary by location and season. A list of entry fees and other park use fees is available below. For fees not listed or to verify information, please contact the park directly.

The Empire Pass -- whether a card for $80 or a vehicle-affixed decal for $65 -- is your key to all-season enjoyment with unlimited day-use entry at most facilities operated by State Parks and the State Dept. of Environmental Conservation including forests, beaches, trails and more. Apply online or contact your favorite park for more information. Learn more about our Admission Programs including the Empire Pass.

• Vehicle Entry Fee
• Cars: $7
  Non-commercial bus: $35
  Commercial bus: $75
  Seasonal bus pass: $75
  
  Collected:
  May 20- June 16, weekends and holidays only: 6am-4pm
  June 17-Sept. 4,  8am-4pm Monday - Thursday, 7am-4pm Friday-Sunday
• Marina
• Overnight Boat Slips:
  Base Rate: $15 per night
  Electric Fee: $6 per night
  Weekend/Holiday Fee: $4 per night
  Out of State Fee: $5 per night
  Walk-in Fee: $2.75
  Reservation Fee: $9
  Non-Electric Slip with Camping Site: $12 per night
  Electric Slip with Camping Site: $18 per night
  
  Seasonal Boat Slips:
  Per foot, over 18', non-electric: $42
  Per foot, over 18', electric: $52
  18' and under, non-electric: $625
  18' and under, electric: $800
  Half Season Starts July 15th prices are cut in half
• Camping Sites
• $15-$31/night
  
  Base Rate: $15 per night
  Electric Fee: $6 per night
  Weekend/Holiday Fee: $4 per night
  Out of State Fee: $5 per night
  Walk-in Fee: $2.75
  Reservation Fee: $9
• Rustic Cabins (2 night minimum)
• Base Rate: $45.50 per night
  Out of State Fee: $7.00 per night
• Shelters/Pavilions
• Enclosed: $100
  Recreation Center: $100 (not available May-Sept)
  Open: $20
  
• Bicycle Rentals
• Regular Bike: $5/hour; $20/day
  Tandem Bike: $10/hour; $35/day
  Pull Behind Trailer Only: $5/hour; $15/day
  Trailer and Bike: $10/hour; $35/day
• Peddling Fee
• $400

Maps

Firewood source maps show a 50-mile radius from which untreated firewood may be moved to this campground. For more information see firewood restrictions.

• Firewood Source Map (pdf)

• Map of Lodi Marina (pdf)
• Camping Map (pdf)
• Park Amenities (pdf)
• Sampson Trail Guide Brochure (pdf)
• Map of Sampson Marina (pdf)

Sampson State Park's 2,000 plus acres gently slope to the eastern shores of Seneca Lake, the largest of Central New York's' famous Finger Lakes. The Finger Lakes were created during the Ice Age by the formation and then retreat of the Pleistocene glaciers. The melting glaciers left behind a pristine lake we now call Seneca, to the depths of 630 feet, with 75 miles of shoreline, four miles of which are accessible and lie within Sampson's boundaries.

Sampson's story begins with the Sullivan Campaign of 1779, a major military offensive of the Revolutionary War initiated by General George Washington. Sullivan's troops entered the Indian village of Kendaia destroying as many as 30 longhouses, their crops, and fruit trees. Land between the lakes became bounty land and was set aside to compensate New York soldiers after their participation in the war. Evidence of these early settlers still exists in the park today by a preserved pioneer cemetery near one of the deep ravines.

A century and a half later, following the outbreak of WWII, quiet farm life gave way to the establishment of the second largest Naval training facility in the country, where an astounding 411,429 recruits were trained from 1942 – 1946. This facility was named in honor of William T. Sampson from Palmyra, NY. Sampson was renowned for his victory in the battle of Santiago during the Spanish-American War. Post WWII, a portion of the grounds were transformed into Sampson State College, educating our returning servicemen from 1946 – 1949. With the outbreak of the Korean War, the Navy transferred ownership of the remaining land to the Air Force for the purpose of basic training Military Base which operated from 1950 to 1956. Ownership was again transferred in 1960 to the New York State Park System; and thus, the opening of Sampson State Park in 1963. In 1995 the Military Museum was opened within the park to share the history and to honor those Navy and Air Force servicemen that booted on Sampson's ground.

Many of the military buildings and roads have been removed or modified over the years in the transformation of the State Park. Heavy brush, pine and cedar thickets, and young growth wooded areas are slowly reclaiming the once cleared military land. Several steep ravines edged with old growth oak, hickory, ash, and maple traverse through the park land draining into Seneca Lake. This evolving landscape makes excellent habitat for songbirds, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, fox, coyote, raccoon, squirrel, rabbit, and other small mammals, as well as waterfowl and birds of prey including bald eagles and osprey.

Deer, turkey, small game, and waterfowl hunting is allowed at Sampson State Park by special permit only. Hunting dates and legal hunting implement will vary from the NYS DEC Hunting and Trapping Guide, but DEC rules of hunting will still apply. There are currently no antler restrictions in Sampson State Park.

2016 Spring Turkey
Zone specific for gun and bow. Reservations for zones start April 15, 2016; 8 a.m. Contact park office for details.

• May 1-May 26, 2016
• Closed Memorial Day Weekend (May 27-30)
• May 31, 2016

Big Game

• Registered Tree Stands Allowed in Park
     -Sept. 1, 2016 - Mar. 1, 2017
• Sign up for Special Bow Only Zones 1-4
     -Sept. 1 - Dec. 20, 2016
• Sign up for Sampson Shotgun Lottery
     -Sept. 15 - Oct. 15 at 6pm
• Sampson Shotgun Season Lottery Drawing
     -Oct. 16, 2016
• Bow
     -Oct. 1 - Nov. 25, 2016
     -Nov. 30 - Dec. 11, 2016
• Special Zones 1 & 2 Open 
     -Oct. 1 - Dec. 20, 2016
• Special Zones 3 & 4 Open 
     -Nov. 1 - Dec. 20, 2016
• Sampson Shotgun Season (By Lottery ONLY, apply Sept. 15-Oct. 15)
     -Nov. 25 - Nov. 29, 2016
• Late Bow/Muzzleloader (limit 25 hunters per day)
     -Dec. 12-Dec. 20, 2016

Fall Turkey (Bow Only)

• Oct. 17 - Oct. 30, 2016

Small Game (Only after all Big Game seasons end)

• Dec. 21, 2016 - Feb. 28, 2017
• No early season small game hunting is allowed.

Waterfowl (Late Season Only) 

• Dec 31, 2016 - Jan. 15, 2017
• Duck hunting at Sampson State Park is late season only

2017 Spring Turkey

• Reservations for zones start April 15th, 8am
• May 1-25, 2017
• Closed Memorial Day Weekend (May 26-29)
• May 30-31, 2017

A special park hunting permit is required for all hunting at Sampson State Park along with blaze orange hat or vest while moving. Gun hunters should wear orange at all times.

All harvested deer must be recorded at the park office in person and bucks photographed by office staff

Safety zones and restricted areas are posted to ensure the safety of other park patrons and regional personnel. Signs will be posted at all parks during hunting season to notify patrons of this activity. Handguns will not be permitted in park. No trapping is allowed.

For rules and maps see links below:
Deer 
Spring turkey
Small game 
Waterfowl

For additional information, please contact Sampson State Park at: (315) 585-6392.