Beechwood State Park – Sodus, NY

This is one of the most interesting state parks in all of New York State. We recently revisited Beechwood to find it no longer had the derelict look of an abandoned girl scout camp. The entire park has had a facelift, having been repaired and repainted. The ragged canvas no longer hangs from broken-frame cabins in the woods. The graffiti has been painted over, and the park has taken on a new life.

Abandon Girl Scout Camp

The Girl Scout Camp, named Camp Beechwood, was built in 1929 and was forced to close due to a lack of finances in the 1990s. For many years the cabins sat, falling into disrepair, taking on a truly creepy appearance of a forgotten place. As we mentioned before, we decide to revisit and found the park looked vastly different than it did a year ago. The cabin shelters have been repaired and freshly painted. Almost all traces of vandalism are gone. This now has the look of a place that welcomes campers rather than preparing them to meet their doom.

While most people only see the circle of cabins that are on the main trail, if you head west once you reach the lake, there is another circle of cabins and some bigger buildings that might have been dining areas or meeting halls. Along the east end of the lakeshore, you will also find several cabins. There is also a swimming pool not far from the main trail.

This is what Beechwood State Park looked like before it was cleaned up.

Trails

The trails at Beechwood are not marked in any way but they are maintained. There are several wide grass-covered paths throughout the park that used to be roads. The main trail from the parking lot leads down into the primary group of cabins and if you keep going on this path you will reach the Lake. There are several trails that come off of the main trail.

We took a narrow path that veered off on the left about 1/2 way down the main trail. It was beautiful. We were surrounded by enormous pine groves that towered above us, and the ground was covered in ferns. This particular trail was so quiet, and it was one of the most beautiful parts of the park. This trail came out at a group of cabins hidden in the back of the camp. Beechwood State Park is a great winter destination for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Scenic Lake Ontario

The views of the lake are impressive at Beechwood State Park. There is a trail that travels along the top of the bluff overlooking Lake Ontario. There are quite a few places where you can walk down to the beach. The shoreline here has been badly eroded in places and you will find huge trees laying along the beach and submerged in the Lake. We found a few really nice places to sit by the water and enjoy the view.

Depending on the time of day and year you visit, the lakeshore, as well as the woods, can be buggy. Make sure you have some bug repellent.

Kayaking

The kayaking here is incredible. We put in at Maxwell Creek and kayaked out to Lake Ontario. There is a stunning shoreline here as far as the eye can see. However, the crown jewel of our kayaking trip here was the view of the backside of Beechwood State Park. We could park our kayaks in a cove, walk the beach, and swim. It was like finding our own little piece of paradise.

Fishing

Maxwell Creek is in the far east end of the park. This is a popular fishing spot. There is a parking lot down the road that you can use to get closer to the fishing area rather than walk through the park. DEC has been known to stop into this area, so make sure that you have a fishing license.

This is also a good place to put in a kayak or canoe, although there is no dock or official place to launch. You can more or less launch anywhere.

Camping

If you are looking for a unique camping experience, this might just be up your alley. Campers can pitch a tent almost anywhere in the park or sleep inside abandoned cabins. You need to check in with the groundskeeper, tell him you are staying in the park, and sign a camping agreement.

1. Campsites are $15.00 per night with a limit of 7 consecutive night stays and a 20-day break. 

2. Check-in is with the caretaker at the main entrance (Red Barn) from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

3. Camping is only allowed in designated areas. Inform the Caretaker what designated site you intend to camp in. You may not change location without first informing the Caretaker. Campsites can’t be held or reserved. 

4. Campsites are allowed a maximum of 2 adults and three juveniles per site. 2 vehicles are allowed per site and must remain in the parking lot with assigned tags while camping. An adult, at least 18 years of age, must be the campsite holder and occupy the site for the whole stay.

5. Maximum of 2 dogs are allowed per campsite with rabies vaccine tag *If you bring pets, please be respectful. Your pet must always be kept on a leash of no longer than 6ft. Don’t leave pets unattended, and always pick up after them. 

6. Quiet time is between the hours of 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM. Check-out is by 11:00 AM. 

7. Untreated firewood may not be imported into New York from any other state or country. Untreated firewood grown in New York may not be transported more than 50 miles (linear distance) from its source unless it has been heat-treated to 71° C (160° F) for 75 minutes. 

8. Alcoholic Beverages – Alcohol is NOT permitted at Beechwood. After one warning, you will be asked to leave the park immediately.

9. Upon discovering that a camping occupant is a registered Level 2 or Level 3 sex offender, the caretaker is authorized to direct the occupant to leave the campground and may revoke camping permission without refund.

Park Rules

• This is carry in/carry out park
• No hunting or discharge of firearms
• No motorized vehicles allowed (without special permission)
• No alcoholic beverages
• Dogs are allowed but must be leashed
• No digging or cutting of trees
• Overnight camping is allowed in either a tent or camp lean-to (register with caretaker)
• Small campfires are permitted in designated camping areas. (Check with caretaker first) However, fires must be built in a Beechwood fire pit and must have a 5-gallon bucket of water nearby. All fires must be completely extinguished before leaving.
• No bicycles on park trails
• Loud or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.
• Vandalism, theft, defacing of park property, or violation of park rules could result in prosecution.

Getting to Beechwood State Park

Address: 7563 Lake Rd, Sodus, NY

Google Map Link

Other Places to Visit

Have you visited Beechwood State Park? What was your favorite part? We would love to hear from you. Please leave us a comment below.

We love taking pictures. Here are more pictures of Beechwood from many of our visits.