Golden Hill State Park

With its pet-friendly campground, historic lighthouse, lakefront setting, and a location just an hour's drive from Niagara Falls, Golden Hill State Park has a lot going for it!

The Thirty Mile Lighthouse, which was decommissioned in 1958, is one of the park's main attractions. Sitting pretty atop the hill and offering gorgeous views of Lake Ontario, the lighthouse boasts an interesting history and can be explored by walking tour.

But there's much more to the park than history. Easy water access makes it a popular destination for boating and fishing, while the scenic shoreline hike that runs along the water's edge is well worth exploring. There are plenty of shaded, grassy spots for a picnic, while the arrival of winter brings snowshoers and those looking to tackle the five miles of snowmobile trails that snake through the park.

The Golden Hill State Park campground features 55 sites spread around a couple of loops. It's very clean and well-kept -- a fact commented upon by many visitors -- and is a comfortable spot to stay for a few nights. If you want to be as close to the water as possible, check out a campground map before reserving and select your site carefully.

The campground features a boat launch area, restrooms and showers, a dump station, a kids' playground, and playing fields. There are some sites with electricity and some without, and dogs are more than welcome in the campground area.

Please note that, while the park is also home to six yurts and the Lighthouse Cottage vacation rental, pets are not welcome in either of these options.

You'll need to pay a vehicle entrance fee of $6 to access Golden Hill State Park. Campsites cost $15 to $31 a night, while there's an additional $5 nightly charge for non-New York state residents.

Dogs are welcome in the campground provided they're kept on a leash of six feet or shorter and cleaned up after at all times. There's also a two-pet maximum per campsite, and your furry friend won't be allowed in buildings or on any improved walkways and boardwalks.

But if you can follow all the posted rules, this little-known gem is well worth a visit.