Camp Beachwood, Sodus New York

What once was a former Girl Scout camp called Camp Beechwood, this undeveloped 150 acres of land became Beechwood State Park in 1999.  The park is located on the shores of Lake Ontario and has 3500 feet of shoreline and bluffs to explore, as well as the old camp.  There is no entry fee to enjoy this state park; the Town of Sodus maintains it with a caretaker onsite. The property is open to hikers and campers looking to enjoy nature. Those interested in spending the night or starting a campfire must check in with the caretaker, whose house abuts the main entrance.

Beechwood operated as a Girl Scout camp from 1929 until the state purchased the land in 1999.  There are no marked trails, but some paths are sometimes mowed.  The old dirt roads used for the camp are now grassy paths that can be hiked. The abandoned buildings include a mess hall, various cabins, lean-tos, a campfire ring, an old chimney, and a swimming pool. Sorry, but the swimming pool was filled in at the time of this blog post. Swimming in Lake Ontario had already been a challenge by then. The pool debuted in 1952 after “storm-driven high water” damaged the swimming and boating facilities. Here is an old picture taken from the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle files.

The Girl Scouts organization, founded in Rochester in 1918, acquired land that became Camp Beechwood in 1929. News accounts frequently reported on the camp's activities in the early decades. The camp had an infirmary and dining hall, a trading post, an administrative center, and Adirondack " lean-tos.”

As one news account noted, “The daily routine … follows a general pattern of ‘well-planned leisure.’” That included hiking, swimming, canoeing, crafts and sports. There were, of course, still the winter-time jaunts, too.

In February 1971, a Girl Scouts troop was “marooned by snow” at Beechwood and rescued by snowmobilers. A troop leader reported that the girls kept busy, had fun, and weren’t worried. She also told the Democrat and Chronicle newspaper, “They decided if we could get men back from the moon, they were safe,”

In 1996, word came that Camp Beechwood was closing. Girl Scout officials said they already had other camps and couldn’t afford to keep them all open. A shortage of adult leaders in Scout programs was also cited.

Because of the amount of vandalism here as of the fall of 2018, the town of Sodus increased security on the premises to hopefully curb the vandalism. Despite all of this, the park itself is quite beautiful, lush with greenery and tall towering trees, bordering Lake Ontario. Camp Beechwood is a great area to explore; it is almost completely flat, making it an easy walk. Yes, they currently have security cameras on the property.

There are two parking lots to access the camp. I recommend taking the one on the west side near the caretaker's home. You will know you are here when you see this abandoned building next to the parking lot. The parking lot is also across the street from an old schoolhouse converted into a Country Store.

The trail into the camp is at the north end of this parking lot, and it's hard to miss. Here's what the trail looks like.

Things to remember if you do come here:

Due to the tall grass and overgrowth, it is wise to wear long socks and boots in the spring and summer. People have reported picking up a few ticks when they come here, so make sure you check yourself afterward.

There are two toilets, and they are both located in the Eastern parking lot.

On the east side of Maxwell Creek Inn is a marked driveway leading to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's fishing access site for Maxwell Bay. The site has a paved parking lot, a short trail, and spots to launch kayaks and canoes into the bay.

Directly across the road from the inn is a paved parking lot. From the rear of the lot is a narrow dirt trail that runs along (upstream) Maxwell Creek. Following these short upstream steps, you will come to a beautiful waterfall. Wayne County owns this land, and it is open to the public.

Within Easy Driving Distance:

• Sodus Point Lighthouse

• Chimney Bluffs State Park

• Thrope Vineyard

• Seaway Trail