New York is home to 180 state parks, and a handful of them are a quick car ride from the city of Buffalo! State parks are wonderful spots for exploring the great outdoors in our own backyard, and while they're all pretty great for one reason or another, there is one park just south of Buffalo that seems to have it all – including a beautiful campground.

Evangola State Park is located in the town of Irving, and features a beautiful beach, plenty of acreage to explore, a quiet campground, and so much more. Here is how we recommend taking advantage of this beautiful spot near Buffalo.

First, find the park at 10191 Old Lake Shore Road in Irving.

The trip will take you just 40 minutes from the city of Buffalo. Enjoy the ride along Route 5 as the anticipation for a weekend in the woods grows!

Set up camp

Whether you're pitching a tent, parking your trailer, or staying in one of the campground's yurts, you'll be impressed with the spacious sites at Evangola. There are a few different loops to choose from at the park - some of which offer electric hookups (in case you're not ready to REALLY rough it).

Admire your surroundings

The campground at Evangola State Park offers plenty of fields for summer games, a playground, bathrooms with showers, and even a nature center! The paths throughout the campground are also great for family walks or bike riding.

Head to the beach

Although there are no campsites directly on the beach, a quick drive or a short walk will lead you to the pristine sandy shores of Lake Erie. Pro tip: Head to the beach early to have the space to yourself! While the beach never gets overly crowded, most people tend to show up around lunch time, making the mornings best for peaceful reflections on the water.

Take a dip in Lake Erie at the designated swimming areas, though be warned: Lake Erie tends to stay chilly well through the summer! You will want to save plenty of time in your day for warming up after your swim, which brings us to our next to-do...

The beach at Evangola is well-maintained, and a popular spot to search for fossils and soak in the sun. Be sure to take time to admire the rock faces on the land while you're there!

Take shelter for a rest

If you need some relief from the sun, the park at Evangola offers covered shelters, picnic areas, and gazebos. Relax with a good book while you listen to the sounds of laughter from the beach below, then head back to the campground in time for grilling and nightfall!

Watch the sunset

Speaking of nightfall... Most campsites at Evangola have views of the water, making it the perfect spot to watch the sunset over the lake. There is nothing better than a sunset stroll at a peaceful campground, especially after a long day in the sun!

Light up a bonfire

Set up your camping chairs and s'mores station to end the day. Evangola is a very quiet campground, and we mean that in the best way possible! The sites are spacious and more rustic in nature, meaning you don't have to get too friendly with the neighbors (unless you want to, of course). Once the sun sets, feel free to play soft music around the fire, but we recommend tuning into the sounds of nature surrounding you instead!

Where is your favorite campground near Buffalo? Evangola gets our vote for the most beautiful, but we'd love to hear the spots you would nominate, too!