Brennan Beach encore Review | Big Rig Camping, Lake Ontario & Niagara Falls
When we stayed at Thousand Trails Brennan Beach in Pulaski, New York, it was our very first real experience with New York — and it turned out to be a great one. This park feels much more natural and wooded, which creates a beautiful setting but also means big rigs need to move a little slower and pay attention.
We parked our rig under gorgeous trees, spent a lot of time at the pools, experienced the Great Lakes for the first time, and even took an aggressive (but totally worth it) day trip to Niagara Falls — including the Canadian side. Once again, the campground itself was only part of the story. The real value of Brennan Beach was everything it gave us access to.
Here’s what Brennan Beach was really like with a big rig — and why the surrounding experiences made this stop memorable.
Encore Brennan Beach — Quick Facts
Location: Pulaski, New York
RV Size: 40-ft Fifth Wheel (Big Rig Friendly with Caution)
Best For: Nature lovers, families, Great Lakes access, experience-based stays
Campsite Style: Wooded, natural, uneven in places
Annual Sites: Many, throughout the park
Pools: Multiple, well-maintained
Kid Friendly: Yes (playgrounds + pools)
Cell Service: T-Mobile decent | Verizon inconsistent | Starlink recommended
Best Nearby Experience: Sandy Island Beach State Park (Lake Ontario)
Epic Day Trip: Niagara Falls (Canadian side highly recommended)
Arriving at Brennan Beach in a Big Rig
Brennan Beach has a very natural campground layout, which is part of what makes it beautiful — but it’s something big rig RVers should be prepared for.
Some things to know:
Roads are wooded and feel tighter due to trees
Some sites have roots and uneven ground
If you pass your site, it can be very difficult to loop back around
Our biggest tip is to slow down and study the map before driving in. Know exactly which direction to approach your site from and take your time. Missing your site here can turn into unnecessary stress.
That said, once parked, the setting is peaceful and scenic, and parking the rig under mature trees was really enjoyable.
Campsites, Amenities, and Park Vibe
There are a lot of annual campers at Brennan Beach, and they strongly influence the park’s layout.
A large annual section is on the right side when entering
More annuals are located toward the back near the beach area
While the map may look like there’s beach access, there is no easy vehicle access to the beach
When we explored those areas, it felt very established and lived-in. Parking near the beach wasn’t really an option unless you had a golf cart or were prepared for a long walk. Walking or biking is possible, but it’s a distance.
Pools, Camp Store, and Daily Life
The amenities at Brennan Beach were excellent, especially the pools. There are:
Multiple pools
Family-friendly options and quieter pools
Plenty of seating and space
A relaxed, friendly atmosphere
This setup worked really well with kids, and we spent a lot of time here.
The camp store was also well stocked, with:
Camp and RV essentials
S’mores supplies
Stickers and fun extras
Because the park is spread out and the roads aren’t ideal for biking everywhere, we often drove to the pool, even though we usually prefer to walk or bike. Most people here get around by golf cart, which honestly makes a lot of sense.
Kids’ Play Areas and Wildlife Encounters
The kids’ area was another highlight.
They have:
A large playground
Two separate play structures
One geared toward younger kids
One for older kids
We also saw fantastic wildlife, especially tons of chipmunks, which our kids loved. Between the trees, wildlife, and open space, Brennan Beach really feels connected to nature.
Sandy Island Beach State Park (Lake Ontario)
One of our favorite discoveries while staying at Brennan Beach was Sandy Island Beach State Park, located just a few miles down the road.
This quickly became a place we returned to multiple times.
Why we loved it:
Easy drive from the campground
Great, stress-free parking
Direct access to Lake Ontario
Clean beach and open space
Relaxed, welcoming atmosphere
This was our first time truly experiencing Lake Ontario, and it was incredible. Walking along the shoreline, playing near the water, and watching the waves roll in made this a standout memory.
What really surprised us was the people. The beach was full of locals from Syracuse and the surrounding area, and everyone was genuinely kind and inviting. It had a community feel that made us want to stay longer each visit.
If you’re staying at Brennan Beach and want to experience the Great Lakes — this is the spot.
https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/sandy-island-beach-state-park
Niagara Falls Day Trip (Including the Canadian Side)
Niagara Falls is a long but doable day trip from Brennan Beach — about 3 to 4 hours each way — and we’re really glad we went for it.
We crossed the border at the Niagara Falls border crossing early in the morning, and the experience was easy and smooth. Having passports ready made everything straightforward. Being from Texas, they did question us quite a bit about having guns in the truck, but they assured us that it wasn’t personal. At the end of it all, they let us go through without any searches.
Important tip:
If you’re making the trip, the Canadian side is exponentially better than the American side.
Maid of the Mist
We purchased our Maid of the Mist tickets online in advance, which made the day much smoother. Being that close to the falls was loud, powerful, and absolutely unforgettable.
This experience alone was worth the drive. As a child I always thought this would be something that I only see in the movies or in proposals, but we got to live it. Absolutely no regrets! https://www.maidofthemist.com/
Niagara Falls (Canadian Side)
After Maid of the Mist, we crossed into Canada and purchased an activity pass, which allowed us to choose several attractions.
Highlights included:
The Ferris wheel
Adventure golf
A 4D theater
Multiple family-friendly attractions
The whole area felt like a mini Vegas for kids — colorful, energetic, and packed with things to do. There’s also a Tim Hortons, which felt like a rite of passage for our first Canadian stop.
One unexpected moment was seeing people get evacuated from a roller coaster we didn’t ride. It drew quite a crowd and added to the excitement of the day.
Frank & Teresa’s Anchor Bar — Buffalo, New York
Since we were already making the Niagara trip, we made a point to stop in Buffalo, New York, because of course — Buffalo is the birthplace of Buffalo chicken wings.
We ate at Frank & Teresa’s Anchor Bar, the home of the original Buffalo wing.
Great wings
Classic atmosphere
A true bucket-list food stop
Service was fantastic and this place was packed- as expected. The experience overall here was amazing, great wings, fun eclectic atmosphere and complete with a phone booth which we all had fun playing with.
Internet, Cell Service & Camp Activities
During our stay:
T-Mobile hotspot worked decently
Verizon was inconsistent
We did not have Starlink yet, but with most spots parked in the trees- I imagine Starlink would have been a struggle!
The park hosted events like Candy Bar Bingo and other activities that leaned more toward older crowds. While there were lots of kids around during the summer, we didn’t notice many kid-specific activities — which didn’t matter much since we were usually at the pool or exploring.
Who This Park Is Best For
Thousand Trails Brennan Beach is a great fit if you:
Love wooded, natural campgrounds
Enjoy pool days and relaxed vibes
Want access to the Great Lakes
Don’t mind longer day trips for major attractions
Are comfortable walking, biking, or using a golf cart
What We’d Do Differently Next Time
Study the site approach directions even more carefully
Plan for bikes or golf cart use
Set realistic expectations for beach access from inside the park
Add an extra Niagara day if possible
Is Thousand Trails Brennan Beach Worth It?
Yes — especially as an experience-based stop.
Brennan Beach offers a peaceful, wooded campground with great amenities, wildlife, and access to Lake Ontario, Sandy Island Beach State Park, and Niagara Falls. While big rigs need to navigate carefully, the experiences this location unlocks make it a memorable Thousand Trails stay.
If you value location, nature, and unforgettable day trips over resort flash, Brennan Beach is absolutely worth adding to your route.
