You're driving through Wayne County, New York, and it feels like a lot of apple orchards and quiet roads. Then you hit the shoreline. Most people heading toward the water in this part of the state end up at Sodus Point or maybe Oswego, but there's this weirdly perfect little pocket in the town of Ontario that feels way more local. I’m talking about Thompson Park and Bear Creek Harbor. Honestly, if you aren't looking for the turn-off on Lake Road, you’ll probably blow right past it. That would be a mistake.
It’s not just a park. It’s a transition. One minute you're in a typical suburban-adjacent green space, and the next, you’re looking at a boat launch that feels like it belongs in a coastal Maine village. Sorta.
What’s the Deal With Bear Creek Harbor?
Let’s get the geography straight because it’s a bit confusing for first-timers. Bear Creek Harbor is the actual waterfront facility, while Thompson Park is the land surrounding it. You've got this narrow, paved channel that cuts through the shale rock to let boats out into the massive expanse of Lake Ontario. It’s tight. If you’re piloting a big center console, you better know what you’re doing when the wind picks up.
The harbor itself is a masterpiece of small-town utility. It’s managed by the Town of Ontario, and they’ve spent some serious money over the last decade keeping it from getting reclaimed by the lake. Lake Ontario is brutal. The water levels fluctuate wildly—anyone remember the flooding back in 2017 and 2019? It wrecked a lot of the shoreline infrastructure. But they’ve reinforced the jetties here.
Walking out onto the pier is the move. You can feel the spray. On a clear day, the horizon just disappears into the blue. It’s one of those spots where you realize just how huge the Great Lakes actually are. They aren't lakes; they’re inland seas.
Thompson Park: More Than Just a Parking Lot
A lot of harbor-side parks are basically just staging areas for boat trailers. Thompson Park is different. It’s got that classic "Saturday afternoon" vibe. There are pavilions that usually smell like charcoal briquettes and hot dogs because someone is always having a family reunion there.
But here is the thing people miss: the geology.
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The shoreline at Thompson Park and Bear Creek Harbor is made of this beautiful, flat Medina sandstone and shale. You won’t find sugary white sand here. It’s rocky. It’s rugged. It’s the kind of place where you spent an hour looking for the perfect skipping stone and end up with a pocket full of fossils. If you look closely at the rocks near the water’s edge, you’ll see the ripples of an ancient seabed frozen in stone. It’s pretty wild to think about while you're sitting there eating a sandwich from the local deli.
The Fishing Scene
If you see a guy in chest waders standing dangerously close to the pier edge, he’s probably hunting for trout or salmon. Depending on the time of year, this spot is a quiet goldmine. In the spring, the brown trout cruise the shoreline looking for warmer water. In the fall, the salmon start thinking about the tributaries.
- Bring a long-handled net. The drop from the pier to the water is higher than it looks.
- Stick to spoons or stickbaits if you’re casting from the wall.
- Watch the weather. A north wind will turn that harbor entrance into a washing machine in about ten minutes.
It’s not just about the big fish, though. You’ll see kids with bobbers catching sunfish and perch right off the docks in the inner harbor. It’s accessible. You don't need a $50,000 Bass Tracker to enjoy the water here. That’s probably why the locals love it so much. It’s unpretentious.
Why Nobody Talks About the "Secret" Views
Everyone goes to Chimney Bluffs for the photos. I get it. The spires are cool. But Thompson Park and Bear Creek Harbor offer a sunset that is arguably better because you aren't fighting five hundred tourists for a spot to put your tripod.
Because the park faces North/Northwest, the summer sunsets paint the entire sky in colors that don't even look real. It’s quiet. You can actually hear the water hitting the stones instead of a bunch of people shouting.
The park also serves as a trailhead for the Hojack Trail. If you aren't familiar, the Hojack was an old railroad line that ran along the lake. Now, it’s a multi-use trail. You can hop on it near the park and walk or bike for miles through the woods and fields. It’s flat, easy, and usually empty.
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The Logistics: Don't Get Stuck
Basically, if you're planning a trip, you need to know a few things. First, the boat launch isn't free for everyone. There’s a fee if you aren't a town resident, which is fair considering the maintenance costs of a harbor like this.
Second, the parking lot at Thompson Park and Bear Creek Harbor fills up fast on holiday weekends. If it’s the Fourth of July, forget it. You’ll be parking a mile away and walking. On a random Tuesday in October? You’ll have the whole place to yourself.
There are public restrooms, which are surprisingly clean for a lakeside park, and plenty of trash cans. Please use them. The lake has enough problems with plastic without people leaving their bait containers on the rocks.
What to Bring
- Good shoes: Not flip-flops. The rocks are slippery and sharp.
- Binoculars: You can see the big lakers out on the shipping lanes sometimes.
- A sweatshirt: Even if it’s 80 degrees in town, the "lake effect" is real. It’ll be 10 degrees cooler at the harbor.
A Note on the Nuclear Neighbor
You’re going to notice something big and industrial just to the east. That’s the Ginna Nuclear Power Plant. Some people get weirded out by it, but honestly, it’s just part of the landscape here. It’s one of the oldest operating nuclear plants in the country. It’s quiet, it’s clean, and it’s why the roads in Ontario are so well-maintained—tax revenue. It doesn’t affect the park experience at all, other than being a massive landmark you can see from miles out on the water.
Real Talk: The Limitations
I’m not going to tell you this is a world-class resort destination. It’s not. There are no fancy restaurants within walking distance. There’s no gift shop selling "I Heart Bear Creek" magnets.
If you want a boardwalk and fries, go to Charlotte or Sodus. You come to Thompson Park because you want to see the lake in its raw state. You come here to launch a boat without a three-hour wait. You come here because you want a quiet place to read a book while the waves do their thing.
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It’s a functional space. It’s a community hub. It’s a reminder that the best parts of New York aren't always the ones with the biggest marketing budgets.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
To get the most out of Thompson Park and Bear Creek Harbor, don't just show up and stare at the water for five minutes.
First, check the Lake Ontario marine forecast. If the waves are over three feet, stay off the pier. It’s not worth getting swept off.
Second, pack a cooler and hit up a local spot like Lagoner Farms on the way in for some fresh apples or cider. There’s nothing better than a lakeside picnic with actual local food.
Finally, if you’re a photographer, arrive exactly 45 minutes before sunset. The "blue hour" at Bear Creek is legendary among local shooters. Walk past the boat launch, head west along the shoreline just a bit, and find a spot where the flat rocks create natural lead-in lines toward the sun.
If you're bringing a dog, keep them on a leash. The town is pretty strict about it, and the seagulls here are bold enough to pick a fight with a Chihuahua. Just be respectful, keep it clean, and enjoy one of the best "hidden" spots in Wayne County.