Last Updated on July 17, 2025
What is it that soothes your soul?
For me, it’s water — with its tranquil rhythm, gentle breezes, the escape from life’s hustle. That’s what I found at Silverlaken, an intriguing Glampground estate and tiny house village tucked along Silver Lake, the 12th Finger Lake in Western New York.
Just minutes from Letchworth State Park, famously known as the Grand Canyon of the East, Silverlaken offered peace and calm that wrapped around me like a warm blanket. The nature-filled moments stirred something quiet and meaningful within.
A Warm Welcome Afloat
After enjoying live music at Charcoal Corral, I skipped the drive-in and headed straight for my houseboat. Greeted by a cozy bed, S’mores kit, and a fire starter set for the nearby firepit, I felt pampered, yet grounded. The Estate Manual guided my way around the grounds, and a short walk led me to the Sauna Cabin, complete with kitchen facilities, bathrooms, and a shower.
Silverlaken effortlessly bridges the gap between rustic camping and hotel comfort. Whether floating on the water or tucked into a tiny home, every guest gets to unplug without giving up convenience.
At Silverlaken Estate and Glampground, guests will enjoy a glamorous, eco-friendly glamping experience in an array of unique accommodations which include a houseboat, lodge, cottage, log cabin, glamping tent, tiny house, or geodesic dome.
The Story Behind the Stay
Owner Mike Bellamy grew up on Silver Lake. After living 20 years in Asia, he returned with his wife Anita and their daughters, never imagining they’d settle back in the U.S. They revitalized the once-neglected Traber estate, transforming it into the award-winning resort. While Anita’s tulips fell victim to deer, her vibrant landscaping continues blossoming with deer-resistant varieties.
Bellamy envisioned a place where guests could roast marshmallows, paddle kayaks, and spot wildlife, offering the campground feel with a hotel-style service. Today, his daughter Ting is the heart and soul behind daily operations, and their team ensures that everything runs smoothly.
The property is rustic, rural, clean and comfortable — an ideal place for this solo traveler. Whether the size of your party is one or many, spanning all ages, Silverlaken has something to offer in the way of accommodations.
Guests range from local to international. Many visitors grew up in a big city, never made S’mores, built a campfire, or used a kayak. Bellamy is more than happy to help.
“I love that our international customers can come over to America and see a rural part of the world that they’ve never experienced because many of them are from urban situations,” he said. “It’s really easy to talk to people over the campfire.”
Life on the Lake
The lake, fed by underwater springs, is safe to swim in once you paddle out. Though there’s no designated swimming area, I dangled my feet from the side of a pedal pontoon boat, debating a plunge. I opted to stay anchored in the driver’s seat, questioning my ability to climb back on board if I had decided to dive in.
Exploring the south end of the lake, I pedaled toward protected wetlands dotted with sunbathing turtles and bald eagle nests.
Silverlaken features sit-on-top kayaks which are stable and unsinkable, though they do lack good back support. Launching was simple thanks to a handy roller device. Getting out without the boat floating away or me doing the splits was a different story. With a dash of determination and some ungraceful maneuvering, I did manage to get in.
Guests at the resort enjoy free access to kayaks and paddle boards. Ting rents sit-in kayaks and pedal pontoon boats to Letchworth State Park visitors.
In the still of the morning on the pier, I saw people fishing and others doing stretches while I sat on the houseboat deck drinking my cup of coffee. The focus on outdoor experiences and peering out at the lake watching the boats go by in the wake of day set a calm scene start to the day.
Writing in my journal gave me time to reflect as the sunlight beautifully reflected off the water.
Adirondack chairs, a hammock, a horseshoe pit, and an Asian-inspired meditation platform invited guests to linger and unwind.
A highlight of my visit was the Finland-style dry sauna crafted from raw cedar without chemical adhesives. Alternating between heat exposure and cold showers, I felt relaxed, refreshed, and reenergized. A lovely German traveler shared her sauna moments, and two previous Finnish guests declared it the best sauna they’d found in the U.S.
Quiet hours are sacred here. Electric golf carts and lawn care routines respect the serenity; it’s not a party spot, rather, a soul-soothing sanctuary.
In Town
While sitting around the firepit at Silverlaken with Bellamy, he mentioned bookstores, a bakery, and a gelato nearby. Wait, what?
“Gelato,” I thought, “Yes, please.”
Nestled between Silver Lake and Letchworth State Park is the historic mill village of Perry where community, culture, art, and adventure abound including the colorful Main Street Mural.
Knowing that, my next stop was a visit to the Village of Perry where I got to peruse little shops, bookstores, and the Old Souls Bakery and Old Souls Gelato. I chose two flavors, chocolate and coffee, made with locally sourced cream and, yes, the gelato is amazing.
Next door is the bakery where I ordered a tiramisu to go, made with locally sourced ingredients, farm-fresh eggs, and premium flours all in support of the local farmers.
Mention bookstore to this author and writer who’s always on the lookout for a story, and I’m there. Bookstores are like stepping into a candy store for me. I felt completely at home at act 4 Books community-supported bookstore and hopefully, my own books will be on their shelf soon. Buying a book to read by the lake added a layer of enrichment to my enchanting waterfront escape.
With movies, music, miniature golf, and a menu ranging from burgers, Mexican, Italian, pizza, wings, subs, ice cream and more, the Charcoal Corral and Silver Lake Twin Drive-In is not to be missed. The Beef on Weck and a dish of ice cream for dessert is what I enjoyed while listening to the tunes of Ruby Shooz.
Did you know that Wyoming County has more cows than people and is known for its rich dairy history? Explore East Hill Creamery run by Gary and Betty Burley, where you can schedule a tour and taste raw milk cheeses.
Up the hill from Silverlaken is a private Coca-Cola Barn Museum. It hosts thousands of Coke memorabilia pieces, a tribute to the collector’s late wife. Visitors come from all over the world to explore this fascinating place.
Legacy of Letchworth
In Wyoming County, east of Buffalo and slightly west of due south of Rochester, I visited the surrounding towns of Perry, Castile, and Silver Lake. The main attraction is Letchworth State Park, known as the Grand Canyon of the East.
Over 700,000 annual visitors make Letchworth State Park a top destination. Silverlaken exists to offer travelers a distinct and memorable stay. Mike Bellamy is a passionate ambassador, helping guests discover their perfect path through the park, pointing them in the direction of what to find according to their interests.
I set my sights on swimming in the Olympic-sized pool at Letchworth this visit, stopping at the overlooks as I drove through the park. The history, the gorges and waterfalls are breathtaking. There’s a lot of ground to cover and the scenery is magnificent so I had to pace myself.
The story of William Pryor Letchworth is a fascinating one. There is a museum behind the Glen Iris Inn. Mr. Letchworth named the Glen Iris estate because ‘Iris’ means rainbow. If you’re hungry, this is a great place to grab a bite.
Plenty of rainbows are seen by the waterfalls as well as hot air balloons floating gracefully overhead. A ride worth taking is up the Council Grounds Road to see the statue of Mary Jemison, a white woman who was adopted into the Seneca Nation culture.
The most popular points in the park are the Upper and Middle Falls located at the South end. Hikers and nature lovers can enjoy the Humphrey Nature Center and the sensory Autism Nature Trail designed for all ages and abilities.
Just a heads-up: You’ll definitely need a car here. Uber isn’t reliable, though Mike can arrange local transport to and from the Rochester and Buffalo airports.
This change of scenery did me a lot of good. In the midst of clouds and chaos, I found my silver lining at Silver Lake. Going offline, enjoying time on the waterfront with boats, campfires, and soaking in the sounds of nature, this rural sustainable tourism destination at Silverlaken refreshed my soul. I made memories I will treasure forever. Guaranteed, I’ll be back.
