Sampson Marina on Highway 96A in Romulus earned Silver for Best Marina in 2024, and its location within Sampson State Park on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake gives it something no private marina can replicate: direct access to one of the Finger Lakes' best state park campgrounds and the deepest, most productive fishing water on the lake.

The marina operates as part of the broader Seneca Lake Resorts family (they share a phone number and website), and the facilities serve both park campers launching their own boats and day visitors looking for lake access on the less-developed eastern shore. Seneca Lake's eastern side is quieter and more rural than the Route 14 western shore, and Sampson Marina is the primary access point for boaters who prefer fewer crowds and more open water.

For anglers, the location is strategic — the deep water off Sampson is prime territory for lake trout and landlocked salmon, and the marina's launch facilities handle everything from bass boats to larger cruisers. For campers at Sampson State Park, the marina adds a water-access dimension to what is already one of the most popular camping destinations in the Finger Lakes. The Silver finish reflects a marina that may not have the full-service amenities of the Gold winners, but delivers exactly what its specific users — campers, anglers, and eastern-shore loyalists — need.