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Established Camping

Gilbert Lake State Park Campground

Warning 1 Alert is In Effect

There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

New York State Park Campgrounds: Same-day reservations are allowed until 3PM on day of arrival; this applies to campsites only. Reservations can be made online or through the ReserveAmerica Call Center: 1-800-456-2267. Walk-ins are not permitted.

Gilbert Lake State Park Campground, near Laurens, New York, is a fantastic spot for families and nature lovers alike. With a mix of tent sites, RV accommodations, and cozy cabins, it’s designed to cater to various camping styles while providing a comfortable experience.

The campground boasts clean facilities, including showers and toilets, which visitors appreciate after a day of hiking or swimming. Many campers have raved about the spacious cabins, highlighting features like a full kitchen, a fireplace, and a screened-in porch. One happy camper noted, “Spacious cabin was clean and comfortable,” making it a great choice for those who prefer a bit more comfort while enjoying the outdoors.

Outdoor activities abound here, with miles of hiking trails and a beautiful lake that’s perfect for swimming and fishing—though be aware of the recent algae issues. Families can enjoy the playground and picnic areas, while the disc golf course adds a fun twist for those looking to stay active. As one reviewer put it, “The park is very well maintained. The lake is gorgeous.”

If you’re looking for a peaceful retreat with plenty of amenities and activities, Gilbert Lake State Park Campground is a solid choice. Whether you’re roasting marshmallows by the fire or exploring the scenic trails, you’ll find plenty to love about this campground.

Description

NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Gilbert Lake State Park

Gilbert Lake State Park's lake and three ponds lie in wooded, hilly terrain in the foothills of the Catskills. In addition to cabins and campsites, the park has more than 12 miles of interconnecting trails for hikers, skiers, snowmobilers and snowshoers. Playgrounds and a disc golf course, as well as swimming, boating, and fishing are also featured.

Park Rules & Information: - There is very poor cell service at the park.

  • Maximum occupancy per campsite is 6 people.
  • Maximum number of tents per campsite is 2.
  • Tents are NOT permitted on Cabin sites.
  • The permit holder must be at least 18 years of age to rent a campsite/cabin and must be present at all times. Park staff will check ID upon check-in.
  • Chainsaws, subletting of camping areas, roller-blades, firearms, and fireworks are not allowed in the park.
  • Water balloons are not allowed in the park.
  • Firewood available at park, fires are allowed in designated areas only.
  • Campers must be on site before the park closes and visitors must leave by 10PM. Park closes at sunset.
  • Water is centrally located.
  • Quiet hours 10PM to 8AM.
  • Smoking is not permitted in the cabins.
  • Generators may be used between the hours of 9AM to 11AM and 5PM to 9PM.
  • There is an overflow parking area available for 3rd vehicles for a fee.

CABINS:

  • Cabins require a 7 or 14-night minimum stay ALL SEASON. Restrictions are as follows:
  • Cabins 1-12 and 17-21 require a Sunday to Sunday stay.
  • Cabins 13-16 and 22-33 require a Saturday to Saturday stay.

ATTENTION PET OWNERS:

  • Current proof of rabies inoculation is required at check-in (metal tags will not be accepted).
  • At any time during your stay, pet owners may be required to provide proof of rabies inoculation upon request. Be sure to have this information available to present to park staff.
  • Where pets are permitted, there is a maximum limit of 2 pets per site.
  • Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6ft and under control at all times.
  • Do not leave pets unattended and always clean up after them.
  • Pet owners/permit holders are liable for any damage, personal injury, or nuisance caused by the pet.

SWIMMING: Each year the campground makes every effort to provide safe swimming opportunities by testing the water and by keeping the swimming areas staffed with lifeguards. Please be aware that if the safety of our swimmers is compromised due to lack of lifeguard coverage or water quality issues, swimming will be prohibited. Swimming cannot be a guaranteed activity; therefore, we cannot offer refunds on camping stays. We apologize for this inconvenience as it may occur with little advance notice.

Looking to reserve campsite for just 1 night? If you make your reservation within 3 days of your arrival you can book a 1-night stay online or through the Call Center. Applies to campsites only.

PRE-REGISTRATION: Have an existing reservation? Don't forget to PRE-REGISTER!! Two days prior to arrival you can sign into Reserve America and pre-register. IT SAVES TIME.

LENGTH OF STAY: A camping party and their equipment may occupy a site for a maximum of 14 continuous nights. After which, the camping party and equipment must leave the site and facility for 48 hours before registering again for another site.

Please Note: To ensure fairness for all NY customers, any reservation with departure dates outside the 9-month Maximum Window cannot be changed or cancelled until 18 days after the reservation was made.

OPRHP General Camping Rules, Information, and Cancellation Policy

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Location

Gilbert Lake State Park Campground is located in New York

Detail location of campground

Directions

PLEASE NOTE: GPS navigation to Park is NOT accurate. PLEASE follow road side signs from main roadways. From Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse: Thruway (I-90) East to exit 30, Herkimer; Rte 5S West to Rte 51 South. Left on County Rte 12, follow signs four miles to park entrance. From Albany: I-88 West to Rte 205 (exit 13); Rte 205 North to Laurens; County Rte 12 West to park entrance. New York: Thruway (I-87) to exit 21 (Hudson-Catskill); Rte 23 West to Oneonta; Rte 205 to Laurens; County Rte 12 to park entrance. 607-432-2114

Address

18 CCC RD
Laurens, NY 13796

Coordinates

42.57300069 N
75.12800082 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Available
  • T-Mobile
    Good

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Cabins

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Drive Time


Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

9 Reviews

Reviewed Jan. 23, 2022

Fantastic Cabin Getaway

Spacious cabin was clean and comfortable. Two bedrooms, one with bunk beds and another with a full. There were dressers in each room. Also in the main room with a fireplace, futon, and table with benches. Screened-in porch that had a toilet area. Full kitchen with fridge, oven and sink.

Two entrances, one to the kitchen and the other to the porch. Outside was a fire ring.

An easy hike to a nearby lake was very pretty. Lots of wildlife, coyotes howling in the distance at night and plenty of deer. Perfect time of year to go, barely any mosquitoes and it was warm during the day but cool at night to enjoy a roaring fire inside.

Large park with nice playground and picnic area for day use.

We had better than average cell phone service near/in the cabin with AT&T.

Site025
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Gilbert Lake State Park Campground by W L., January 23, 2022
  • Review photo of Gilbert Lake State Park Campground by W L., January 23, 2022
  • Review photo of Gilbert Lake State Park Campground by W L., January 23, 2022
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Sep. 5, 2021

Great spot !

We absolutely loved camping here! The park is very well maintained. The lake is gorgeous. We almost had the place to ourselves.

Site60
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Jul. 24, 2020

Good place to camp

They’re finally adding a bunch of electric sites and have discontinued every other site in the deer run area. This makes the sites very large. There’s 30 and 50 amp hookups. There’s a disc golf course, many pavilions, a decent beach with concessions, a walking trail all the way are the lake and it’s accessible from multiple points. Great place for the family as they can be a bit strict on unruly behavior. The only downsides are the roads are rough and there’s little to no cell signal. That could be a plus for some though.

Reviewed Jul. 15, 2019

Nice place to get away

I’ve been camping at Gilbert lake for 35 or so years. It’s pretty quiet, the state has made many sites bigger over the last few years and is starting to add electricity to more sites. You can fill your water tank at the dump station as there are no water hookups. There is plenty of places to get water to wash dishes or whatever you need. The Shower/ bathroom buildings are a bit dated but well maintained. There’s miles of hiking trails including one around the lake. Multiple really nice pavilions, disc golf course and a nice beach with lifeguards for swimming. I would definitely recommend.

Reviewed May. 17, 2019

Grew up here!

I’ve been here so many times, camping in tents and also in the cabins. There are a couple different sections to choose from. Cell signal is not great in most places except the sites “on top of the hill”. There is a big lake that is very built up for swimmers and has a playground, water sport rentals and more. There are also volleyball courts and horseshoes. Great place to bring the family!

  • Review photo of Gilbert Lake State Park Campground by Sierra K., May 17, 2019
  • Review photo of Gilbert Lake State Park Campground by Sierra K., May 17, 2019
  • Review photo of Gilbert Lake State Park Campground by Sierra K., May 17, 2019
Reviewed Jul. 18, 2018

nice!

Very well kept and nice. Went on some hiking trails and swam in Gilbert Lake with my dog.

  • Review photo of Gilbert Lake State Park Campground by Erin G., July 18, 2018
  • Review photo of Gilbert Lake State Park Campground by Erin G., July 18, 2018
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Reviewed May. 17, 2018

Great place to stay

Great place to stay, Close to Cooperstown. Nice lake for the kids to go swimming and fishing. If you like to hike they have some great trails. Nice size sites, the only down fall is they fill up fast.

SiteHill top #1
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Gilbert Lake State Park Campground by Carrie N., May 17, 2018
  • Review photo of Gilbert Lake State Park Campground by Carrie N., May 17, 2018
  • Review photo of Gilbert Lake State Park Campground by Carrie N., May 17, 2018
Reviewed Nov. 24, 2017

Gilbert Lake State Park

This park is quiet and peaceful in fall, when we visited, but looks to be heavily used in summer due to many amenities including a very large number of camper cabins and a large beach on a large lake with a picturesque setting and large boathouse. There is also a good sized though rather open campground for tents and Trailers, some have hookups but most of the sites are not very private unless you reserve a spot on the periphery along the tree line. There are lots of nice hiking trails, though beware hiking during hunting season as hunting is allowed within the park borders.

I am sorry to have to give a rating of three, however, because a major problem at this park is the recent development ofva toxic algae problem in the lake, Because of algae blooms during warm weather, swimming and fishing in Gilbert Lake are now prohibited, which is very unfortunate as the lake and watwr activities are a focal point of the park. If you are ok with just hiking and being iut in the woods you might still be interested in coming, The campground is not too private or scenic. The camper cabins are pretty basic but in a pretty setting.

one plus factor is the handicapped accessibility, there are many paved ir accessible trails, and the park office has available a new all-terrain wheelchair that patrons can use to get out into the woods and explore

Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Gilbert Lake State Park Campground by Janet R., November 24, 2017
  • Review photo of Gilbert Lake State Park Campground by Janet R., November 24, 2017
  • Review photo of Gilbert Lake State Park Campground by Janet R., November 24, 2017
  • (5) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does it cost to camp at Gilbert Lake State Park Campground?

    Camping at Gilbert Lake State Park Campground can cost between $17.00 and $26.00 depending on the site.

  • Does Gilbert Lake State Park Campground have RV hookups?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Gilbert Lake State Park Campground has 30 amp and 50 amp electric hookups, water hookups and sewer hookups.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Gilbert Lake State Park Campground?

    Gilbert Lake State Park Campground allows vehicles up to 40 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Gilbert Lake State Park Campground?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Gilbert Lake State Park Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Gilbert Lake State Park Campground?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is unknown, AT&T is available, and T-Mobile is good.