Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail
Not plowed in winter
Great spot, great location. FYI to anyone who comes in the winter, it's not plowed, so you may need to adjust your plans accordingly.
Camping areas around Rome, New York include several state parks and private facilities offering diverse accommodation options. Delta Lake State Park Campground sits at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains just outside Rome, providing developed camping with both tent and RV sites. Verona Beach State Park Campground, located about 15 miles southwest of Rome, features cabins along with standard camping areas. The surrounding region supports various camping styles including established campgrounds with full hookups, primitive tent sites, and glamping opportunities within a 30-mile radius of the city.
The camping season in this region typically runs from May through mid-October, with most campgrounds closing during winter months. One camper noted that "Delta Lake State Park is a nice option for those looking to stay close to home and within proximity to civilization. You can enjoy the great outdoors, while only being a few miles away from a restaurant or grocery store." Road access to most developed campgrounds is well-maintained, with paved roads leading to major state parks and private facilities. Cell phone coverage varies by location, with some remote areas having limited service. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when facilities reach capacity quickly.
State parks in the area receive consistently positive reviews for their maintenance and family-friendly amenities. Green Lakes State Park, although slightly farther from Rome, stands out in visitor reviews for its unique meromictic lake with "clear calcium-rich waters that are not only pristine and beautiful to look at, but also great for swimming and snorkeling." Several campgrounds feature water access, with lakes and swimming areas being major attractions. Visitors frequently mention the splash pads and playgrounds at Verona Beach State Park as highlights for families with children. While some campgrounds like Delta Lake offer close proximity to urban conveniences, others provide more secluded experiences. Reviews indicate bathroom facilities vary widely between locations, with newer state park facilities generally receiving higher ratings for cleanliness and modern amenities.
$28 - $36 / night
"There’s a few steps down to a gravel beach and an expansive view of the delta lake. There were bathrooms in the middle of our loop which was great and easy to walk to and it was very clean."
"A very nice, tidy campground located on a peninsula jutting into Delta Lake in Central NY."
$65 - $75 / night
"For activities, there are some great hikes around the campground, as well as excellent playgrounds, fishing, an awesome pool, and of course, free shuttle rides to the Turning Stone Casino right up the"
"Convenient to the highway with 24 hour shuttles to the casino 5 minutes away, yet quiet and beautifully maintained."
$31 - $33 / night
"Verona Beach State Park is nice and close to home. Also close to Utica and Rome. The kids love to hang out at the splash pad and the state recently revamped some of the playgrounds."
"Nice small state park, our site had a water spigot right behind our site hook up hose and filled camper. Lake is dirty but the had a nice splash pad for the kids."
$24 - $116 / night
"The lake is a fascinating meromictic lake with clear calcium-rich waters that are not only pristine and beautiful to look at, but also great for swimming and snorkeling as the waters are crystal clear"
"The sites are nice, some are little close to each other but nice for group camping. A short distance (walk or by car) to the beach. The lake is a little chilly sometimes but very refreshing."
"There is a nice bathhouse, playground, basketball court, Beach and walking trails."
"Site however was very close to other sites and not very private.  had to pay with quarters to shower not a problem but inconvenient."
"Many fishing areas and several boat launch places with water access to large Oneida Lake. Bathrooms and showers are immaculate and well stocked. "
"Keeping in mind , it is a busy family resort during prime season and holidays, so if you're looking for a quiet, non-crowded location, this may not be the place for you (unless you try it in offseason)"
"You have easy access to the river for your fishing desire, or you can try your hand at mining for diamonds( real open put diamond mine."
$57 - $67 / night
"And they are never more than a quick walk from your camper. Did I mention there is a pool? There is. And its HEATED."
"The lake linked to a river was great for kayaking and fishing. We arrived at night and they had left everything for us making check in very easy."












Great spot, great location. FYI to anyone who comes in the winter, it's not plowed, so you may need to adjust your plans accordingly.
This was a quiet overnight stay, just as the other reviewers say, a gravel parking lot that is easy to find a level spot in. This is on the river with a nice view. Lots of trains rolling through across the river but the noise wasn't an issue for me. There was a police officer that drove through the lot and drove around my campervan and continued on his way so I know that it is okay to overnight there.
This is a surprisingly large facility with multiple options, including cabins, tent, and RV sites. We were there in late October on a Saturday night when they were having a big Halloween festival, so very crowded but festive environment. Everybody packed up and left the following morning.Close to the town of old Forge and Lakes. Beautiful area.
The sites are good, level, and the campsite is pretty but as clean as the bathrooms are, the showers still suck. I’ll never understand why parks use the misting shower heads. Maybe TMI, but sorry ladies, you’ll never get the soap out of your bits. It’s best to use the ADA bathrooms because those shower heads are normal and have wands. I can’t say much about the amenities since we camped in the off season (really bummed not to rent a boat), but the trails around the lake are great! Beautiful water and various difficulties on the trails make it pretty fun to explore. Overall a good stay but took a star away for the showers and the landscapers. They spent at least 5-6 hours the Monday we were here mowing around our campsite, coming within inches of our power and Starlink cords. Really annoyed by that and when we called the park office, they said they’d take care of it but we still endured 4 more hours of multiple mowers going over the same areas multiple times. Honestly think they were messing with us at that point…
Campground is recently paved. Lots of geese, therefore lots of goose poop. Sites are small and close together. Nice wooded setting on the lake.
I found this location to have very clean sites with plenty of amenities. Had no issues with the Wi-Fi watching Bills games and play a few video games.
Good peaceful
Pros: clean campground, camp store, ice cream/pizza shack, shuttle to tubing, sites are pretty flat, pool is large and clean, quiet hours are enforced. Cons: $5 per dog "surprise" when we arrived. Even though we camped there 2 nights for 3 years in a row, $15 per person for the tubing shuttle seems steep; a discount or free would be nice for campers, as drop off points are just down the road. Sites are narrow.
Pros: river is awesome, wading, catching crayfish, cooling off. Staff were consistently friendly. Sites were flat, easy to level travel trailer. Plenty of kid activities, foam party, obstacle course, balloon launch, etc. Large store. Game room. Bathrooms (at least near the playground) were spacious, with toilet, sink, shower. Cons: signs/photo ops were crooked/loose/broken. Planted annual flowers were dead, overgrown with weeds. Miniature golf holes were falling apart. Bounce pad had a hole in it. The sand from around the edge was blowing from that hole into kids eyes, nose, mouth. Bathrooms were dirty; each has a 2-roll toilet paper dispenser; by early evening two stalls had zero TP left. Tent sites had used toilet paper along the tree line where others had used it as a bathroom. Fire pits were old tire rims, which worked, but unable to cook anything on it
Campgrounds near Rome, NY offer diverse terrain from rolling hills to water access points along Oneida Lake. The camping season typically stretches from late April through mid-October, with most facilities closing before winter. Several facilities have recently upgraded amenities including added electric hookups, improved playgrounds, and modernized bathroom facilities.
Kayaking and boating on Oneida Lake: At Treasure Isle RV Park in Blossvale, campers have direct access to water recreation. "Treasure Isle is nice and quite. The sites are a good size with water and electric on each site... There is a nice bathhouse, playground, basketball court, Beach and walking trails," notes Heather R.
Laser tag activities: Kayuta Lake Campground offers organized games for families. "My five year old, husband, and Dad all signed up for laser tag. They had such an awesome time! That certainly is a fabulous amenity. We will come back for that alone because my son had so much fun. It is $10 per person but so worth it," shares Erin M.
Gem hunting: Many visitors to the area combine camping with unique activities like quartz mining. "Across the road from a do it yourself quartz mine. Plenty of things to do including tubing the west Canada river. Easy in easy out for the tubing," reports Secc P. about the mining opportunities near Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA.
Direct lake access sites: Water sites are particularly popular at Delta Lake State Park Campground. "Was here with a camper on a lake accessing site. Sites are fairly big but not completely separated. Having the kayaks were great, there's so much to explore, and town is right down the road," shares Sierra K. Waterfront sites book quickly during peak season.
Pool and recreational amenities: Heated pools extend swimming season at several campgrounds. "They have a nice pool. It's just a little small. The playground is old and outdated, but my kids didn't seem to mind... We had such an awesome time!" writes Erin M. about Kayuta Lake Campground's amenities.
Convenient casino access: The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone offers a unique camping experience with shuttle service to gaming. "Convenient to the highway with 24 hour shuttles to the casino 5 minutes away, yet quiet and beautifully maintained. Offers a pool, playground, hiking trail, fishing pond, paddleboat rentals, camp store, very clean bath houses throughout," notes April L.
Site privacy varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer more secluded sites than others. "The campground isn't the best I've experienced, a bit on the crowded side-similar to a woodsy suburb- but this could have been distinctive to Loop A where I stayed," reports a Delta Lake camper.
Water site availability: Waterfront sites can be difficult to secure without advance planning. At Verona Beach State Park Campground, "We attempted to set up near the lake, but found the wind to be overwhelming. We ended up in the corner site by the woods," shares Thomas M., highlighting weather considerations for lakefront camping.
Road conditions: Access to most campgrounds requires minimal off-road driving. "The road to get in was for the most part well taken care of... There were bathrooms in the middle of our loop which was great and easy to walk to and it was very clean," notes Tris W. about Delta Lake State Park's infrastructure.
Splash pads and beach activities: Family-friendly water features make for popular recreation options. "Verona Beach State Park is nice and close to home. Also close to Utica and Rome. The kids love to hang out at the splash pad and the state recently revamped some of the playgrounds," shares Joe D.
Look for organized activities: Some campgrounds coordinate special events for younger visitors. Hidden Point Camp Ground provides structured recreation options. "Had a great time tent camping. Very clean and people were friendly. Also had great price for firewood at the camp shop," notes Tate T.
Check bathroom proximity: When camping with young children, facility access matters. "There are some sites with full hook-up available and also specific areas that allow pets. Swimming is available at the large beach. You can rent a kayak and enjoy the beautiful lake," advises Cindy H. about Green Lakes State Park.
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds have expanded electric and water services. "Delta Lake State Park sits at the foothills of the Adirondack Park, just outside Rome, New York... They have recently added electricity to the sites and a new playground at the beach. The concession stand at the beach will deliver to your camp site," shares Amy W.
Site leveling considerations: Some campgrounds offer more level sites than others. "Spacious FHU sites. Pull thru and back ins," reports Boomer B. about The Villages at Turning Stone, which provides paved sites designed for larger rigs.
Seasonal occupancy impacts: Many campgrounds near Rome have high numbers of seasonal residents. "When we pulled in, we felt like outsiders. Many people have seasonal sites and some of the activities are geared toward seasonal campers," notes Erin M., suggesting weekend visitors might have a different experience than seasonal guests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds near Rome, NY?
Verona Beach State Park Campground is highly rated and conveniently located close to both Rome and Utica. The park features recently renovated playgrounds and a splash pad that visitors particularly enjoy. For those seeking an RV-friendly option, Vernon Downs Casino offers a spacious, level gravel lot for overnight stays with the added amenities of casino gaming and harness racing. Additional quality options include Green Lakes State Park Campground, which is well-maintained with excellent recreational facilities and environmental education programs.
Are there tent-specific campsites around Rome?
Several camping options near Rome cater specifically to tent campers. Delta Lake State Park Campground is located just outside Rome at the foothills of the Adirondack Park, offering well-maintained tent sites in a natural setting. For a more primitive experience, Powley Road in Ferris Wild Forest provides beautiful riverside tent sites with direct access to hiking trails. While some campgrounds like Bowman Lake State Park may have faced maintenance challenges, they still accommodate tent camping. Many sites in the region offer the basics tent campers need: flat ground, fire rings, and access to water sources.
What family-friendly camping resorts are available near Rome?
Old Forge Camping Resort stands out as an exceptional family-friendly destination about an hour from Rome. With over 20 years of positive reviews from returning families, this resort offers comprehensive amenities including a well-stocked visitor center, firewood sales, and organized activities. Another excellent option is Cooperstown KOA, located in the quiet rural countryside with beautiful scenery, especially in fall. This KOA provides a variety of accommodation options from tent sites to rental cabins and cottages, making it versatile for different family needs and preferences.
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