Cherry Valley camping sites sit in the heart of rural central New York, positioned at elevations between 1,200 and 1,600 feet with surrounding hills reaching over 2,000 feet. The region experiences cool summers with average July temperatures around 80°F and cold winters that typically close most campgrounds after Columbus Day weekend. Most camping areas near Cherry Valley feature hardwood forests with maple, oak and birch trees providing natural shade.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Glimmerglass State Park Campground, campers can access pristine Otsego Lake for fishing. "The lake is pristine and wonderful to swim in. Nice beach. Also a place for showers and a bathroom and small place for food and extras things you might need for camping," notes reviewer Patti M.
Baseball activities: Many Cherry Valley camping sites cater to baseball enthusiasts visiting Cooperstown. Cooperstown Beaver Valley Campground features "2 baseball fields" and was "originally a baseball camp," making it ideal for youth teams. One reviewer mentions it's "only 10min or so to dreams park" where tournaments are held.
Hiking trails: Explore wooded paths at multiple camping areas. Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park offers trails through mature forests with Janet R. noting, "The trails wind through mature forest, and you can cross country ski here in winter." During summer months, hiking trails connect to historic sites and scenic viewpoints.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Many campers appreciate the generous site spacing at Cooperstown KOA, where Rebecca F. describes the tent camping area as having "a nice wooded area with fire pits and a view of the rolling hills. Beautiful!" The campground's terraced layout ensures level sites.
Clean facilities: Consistent maintenance is frequently mentioned across campgrounds. At Hartwick Highlands Campground, Ryan D. shared, "The owners are the nicest people I've met and always making sure you have everything you need. They stopped by our camp several times to ask if we needed anything."
Waterfront activities: The waterfront locations enhance the camping experience. At St. Johnsville Campsite and Marina, Juanita E. notes, "Sunrise was quite nice on the river," while Sam M. describes it as a "hidden gem" with tent sites "right on the canal" for just $10.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds close after Columbus Day weekend. Hartwick Highlands operates from May 11 to October 8, while Belvedere Lake Resort runs May 1 to October 4. The limited winter camping options make planning ahead essential.
Site privacy varies: Site spacing and privacy differ significantly between campgrounds. At Belvedere Lake Resort, Michael H. warns, "The weekend sights are tight and setup poorly. A camper pulled in next to me and his door opened into my door. Our picnic tables were just feet apart."
Transportation to attractions: Cooperstown has parking restrictions for larger vehicles. As Jim G. notes about visiting from Cooperstown KOA: "You can't park any vehicle over 20' in Cooperstown, but you can park for free (even a motorhome) in the Yellow Lot and take the Trolley into town for $2.50. Super convenient!"
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. At Cooperstown Beaver Valley Campground, Eric L. mentions they have a "really nice playground for the younger kids" along with "2 swimming pools" making it "perfect for us."
Baseball-themed stays: Families visiting for youth baseball tournaments have specialized options. Jennifer H. describes Hartwick Highlands as the "closest campground to Dreams Park" with a "security gate to enter and exit, pool, store, arcade, wide open where the RVs are."
Day trip possibilities: Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail provides a unique day-use area with Mona M. noting it's "a great spot for wildlife viewing and fishing (with a valid license)." The site offers "pit toilets, a dumpster, and potable water available on the side of the building."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for satellite reception: At Cooperstown KOA, satellite dish users should select sites carefully. Nancy W. advises, "The park does have a fair amount of trees that would interfere with roof-mounted satellite dishes so you would have to pick your site carefully."
Wi-Fi availability: Multiple campgrounds offer reliable internet access. At Cooperstown KOA, Jim G. reports "The WiFi is very good—modern and surprising speeds (60Mbps) and cell phone for AT&T was decent."
Water pressure considerations: Some campgrounds experience utility fluctuations. Jim G. mentions at Cooperstown KOA, "One annoyance is the water pressure seemed to drop on occasion and one night was low for quite a while due to the pool being filled. We had to wait to do dishes until the next morning."
