Cherry Valley sits at the foothills of the Catskill Mountains in central New York, surrounded by rolling hills and farmland at elevations ranging from 1,200-1,400 feet. The camping season typically runs from mid-May through mid-October, with most campgrounds closing after Columbus Day weekend due to the region's cold winters and heavy snowfall.
What to do
Baseball tourism: 15-20 minutes away from several campgrounds near Cherry Valley is Cooperstown, home to the Baseball Hall of Fame. As one camper at Glimmerglass State Park Campground notes, "With Cooperstown 15-20 minutes away no lack of things to do for adults and kids. Great restaurants also. No reason to ever get bored."
Water activities: Swimming and boating on Otsego Lake from Glimmerglass State Park. "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," according to a visitor.
Antique shopping: Browse local stores in the small village of Bouckville, where Butternut Hill RV Campground is located. "This is a small campground set up on the periphery of Butternut Hill farm which is located on the main Route 20 in Bouckville NY... a small upstate NY village with a concentration of numerous antique shops, which is a draw for collectors in the area."
Hiking trails: Access the historic Chenango Canal Trail near Butternut Hill. "There is also a famous Inn and restaurant, the Landmark Inn, which anchors the town, adjacent to a trailhead for a hiking trail along the historic Chenango Canal, an offshoot of the Erie Canal."
What campers like
Spacious, level sites: RV campers appreciate the well-designed layouts at The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone. According to one review, sites are "organized in loops to offer wooded and full sun sites depending on what you are looking for." Another reviewer noted, "The sites were level and great size with nice spacing in between."
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness is frequently mentioned in positive reviews. At Cooperstown Beaver Valley Campground, "The bathrooms are impeccable, the grounds are groomed, well kept and clean and there are 2 pools, one for the little children and a larger one older people."
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the peaceful setting. At Spruce Creek Campground, one visitor noted, "It is a very quiet place where you only hear the sounds of nature." Another at The Villages RV Park mentioned, "Its so peaceful at night. My favorite time to come is August during the meteor showers."
Natural surroundings: Access to water features is a highlight. Glimmerglass State Park offers "great star viewing here!" according to one camper, while another mentioned, "the beach area here is huge!"
What you should know
Seasonal festivals impact availability: The meadows at Butternut Hill host several regional events, including "several Antique shows, the Central New York Fiber Festival, a craft fair and a car show, events that are scheduled a few times a month throughout the summer." During these events, campgrounds fill quickly.
Weather preparedness: Thunderstorms can impact camping in summer months. At Spruce Creek Campground, one camper noted, "it rained all day" despite planning to use solar power.
Road conditions vary: Interior roads at many campgrounds are dirt or gravel. "The roads within the campground are dirt and pretty rough," reported one Spruce Creek visitor, while another mentioned, "Pot holes in the campground road are so bad that it caused damage to my trailer."
Limited cell service: Coverage is spotty in rural areas. While some campgrounds offer WiFi, connection strength varies. One campground advertises "good WiFi" as a notable feature.
Tips for camping with families
Baseball facilities on-site: Cooperstown Beaver Valley Campground offers "2 baseball fields" and is "just a well laid out campground that was perfect for us...2 swimming pools, really nice playground for the younger kids."
Kid-friendly water access: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming areas. At Glimmerglass State Park, "The beach, trail to historic house, boating, fishing, and Cooperstown nearby keep everyone in the group entertained."
Playgrounds and activities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. The Villages RV Park offers "excellent playgrounds, fishing, an awesome pool, and of course, free shuttle rides to the Turning Stone Casino right up the street."
Group camping options: For team sports or family reunions, some campgrounds offer group sites. Beaver Valley has "areas for group picnics. You could have the whole team stay here in the cabins and bring RVs too."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for big rigs: For RVs over 30 feet, request specific sites. At Spruce Creek, "Not good for larger rigs, largest site was too short for mine," while at Butternut Hill, "Many of the sites are for RV's, which have electric and water hookups along with a picnic table and fire pit; rates from $40-50."
Power management: Not all campgrounds offer 50-amp service. One RVer at Cooperstown Shadow Brook noted, "we booked 30/Water….but arrived to find only 50 available and barely any water. Both issues resolved within hours to their credit."
Assistance with setup: First-time RVers can find help at some locations. At Spruce Creek, "Upon arrival my husband told the owner that we had never set up before and he came and walked us through the whole process. He also gave us tips on equipment to get etc."
Shuttle services: RVers staying at The Villages RV Park mention "24 hour shuttles to the casino 5 minutes away, yet quiet and beautifully maintained." This can eliminate need to disconnect towed vehicles for short trips.
