Camping spots near Poland, New York provide direct access to the western edge of the Adirondack Mountains, with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 1,600 feet above sea level. The region experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during the day and dropping to 55-65°F at night. Most campgrounds in this area remain open from mid-April through mid-October, with peak season running from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
What to do
Gem mining opportunities: At Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA, visitors can search for rare Herkimer diamonds (double-terminated quartz crystals). "The mines are wonderful also if you'd want to search for your own Herkimer diamonds (clear doubles terminated quartz). Star gazing, falling asleep to the sound of the creek, lots of fun spaces for kids, inexpensive, etc," notes Julia P.
Tubing and water activities: Many campgrounds offer water recreation, with creek and river activities particularly popular. At Spruce Creek Campground, "The land is next to a river. They keep it mowed and it went on for a while. The dogs enjoyed the walk!" according to Wyndie G. The creek provides opportunities for wading and swimming during warmer months.
Hiking and nature exploration: Several campgrounds feature trail systems. North Lake Reservoir offers more secluded options: "These sites are primitive-no tables, no facilities or running water. Best of all, no generators or electrical hookups for those of us in it to truly be in nature," explains Rachel P. The hiking trails around the reservoir connect to the broader Adirondack trail network.
What campers like
Water-based relaxation: The region's creeks and lakes consistently rank as top attractions. At Delta Lake State Park Campground, "We had a waterfront hookup! So pretty especially in the morning with the sunrise. The road to get in was for the most part well taken care of. It was pretty quiet especially after quiet hours everyone was very respectful," reports Tris W.
Themed weekend events: Several campgrounds organize special activities throughout the season. "The owners have a wonderful event set up and the river drop/Run is fantastic. Nice sized sites and space for your family to play," notes Sparks N. about their experience at West Canada Creek Campground.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear night skies away from major cities make for excellent astronomical viewing. "My favorite time to come is August during the meteor showers," says Jessica D. about The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone, highlighting the dark skies that make this area ideal for night sky observation.
What you should know
Seasonal biting insects: Prepare for bugs, especially in early summer. "We were here in June and there was an invasion of biting flies. There were so many that you couldn't stand still for 5 seconds and it was just not enjoyable. I also think this is a general thing in this area not just at this campsite," warns Joel M. about North Lake Reservoir.
Varied site conditions: Not all sites within a campground offer the same experience. According to T&J F., "Sites are narrow" at some campgrounds, while others note that "Sites are large. There is a whole back section of the campground that was unused when we were there. It was a great area to run our dogs," as Paummi S. mentions about Kayuta Lake Campground.
Road conditions: Some campground access roads require careful navigation. "Pot holes in the campground road are so bad that it caused damage to my trailer," cautions David R. about Spruce Creek Campground, while others note well-maintained roads at established parks.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with structured activities: Families often prefer parks with organized events. "Very beautiful campground with tons of planned activities for the kids. Outdoor pool and clean shower/bathrooms. Lots of grass and shade," reports Jeani B. about Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA.
Swimming areas vary widely: While many campgrounds advertise swimming, facilities range from natural creek access to developed beaches. At Glimmerglass State Park Campground, "The beach is great and well kept," according to Erin G. The lake is described as "pristine and wonderful to swim in" by Patti M.
Playgrounds and recreation: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities. "There is a playground with slides and swings as well as a swimming pool. There is a beach volleyball court, half court basketball and horseshoe pits," notes Sean M. about facilities at West Canada Creek Campground.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: RV sites range from primitive to full service. "All full hookup sites from full sun to full shade. Been coming here for 25+ years," explains Carl G. about The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone. This campground consistently receives high ratings from RVers for its level sites and full hookups.
Assistance with setup: Some campgrounds provide extra help. "Owner is very knowledgeable and helpful. Very friendly too! Took us to the site, helped back us in and helped us hook everything up!" shares Wyndie G. about Spruce Creek Campground, a valuable service for new RV owners.
Site access considerations: RVers should research site conditions before booking. "Not good for larger rigs, largest site was too short for mine," warns David R., highlighting the importance of checking length restrictions and access conditions when traveling with larger RVs.
