Glamping in Hartwick, New York offers access to the rolling hills and rural landscapes of central New York's Otsego County. The area sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation with temperatures ranging from summer highs around 80°F to winter lows well below freezing. Many campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through October, with limited winter accommodations available.
What to do
Mine for Herkimer diamonds: At Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA, visitors can dig for unique double-terminated quartz crystals known as Herkimer diamonds. "The mines are so much fun. The whole park is well maintained. Lots of room to walk our dogs. We will visit again," notes Kelly F.
Tube down West Canada Creek: The natural waterway running through Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA provides a relaxing activity. Julia P. describes it as having a "lazy river flow with some faster spots, truly a perfect way to spend the days in the sun, hawks flying overhead and refreshingly cool and shallow water."
Visit Cooperstown attractions: Located about 12 miles from Unadilla KOA, Cooperstown offers cultural sites beyond baseball. "With the autumn foliage, it was a spectacular camp site. Very quiet stay," shares Laura H., highlighting the scenic drive to town during fall months.
What campers like
Waterfront access: Crazy Acres Campground at Beaver Spring Lake provides direct lake access. "We had fun, plenty of activities, a big lake to fish in and a pool to relax by. Nighttime family fun as well," says Robert M., describing the multiple water recreation options.
Secluded wooded sites: Deer Haven Campground and Cabins offers more private sites for those seeking quiet. "Stayed during the week and was able to get a more secluded, wooded site. It was quiet at night. Nice walking trail around the property through woods and field," reports Jen B.
Clean facilities: Bathhouses and common areas at many glamping locations receive positive reviews. At Crazy Acres Campground, Wilson W. notes, "Very nice place with super owners. Very clean bathrooms and showers. My site had 30 amp electric and water. Very quiet as they had just opened."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most luxury glamping sites near Hartwick close during winter months. Glimmerglass State Park Campground operates from "May 13 to October 9," according to their official season dates.
Water pressure variations: At some campgrounds, utilities may fluctuate. Jim G. at Cooperstown KOA noticed that "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."
Reservation responsiveness: Some properties have limited online booking capabilities. Jen B. observed at Deer Haven that "it was hard to pre book a site though. You can't do it online, you have to email, and it can take a while to hear back from anyone confirming a reservation."
Tips for camping with families
Check for kid-specific amenities: Cooperstown KOA offers numerous child-friendly features. "This is a typical KOA with lots of amenities including a swimming pool, a playground, volleyball court, basketball court, jump house, pavilion, recreation room, bicycle rental, and horseshoes," details Rebecca F.
Look for beach access: Water features enhance family stays. Erin G. at Glimmerglass State Park Campground says, "The beach is great and well kept," making it ideal for families with children who enjoy swimming.
Consider off-peak timing: For families seeking quieter experiences, Carol C. recommends, "Glimmerglass in late September" describing it as a "quiet campground near Cooperstown. Lots of little shops and entertainment. Clean. Friendly staff."
Tips from RVers
Choose site location carefully: At Cooperstown KOA, larger RVs may have navigation challenges. Nancy W. cautions, "Our site (#41) was a pull-thru but there was no way we could drive our 45' motorhome forward out of the site because of a large tree and narrow roads. So we ended up having to back out."
Check satellite dish clearance: Trees can interfere with connectivity. "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. But, there are some 30 amp and no hook-up sites that are clear," advises a reviewer at Cooperstown KOA.
Note electrical hookup types: Some campgrounds use non-standard configurations. At Unadilla KOA, Deborah W. found that "The tent sites with electric like the one we took used 240v 50A plugs, so we had to borrow a converter plug from the office for our 120v equipment."
