The Mohawk River Valley forms the foundation for camping spots near Fort Plain, New York, where the elevation ranges from 300 to 400 feet above sea level. The river corridor creates a unique microclimate that extends the camping season from late April through mid-October. Many campgrounds experience early morning fog from the river, which typically burns off by mid-morning during summer months.
What to do
Gem mining experiences: Crystal Grove Diamond Mine & Campground offers a unique activity where campers can search for Herkimer diamonds. "I enjoyed a site next to the stream. The grandchildren had a great time and love looking and finding Herkimer Diamonds," noted one visitor.
Tubing on local waterways: Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA provides tubing opportunities on the West Canada River. "The creek is AMAZING. Both kid and adult friendly and it's free, just bring a tube or purchase for cheap at the camp store. Lazy river flow with some faster spots," explained a camper.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear nights in the area provide excellent astronomical viewing due to minimal light pollution. "We have also had some great star viewing here!" mentioned one camper about Glimmerglass State Park.
Monday night summer concerts: St. Johnsville Campsite and Marina hosts a summer concert series that campers can enjoy. "Great price and fun to stay during summer concert series," reports a camper who appreciated the entertainment value.
What campers like
Large, well-spaced sites: Royal Mountain Campsites offers spacious accommodations. "Site was HUGE! Website stated sites were 30Amp so very happy to have found 50Amp upon arrival!" shared one camper who appreciated the extra room.
Waterfront camping options: Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail provides direct water access. "The parking lot is large, rocky, and uneven, situated right on the Mohawk River. It's a great spot for wildlife viewing and fishing," explains a visitor.
Seasonal ice cream stands: Several campgrounds feature ice cream, with Royal Mountain Campsites being particularly noted. "The 'office' is an ice cream shop off the side of the road that all the locals apparently love based on lines and what we tasted!" reported an enthusiastic camper.
Quiet weekday camping: Many Fort Plain area campgrounds are significantly less crowded on weekdays. "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," noted a camper at Fort Plain Lock 15.
What you should know
Train noise considerations: Railroad tracks parallel the Mohawk River and affect many camping areas. "One night stay. Great sight. Friendly helpful staff. Only drawback is steady stream of trains going by around the clock," mentioned a visitor to St. Johnsville.
Lock operation scheduling: Glimmerglass State Park Campground provides lake access but requires some planning. "Only downside is there is not a hiking/walking path down to the lake from the campground," noted one camper about the accessibility challenges.
Limited water pressure: Some campgrounds experience fluctuating water pressure. "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," reported a camper at Cooperstown KOA.
Canal regulations: E16 Canal Lock has specific guidelines for campers. "Stays are limited to a maximum of 48 hours. Upon arrival, campers must scan the QR code at the entrance and complete a brief survey. RVs and travel trailers are not permitted," explains a visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Bring tubes for creek activities: DevilDoc Campsites offers water recreation options that kids enjoy. "There are plans to expand into another cabin for the bathhouse. A RV trailer is currently being used as the bathrooms as well as a common room for hanging out," noted one camper about the developing amenities.
Check campground pool availability: Swimming facilities vary across locations. "Very quiet small campground - friendly staff - large spots/mainly bigger setups. Very nice bathrooms w shower and wash station," reported a visitor to Glimmerglass State Park.
Consider off-grid options: Some families appreciate more rustic experiences. "Rustic camping with all the amenities awaits you at Devil Doc campsites. You will find three tent sites and a small cabin with loft on the property presently," shared a visitor who enjoyed the back-to-nature experience.
Pack insect repellent: The river valley creates ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes. "Great camp ground for kids with bikes :) nice sized sites. Can get a bit buggy so bring spray," advised a camper at Crystal Grove Diamond Mine & Campground.
Tips from RVers
Parking restrictions in Cooperstown: Cooperstown KOA is convenient to town but requires transportation planning. "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," advised a helpful RVer.
Check site maneuverability: Some advertised pull-through sites may have limitations. "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," explained a Cooperstown KOA visitor.
Off-season availability: Several campgrounds near Fort Plain operate with limited amenities in shoulder seasons. "Cooperstown is a little over twelve miles away from the park but well worth a trip," noted a camper who appreciated the location despite seasonal limitations.
Consider satellite reception: Tree coverage affects satellite dishes at some campgrounds. "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," advised an RVer at Cooperstown KOA.
