Camping sites near Gloversville, New York sit at the southern edge of the Adirondack Park where elevations range from 800 to 1,500 feet. The region experiences warm summers with temperatures averaging 75-85°F from June through August, while spring and fall bring cooler conditions with occasional frost. Winter camping is largely unavailable as snowfall typically reaches 65-75 inches annually, with most forest access roads unplowed from November through April.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At DevilDoc Campsites, guests can fish in the small on-site pond. "I had the entire camp ground to myself so that was even better. It is definitely off the beaten path but we'll worth it if your just trying to escape a little bit," notes a camper. The property features an artesian-fed pond suitable for casual fishing.
Diamond mining excursions: Crystal Grove Diamond Mine & Campground offers a unique activity where campers can hunt for Herkimer Diamonds (double-terminated quartz crystals). "Along with staying at this peaceful wooded campground, one can 'mine' Herkimer Diamond quartz crystals adjacent to the campground via a bridge over the stream," explains one reviewer. Mining tools can be rented on-site for an additional fee.
Boating access: Several lakes within 20 minutes of Gloversville permit motorized and non-motorized boating. "Drive your boat up to your campsite," mentions one visitor about Northampton Beach Campground. Local marinas rent kayaks for approximately $30-40 per day, with hourly options available at certain locations during peak summer months.
What campers like
Secluded pond sites: Campers consistently praise the privacy found at DevilDoc Campsites. "We had the entire place to ourselves as our little Hiker Trailer was able to make it up to the clearing where there's a little pond. We had tons of privacy as it is well clear of the host's home and neighbors," shares one reviewer. The 25-acre property offers sites separated by natural forest buffers.
Affordable waterfront options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the reasonable rates at St. Johnsville Campsite and Marina. "This place is great! $10 for a tent site right on the canal and the staff is super friendly," notes a reviewer. The marina location provides direct water access without premium pricing common at other waterfront campgrounds.
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the area feature larger-than-average sites. "Large sites on huge lake perfect for kayaking. Few bugs," observed one camper about Northampton Beach Campground. At Royal Mountain Campsites, another visitor noted, "Site was HUGE! Website stated sites were 30Amp so very happy to have found 50Amp upon arrival!"
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Facility quality differs significantly between campgrounds. At Caroga Lake Campground, "The bathrooms and showers were typical of other campgrounds and not overly large however they were cleaned regularly and the water was hot which was great for the end of a long day." Conversely, at Northampton Beach, one camper reported, "The bathrooms were pretty awful though. The showers were broken and there was no hot water the entire 5 days we were there."
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for wildlife visitors, especially at sites near water. "Expect mosquitoes and the occasional visit from wildlife (we had raccoons at our site each night, so kept food in the car)," warns a Caroga Lake camper. DevilDoc Campsites features numerous bullfrogs in their pond that create significant nighttime noise during summer months.
Train noise at canal sites: Camping along the Mohawk River/Erie Canal means dealing with train noise. At Fort Plain Lock 15, "It offers sounds of the highway and freight trains going by, my wife and I love it. If you need quiet, keep on moving." Similarly, at St. Johnsville Marina, "A train track is close by so it can be kind of noisy."
Tips for camping with families
Ice cream access: Royal Mountain Campsites offers a unique family-friendly feature. "I'm sorry but I gotta start by saying that we ate ice cream every night!!! 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!" The ice cream shop serves generous portions with small sizes comparable to full meals at other establishments.
Stream exploration: Families with children often enjoy campgrounds with shallow water features. At Caroga Lake Campground, "This site also is bordered by a small stream so expect mosquitoes and the occasional visit from wildlife." Similar water features exist at Sacandaga Campground where "the river flows right through the middle, giving a nice ambiance with the rush of the water. It also gives opportunities to rock hop up and downstream."
Bike-friendly options: Several campgrounds feature terrain suitable for children's bikes. At Crystal Grove Diamond Mine & Campground, one visitor notes it's a "Great camp ground for kids with bikes :) nice sized sites." Similarly, at Northampton Beach, campers mention the large, relatively flat camping loops ideal for young cyclists.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campsites in the Gloversville area require effort to level RVs. At Sacandaga Campground, "Most sites looked fairly level, but could be a bit awkward to back campers into. Sites were also pretty rocky, but drained water quickly." Bringing extra leveling blocks is recommended for most area campgrounds.
Water quality concerns: RVers should note mineral content in water systems. "Water was pretty mineral laden and I would get chunks of scale in my water bottles filling up. Make sure to use a filter if filling a campers water system," warns a Sacandaga Campground visitor. Using external filters when connecting to campground water is advisable throughout the region.
Limited full hookup options: True full-hookup sites (water, electric, and sewer) are limited near Gloversville. One exception is Royal Mountain Campsites, where RVers note: "We paid for wood and the owner drove it to our site and gave us half a tree for $10!! Navigating the campground was easy and they had social fires by their pond in the evenings."
