Cabin camping near Gloversville, New York offers year-round options at elevations ranging from 800 to 1,400 feet in the southern Adirondack foothills. Winter cabin stays are available at select locations like Frosty Acres Campground, which maintains a small winter section at approximately 1,409 feet elevation. Many cabins in this region require multiple-night minimum stays during peak season from late June through August.
What to do
Explore nearby hiking trails: DevilDoc Campsites serves as a convenient base for accessing regional hiking networks. "Hiking is also available directly from the campgrounds and connects to nearby trails, leading wherever your heart desires, from treks to the lakes nearby to one that even goes all through the Adirondacks," notes one visitor who stayed at this rustic camping area.
Go swimming at natural lakes: Nine Corners Lake offers crystal-clear water for swimming near Gloversville. A camper from DevilDoc Campsites shared: "Nine Corners Lake is a must! It has beautiful clear water and we spent two entire days hanging out there."
Mine for Herkimer diamonds: Search for double-terminated quartz crystals at Crystal Grove Diamond Mine & Campground. "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 a visitor who brought grandchildren to hunt for crystals.
Try river tubing: Float down West Canada Creek during summer months at minimal cost. "Tubing was the big hit with the kids. Sites were large. Very clean," reports a camper who made this activity part of a gemstone-themed trip with their family.
What campers like
Private lakeside sites: Campers praise waterfront cabin access at multiple locations. At Moffitt Beach Campground, visitors note: "Our site and many others are right on the lake! The sunset views were breathtaking. The campground had showers and a very nice bathroom! Beach accessibility was also available."
Cabin variety: Options range from primitive to fully equipped. DevilDoc Campsites offers "a small cabin with loft" according to visitors, while other campgrounds provide more substantial accommodations. One camper at Royal Mountain Campsites noted: "Site was HUGE! Website stated sites were 30Amp so very happy to have found 50Amp upon arrival!"
Local ice cream access: Several campgrounds have nearby ice cream shops frequented by locals. A Royal Mountain visitor shared: "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!"
Wildlife viewing: Cabin sites offer opportunities to observe local fauna. At Caroga Lake Campground, one visitor mentioned: "This site also is bordered by a small stream so expect mosquitoes and the occasional visit from wildlife (we had raccoons at our site each night, so kept food in the car)."
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds. At DevilDoc Campsites, a camper noted: "It is definitely off the beaten path but well worth it if you're just trying to escape a little bit. But Verizon does get service."
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Primitive cabins may have minimal facilities. "Future expansion will see a group site near the upper pond get developed, and a leanto with a glass face. (!) firewood is also available on the premises," explained a visitor describing ongoing improvements at DevilDoc.
Seasonal limitations: Most cabins require early booking for summer months. A visitor to Caroga Lake Campground advised: "We spent a relatively quiet long weekend here on loop F 97, which is a bit removed from the main campground. It was a bit noisy on Saturday night but nothing disturbing."
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. At Frosty Acres, elevation makes for interesting conditions: "Very remote. Windy as all get out. Elevation about 1409 feet. View of the sunrise over the entire valley are awesome."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with planned activities: Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA offers structured programming for children. "Very beautiful campground with tons of planned activities for the kids. Outdoor pool and clean shower/bathrooms. Lots of grass and shade," reports one family who stayed at this location.
Consider private cabins for noise control: Family-oriented campgrounds can get loud, especially during peak times. A visitor to Caroga Lake Campground observed: "This campground was incredibly noisy. A number of the sites had been closed for the camping season. The beach area offered a great view, but again, so noisy. If you have children, and you're not looking for quiet time, this could be the campground for you!"
Seek cabins with creek or pond access: Water features provide natural entertainment. At Crystal Grove, a visitor noted: "Great camp ground for kids with bikes :) nice sized sites. Can get a bit buggy so bring spray. Clean bathrooms, hot showers, diamond mines a short walk from camping."
Choose locations with swimming options: Moreau Lake State Park Campground offers multiple water activities. A visitor shared: "The beach area seems to be a draw for people so the summer camping season is probably packed. The snack bar and gift/supplies shop at the sandy beach area were not open as we were there late in the season."
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions carefully: Many cabin areas have limited turning radius. A visitor to Alpine Lake RV Resort warned: "Booked an 'Elite 50amp' site but had no realistic map to go by. Many if these types of sites are parallel to the water, but the map makes them look like back in sites. If your site neighbors are in their spots already when you arrive it will probably be hard to navigate unless you have a 20' rig."
Consider seasonal sites for longer stays: Some campgrounds offer extended seasonal options. At Frosty Acres Campground, a visitor explained: "Awesome camping resort. Seasonal rates are excellent. We stayed from April until October then decided to stay over winter. They have a small winter section. You'll have the entire mountain side all to yourself!"
Verify hook-up capabilities: Available amenities differ between cabin sites. One visitor to Caroga Lake Campground noted important limitations: "There are no sites with electric," which is critical information for RVers planning to use electrical appliances.
