Gloversville sits at the southern edge of the Adirondack Mountains with an elevation of around 800 feet. The camping season typically runs from mid-May through early October, with summer temperatures averaging 70-80°F during the day and 50-60°F at night. Fall brings vibrant foliage but temperatures can drop below freezing overnight, requiring campers to pack appropriate cold-weather gear.
What to do
Fishing at Great Sacandaga Lake: Northampton Beach Campground provides direct access to this 29-mile long reservoir where camping and fishing combine easily. "Great family place," notes one visitor, while another mentions the "large sites on huge lake perfect for kayaking. Few bugs."
Rock hopping and stream exploration: The Sacandaga Campground features a river flowing through its center. "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, a dip to cool off, or float downstream," writes a camper who appreciated the natural water features.
Crystal hunting at mining sites: Crystal Grove Diamond Mine & Campground offers a unique activity where visitors can search for Herkimer diamonds. "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 who enjoyed this distinctive experience.
What campers like
Private woodland settings: DevilDoc Campsites earns praise for its secluded atmosphere. "We had the whole camp ground to myself so that was even better. It is definitely off the beaten path but well worth it if your just trying to escape a little bit," writes a recent visitor who appreciated the solitude.
Spacious lakefront sites: At Northampton Beach Campground, the waterfront locations stand out. "There are so many really nice sites at this campground. A lot of water sites that are very spacious with a beautiful view," notes a reviewer who stayed for five days.
Cool natural features: The Sacandaga Campground — Adirondack Preserve offers old-growth forest experiences. "Old growth abounds, surrounded by Maple, Oak, and massive White Pine making for an understory mostly clear of vegetation. Making for a secluded feel, but not claustrophobic," explains one camper describing the unique woodland environment.
What you should know
Facilities vary widely: Some campgrounds are quite rustic with minimal amenities. At DevilDoc Campsites, "There was a decent portapotty on the camp ground which is very nice to have," according to one camper, but full facilities aren't available at all sites.
Water conditions: Some campgrounds have mineral-heavy water. One camper at Sacandaga notes, "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."
Noise factors: Not all sites are quiet. At St. Johnsville Campsite, a reviewer mentioned: "Only drawback is steady stream of trains going by around the clock. I didn't mind by my wife didn't sleep well."
Tips for camping with families
Look for swimming options: Pine Lake Campground offers multiple swimming locations. "This campground has a variety of offering including tent sites and RV, great swimming locations at many of the sites and there is a public beach with life-guards on duty a stones throw away!" notes a visitor.
Consider campground layout: Caroga Lake Campground has sites with varied privacy levels. "I stayed here over a holiday weekend and found that the campground was simple but has everything I needed. The campsites were spacious for two tents, a 4 and 2 person and there was space to have a run for two dogs," explains a camper who found the site accommodating.
Check family-friendly activities: Crystal Grove Diamond Mine & Campground offers unique experiences for children. "The grandchildren had a great time and love looking and finding Herkimer Diamonds," shares one grandparent who found this activity perfect for family bonding.
Tips from RVers
Site access considerations: At Royal Mountain Campsites, RVers should verify hookup information. "Website stated sites were 30Amp so very happy to have found 50Amp upon arrival! We paid for wood and the owner drove it to our site and gave us half a tree for $10!!" reports one RVer who was pleasantly surprised.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Gloversville: Several campgrounds welcome pets. At DevilDoc Campsites, a visitor mentioned "I came up here with my dog for a solo camping trip for a couple of days to get away!" This demonstrates the pet-friendly nature of many area campgrounds.
Road conditions: Some dog-friendly campgrounds around Gloversville have challenging access. At DevilDoc, one reviewer noted their "little Hiker Trailer was able to make it up to the clearing where there's a little pond," suggesting smaller vehicles may navigate better than large RVs on certain properties.
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