Best Tent Camping near Gloversville, NY

The Adirondack foothills surrounding Gloversville, New York provide several tent camping options with varying levels of amenities and accessibility. Dispersed tent camping is available at Ushers Road State Forest, where hikers can set up at least 150 feet from trails. Murphy Lake Leanto offers backcountry tent camping accessed via a challenging trail, while E16 Canal Lock provides designated tent sites along the canal with a 48-hour maximum stay.

Most primitive tent sites near Gloversville require campers to be self-sufficient with their own water supply and waste disposal plans. Sites typically feature natural, ungraded terrain with minimal improvements beyond fire rings. The Duck Pond Campsite offers secluded tent camping but requires careful navigation of rough dirt roads. A review mentioned, "The road in on old cemetery road was pretty rough... the site itself was pretty nice with a fire pit and trickling stream." Most dispersed tent locations permit campfires, though seasonal restrictions may apply during dry periods. Cell service is intermittent or nonexistent at most backcountry tent sites.

Walk-in tent camping opportunities provide a more immersive outdoor experience away from vehicle noise and light pollution. Sites at Murphy Lake Leanto require significant effort to reach but reward campers with solitude and lakeside camping. One camper noted that reaching this leanto "is worth the effort it takes to get there. And you have to earn it on foot, bike or other." Cod Pond Dispersed Pull-Off offers limited tent camping with river access down a steep bank, providing soothing water sounds at night. Late spring through early fall provides optimal tent camping conditions in the region, though prepared campers can find year-round opportunities. Many tent-only sites accommodate hammock camping with ample trees for setup, but ground sleepers should expect uneven terrain.

Best Tent Sites Near Gloversville, New York (21)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Gloversville, NY

475 Reviews of 21 Gloversville Campgrounds


  • Rachel P.
    Sep. 8, 2018

    North Lake Resevoir

    North Lake Reservoir

    Not that they would do this place any justice, but I sincerely wish I had pictures. Unfortunately my last visit here was before smart phones were so commonplace. North Lake Reservoir is one of the Adirondack Park’s best kept secrets. Extremely primitive, you must get off Rte 28, heading toward the old Buffalo Head restaurant and passed there, keep going another 30-40 minutes along a dirt/gravel road until you reach N Lake Rd.

    The DEC-run facility offers about 25 primitive sites along North Lake. There is a campers log where you can sign in at the entrance and the sites are dispersed along a long dirt road. A few are drive-in, while many you must park and walk-in. These sites are primitive-no tables, no facilities or running water. Best of all, no generators or electrical hookups for those of us in it to truly be in nature.

    I don’t recall the site number, but we had about a 1/2-3/4 mile hike along a narrow path to the site. It was completely worth it- the site was large and right on the water, completely surrounded by trees and shade. The only sounds came from the occasional boat across the lake and loon calls in the morning.

    Coming here has absolutely been one of my favorite experiences. If you’re adventurous and up for the challenge and seclusion, I highly recommend checking out North Lake Reservoir!

  • Matthew D.
    Oct. 10, 2018

    Cedar River Entrance Camping

    Cedar River Campground

    Stayed at site number 5, I think. It was by the water in the woods just a little bit. Picnic table, fire ring and several outhouses nearby. Beautiful surroundings. There is a small landing to launch kayaks or canoes. A dam with some additional sites on the other side. Town is about 20-30 minutes away. Several trails nearby. Would recommend.  

    Also would recommend traveling further in if you are looking for more sites.

  • Meghan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2023

    Ace of Diamonds Mine & Campground

    Nice enough spot when traveling through

    I called and booked ahead of time knowing I'd arrive late and leave early, which was absolutely no problem, so I'm very thankful for that. I paid over the phone, was given clear instructions on where to park, and was told to enjoy my stay. This location is great if you're in a van or RV and need a quick place to stay for the night in this area of NY in mid- / late-October (because it seems NY closes its state parks quite early) or if you're here for the rock-hunting. From what I could see late at night (which honestly wasn't much) I wouldn't recommend for tent-camping as the sites were quite close to each other and not much soft ground for sleeping.

  • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 24, 2020

    Cooperstown KOA

    Nice Park

    This park is located approximately 12.5 miles from downtown Cooperstown and is set in the quiet rural countryside of New York. The mature trees make for beautiful scenery in the fall. There is a mix of sites varying from tent, RV, rental trailers, and camping cabins/cottages/lodges bringing the total number of sites to 120. Back-in and pull-thru sites are available. Site types include full hookup, water and electric, and no hookup with prices varying depending upon site. You can choose between 30/20 or 50 amp electric service. Interior roads are gravel and some site pads are gravel while others are grass. 

    The park is nicely terraced and all the sites are level. Patios were a grassy/dirt area with a picnic table and fire pit. 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. The free wifi worked well as did our Verizon 4G phone and hotspot. We picked up a dozen or so television channels with our antenna. 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. This is a typical KOA with lots of amenities including a swimming pool(which was closed for the season when we were there), a playground, volleyball court, basketball court, jump house, pavilion, recreation room, bicycle rental, and horseshoes. Showers, restrooms and laundry are also present and clean. There is a propane filling station. While there is no fenced-in dog park there is a pet walking area. The surrounding area is pretty rural and the closest town (Richfield Springs– which is very small) is five miles away and where you will find restaurants, gas station, grocery store, and more. A few miles from the park is a creamery that has a café. 

    Approximately five miles away is Glimmerglass State Park which was great for hiking and kayaking Otsego Lake. There is a also a historic house at the park that you can tour and the country’s oldest covered bridge. Cooperstown is a little over twelve miles away from the park but well worth a trip. Not only is Cooperstown home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame but it is a charming downtown well worth exploring. Other nearby attractions include The Farmers Museum, Fenimore Art Museum, Hero’s of Baseball Wax Museum, Glimmerglass Opera, and Cooperstown Brewing Company.

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 11, 2024

    Glimmerglass State Park Campground

    It glimmers like glass! The lake and more

    Both the Glimmerglass State Park and the Glimmerglass Festival Opera House list their location as Cooperstown, but in actuality the Park is 8 miles outside of Cooperstown on the northeast side of Otsego Lake, with the Opera House nearby on the northwest corner of the lake nearby. If you are going to visit one, you should also visit the other! In fact the park is an ideal spot to stay if you are wanting to take in any of the Glimmerglass music or theater productions which have quite a professional lineup in the summer season. If staying at the park you will also enjoy the amazing beach and waterfront on Otsego Lake, and great kayaking on the lake as well as the stream flowing into it. You can also hike, ot take a day trip into Cooperstown, especially for museums and all things baseball.

    The camping opportunities give you three options: the main campground by the park office, which is wooded and shady and has electric hookups as needed, and is close to the beach, but you will have a lot of neighbors. If you want a quiet tenting experience, choose the Beaver Pond primitive tenting campground! This offers a small number of large, well spaced and private tent only sites set back in the woods by a beautiful pond and by the Beaver Hiking trail. Very peaceful with more solitude than the main campground, but a longer walk to the beach. The third and newest option, the Travis Field campsites, reminds me of an overflow parking area at an outdoor festival, unfortunately just a bunch of basic tent campsites plunked in an open grassy field located in between the beach and the Beaver Pond sites. I am guessing the park has greater demand for campsites than the original campground offers, so they put these spots up in an open field, and maybe folks would rather have these sites than nothing if they want a week at the lake, but they would not be a first choice unless perhaps you have a group that wants to gather together and take a block of these sites. I didnt check out the cabins, but there are some, which might be especially good if you want to come in the winter as the park is open year round

  • R
    Sep. 1, 2020

    Lewey Lake Campground

    Beautiful, great location

    We stayed here for 2 nights at sight 122. Although not a waterfront site, it was beautiful. Slightly muddy during a downpour but the puddles cleared quickly. No complaints, campers were all respectful of quiet hours.

  • loyed N.
    Aug. 26, 2024

    Cedar River Entrance Camping

    There are many outhouses

    There are many outhouses, a picnic table, and a fire ring close by. beautiful surroundings of geometry dash lite.

  • Joseph C.
    Aug. 5, 2020

    Schodack Island State Park Campground

    Very pleasant, easy going and many rabbits

    Stayed 3 nights with 2 buddies.  We had 2 tents set up on the ground (2 man and 6 man capacity tents) and a third specialty tent in the bed my buddy's pick-up truck.  Plenty of room for a pop-up canopy over the picnic table and my car with its own attached awning.  We had a third car parked just off the roadway and we were never asked to move it to the parking area since there is usually a 2 car limit (my friend is lazy like that).

    Weather was warm, so we were mostly trying our best to stay cool.  Unfortunately, I did not take full advantage of the park's amenities.  I did some light biking, walking around and mostly relaxing at the campsite.  The electricity and running water work 100%, the campsite was cleared and clean.  The picnic table was very new and stable.  Ice and firewood were delivered at our request at a decent price.  best of all, this campsite had the cleanest bathrooms and shower facilities of any place I have ever been.  Only one of my friends had trouble with his shower as the water stopped running and he could not completely rinse off.  There must have been some momentary problem with the plumbing.  I know it was fixed quickly and everything was running once again.

    Not a lot of tents, mostly RV's.  All my neighbors were quiet and in bed around 9p.  Unfortunately, my group of three like to stay up late so I hope our talking didn't interfere with our neighbor's ability to sleep.  No one complained, so I am assuming we kept it down low enough. Pet friendly, though we didn't bring ours.

    I recommend this place for families, though the age group observed there were mostly late 30's, 40's and 50's.  Not too many kids.  Many "exotic" birds (for a Brooklyn boy, anything that is not a pigeon or sparrow is exotic).  We had frequent visits from Gray Catbirds, and I saw a glimpse of a Bald Eagle through the treeline.  Didn't spot any turtles, though I hear they are there if you go looking.

    I plan to return to this campsite, and likely very soon. I had a great time and it was nice not having a park ranger sniffing around every 2-3 hours like I have experienced in other parks and campsites.

  • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2022

    Moreau Lake State Park Campground

    Beautiful State Park

    The road to our campsite was paved and in good shape but there were a few tight spots because of the trees that make it tricky for a big rig (Loop A seems to be the best for big-rigs). Great thing about this park is the hiking trails and lake so you don’t even have to leave to the park to enjoy great outdoor recreation. We found it enjoyable just to hang out in the park rather than trying to find things to do in the area. After hiking and paddling, we loved relaxing out at our campsite with a campfire. 

    Our campsite was spacious but required some maneuvering to avoid scraping trees with our RV. Campsites are spacious, shady, and had good separation between the neighboring sites which we enjoyed. Generators are allowed but not too many people were using them. The few other campers around that used them were mindful of quiet hours. Since it was still a little cool and our windows were closed and we never heard anyone’s generator. The park was not very crowded when we were there, but we can imagine it could get very busy and noisy in the busy summer season. 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. There is also a nice playground for kids to enjoy. 

    This is dry camping so there are no hook-ups but there are restrooms and shower. Both were clean but the shower fluctuated between lukewarm, hot, and warm during my shower. Oh well, the shower felt good after our active days. There are two pavilions you can rent which are nice if big groups want to gather. Take note that only two pets are allowed per campsite, so plan accordingly if you are a pet owner. 

    Access is fairly easy, just off I-87, and there are plenty of signs directing you which way to go. Saratoga Springs and Lake George are nearby if you want to explore. We recommend visiting the National Horse Racing Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, if you have time. We would definitely stay here again.


Guide to Gloversville

Tent camping near Gloversville, New York, offers a variety of scenic locations and unique experiences for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • The Murphy Lake Leanto provides a secluded experience with a fire pit and ample space for tents, perfect for those seeking tranquility in the wilderness.
  • At HOGAN'S LANDING, campers can enjoy convenient access to drinking water, showers, and toilets, making it a comfortable choice for families.
  • The Cod Pond Dispersed Pull-Off features a fire ring and a private setting, ideal for those who appreciate a more rustic camping experience.

Tent camping prices range from $0 to $30

  • Camping at the Murphy Lake Leanto is free, making it an excellent option for budget-conscious campers.
  • HOGAN'S LANDING offers a reservable site with amenities for a fee, providing a well-rounded camping experience.
  • The Cod Pond Dispersed Pull-Off is another free option, allowing campers to enjoy nature without breaking the bank.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the challenging trails leading to the Murphy Lake Leanto, which offers stunning views and a chance to explore the old-growth forest.
  • The Cod Pond Dispersed Pull-Off is conveniently located near a river, perfect for fishing and enjoying the soothing sounds of nature.
  • Families can enjoy a variety of activities at HOGAN'S LANDING, including swimming and picnicking, thanks to its well-maintained facilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Gloversville, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Gloversville, NY is E16 Canal Lock with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Gloversville, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 21 tent camping locations near Gloversville, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.