Tent camping options around Gloversville, New York include a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed sites across the southern Adirondack region. Situated at elevations ranging from 800-1,200 feet, the area experiences moderate summer temperatures averaging 75-80°F during peak camping season. Winter camping requires specialized gear as temperatures often drop below freezing from November through March.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Cod Pond Dispersed Pull-Off offers access to a river down a semi-steep bank. "There is a river down the hill from the campsite which helps keep it fairly cool at night," notes Taylor A. The stream provides natural cooling for the campsite and ambient sound.
Trail exploration: At Ushers Road State Forest, visitors can access bicycle-friendly nature trails. "I explored both directions on my bike, riding approximately half a mile down each side. The terrain eventually transitions into a low-lying, swampy area," reports The L. The trails offer moderate difficulty suitable for day hiking or mountain biking.
Cross-country skiing: Winter visitors can enjoy seasonal activities at some locations. "You can cross country ski here in winter—in fact, reserve one of the winterized cabins and come for a long weekend of cozy cabin time and quiet time outdoors on the winter trails," explains Janet R. about winter options.
What campers like
Natural soundscapes: The running water at Cod Pond creates a relaxing atmosphere. Josie W. mentions the river access is "Beautiful to listen to at night," providing natural white noise for sleeping.
Privacy and seclusion: Duck Pond Campsite offers isolation despite some access challenges. "After driving unpaved dirt road for a while, we arrived at surprisingly well maintained beautiful campsites. The pond is small so the mosquitos were not too bad. So few people passed by and very unknown quite and we just loved the experience," reports Yae U.
Well-maintained sites: Several dispersed sites feature unexpected amenities. "About 500 feet down the right-hand trail, there is a smaller path branching off to the left. This leads to a previously used campsite, approximately 200 feet from the main trail. The site includes a stone fire ring, indicating prior use," notes a visitor to Ushers Road State Forest.
What you should know
Access challenges: Many sites require careful navigation. At Duck Pond Campsite, one camper advised, "Just be careful driving in the sometimes rough conditions." Another camper elaborated on the road conditions: "The road in on old cemetery rd was pretty rough, so we decided to go out the other way, which was way worse."
Cell service limitations: Communication can be unreliable. A Cod Pond camper noted, "There is no service at all." Another Duck Pond visitor mentioned "Intermittent cell service which was frightening while driving on these rough roads."
Campsite identification: Some sites can be difficult to locate. Josie W. reported about Cod Pond: "Easy to access via a short dirt road, but also easy to miss. We only saw sites 3 and 6 marked and took #6."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection considerations: Stony Creek Family Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "It's a nice family ran campground. We love it here and plan to come back!" reports Elizabeth P. The established campground provides more structured facilities than dispersed options.
Vehicle positioning: At some sites, vehicle maneuvering requires planning. "Site was big enough to pull our mid-size SUV down and unfold rooftop-tent, but we did have to back out in the morning; not enough room to turn around," notes Josie W. about Cod Pond Pull-Off.
Sleeping comfort: Ground conditions may affect sleep quality. Taylor A. warns about Cod Pond: "ground may look flat but when sleeping-definitely is not." Bringing sleeping pads or air mattresses is advisable.
Tips from RVers
Vehicle size restrictions: Many sites have limitations on vehicle type. For the Cod Pond site, Taylor A. advises: "A car is not recommended. Possible to turn around but you definitely need a smaller suv." Large RVs cannot access most dispersed sites.
Camping alternatives: Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park offers cabin options when tent camping isn't preferred. "This is a small hidden gem of a state park where the only camping available is in camper cabins—and pretty amazing glamping for camper cabins!" notes Janet R. These cabins provide a more comfortable option during shoulder seasons.
Camp setup efficiency: When space is limited, prepare for quick setups. "The site has its own private road... There is a firepit at the site and plenty of space for multiple tents," mentions Taylor A. about the Cod Pond site.
