138 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Hartwick, New York offer a mix of state parks, privately-owned facilities, and family-oriented recreation areas within a short drive of Cooperstown attractions. Glimmerglass State Park Campground and Gilbert Lake State Park provide developed camping with tent, RV, and cabin options approximately 10 miles from Hartwick. Several private campgrounds like Hartwick Highlands Campground and Cooperstown Beaver Valley Campground cater to families visiting baseball attractions, featuring full hookup sites, cabin rentals, and seasonal availability typically running from mid-May through early October. Most facilities combine traditional camping with glamping options, creating a diverse range of accommodation choices throughout the region.
The camping season in this area runs primarily from May to October, with most facilities closing for winter. "We had better than average cell phone service near/in the cabin with AT&T," noted one visitor to Gilbert Lake State Park, highlighting the variable connectivity across the region. Several campgrounds advertise proximity to Cooperstown's Baseball Hall of Fame and Dreams Park, with reviews mentioning travel times of 10-15 minutes to major attractions. Water hookups and electric service are standard at most developed sites, while primitive options are more limited. Campground roads vary in quality, with some sites requiring careful maneuvering for larger RVs. Advanced reservations are strongly recommended during baseball tournament season when accommodations throughout the area fill quickly.
Campers consistently praise the natural settings and recreational amenities at state parks in the region. "The park is very well maintained. The lake is gorgeous," shared one visitor to Gilbert Lake State Park. Family-friendly features like swimming pools, fishing ponds, and baseball fields appear frequently in campground reviews, particularly at privately-owned facilities catering to sports tourism. Sites with water access tend to receive the highest ratings, though several reviewers note that some lake areas have seasonal swimming restrictions. Cabin accommodations range from basic structures to more elaborate "glamping" options with amenities like kitchens and indoor fireplaces. Many campgrounds maintain playground equipment, arcade games, and other entertainment options specifically designed for families with children attending nearby baseball events.
"Only downside is there is not a hiking/walking path down to the lake from the campground. Very nice bathrooms w shower and wash station. Electricity and water available at or near each campsite."
"Close to Cooperstown and within driving distance from Oneonta. Quiet and spacious campsites"
from $18 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Gilbert Lake State Park is located about 11 miles north of Oneonta, New York. I have camped here for a number of summers at their Hilltop Section, never dissapointed."
"Two entrances, one to the kitchen and the other to the porch. Outside was a fire ring. An easy hike to a nearby lake was very pretty."
from $21 - $156 / night
Check Availability"playing at the Field of Dreams and close enough to serve as your campground as you travel to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame, Herkimer Diamond Mines, area micro brewery's and even a ride to the Finger Lakes"
"We drove around to the three closest RV parks to Dreams Park and would definitely stay here with the team and / or on your own."
"There were goats by the office, and ducks in the small lake by our site. In the evening a big flock of geese flew in, and were very noisy until they settled down."
from $125 - $145 / night
Check Availability"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."
"What a great quiet location to visit. The staff is great and friendly. A little off the beaten path but I think this is what makes this place perfect."
"This was a great campground and I am sure they do even more when social distancing is not required."
"The tone of the place is set when you drive in (although we drove past it). Everyone, staff and campers are friendly respectful even the kids!"
"Although there may be times when there may be people and groups around for day use, the small number of cabins and they way they are spread out will make you feel like you are at your own private retreat"
from $200 / night
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TravelerThis campground is beautiful. The lake is good sized and clean. The property has beautiful fields and a creek that runs along the back. This is not a party campground and people are not packed in on top of each other. The little store is cute & affordable and the owners are on site 24/7.
ScoutSpace was adequate with both shade and some sun, trash service and shuttle service was a plus . Pool and walking paths were well kept. Dog waste stations were available but the park didn't have a dog park. Bummer for fino.
GuideThis place is ab awesome getaway. It was so peaceful and quiet, not like some of the other campgrounds. The new owners are trying to make it all natural nature. They have a small trail around the campground, where you can see the creek and narure. While we were there, I saw 2 beautiful pheasants and rabbits. It was just what we needed, a nice quiet getaway and we will be back
TravelerThis was the sweetest campground around!! They deliver fire wood right to your site along with anything else you need. Free delivery of amazing pizza on Friday nights(delivered by a 1969 pink beetle!!). There is a giant river, a dog park and the camp ground is close to town, but far enough away so that you still feel like your camping! Amazing bathroom/shower facilities and a clean swimming pool:)
TravelerLock 15 is big area with varied places to park. There is a port a potty and potable water and All free. Shaded areas and picnic tables. It is located on the Mohawk River. It is a busy train location across the river. A boat did not enter the lock during our visit but it is an active lock on the Erie Canal. There is ample parking for a dozen or more campervans. It’s only 25 miles from Copperstown, NY. Felt very safe here.
TravelerThe campground facilities are very outdated. That's most likely due to the majority of "campers" having RV's and not needing to use the facilities. The restrooms/dish sink area Only having Cold water to wash up hands & dishes, the 1 and Only shower area for All 3 Loops reminded me of being in a horror film...full of dead insects everywhere, ther are signs posted letting you know its gonna take about 5 minutes to semi-heat up, and the shower spray directly on the floor vs staying contained withvh
ScoutGilbert Lake State Park is located about 11 miles north of Oneonta, New York. I have camped here for a number of summers at their Hilltop Section, never dissapointed. There are a few trails that traverse the park for a few miles that are always green and shady. The lake offers swimming and kayaking. There is a concession stand and even a small museum that chronicles the efforts of the national CCC program under Roosevelt that constructed the park in the 1930's. After a long day of hiking, the campgrounds hot showers offer a great reprieve.
ScoutNow that All Star Baseball purchased this Oneonta campground this year, don't expect to stay here if you are not a baseball family. I went there in person yesterday for two nights at their"primitive" tent sites. After Hanna checked her computer, my dates were all cleared...great, then let me pay the $70... but no... she had to check with management first. I thought that was strange since that never happened to me before when getting any campsites elsewhere. I was told I'd be called later that day but nobody called me. I went back the next day only to be told all sites for the summer were rented out. Clearly that was not true based on her computer check the day before. BOTTOMLINE: if you are not a baseball family spending $1000's here, don't expect to even get the time of day. Therefore, they do not deserve anyone's business.
GuideWe've stayed here half a dozen times, usually for an evening along our camping trips. We did stay an extra day once to do some of the activities available.
It's a bit of a haul to get to the campground and the first time we were sure that we had missed a turn as we left Herkimer and headed up smaller and more winding roads to the campground. The turn off to the campground comes up fast and is quite sharp so be on the lookout for it.
The campground has many sites including back in and pull through. Not the largest of sites, but lots of green space to give the campground a park like feel. Some camp sites are right along the West Canada Creek. You can swim/wade in it, in addition to riding rafts along it.
There is a working "diamond" mine at the campground where you can try your hand at mining, or just buy some of the crystals that someone else did the work to get. There is a nice restaurant open most days (we have always managed to miss the days that it's open) in addition to stands near the mine that sell hot dogs and burgers.
There is a nice, large pool. In the park like area around it they have stands that sell mixed drinks, and others that sell ice cream and other deserts. The camp store is medium-large and has supplies, food, souvenirs (including Herkimer Diamond), etc.
Camping spots near Hartwick, New York cluster around the rolling foothills of the northern Catskills at elevations between 1,200-1,800 feet. The camping season typically runs from mid-May through early October, with most campgrounds closing before the first frost. Local camping areas feature a mix of state park facilities and privately-owned campgrounds specifically designed to accommodate visitors to nearby baseball attractions.
Baseball field access: Cooperstown Beaver Valley Campground offers on-site baseball fields available for team practice or casual games. "There are 2 baseball fields. Just a well laid out campground that was perfect for us," notes Eric L., highlighting the facility's baseball-focused amenities available for guest use.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds near Hartwick provide fishing access without requiring a boat. At Crazy Acres Campground at Beaver Spring Lake, guests appreciate "a big lake to fish in and a pool to relax by," according to Robert M., making it suitable for anglers of all ages.
Hiking trails: Gilbert Lake State Park Campground features extensive hiking options around its namesake lake. One visitor explains, "There's miles of hiking trails including one around the lake," providing campers with accessible outdoor recreation directly from their sites.
Cross-country skiing: For winter visitors, Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park offers maintained trails and winterized cabins. "Reserve one of the winterized cabins and come for a long weekend of cozy cabin time and quiet time outdoors on the winter trails," suggests Janet R., highlighting year-round accommodation options.
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the Hartwick area have recently expanded their site sizes. At Gilbert Lake State Park, "They're finally adding a bunch of electric sites and have discontinued every other site in the deer run area. This makes the sites very large," reports Rob L., noting the ongoing improvements to camping comfort.
Swimming options: Multiple water recreation opportunities exist throughout the region. Glimmerglass State Park Campground features "a very nice beach with lifeguards for swimming," according to Patti M., who adds that "the lake is pristine and wonderful to swim in."
Privacy between sites: Campers consistently mention the spacing and layout of camping areas. At Glimmerglass State Park, one visitor noted, "The campsites are a great size for accommodating two tents and have many people gather at meals," highlighting the functional design of the camping areas.
Reliable utilities: Campgrounds generally provide dependable hookups for RVers and cabin campers. A visitor to Cooperstown Family Campground observed, "Healthy grass sites to park on with water, electric and sewer hook ups," describing the infrastructure available to guests.
Cell service variability: Connectivity changes dramatically between campgrounds. While some sites report strong signals, others have limited reception. A camper at Gilbert Lake State Park noted, "The only downsides are the roads are rough and there's little to no cell signal. That could be a plus for some though."
Algae conditions: Some lakes in the region have developed seasonal algae issues. One camper reported that "a major problem at this park is the recent development of a toxic algae problem in the lake. Because of algae blooms during warm weather, swimming and fishing in Gilbert Lake are now prohibited."
Road quality: Interior campground roads vary significantly in condition and width. At Hartwick Highlands Campground, security features include "security gate to enter and exit," providing controlled access that limits traffic flow during overnight hours.
Baseball season crowds: During summer baseball tournaments, campgrounds fill quickly. "We drove around to the three closest RV parks to Dreams Park and would definitely stay here with the team and/or on your own," mentions a visitor to Hartwick Highlands, suggesting the importance of planning ahead during peak season.
Arcade access: Several campgrounds maintain game rooms with arcade machines. Cooperstown Family Campground offers "12 or so arcade machines in a cute barn they'll open up for you when you want to play," providing entertainment during inclement weather.
Playground facilities: Many camping areas feature dedicated children's play areas. A visitor to Cooperstown KOA appreciated that "the pool, along the dog park, bounce house and swing set were well taken care of," listing the family amenities available.
Group gathering spaces: Campgrounds often provide communal areas for team meetings or family gatherings. At Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park, "There is a beautiful picnic pavilion and playground, so kid friendly," notes a visitor, describing facilities that accommodate larger groups.
Structured activities: Some campgrounds organize regular events for younger guests. A camper at Crazy Acres mentioned, "We had fun, plenty of activities, a big lake to fish in and a pool to relax by. Nighttime family fun as well," indicating programmed entertainment beyond self-directed recreation.
Site selection strategies: RV campers should research specific site dimensions before booking. A visitor to Cooperstown KOA observed, "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."
Hookup positioning: The location of utility connections can require creative parking. At Cooperstown Family Campground, one RVer noted, "My main complaints were the pedestals where we were were in the bushes directly behind the campers, and unfortunately for me my hookups are towards the front of my camper so I had to pull in sideways to reach the pedestal."
Seasonal site availability: Many campgrounds offer longer-term options for repeat visitors. At Crazy Acres, "Seasonal sites are extremely well kept," according to a reviewer who appreciated the maintenance standards for permanent setups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Hartwick, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, Hartwick, NY offers a wide range of camping options, with 138 campgrounds and RV parks near Hartwick, NY and 21 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Hartwick, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hartwick, NY is Glimmerglass State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 21 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hartwick, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 free dispersed camping spots near Hartwick, NY.
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