Camping areas near Herkimer sit within the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, with elevations ranging from 400-800 feet. West Canada Creek, a tributary of the Mohawk River, runs through the region and provides a natural feature at many campgrounds. Summer temperatures typically reach 75-85°F during the day while dropping to 50-60°F at night, requiring campers to pack appropriate clothing layers for temperature fluctuations.
What to do
Diamond mining adventures: Visitors to Crystal Grove Diamond Mine & Campground can search for Herkimer Diamonds (quartz crystals) at the mine adjacent to the 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," notes Denise D. The mining areas open daily from 9am-5pm during the season with tools available for rent at the camp store.
Tubing on West Canada Creek: West Canada Creek Campground offers tubing adventures with shuttles upstream. "The West Canada Creek wraps around the entire property and provides such a tranquil backdrop," writes Sean M. The campground runs a tubing service with upstream shuttle for $15 per person, allowing you to float back to the campground.
Baseball enthusiasts: Cooperstown, home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, is accessible from several nearby campgrounds. "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," shares Nancy W. The museum costs $25 for adults and is open daily from 9am-5pm (7pm in summer).
What campers like
Riverfront camping: Many campers appreciate sites situated along creeks and rivers. At Spruce Creek Campground, "The land is next to a river. They keep it mowed and it went on for a while. The dogs enjoyed the walk!" says Wyndie G. Water access sites tend to book quickly, especially during summer months.
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Multiple reviews highlight the cleanliness of campground amenities in the region. "The bathrooms and showers are clean and well kept. The laundry room is clean and machines are new," writes one camper about West Canada Creek Campground. Shower facilities typically require quarters ($0.25 for 5 minutes at most locations).
Family-oriented activities: Cooperstown KOA offers numerous activities for families. According to Rachel Y., "The bathrooms were very nice and so were the showers, which were separate from the bathrooms. The pool, along the dog park, bounce house and swing set were well taken care of." Most campgrounds in the area offer weekend programming during peak summer months.
What you should know
Site selection matters: Many campgrounds have varying site types with different features and privacy levels. "Sites are large! Bathrooms are new and clean," notes Scott H. about Spruce Creek Campground. At some locations, sites near roads experience traffic noise while others may have limited shade.
Access roads can be challenging: Some campgrounds have steep or rough entrance roads. According to David R., "Pot holes in the campground road are so bad that it caused damage to my trailer." Call ahead to confirm road conditions, especially after heavy rains.
Water pressure fluctuations: Water systems at campgrounds may experience pressure changes. "One annoyance is the water pressure seemed to drop on occasion and one night was low for quite a while due to the pool being filled," reports a camper at St. Johnsville Campsite and Marina. Bring water containers as backup, especially during peak usage times.
Train noise: Some campgrounds sit near active rail lines. "Only drawback is steady stream of trains going by around the clock. I didn't mind by my wife didn't sleep well," notes Ray P. about St. Johnsville Campsite. Light sleepers should pack earplugs or request sites furthest from tracks.
Tips for camping with families
Gem hunting adventures: Children particularly enjoy the diamond mining activities available near Herkimer. "The grandchildren had a great time and love looking and finding Herkimer Diamonds," writes Denise D. Most mines charge separate admission ($14 for adults, $10 for children), but the activity often fills an entire day.
Playgrounds and recreation: Many campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. At Glimmerglass State Park Campground, "There is a nice playground for kids," reports a camper. The state park also offers swimming at the beach from late June through early September when lifeguards are on duty.
Themed weekends: Several campgrounds organize special event weekends throughout the season. "Their themed weekends and accompanying activities throughout the season are wonderful. We had the pleasure of staying for Labor Day weekend in which they had a kids carnival set up among many other things," explains Sean M. Halloween weekends featuring trick-or-treating are especially popular and often book a year in advance.
Tips from RVers
Site considerations: Many campgrounds have limitations for larger rigs. "Not good for larger rigs, largest site was too short for mine," notes David R. Call ahead to verify site dimensions for RVs over 35 feet.
Satellite reception: Tree coverage affects satellite dish functionality at many campgrounds. "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," explains Nancy W. Request more open sites if satellite TV is important.
Leveling requirements: Terrain varies significantly between campgrounds in the region. "The park is nicely terraced and all the sites are level," reports Nancy W. Bring leveling blocks as sites at some facilities require significant adjustment for comfortable setup.
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