Camping options near Jordanville, New York include several established campgrounds within a 20-mile radius. The area sits in Herkimer County at approximately 1,300 feet elevation, characterized by rolling hills and rural farmland. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing with significant snowfall, while summer camping season typically runs from May through mid-October with daytime temperatures averaging 75-85°F.
What to do
Crystal mining: 5-mile radius from Jordanville. At Crystal Grove Diamond Mine & Campground, visitors can search for double-terminated quartz crystals known as Herkimer Diamonds while camping. One camper noted, "Looking for adventure this is a place to find it. 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."
River tubing: 12 miles from Jordanville. Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA offers natural river tubing through the campground. A reviewer shared, "The creek is AMAZING. Both kid and adult friendly and it's free, just bring a tube or purchase for cheap at the camp store. Lazy river flow with some faster spots, truly a perfect way to spend the days in the sun."
Baseball history exploration: 13 miles southwest. Cooperstown, home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, provides cultural activities beyond outdoor recreation. "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."
What campers like
Spacious camping near water: Creek-side options. Crystal Grove Diamond Mine & Campground features sites along a creek. One camper explained, "Our site was next to the creek and relaxed to the quiet sound of water flowing by. Purchased firewood that was quite competitive in price compared to local grocery/convenience stores that sell kiln dried wood here in NYS."
Budget-friendly camping: $10/night options. St. Johnsville Campsite and Marina offers affordable waterfront camping. A camper reported, "This place is great! $10 for a tent site right on the canal and the staff is super friendly."
Well-maintained facilities: Clean bathrooms. Despite being rural campgrounds, many maintain clean facilities. A Spruce Creek Campground visitor noted, "Bathrooms are new and clean. Sites are large! Great spot close to the Adirondacks, mountain biking and climbing not far away."
What you should know
Remote location considerations: Limited services. Spruce Creek Campground and others in the area offer basic amenities but are distant from major services. A visitor advised, "Not alot to do at the campground so if you're looking for alot of activities for the kids might not be a good place. If you're looking for peace and quite it's a nice place."
Seasonal operation: May through October. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally. Spruce Creek runs "April 15 to October 15," while Glimmerglass State Park operates "May 13 to October 9," and other facilities follow similar schedules.
Highway and train noise: Location-specific concerns. Some campgrounds experience transportation noise. At Fort Plain Lock 15, a camper mentioned, "It offers sounds of the highway and freight trains going by, my wife and I love it. If you need quiet, keep on moving."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Kid-friendly options. Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail offers simpler accommodations but with recreation space. "There are grills in the grassy area for tent camping, also a potable water tap."
Swimming options: Lake and creek access. Multiple campgrounds offer water recreation. At Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA, families appreciate the "river where some of the sites are located next to, where you can wade into, kayak, tube down, or just sit on the bank and watch the local wild life swim by."
Pet friendly camping near Jordanville: Dog areas. Several campgrounds welcome dogs throughout the Jordanville area. One Cooperstown KOA visitor noted, "This campground is your typical KOA in a pastoral setting. Being off the beaten track, and not actually in Cooperstown, it is very quiet except for the herd of cows across the street."
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Space for larger rigs. Cooperstown KOA accommodates various RV sizes. A visitor shared, "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."
Leveling requirements: Terrain variations. Campgrounds in the rolling hills require attention to leveling. A reviewer at Cooperstown KOA mentioned, "The park is nicely terraced and all the sites are level. Patios were a grassy/dirt area with a picnic table and fire pit."
Utility quality: Water pressure and electrical considerations. Water and electrical service quality varies by campground. One Cooperstown KOA visitor noted, "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. We had to wait to do dishes until the next morning."
Legend
