Camping near Laurens, NY

Camping options near Laurens, New York range from basic tent sites to full-service RV hookups across several state parks and private campgrounds. Located in central New York at approximately 1,300 feet elevation, the region experiences warm summers with highs in the 80s and cool, snowy winters. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from mid-May through early October, with limited winter options available.

What to do

Hiking trails: Gilbert Lake State Park features multiple hiking paths for various skill levels. "I've been camping at Gilbert Lake for 35 or so years... There's miles of hiking trails including one around the lake," notes a regular visitor.

Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer access to stocked lakes and ponds. At Crazy Acres Campground at Beaver Spring Lake, you'll find "a big lake to fish in and a pool to relax by," according to one camper.

Baseball-themed attractions: The region's proximity to Cooperstown makes it popular with baseball fans. Cooperstown Family Campground provides "a big grass baseball field almost all to ourselves" and is "about 10 minutes from the National Baseball Hall of Fame!"

What campers like

Spacious cabins: Many visitors appreciate the roomy accommodations at Gilbert Lake State Park. "Spacious cabin was clean and comfortable. Two bedrooms, one with bunk beds and another with a full. There were dressers in each room," reports one camper about their stay.

Wildlife viewing: The natural setting allows for animal sightings. At Deer Haven Campground and Cabins, campers enjoy close encounters with nature: "We had a great time and saw deer on our site a few mornings!"

Swimming options: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming facilities. "A nice beach with lifeguards for swimming," is available at Gilbert Lake State Park, while Crazy Acres offers both lake swimming and "a pool to relax by."

What you should know

Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly throughout the area. One reviewer notes about Gilbert Lake: "Cell signal is not great in most places except the sites 'on top of the hill'."

Site accessibility: Some campgrounds have terrain challenges. At Susquehanna Trail Campground, "It's September and there were only a few people here so it was really peaceful. However the train tracks are super close and it shook the whole camper when a train went by."

Reservation requirements: For popular camping periods, advance booking is essential. At Hartwick Highlands, their wooded section is noted as "Quiet over in the 100 acre woods section so nice for a couples camping trip!"

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated children's activities. "Great for families, the parking lots is huge, there's easy hiking on the grounds, and it's close to cooperstown," says a visitor about Glimmerglass State Park.

Baseball camp options: Several campgrounds cater to youth baseball tournaments. Beaver Valley Campground "is family owned and operated, originally a baseball camp, it still has that baseball draw for those families whose youngsters are playing at the Field of Dreams."

Entertainment facilities: Many campsites provide recreational equipment. Cooperstown Family Campground offers "a cute barn they'll open up for you when you want to play" with "12 or so arcade machines."

Tips from RVers

Hookup availability: Sites with full connections are limited at some campgrounds. At Crazy Acres, one traveler reported: "My site had 30 amp electric (also 2 extension cord outlets in the box) and water."

Site dimensions: Be aware of space constraints when selecting a campsite near Laurens. Some reviewers warn about Cooperstown Family Campground: "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."

Level parking: Many campsites offer well-maintained RV pads. Hartwick Highlands Campground features "wide open where the RV's are" and "Healthy grass sites to park on with water, electric and sewer hook ups."