Laurens, New York sits at the foothills of the Catskill Mountains at approximately 1,200 feet elevation, where summer temperatures typically range from 60-80°F with cooler nights even in July. The area features mixed hardwood forests surrounding small lakes and ponds, creating distinct camping microclimates. Most campgrounds near Laurens operate seasonally from May through October due to harsh winter conditions.
What to do
Fishing access points: Glimmerglass State Park Campground offers fishing on pristine Otsego Lake, with rentals available during summer months. "Very quiet small campground - friendly staff - large spots/mainly bigger setups. Only downside is there is not a hiking/walking path down to the lake from the campground," notes Heather E.
Baseball tourism: Cooperstown KOA provides convenient access to Cooperstown attractions 12 miles away. A camper suggests, "You can't park any vehicle over 20' in Cooperstown, but you can park for free (even a motorhome) in the Yellow Lot and take the Trolley into town for $2.50. Super convenient!"
State park trails: Seasonal hiking paths at Oquaga Creek State Park Campground offer moderate difficulty routes through deciduous forests. "There are plenty of well-marked trails to hike. Bathrooms were clean and well stocked. The staff were very friendly," shares Fred C., who appreciated the quiet setting.
What campers like
Clean shower facilities: Deer Haven Campground and Cabins maintains well-kept bathroom facilities with hot water. "Owners are very sweet and were accommodating when we had to check-in 5 mins late because of traffic. We had a great time and saw deer on our site a few mornings!" reports Loryn B.
Off-grid relaxation: Crazy Acres Campground provides a peaceful atmosphere with enforced quiet hours. "Excellent campground. The tone of the place is set when you drive in... Everyone, staff and campers are friendly respectful even the kids! Grounds are clean, kids were constantly busy and happy," writes Jen C.
Year-round yurt options: Yurt camping near Laurens, New York includes heated units at several properties, making shoulder season visits possible. According to a visitor at Oquaga Creek, "For a two night trip, I was really impressed with how relaxing it was - and we had enough to do to make it active. You can kayak and swim in the lake, and see incredible stars at night."
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Most yurt and cabin accommodations near Laurens, NY close between November and April. Unadilla KOA operates from early May through mid-October with limited late-season amenities. "Pool looked nice and was still open in early October," notes Deborah W.
Reservation requirements: Grandpa's Back 40 Glamping requires advance booking for its limited sites (only 2 total). They provide firewood with reservations and maintain on-site drinking water.
Water pressure issues: Some campgrounds experience utility fluctuations during busy weekends. At Cooperstown KOA, a camper reported, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Glimmerglass State Park features a supervised beach area ideal for children with gradual water entry. "The beach is great and well kept," mentions Erin G., who brought her dog for swimming and hiking.
Activity planning: Unadilla KOA offers structured recreational options including a pool, playground, and organized activities. "Very pet friendly including a dog play pen. Pool looked nice and was still open in early October," shares a reviewer.
Budget considerations: Camping costs range from $30/night for basic tent sites to $150/night for premium yurts with private bathrooms. Crazy Acres Campground visitor Robert M. notes, "We are full timers and took our daughter, her boyfriend and our granddaughter for a weekend camping. We had fun, plenty of activities, a big lake to fish in and a pool to relax by."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Cooperstown KOA, not all pull-through sites accommodate easy exit for larger rigs. "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," cautions Nancy W.
Utility connections: Full hookup sites with 50-amp service are limited in the Laurens area. Many campgrounds offer water and electric only, with shared dump stations. At Crazy Acres Campground, Wilson W. reports, "I truck camped here. Very nice place with super owners. Very clean bathrooms and showers. My site had 30 amp electric (also 2 extension cord outlets in the box) and water."
Internet reliability: Cell service varies significantly across the region's valleys. Cooperstown KOA provides superior connectivity. "The WiFi is very good-- modern and surprising speeds (60Mbps) and cell phone for AT&T was decent," notes Jim G.
