Glamping options near Maryland, New York provide rustic-luxury experiences at several seasonal campgrounds throughout the region. Most accommodations operate from May through October, with earlier spring and later fall openings at some locations. Temperatures in this part of the Catskill foothills range from daytime averages of 75-85°F in summer to 45-60°F during spring and fall, requiring appropriate clothing and bedding for comfort.
What to do
Hiking at nearby state parks: Max V. Shaul State Park Campground offers access to several waterfall trails and Vroman's Nose, a popular hiking destination. As one camper notes, "There's no pond/lake here but there's several waterfalls nearby and Vroman's Nose."
Swimming access: While glamping accommodations focus on comfort, many visitors appreciate water activities at nearby Glimmerglass State Park. According to one review, the park features a "nice beach. Also a place for showers and a bathroom and small place for food and extras things you might need for camping."
Baseball heritage tourism: Cooperstown KOA provides convenient access to Cooperstown attractions despite being outside town. A visitor explains, "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!"
Seasonal entertainment: Fall visitors enjoy spectacular foliage viewing. As one camper at Cooperstown KOA mentioned, "The mature trees make for beautiful scenery in the fall." Many glamping sites arrange seasonal activities like community bonfires and outdoor movie nights during peak summer months.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Grandpa's Back 40 Glamping offers extremely limited capacity with only two sites available, making it ideal for those seeking seclusion. The property emphasizes natural surroundings with minimal development beyond comfortable safari tents.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently highlight bathroom cleanliness at Max V. Shaul State Park Campground with reviews like "cleanest facilities ever!" and "The bathrooms and showers are clean and well-kept." Another camper emphasized, "The bath house is clean and modern."
Family activities: Crazy Acres Campground receives praise for its organized recreation. One full-time RVer who visited with family noted, "We had fun, plenty of activities, a big lake to fish in and a pool to relax by. Nighttime family fun as well."
Wildlife viewing: Several glamping sites offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. Deer Haven Campground features "a nice walking trail around the property through woods and field" where visitors might spot deer. The rural setting of most glamping accommodations increases chances for wildlife sightings.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most glamping sites require advance booking, particularly during peak summer months. Deer Haven Campground has specific communication challenges as noted by a visitor: "It was hard to pre book a site. You can't do it online, you have to email, and it can take a while to hear back from anyone confirming a reservation."
Limited hookups: My Friends Place and other glamping-focused accommodations typically provide comfortable bedding and structures but may have minimal utility connections. Check specific amenities before booking, particularly if electricity access is important.
Distance from attractions: While marketed as being near Cooperstown, many glamping sites require driving. As one camper noted about Cooperstown KOA, "This park is located approximately 12.5 miles from downtown Cooperstown and is set in the quiet rural countryside of New York."
Water pressure variations: Some facilities experience utility challenges. Campers should bring backup drinking water as water systems occasionally require maintenance or experience pressure issues, especially during peak season when facilities are at capacity.
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly amenities: Nickerson Park Campground offers excellent recreation facilities. A visitor highlighted, "They had a pool and water slides for the kids. The owner and staff were so friendly and welcoming."
Space for group activities: Many sites accommodate multi-family gatherings with communal areas. A camper at Glimmerglass State Park noted, "The sites are a great size for accommodating two tents and have many people gather at meals."
Activity planning: Prepare for both on-site and off-site adventures. Several campgrounds provide recreation for various age groups. At Nickerson Park, "Groups of sites sit on level terraces stepped down toward the river. The center area of each grouping of sites had a common use area with tether ball, playgrounds, privies, or additional parking."
Weather preparation: Temperature fluctuations require packing layers, particularly for spring and fall glamping. Evening temperatures can drop significantly even during summer months, so additional blankets are recommended for comfort.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: At Unadilla KOA, location within the campground matters. One RVer shared, "It looks like permanent campers take up most of the real estate along the stream, but we lucked out with a spot one row back with two empty sites in front of us. With the autumn foliage, it was a spectacular camp site."
Power adapter requirements: RVers should verify electrical connection types. At Unadilla KOA, "The tent sites with electric like the one we took used 240v 50A plugs, so we had to borrow a converter plug from the office for our 120v equipment."
Navigation challenges: Some parks have tight turns requiring planning. A camper at 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."
Satellite connectivity: Tree coverage impacts technology. At Cooperstown KOA, a reviewer noted, "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."
