Camping sites near Richfield Springs, New York offer diverse experiences through Central New York's rolling hills. Situated in Otsego County with elevations ranging from 1,100-1,800 feet, this region experiences four distinct seasons with July temperatures averaging 80°F. Most camping facilities close after mid-October due to colder fall temperatures and potential early snow.
What to do
Baseball experiences: 12 miles from Cooperstown Shadow Brook Campground, campers can enjoy America's favorite pastime. "Close to Cooperstown" makes this campground convenient for baseball enthusiasts visiting the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Diamond mining: 30 miles from Richfield Springs at Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA, visitors can search for unique quartz crystals. "The mines are so much fun," notes a camper. "This was part of our gemstone trip which including sluicing, diamond mining, visiting the gemstone museum."
Tubing: Easy access to water activities makes summer camping especially enjoyable. "There is a beautiful 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," reports one visitor to Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA.
Hiking trails: Several parks offer walking paths through wooded areas. "There's miles of hiking trails including one around the lake," mentions a camper at Gilbert Lake State Park Campground. "Lots of nice hiking trails, though beware hiking during hunting season as hunting is allowed within the park borders."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Larger camping spots allow for comfortable setups. At Glimmerglass State Park Campground, "sites are a great size for accommodating two tents and have many people gather at meals." Another camper noted the "large spots mainly bigger setups."
Swimming opportunities: Multiple campgrounds feature water access. "The beach was gorgeous the campsite was a great size and secluded," shares a visitor about Glimmerglass. Another camper appreciates that "the lake is pristine and wonderful to swim in. Nice beach."
Wildlife viewing: Natural surroundings provide opportunities to observe animals. At Cooperstown Family Campground, "there were goats by the office, and ducks in the small lake by our site. In the evening a big flock of geese flew in."
Stargazing: Clear rural skies create ideal conditions for astronomy enthusiasts. "We have also had some great star viewing here!" reports a visitor to Glimmerglass State Park Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate within a limited window. "The campground is open 5/1/2020 - 10/31/2020," states information from Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA, while Gilbert Lake State Park operates "May 13 to October 9."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies throughout the region. At Gilbert Lake State Park, "Cell signal is not great in most places except the sites 'on top of the hill'." Another camper confirms there's "little to no cell signal. That could be a plus for some though."
Reservation timing: Plan ahead, especially for baseball season. Cooperstown Beaver Valley Campground notes their busy period runs "mid May to Columbus Day" coinciding with peak baseball tournament season.
Utility connections: Hook-up locations vary by site. At Cooperstown Family Campground, one visitor mentioned "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."
Tips for camping with families
Baseball fields: Two dedicated playing areas at Beaver Valley Campground offer space for team practice. "Beaver Valley has a large baseball field that could be rented and used," and the campground is "close enough to serve as your campground as you travel to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame."
Swimming pools: Multiple options for water recreation keep children entertained. At Cooperstown Family Campground, "A pool across the street that seemed well cared for" provides cooling relief during summer months.
Playgrounds: Dedicated areas for children exist at several campgrounds. Gilbert Lake State Park features "a big lake that is very built up for swimmers and has a playground, water sport rentals and more. There are also volleyball courts and horseshoes."
Game facilities: Indoor recreation options for rainy days. Cooperstown Family Campground provides "12 or so arcade machines in a cute barn they'll open up for you when you want to play."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Choose locations carefully based on your rig specifications. At Cooperstown Shadow Brook Campground, "Typical tight roads and sites" can make navigation challenging, though the campground is "lovely and quiet."
Hookup availability: Confirm utilities before arrival. A camper at Shadow Brook noted they "booked 30/Water....but arrived to find only 50 available and barely any water. Both issues resolved within hours to their credit."
Parking challenges: Some locations have limitations for larger vehicles. At Cooperstown KOA, a visitor mentioned, "Our site 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."
Dump station access: Not all sites offer full hookups. At Gilbert Lake, "You can fill your water tank at the dump station as there are no water hookups. There is plenty of places to get water to wash dishes or whatever you need."
