Best Campgrounds near St. Johnsville, NY
St. Johnsville, New York and the surrounding Mohawk Valley region feature a mix of established campgrounds and primitive camping options. Crystal Grove Diamond Mine & Campground, located directly in St. Johnsville, offers tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with electric hookups and shower facilities. The St. Johnsville Campsite and Marina provides waterfront access along the Mohawk River with full hookup sites for RVs and tent camping areas. Several miles east, Fort Plain Lock 15 on the Empire Trail offers dispersed camping with more basic amenities, including picnic tables and toilets but no hookups or showers.
Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally from April or May through October, with limited winter camping options. The region experiences typical northeastern seasonal patterns with warm summers and cold winters. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holiday periods. Cell service varies throughout the area, with better coverage near towns and spotty reception in more remote locations. Water access is a common feature at several campgrounds, with the Mohawk River and Erie Canal providing recreational opportunities. As one camper noted about DevilDoc Campsites, "The campsites themselves are huge - this isn't a state park site where you're smushed on top of your neighbor."
Campers frequently mention the region's proximity to attractions like Herkimer Diamond mines as a highlight. The area offers a good balance of natural settings while remaining close to small towns and amenities. Several visitors appreciate the wooded settings and water features available at local campgrounds. A review of Crystal Grove Diamond Mine & Campground stated, "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." Many campgrounds in the region provide fire rings and picnic tables, with varying levels of additional amenities from primitive sites to those with full hookups, showers, and camp stores.