Camping cabins near St. Johnsville, New York sit within the western edge of the Adirondack foothills at elevations between 800-1,200 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F during peak camping months. Water access is prevalent throughout the area with numerous creeks and small lakes providing natural boundaries between several campgrounds.
What to Do
Tubing adventures: West Canada Creek Campground offers tube rentals with shuttle service. "The river drop/Run is fantastic. Nice sized sites and space for your family to play," reports a regular visitor who has returned to the campground for five years.
Mine for Herkimer diamonds: Crystal Grove Diamond Mine & Campground provides direct access to mining. "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," explains one reviewer who enjoyed a site next to the water.
Hiking options: Glimmerglass State Park Campground connects to trails for all skill levels. "The views at glimmerglass are wonderful. I have brought my dog swimming and hiking several times. The beach is great and well kept," notes a frequent visitor.
What Campers Like
Waterfront sites: DevilDoc Campsites features peaceful pond-front camping spots. A visitor mentioned, "We loved our stay at Rich's place. He lives on a sprawling 25-acre property near the town of Gloversville at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. We were lucky enough to be the only campers on site that weekend, and had the entire spread by the pond to ourselves."
Clean facilities: Cooperstown KOA maintains well-kept amenities. "This was the first KOA I ever stayed at and I was very impressed. The bathrooms were very nice and so were the showers, which were separate from the bathrooms," writes one reviewer who appreciated the campground's maintenance standards.
Site spacing: Royal Mountain Campsites offers generous room between neighbors. "Stayed at this campground over the weekend to visit the Crystal Grove herkimer diamond mine in St. Johnsville, NY! Campground was gorgeous, sites were well spaced out, and we had a great time," shared a satisfied camper.
What You Should Know
Seasonal considerations: Glimmerglass State Park has limited operating dates from mid-May to early October. "In July we took our new camper to Glimmerglass State Park. This was our 2nd time at the park. It is clean great bathroom and showers. Very friendly campers and plenty to do at camp grounds and around the area," noted a visitor who enjoyed the summer season.
Transportation logistics: When visiting Cooperstown attractions from nearby cabin accommodations, use the trolley system. "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!" advises one Cooperstown KOA guest.
Campground weather impacts: Heavy rain can affect campsite conditions in the region's clay-based soils. At DevilDoc Campsites, visitors noted availability of higher ground options: "You will find three tent sites and a small cabin with loft on the property presently. There are plans to expand into another cabin for the bathhouse."
Tips for Camping with Families
Beach swimming: Caroga Lake Campground connects to lakefront recreation areas. "I stayed here over a holiday weekend and found that the campground was simple but has everything I needed. The campsites were spacious for two tents, a 4 and 2 person and there was space to have a run for two dogs," reports a visitor who enjoyed the convenient setup.
Water play options: Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA features creek access for natural water activities. "Super relaxing and the creek is AMAZING. Both kid and adult friendly and it's free, just bring a tube or purchase for cheap at the camp store. Lazy river flow with some faster spots, truly a perfect way to spend the days in the sun," recommends a visitor.
Local attractions: Multiple cabin providers offer proximity to educational sites. "With Cooperstown 15-20 minutes away no lack of things to do for adults and kids. Great restaurants also. No reason to ever get bored," writes a Glimmerglass visitor highlighting the location advantages.
Tips from RVers
Site selection guidance: Choose cabins near amenities if traveling without a vehicle. "We paid for wood and the owner drove it to our site and gave us half a tree for $10!! Navigating the campground was easy and they had social fires by their pond in the evenings," explains a Royal Mountain Campsites visitor.
Utility considerations: Different campgrounds offer varying hookup options. "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," notes a Cooperstown KOA visitor sharing practical site-specific advice.
Local supply sources: Stock up on essentials at nearby towns. "For us, a drawback was a lack of any hikes connecting to the campsite," notes a Caroga Lake visitor, emphasizing the importance of planning activities that may require driving to trailheads.
