Glamping accommodations near St. Johnsville, New York offer access to the scenic southern edge of the Adirondack Park at elevations ranging from 700-1,100 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 70-80°F and winter lows regularly dropping below freezing. Fall foliage typically peaks in mid-October, creating prime conditions for scenic camping experiences throughout the extended season.
What to do
Hiking from campsite: At Caroga Lake Campground, trails connect directly to natural attractions. "For us, a drawback was a lack of any hikes connecting to the campsite," notes Yoni N., highlighting the importance of researching trail access before arrival.
Mine for Herkimer diamonds: The Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA offers direct access to quartz crystal hunting grounds. "Very nice place to camp. Across the road from a do it yourself quartz mine. Plenty of things to do including tubing the west Canada river," explains Secc P.
Water recreation: Several campgrounds feature lake access for swimming and boating. "The lake is pristine and wonderful to swim in. Nice beach. Also a place for showers and a bathroom and small place for food and extras things you might need for camping," writes Patti M. about Glimmerglass State Park.
Explore covered bridges: Historical structures dot the countryside near several glamping destinations. "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," adds Patti M.
What campers like
Private pond access: DevilDoc Campsites features secluded water features that campers appreciate. "We had the entire place to ourselves as our little Hiker Trailer was able to make it up to the clearing where there's a little pond. We had tons of privacy as it is well clear of the host's home and neighbors," shares SkywaystoHighways.com Y.
Star viewing opportunities: The rural location means minimal light pollution. "We have also had some great star viewing here!" mentions Leah B. about Glimmerglass, while Ellis L. adds that DevilDoc Campsites offers "a truly beautiful place" with unobstructed night skies.
Well-maintained facilities: Delta Lake State Park Campground receives praise for its upkeep. "There were bathrooms in the middle of our loop which was great and easy to walk to and it was very clean," notes Tris W., reflecting common feedback about park maintenance standards.
Spacious sites: Several glamping areas provide ample room between neighbors. "Sites are very easy to get into and well maintained. Water available and electric," writes a visitor about their experience at Glimmerglass State Park.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Many area campgrounds close by mid-October. "Glimmerglass in late September" offers "quiet campground near Cooperstown. Lots of little shops and entertainment. Clean. Friendly staff," according to carol C.
Water pressure fluctuations: At Cooperstown KOA, utilities occasionally require management. "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," reports Jim G.
Terrain variations: Site locations affect the camping experience. "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," explains Nancy W. about Cooperstown KOA.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly by location and carrier. "There is a mix of sites varying from tent, RV, rental trailers, and camping cabins/cottages/lodges bringing the total number of sites to 120," notes Nancy W., with some sites offering better signal than others.
Tips for camping with families
Beach facilities: Max V. Shaul State Park Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "They have new bathrooms/showers and family bathrooms. There's a playground, a pavilion, they do fireside jams," shares Margaret L.
Recreation options: Diverse activities keep children entertained. "Great for families, the parking lots is huge, there's easy hiking on the grounds, and it's close to cooperstown- visit the baseball hall of fame!" recommends Brian H. about Glimmerglass.
Mosquito management: Waterfront sites often have more insects. "We had the whole campground and the small Artesian fed pond to ourselves until our last night when other campers arrived," notes jeff W., adding that bringing insect repellent is essential, especially near water.
Weather preparation: Temperature swings can be significant even in summer. "The experience staying here far beats any 'traditional' campground. Will be back!" states Ross L. about DevilDoc Campsites, where elevation can mean cooler evenings than expected.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For larger RVs, careful research prevents difficulties. "Rustic camping with all the amenities awaits you at Devil Doc campsites. You will find three tent sites and a small cabin with loft on the property presently," explains Tony F., noting that some areas accommodate various RV sizes better than others.
Electric service options: Most campgrounds offer electrical hookups with variations in amperage. "You can choose between 30/20 or 50 amp electric service. Interior roads are gravel and some site pads are gravel while others are grass," details Nancy W. about Cooperstown KOA.
Leveling requirements: Many sites require adjustment for comfortable setup. "The park is nicely terraced and all the sites are level. Patios were a grassy/dirt area with a picnic table and fire pit," reports Nancy W., a consideration particularly important for RVers.
Satellite reception challenges: Tree coverage affects connectivity. "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," advises Nancy W., suggesting site selection based on technical requirements.
