1 campground with availability this weekend
Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail allows tent and RV camping at its drive-in sites, with free primitive camping in a parking lot area directly on the Mohawk River. The designated area offers pit toilets, a dumpster, and potable water available from a tap on the building side as you enter. Crystal Grove Diamond Mine & Campground and St. Johnsville Campsite and Marina both welcome pets at their established campsites with fire rings and picnic tables. Royal Mountain Campsites provides large sites with 50-amp electrical hookups for RVs, and the campground maintains clean bathhouses despite being fairly full during peak season. Campers regularly note the parking area at Fort Plain Lock 15 is large but rocky and uneven, making it better suited for self-contained vehicles or tent camping in the grassy picnic area.
Camping with pets along the New York canal system provides unique opportunities for wildlife viewing and fishing, with many sites positioned directly on waterways. The Canal Corporation designates specific spots for tent and van camping with stays limited to a maximum of 48 hours. Campers must scan QR codes at entrances and complete brief surveys upon arrival. Most locations offer good Verizon cell service coverage. Noise from nearby highways and freight trains is common at waterfront locations like St. Johnsville Marina, where trains pass throughout the night. Summer visitors can coordinate stays with concert series events at some waterfront campgrounds. Sites bordering creeks typically attract more mosquitoes and occasional wildlife visitors, so securing food in vehicles is recommended, especially at Caroga Lake Campground where raccoons frequently visit campsites.
"Continue driving past the original coordinates until you reach the dirt parking lot on the right. You’ll see signs that say “No Vehicles Past This Point” — those apply only to the grassy picnic area."
"It offers sounds of the highway and freight trains going by, my wife and I love it. If you need quiet, keep on moving. There are grills in the grassy area for tent camping, also a potable water tap."
"Best of all, you can bring your pets!"
"It is pet friendly. We stayed with our 3 small children. Enjoyed bike riding through the park. water was beautiful. Lots of waterfront access."
from $14 - $26 / night
"My buddy and I were looking for a campsite for a quick overnight stay before a bike trip around the Adirondacks, and this spot was a perfect fit."
"He lives on a sprawling 25-acre property near the town of Gloversville at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains."
Available this weekend
from $15 - $25 / night
"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. I enjoyed a site next to the stream."
"A fine campground with it's own Herkimer Diamond Mine walking distance (or you can drive up your vehicle) to the mining area. A fairly small, nicely wooded campground."
"The ice cream shop at the entrance was a huge bonus. We both ordered a small and it was near enough to consider a full meal! A very pleasant stay!"
"Plenty to see nearby or just stay in. Truly loved camping here and will go back if the option ever presents itself again."
"A train track is close by so it can be kind of noisy."
"Only drawback is steady stream of trains going by around the clock. I didn’t mind by my wife didn’t sleep well."
"The campsite connects to the beach area and there is boat rental, but no pets allowed in the beach area. For us, a drawback was a lack of any hikes connecting to the campsite."
"This site also is bordered by a small stream so expect mosquitoes and the occasional visit from wildlife (we had raccoons at our site each night, so kept food in the car)."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 / night
from $22 - $32 / night
"This park is located approximately 12.5 miles from downtown Cooperstown and is set in the quiet rural countryside of New York. The mature trees make for beautiful scenery in the fall."
"The pool, along the dog park, bounce house and swing set were well taken care of."
TravelerCamp is pretty close together but most spots have a thick tree line between them which is nice. You still get a bit of road noise off the bridge and surrounding areas but it’s not to bad and the views at the boat launch on the Hudson are gorgeous
TravelerThis is a quick and easy pull off that is large enough to accommodate most vehicles. Only con which wasn’t that big of an issue was that you are close to the road, so any vehicles going by which wasn’t many you would hear. Besides that you are in dark and quiet state forest. I would recommend this to someone for a quick overnight stay rather than an extended stay.
TravelerSpaces were easy in/out. Mature trees between sites. Pool, office, pickleball, k9kamp, bathrooms were all nice.
GuideThe park looks fantastic! Well maintained camp sites and beautiful river sceneries from the boat launch area!
Bathhouse is one of the best I have seen!
Check in was smooth. Everyone was courteous!
LegendMostly peaceful campground with nice spots, most of which offer some privacy. If you are bothered by trains, note that you will hear them in the background quite frequently from the railroad bridge that passes over the Hudson River. It's not loud by any means, but you can hear them.
The state park staff and the camp hosts were all very friendly, and it has some of the cleanest bathrooms I've ever seen in a state park.
Site 20 is a pull through site and it's huge, and while it is next to the shower building, it's far enough away that it really isn't a problem. Also, the field between you and the shower building is a fantastic spot to set up a Starlink dish.
LegendWhat an amazing find! This was a perfect location for the first 2 days of our vacation. Steve and Michelle were incredibly accommodating and wonderful hosts! We truly enjoyed our stay and will definitely return!
ScoutAlways have a good time, staff is always friendly. Ive been coming here since i was a kid my grandparents always had a seasonal here.
ScoutThis is a very pleasant campground just a couple of miles off the interstate. The staff is very friendly and helpful. Full hookups at most sites. Many amenities available. A very quiet setting to rest and repose. Highly recommended!
GuideGot a super site almost level with the water. Went for a swim. Oddly, the lake has no plant life, but a sand bottom. Lots of ducks. Many people enjoying the shallow warm water on kayaks and such. Most sites level. The bathrooms did not offer hot water, or any way to dry your hands .They were clean, and enough to go around. The showers on the other hand were quite distant. A 5 minute walk . But clean, and plentiful. I guess better that than dirty and close by? No hiking trails is a letdown, but here its all about the lake.
Campgrounds near Sprakers, New York offer easy access to the Mohawk Valley's recreational opportunities. The area sits at approximately 400 feet elevation with a moderate northeastern climate featuring warm summers and cold winters. Fall camping is particularly popular, with temperatures averaging 45-65°F in September and October when foliage transforms the landscape but campgrounds remain less crowded than summer months.
Herkimer diamond mining: Crystal Grove Diamond Mine & Campground provides a unique experience where campers can mine their own Herkimer quartz crystals. "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," notes Denise D., who enjoyed a streamside site.
Hiking nearby trails: The area surrounding DevilDoc Campsites offers excellent trail access. "Hiking is also available directly from the campgrounds and connects to nearby trails, leading wherever your heart desires, from treks to the lakes nearby to one that even goes all through the Adirondacks," says Ellis L.
Water recreation: The waterways near Sprakers provide fishing and swimming opportunities. At Glimmerglass State Park Campground, "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," according to Patti M.
Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds in the area offer larger-than-average sites. At Royal Mountain Campsites, Brittany V. reports, "Site was HUGE! Website stated sites were 30Amp so very happy to have found 50Amp upon arrival! We paid for wood and the owner drove it to our site and gave us half a tree for $10!"
Night sky viewing: The rural location means less light pollution for stargazing. "We have also had some great star viewing here!" mentions Leah B. about Glimmerglass State Park Campground.
Wildlife observation: Campers frequently report wildlife sightings. Ellis L. at DevilDoc Campsites shares, "Daisy and I were the only ones there...I could envision how perfect it would still be even if the campgrounds had been fully booked out. There's enough space for everyone to feel some semblance of privacy."
Weather considerations: The region experiences seasonal temperature variations. Mornings can be cool even in summer, with temperature drops at night. Pack accordingly with layers.
Reservation requirements: Most established campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak season. Some permit-free camping locations like Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail operate differently. "The Canal Corporation provides designated spots for tent and van camping along the canal. Stays are limited to a maximum of 48 hours. Upon arrival, campers must scan the QR code at the entrance and complete a brief survey," explains Mona M.
Camping surfaces: Terrain varies significantly between sites. Pete V. notes about Fort Plain Lock 15, "This was a quiet overnight stay, just as the other reviewers say, a gravel parking lot that is easy to find a level spot in. This is on the river with a nice view."
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes are common in wooded and waterfront areas. Danielle S. warns about Caroga Lake Campground, "This site also is bordered by a small stream so expect mosquitoes and the occasional visit from wildlife."
Beach access for children: Families appreciate the swimming areas at several locations. Brian H. says of Glimmerglass, "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!"
Kid-friendly campgrounds: Some campgrounds specifically cater to families with children. "Great camp ground for kids with bikes :) nice sized sites. Can get a bit buggy so bring spray," advises Kerry H. about Crystal Grove Diamond Mine & Campground.
Entertainment options: Summer concert series at some locations provide family entertainment. Juanita E. recommends, "Beautiful riverside spot with Monday night summer concerts" at St. Johnsville Campsite and Marina.
RV site selection: When choosing an RV site, consider levelness and access. Jackie M. describes Hide-A-Way Campsites as having a "Gravel unlevel pad full hookups."
Hookup availability: Research what hookups are available at each campground. Heather E. notes about Glimmerglass State Park Campground, "Electricity and water available at or near each campsite."
Pet friendly camping near Sprakers, New York: For those traveling with animals, several options welcome pets. "Awesome beach camping experience. It's a beautiful campground and the campsites are pretty secluded. Best of all, you can bring your pets!" says Carrie J. about Glimmerglass State Park Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Sprakers, NY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Sprakers, NY is Fort Plain Lock 15 on Empire Trail with a 4.8-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Sprakers, NY?
TheDyrt.com has all 96 dog-friendly camping locations near Sprakers, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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