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Best Campgrounds near Utica, NY

382 Reviews

Several good camping spots can be found near Utica, New York, with options ranging from basic to fully developed. Campers can reach the area easily from major highways, making weekend trips convenient. Glimmerglass State Park Campground sits close to Otsego Lake where swimming and kayaking are common activities during summer months. West Canada Creek Campground works well for people who want simpler camping with good fishing nearby. Most camping areas have basic needs covered with restrooms, drinking water, and places to eat outdoors. The summer camping season brings more people, so planning ahead helps secure a spot. RV drivers often head to The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone where full hookups make longer stays comfortable. Weekend and holiday camping requires booking well in advance since good sites fill quickly. Most campgrounds around Utica operate from late spring through early fall, though a few stay open when the weather turns cold. Some of the more remote camping areas need vehicles that can handle rough roads. Utica's mix of camping choices works for families and solo campers alike.

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Best Camping Sites Near Utica, New York (113)

    1. Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA

    16 Reviews
    Herkimer, NY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 891-7355

    "Keeping in mind , it is a busy family resort during prime season and holidays, so if you're looking for a quiet, non-crowded location, this may not be the place for you (unless you try it in offseason)"

    "You have easy access to the river for your fishing desire, or you can try your hand at mining for diamonds( real open put diamond mine."

    2. Delta Lake State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Westernville, NY
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 337-4670

    $24 - $32 / night

    "There’s a few steps down to a gravel beach and an expansive view of the delta lake. There were bathrooms in the middle of our loop which was great and easy to walk to and it was very clean."

    "A very nice, tidy campground located on a peninsula jutting into Delta Lake in Central NY."

    3. West Canada Creek Campground

    5 Reviews
    Poland, NY
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 826-7390

    $999 / night

    "One of the notable features of West Canada Creek Campground is its proximity to outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, playing uno online, and kayaking."

    "Heated pool, great store, large sites, surrounded by trees, events, soft serve ice cream, tube rentals to float on the creek (river). FHU as well as tent sites and cabins."

    4. The Villages RV Park at Turning Stone

    11 Reviews
    Oneida, NY
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 361-7275

    $65 - $75 / night

    "For activities, there are some great hikes around the campground, as well as excellent playgrounds, fishing, an awesome pool, and of course, free shuttle rides to the Turning Stone Casino right up the"

    "Convenient to the highway with 24 hour shuttles to the casino 5 minutes away, yet quiet and beautifully maintained."

    5. Lake Chalet Motel and Campground

    3 Reviews
    Waterville, NY
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 822-6074

    "The first time that myself and friends spent the weekend at Lake Chalet Ron cut up our firewood for us and was very attentive to anything around the campground."

    6. Ace of Diamonds Mine & Campground

    3 Reviews
    Herkimer, NY
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 891-7355

    7. Glimmerglass State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Springfield Center, NY
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (607) 547-8662

    $14 - $26 / night

    "Only downside is there is not a hiking/walking path down to the lake from the campground. Very nice bathrooms w shower and wash station. Electricity and water available at or near each campsite."

    "Close to Cooperstown and within driving distance from Oneonta. Quiet and spacious campsites"

    8. Spruce Creek Campground

    7 Reviews
    St. Johnsville, NY
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 429-3650

    "The land is next to a river. They keep it mowed and it went on for a while. The dogs enjoyed the walk!"

    "Upon arrival my husband told the owner that we had never set up before and he came and walked us through the whole process. He also gave us tips on equipment to get etc."

    9. Kayuta Lake Campground and Marina

    8 Reviews
    Forestport, NY
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 831-5077

    $57 - $67 / night

    "And they are never more than a quick walk from your camper. Did I mention there is a pool? There is. And its HEATED."

    "The lake linked to a river was great for kayaking and fishing. We arrived at night and they had left everything for us making check in very easy."

    10. Green Lakes State Park Campground

    43 Reviews
    Kirkville, NY
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (315) 637-6111

    $20 - $116 / night

    "The lake is a fascinating meromictic lake with clear calcium-rich waters that are not only pristine and beautiful to look at, but also great for swimming and snorkeling as the waters are crystal clear"

    "The sites are nice, some are little close to each other but nice for group camping. A short distance (walk or by car) to the beach. The lake is a little chilly sometimes but very refreshing."

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Recent Camping Photos near Utica, NY

297 Photos of 113 Utica Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Utica, NY

382 Reviews of 113 Utica Campgrounds

  • Marc D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Old Forge Camping Resort

    Very large camping resort

    This is a surprisingly large facility with multiple options, including cabins, tent, and RV sites. We were there in late October on a Saturday night when they were having a big Halloween festival, so very crowded but festive environment. Everybody packed up and left the following morning.Close to the town of old Forge and Lakes. Beautiful area.

  • Chelsea B.
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Green Lakes State Park Campground

    Good camp sites

    The sites are good, level, and the campsite is pretty but as clean as the bathrooms are, the showers still suck. I’ll never understand why parks use the misting shower heads. Maybe TMI, but sorry ladies, you’ll never get the soap out of your bits. It’s best to use the ADA bathrooms because those shower heads are normal and have wands. I can’t say much about the amenities since we camped in the off season (really bummed not to rent a boat), but the trails around the lake are great! Beautiful water and various difficulties on the trails make it pretty fun to explore. Overall a good stay but took a star away for the showers and the landscapers. They spent at least 5-6 hours the Monday we were here mowing around our campsite, coming within inches of our power and Starlink cords. Really annoyed by that and when we called the park office, they said they’d take care of it but we still endured 4 more hours of multiple mowers going over the same areas multiple times. Honestly think they were messing with us at that point…

  • S
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Oneida Shores County Park

    Nice park for a reasonable price

    Campground is recently paved. Lots of geese, therefore lots of goose poop. Sites are small and close together. Nice wooded setting on the lake.

  • T&J F.
    Aug. 28, 2025

    West Canada Creek Campground

    Nice place, a little pricey

    Pros: clean campground, camp store, ice cream/pizza shack, shuttle to tubing, sites are pretty flat, pool is large and clean, quiet hours are enforced. Cons: $5 per dog "surprise" when we arrived. Even though we camped there 2 nights for 3 years in a row, $15 per person for the tubing shuttle seems steep; a discount or free would be nice for campers, as drop off points are just down the road. Sites are narrow.

  • Greg D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Mayfair Campground NY

    Mostly for seasonals

    We called to make last minute reservations for a one night stopover enroute to Vermont. The person on the phone was friendly and accommodating to our needs. When we arrived after hours, the entrance was gated with a card reader access which we did not have a card for. We tried calling back several times but a recording said that the line was busy. Luckily, another camper let us in. There are no signs to direct you which way to go and the sites are poorly marked. With some help from friendly campers we were eventually able to find our site. The sites are have a poorly graveled parking spot and the ground is a little soft. Restrooms are basic and minimal, having a single toilet and sink, a tiny mirror and hand dryer, however it was fairly clean and functional. I was told that there are new owners and they are making improvements

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Hartwick Highlands Campground

    Closest campground to Dreams Park

    Great campground very well kept and closest to Dreams Park. We drove around to the three closest RV parks to Dreams Park and would definitely stay here with the team and / or on your own. Security gate to enter and exit, pool, store, arcade, wide open where the RV’s are.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Cooperstown Beaver Valley Campground

    Great proximity to Dreams Park

    Cute cabins, lots of great amenities, pools, corn hole, volleyball net, nicely kept baseball fields , store, areas for group picnics. You could have the whole team stay here in the cabins and bring RV’s too. Only 10min or so to dreams park. Wooded area where RV’s are and separate area where the cabins are. Great spot. Festive and well kept.

Guide to Utica

Camping near Utica, New York, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From serene lakes to well-maintained campgrounds, there’s something for everyone looking to escape into nature.

What to do:

  • Swimming and Kayaking: Many campgrounds, like Glimmerglass State Park Campground, provide access to beautiful lakes. One reviewer mentioned, "You will enjoy the amazing beach and waterfront on Otsego Lake, and great kayaking on the lake."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Nicks Lake Adirondack Preserve. A visitor shared, "There is a wonderful swimming area and motorized boats are not allowed on Nicks Lake so it is very peaceful."
  • Fishing: Campgrounds like Moffitt Beach Campground are great for fishing. One camper noted, "The beach is beautiful; the sites are a decent size and staff is always friendly."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-kept restrooms and showers. A review for Green Lakes State Park Campground stated, "The bathrooms are great! Super modern and clean and hot, free showers!"
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy campsites. A visitor at Delta Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites were very large and well spaced out, with a beautiful fire ring."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds like Old Forge Camping Resort offer plenty for families. One reviewer said, "There is a bus from the campground that takes you to enchanted forest safari, which is a great way to avoid parking."

What you should know:

  • Crowded Campgrounds: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially during peak season. A camper at Delta Lake State Park Campground noted, "This campground got a 3/5 mainly because quiet hours are not enforced."
  • Limited Privacy: Campers at Green Lakes State Park Campground mentioned, "There is zero privacy here. Virtually no trees or shrubs between sites."
  • Accessibility Issues: Some campgrounds may require a bit of travel to reach the water. A review for Glimmerglass State Park Campground stated, "You cannot reach the lakes from the rolling meadow campground without a car, bike or very long walk."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose the Right Site: Look for sites that are spacious and close to amenities. A camper at Golden Beach Campground said, "Sites along the lower end of the grounds are the ideal place to be as they are better spaced out and more private."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities for kids. One visitor at Moffitt Beach Campground mentioned, "The campground has tons of sites and is rarely all booked up; I assume because not everyone knows about it!"
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Keep everyone happy with plenty of food and drinks. A reviewer at Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA noted, "There is plenty to do for camping families and couples that enjoy a peaceful evening."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Old Forge Camping Resort mentioned, "The roads are through the campground are very tight making backing into a spot very difficult."
  • Look for Electric Hookups: Many RVers prefer sites with electric hookups. A visitor at Glimmerglass State Park Campground said, "The campground was fine. There is a pretty covered bridge and historic home."
  • Plan for Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have full amenities. A reviewer at DevilDoc Campsites noted, "There’s no running water at the tent sites, but the pond is available and with a carbon water filter, it was delicious."

Camping near Utica, New York, has its perks and quirks. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's a spot waiting for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there camping options with water access near Utica?

Verona Beach State Park Campground offers excellent water access close to Utica and Rome. Recently upgraded with revamped playgrounds, it features a popular splash pad that kids love. For those willing to travel a bit further, Kayuta Lake Campground and Marina near Forestport provides direct lake access with boat-in camping options. The marina facilities make it convenient for visitors bringing their own watercraft. Both locations offer a refreshing escape during the warm summer months while remaining relatively close to urban amenities.

What are the best campgrounds near Utica, NY?

Several excellent campgrounds surround Utica, with Delta Lake State Park Campground being a popular option just outside Rome. This well-maintained park sits at the Adirondack foothills and offers convenience while maintaining a natural setting. Another excellent choice is Green Lakes State Park Campground, which features unique geological features, outstanding maintenance, and environmental education opportunities. For those seeking something more private, Nature Lover's Paradise offers access to extensive trail networks in upstate New York, while DevilDoc Campsites provides a perfect spot for overnight stays before exploring the Adirondacks.

Are there family-friendly or seasonal camping sites around Utica?

Old Forge Camping Resort stands out as an exceptionally family-friendly destination about an hour from Utica. Visitors have enjoyed this resort for decades, praising its welcoming atmosphere and well-stocked welcome center with essentials like firewood and souvenirs. For those seeking a family experience with cultural activities, Cooperstown KOA offers a peaceful setting approximately 12.5 miles from downtown Cooperstown with beautiful fall foliage. The campground provides diverse accommodation options from tent sites to rental lodges, making it ideal for families wanting both outdoor recreation and access to Cooperstown's attractions.

What RV and camper rental options are available in Utica?

While Utica itself has limited on-site RV rentals, several nearby campgrounds accommodate RVs with excellent facilities. Butternut Hill RV Campground in Bouckville offers RV-friendly sites on the periphery of Butternut Hill farm along Route 20. For overnight parking without full hookups, Vernon Downs Casino provides a spacious level gravel lot that's perfect for self-contained RVs. The area also has several RV rental companies that deliver to campgrounds, and both Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA and West Canada Creek Campground accommodate big rigs with full hookup options.

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