G
Greg F.
Scout
ScoutCooperstown KOA
Great location and campground
Spaces were easy in/out. Mature trees between sites. Pool, office, pickleball, k9kamp, bathrooms were all nice.
Glamping near Utica, NY
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Several upscale glamping destinations surround the central New York community of Utica, with premier options including Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA and Glimmerglass State Park Campground. These locations feature luxury canvas accommodations with comfortable beds, electricity, and private outdoor spaces where guests can unwind after exploring local attractions. "What a great Holiday campground. This was a wayside stop for us getting between Niagara & Bar Harbor. And what a treat," one visitor noted about their glamping experience at Herkimer. The boutique camping accommodations typically include premium mattresses, quality linens, climate control systems, and decorative touches that elevate the outdoor experience beyond traditional camping, while still maintaining a connection to nature.
Mining for Herkimer diamonds represents a unique activity exclusive to the glamping sites near West Canada Creek, where guests can hunt for double-terminated quartz crystals between relaxation sessions. According to a camper, "We stayed and hammered for 3 hours and came home with great treasures." Beyond crystal hunting, eco-friendly glamping experiences in the region feature river activities like tubing, kayaking, and fishing directly accessible from luxury tent sites. Green Lakes State Park offers glamping accommodations near its distinctive meromictic lakes with their striking blue-green waters. Most glamping locations remain open from May through October, with premium sites requiring advance reservations during peak summer weekends when visitors seek these unique outdoor getaways that combine comfort with natural immersion.
Best Glamping Campgrounds near Utica (27)
1. Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA
"An incredible plethora of things to do - river floating, great play ground and pool, well stocked store, the restaurant across the street at the mines is delicious, the diamond mines were AWESOME."
"Clean ...clean bathrooms ...large sites lots of fun activities for the kids fishing and tubing on the creek...well stocked store reasonable prices...pool is clean well maintained...pet friendly...enclosed"
2. Delta Lake State Park Campground
"We stayed here a while ago while running the Boilermaker, at the time we had outfitted our twelve passenger van with a bed and used the electric hookups for our fans and chargers."
"It was pretty quiet especially after quiet hours everyone was very respectful. It got really windy at night which was nice to keep the bugs away. Friendly neighbors as well."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $28 - $36 / night
3. Ace of Diamonds Mine & Campground
"Electric and water only on lower sites. Very steep driveway. Very busy during the day. But great diamonds to find!"
4. Glimmerglass State Park Campground
"Very quiet small campground - friendly staff - large spots/mainly bigger setups. Only downside is there is not a hiking/walking path down to the lake from the campground."
"Beautiful views and great staff. Each tent site has its own fire pit with a grate for cooking."
Check Availabilityfrom $14 - $26 / night
5. Kayuta Lake Campground and Marina
"Easy access, great staff, well kept facilities and a beautiful setting. What more can you ask for? The sites themselves are a good size."
"Bathrooms are a little old but very clean. Had fun shooting archery targets. They also have lazer tag but we didn't participate. No cable but you can buy 5g wifi."
Check Availabilityfrom $57 - $67 / night
6. Green Lakes State Park Campground
"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"
"There are many sites with electric available at every site. There are some sites with full hook-up available and also specific areas that allow pets. Swimming is available at the large beach."
Check AvailabilityCampground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $24 - $116 / night
7. Cooperstown KOA
"Most people that stay here are in RVs but we were tent camping and they have a nice wooded area with fire pits and a view of the rolling hills. Beautiful!"
"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."
8. Treasure Isle RV Park
"The sites are a good size with water and electric on each site. There is a dumping station to use, some sewer sites. There is a nice bathhouse, playground, basketball court, Beach and walking trails."
9. Ta-Ga-Soke Campgrounds
"Site however was very close to other sites and not very private.  had to pay with quarters to shower not a problem but inconvenient."
10. Mayfair Campground NY
"Many fishing areas and several boat launch places with water access to large Oneida Lake. Bathrooms and showers are immaculate and well stocked. "
Drive Time
- 46 min from Syracuse, NY
- 1 hr 13 min from Albany, NY
- 1 hr 27 min from Watertown, NY
- 1 hr 42 min from Binghamton, NY
Recent Glamping Photos near Utica, NY
31 Photos of 27 Utica Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Glamping Reviews near Utica, NY
183 Reviews of 27 Utica Campgrounds
SkywaystoHighways.com Y.
LegendDelta Lake State Park Campground
Nice Park!
Had an overnight stay here and it was really peaceful. The reservoir had been drained but it was still lovely to look out across the property. You definitely can’t beat $30 for an electric site! Restrooms were a bit dated but clean. Staff was very friendly. Our site was spacious and next to a short walking trail through the trees.
Anthony
TravelerDelta Lake State Park Campground
Nice Campgrounds, Beautiful Lake.
The campground facilities are very outdated. That's most likely due to the majority of "campers" having RV's and not needing to use the facilities. The restrooms/dish sink area Only having Cold water to wash up hands & dishes, the 1 and Only shower area for All 3 Loops reminded me of being in a horror film...full of dead insects everywhere, ther are signs posted letting you know its gonna take about 5 minutes to semi-heat up, and the shower spray directly on the floor vs staying contained withvh
Howard S.ScoutGilbert Lake State Park Campground
Staff is great as well as the campgrounds
Gilbert Lake State Park is located about 11 miles north of Oneonta, New York. I have camped here for a number of summers at their Hilltop Section, never dissapointed. There are a few trails that traverse the park for a few miles that are always green and shady. The lake offers swimming and kayaking. There is a concession stand and even a small museum that chronicles the efforts of the national CCC program under Roosevelt that constructed the park in the 1930's. After a long day of hiking, the campgrounds hot showers offer a great reprieve.
- Howard S.Scout
Deer Haven Campground and Cabins
New management is awful.
Now that All Star Baseball purchased this Oneonta campground this year, don't expect to stay here if you are not a baseball family. I went there in person yesterday for two nights at their"primitive" tent sites. After Hanna checked her computer, my dates were all cleared...great, then let me pay the $70... but no... she had to check with management first. I thought that was strange since that never happened to me before when getting any campsites elsewhere. I was told I'd be called later that day but nobody called me. I went back the next day only to be told all sites for the summer were rented out. Clearly that was not true based on her computer check the day before. BOTTOMLINE: if you are not a baseball family spending $1000's here, don't expect to even get the time of day. Therefore, they do not deserve anyone's business.
- MMark M.
GuideHerkimer Diamond Mine KOA
Interesting things to do at this campground
We've stayed here half a dozen times, usually for an evening along our camping trips. We did stay an extra day once to do some of the activities available.
It's a bit of a haul to get to the campground and the first time we were sure that we had missed a turn as we left Herkimer and headed up smaller and more winding roads to the campground. The turn off to the campground comes up fast and is quite sharp so be on the lookout for it.
The campground has many sites including back in and pull through. Not the largest of sites, but lots of green space to give the campground a park like feel. Some camp sites are right along the West Canada Creek. You can swim/wade in it, in addition to riding rafts along it.
There is a working "diamond" mine at the campground where you can try your hand at mining, or just buy some of the crystals that someone else did the work to get. There is a nice restaurant open most days (we have always managed to miss the days that it's open) in addition to stands near the mine that sell hot dogs and burgers.
There is a nice, large pool. In the park like area around it they have stands that sell mixed drinks, and others that sell ice cream and other deserts. The camp store is medium-large and has supplies, food, souvenirs (including Herkimer Diamond), etc.
Abby H.ScoutHerkimer Diamond Mine KOA
Disrespect & Discrimination
Long read, but so worth it! Below is the review that I posted last August after our vacation. Mind you, the vacation for my immediate family has been 10 years in a row and when I was a kid the same! The incident that happened was with our friends and therefore when I wrote the review, it stated what I witnessed! I was hoping that management changed and/ or they fixed the problems so I was willing to give it another try, I mean, this has been apart of my childhood and my children’s so why not! I called today, lady was super nice and helping me look through all the campsites because we come with so many people! I paid and then friends of ours called. After they called, our friends said that my reservation was cancelled. What??? So I called back thinking it was something on my end. I then had to wait for management to call back. Called back, and whoever I spoke with was extremely rude! She basically told me I was never welcome back and that the owners said so! Now mind you through this whole thing, I never talked to the owners. So do the owners only take one side of the story? I’m not even someone that this incident directly happened to! I said, well can I please speak to your manager or the owner. No, i am the manager, you are not welcome back. I told her that everyone in our party will probably cancel as well and her response was“I’m just waiting for 1 person to call me”! I said a few choice words and I hung up. CRYING. WHAT????? Are you discriminating me because of an issue you had with another camper???? I can’t believe what this has amounted to. So instead of dealing with your issues you just don’t allow people back? Instead of having the owner or management actually call and have a respectful, which was not had, conversation with someone you just brush it off! I have come to Herkimer longer than some of these people have worked there! I really don’t have words for how I feel. And to make matters worse I always go over my dad’s anniversary of his death, August 5, because this was his favorite place and now I can’t go and neither can my children. Great job herkimer diamond mines koa! I applaud you on your discrimination, disrespect and the lack of empathy you have for your campers! Especially the ones who have been a constant! I’m assuming Phil and his wife are still management, good luck! And to the campers that wish to go there, I really hope you enjoy yourselves because it truly is an amazing place. Unfortunately, my memories had to stop here! August 2025 This review is extremely hard for me to write, but what I had witnessed for a week of being there is disgusting& just simply not right. My family has been coming to Herkimer KOA for decades. Throughout the years, we have shown many other families this"gem"... or so we thought. This year was a bit different, there are new camp managers... This week I have witnessed human waste being sprayed all over campsites, management that discredits everything you say, management that thinks its okay to have charges on your bill that they cant even explain, ice cream cart that closes right before the last kid orders& leaves in tears, bathrooms that are disgusting! This is NOT THE HERKIMER I REMEMBER AS A KID! If you look on google, the owners of this campground is a family that has owned it for 50 years! That's amazing& kudos to them! But Phil, Phil is going to ruin every ounce of what they have worked so hard for!& being a business owner, you want management there representing YOU! Doing what YOU would do if you were there. Those owners should not be receiving mine& my friends reviews today if management did their job! Unfortunately, again very hard to say, we will not be returning if Phil is there.& I can honestly say, that the 14-20 families we bring every time, that spend thousands of dollars, will not be as well! Thank you Phil for ruining a vacation I personally held so close to my heart.& because you don't care about how you treat people& how you manage, you have lost years& years& years of loyalty.
Chelsea B.
RangerGreen 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…
Greg D.RangerMayfair 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
Guide to Utica
Campsites near Utica, New York range across the Mohawk Valley and foothills of the Adirondacks, typically at elevations between 400-1,200 feet. The region's summer camping season runs May through October with average temperatures of 70-85°F during peak months. Area campgrounds offer diverse overnight options from rustic tent sites to yurt camping near Utica, New York, with many facilities situated along waterways for fishing and paddling activities.
What to do
Diamond mining: Spend 2-3 hours hunting quartz crystals at Ace of Diamonds Mine & Campground. These "Herkimer diamonds" are distinctive double-terminated quartz crystals unique to this region. "Best diamonds to find!" notes a camper who found the experience worthwhile despite the campground being "best for tents, camper vans or really small RV."
Disc golf: Try the free course at Kayuta Lake Campground. The course winds through wooded sections of the property and offers recreational activity even during cooler months. "They have a nice pool. It's just a little small. The playground is old and outdated, but my kids didn't seem to mind. The arcade was a bummer. Half of the games did not work," mentions one visitor who still found plenty to do.
Water activities: Explore meromictic lakes at Green Lakes State Park Campground. These rare lakes maintain distinct layers that don't mix, creating their striking blue-green color. "The water is Crystal clear and very blue, you will think you are in the Caribbean Islands. We visit this park very frequently to rent a boat or to hike the trails," notes one camper. Rental boats cost $7/hour.
What campers like
Easy access water activities: Delta Lake State Park Campground features waterfront sites with direct lake access. "Was here with a camper on a lake accessing site. Sites are fairly big but not completely separated. Having the kayaks were great, there's so much to explore, and town is right down the road," writes one reviewer. Waterfront sites require early booking due to high demand.
Family-oriented activities: The scheduled events calendar keeps children engaged at Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA. "Very beautiful campground with tons of planned activities for the kids. Outdoor pool and clean shower/bathrooms. Lots of grass and shade. Very nice sites that are easy to get in/out of. Well stocked camp store," reports one family. Activities include tubing down the West Canada Creek that runs through the property.
Privacy and natural settings: The yurt camping options near Utica provide more seclusion than standard tent sites. "Camped here all the time growing up. We had a 19ft boat and always enjoyed a day. A night in a tent afterward with marshmallows over the fire was perfect," recalls a Delta Lake visitor. Most campgrounds in the region offer a mix of open and wooded sites with varying degrees of privacy.
What you should know
Seasonal operation limitations: Most Utica area campgrounds operate from mid-May through mid-October. "We spent 4 nights here in our 27 ft toy hauler with 2 dogs. Sites were roomy and many are seasonal. As we were there during the week, it was incredibly quiet with few people," notes one Kayuta Lake camper, highlighting how crowding varies by season and day of week.
Weather considerations: The region experiences significant temperature variations, particularly in spring and fall. Pack additional layers for evening temperature drops that can reach the 40s even in summer. Morning fog is common near lake-based campsites, especially in early and late season.
Reservation requirements: Waterfront and premium sites book 6-9 months in advance for summer weekends. "It's very nice, especially if you can get a water site. They have recently added electricity to the sites and a new playground at the beach. The concession stand at the beach will deliver to your camp site," explains a Delta Lake visitor about amenities worth booking early.
Tips for camping with families
Look for shower facilities with private family rooms: Glimmerglass State Park Campground provides these amenities. "Bathrooms and showers were very clean. Had fun shooting archery targets. They also have lazer tag but we didn't participate," reports a camper who appreciated the clean facilities when traveling with children.
Reserve sites near playgrounds: Several campgrounds have recently upgraded their play areas. "The park has a boat ramp, beach, some easy hiking, and recently added electricity to all the sites. Very popular area," mentions one Green Lakes visitor, highlighting amenities important for families.
Pack for variable conditions: Weather in the Utica region can change rapidly, especially near water. Bring swimwear, rain gear, and warmer clothes even in summer. "The beach is great and well kept. You cannot bring your own kayaks you have to rent. Fun hiking area the water is gorgeous. Great playgrounds," advises a Green Lakes camper about diverse activities for different conditions.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Choose level sites with appropriate hookups. "Sites are very easy to get into and well maintained. Water available and electric. The lake is pristine and wonderful to swim in," explains a Glimmerglass visitor. Most campgrounds offer 30/50 amp service but not all have full hookups or accommodate larger rigs.
Dump station availability varies: Confirm sewage facilities before booking if full hookups aren't available. "There is a dumping station to use, some sewer sites. There is a nice bathhouse, playground, basketball court, Beach and walking trails," mentions a visitor to Treasure Isle, noting the limited full-hookup options.
Local supplies access: Stock up before arrival as rural locations have limited nearby stores. "Stayed at KOA in May during height of Covid. Owners did a great job in keeping safety plan in place yet allowing campers to enjoy the beautiful campground. Sunrises and sunsets are amazing there," shares a Cooperstown KOA visitor who appreciated the well-stocked camp store during a time when accessing supplies was difficult.
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Utica, NY is Herkimer Diamond Mine KOA with a 4.3-star rating from 18 reviews.
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