The best star host camping near Utica

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Just 35 miles south of the Adirondacks, this small city is a gateway to central New York. With lakes, marshes, and the Erie Canal, Utica is fascinating for urban adventurers and families alike.

The Erie Canal hasn't run directly through Utica for nearly a century. Today, the paved-over waterway is the 13.5-mile Canalway Trail. The flat terrain makes for easy biking. The trail passes the Utica Marsh Wildlife Management Area, a nice spot for nature walks and birding.

The Mohawk River is also here, offering a watery view of the shore's shuttered factories and wildlife. To launch, take your canoe to Harbor Road near Genesee Street in Utica. You can also hop aboard an Erie Canal tour boat, with options from group kayaks to house boats. The guides are a great source of Erie history and can explain finer points like the canal's antique locks.

Kayakers can pitch tent at Lock 20 in Marcy, NY. The facilities have bathrooms and water, but the first-come, first-serve camping is quite small, so try to arrive early.

In nearby Rome, Delta Lake State Park sits on a peninsula jutting into the Delta Reservoir. A popular spot for fishing, the park has a boat launch and a sandy beach with lifeguards during the summer. The camp has spacious sites, some on the waterfront, and each comes with a picnic table and fire ring. The wooded grounds here are relatively flat, making for easy walking along the trails.

Pixley Falls State Park is a short drive from Delta Lake. The star of the park is the 50-foot tall waterfall. A hiking trail follows the streams uphill for deeper exploration.

The private campgrounds in the Adirondack foothills are great if you want a summer camp vibe. Close to Utica, these camps range from rustic cabins to RV parks and resorts. Several offer extras such as fishing ponds and swimming pools, plus amenities like Wi-Fi and laundry.

Utica is well-situated for day trips, with Lake Ontario and the Finger Lakes both about 80 miles away. Less than an hour away, the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown is a must-see for sports fans.

99% (1K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Reflections Homestead

1. Reflections Homestead

100%
(19)
16mi from Utica · 4 sites · Lodging · Cold Brook, NY
I am Karl and with my wife Danielle together we own 15 acres of peacefully settled forest on the edge of over 10,000 acres of State Forest land. It is on a seasonal road. I have no registered address, but a small sign marks my access road as Jacob Lane. This is a tribute to my friends. The Amish that helped me build our off-grid cabin. It is very quiet here, but we are an active homestead and work starts at 9am every day, we do our best to be considerate and ask the same from you. The forest rangers and DEC officers that patrol here keep a tight rein on the forest and its preservation. We have one guest cabin and several places a tent or RV can park. There are no hookups. Please bring some potable water. We do have spring water available but it's a drive. I first came here about 15 years ago. I would like to try and see if others would enjoy what we have made our lives. I do like to talk and although I don't lie, stretching the truth is an artform I have perfected so be prepared. There is a state-run beach and picnic area about 3 minute drive away on the Hinkley Reservoir. And a few other bodies of water to kayak and fish. We have Kayaks for use at an extra cost. We are about 15 to 20 minutes away from the Herkimer Diamond Mines. You can bike, hike, nature watch or just enjoy the peacefulness of the tree you chose to sit against. Down and ready firewood is everywhere if you want to bend over and pick it up. You can possess firearms on the property, but you may not discharge one without prior approval unless it's to save your life or that of another. There are places not far away that you can legally shoot and enjoy yourself. There are traditional outhouses on the property and for those that know how cat holing is allowed. Ask if unsure. No dumping tanks or portable toilets anywhere and that includes the outhouses. The state of New York has facilities at campgrounds that do a proper job with that type of waste. If you stop by, I will see you. If not go find what you seek and enjoy what has been created for everyone to pursue. Happiness. Peace be with you. Karl and Danielle
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$40
 / night
Beautiful downtown Little Falls.

2. Rockclimbers Paradise

100%
(9)
20mi from Utica · 8 sites · Tents · Little Falls, NY
This scenic land in the historic Mohawk Valley was once home to the Dolgeville Branch Railroad which ran from Little Falls to Dolgeville and was a light-gauge rail line which ran its last ride in the 1960's and is also home to the only lake in the City of Little Falls, Green Lake which abounds with bullhead, small rockbass, turtles and wild fowl of all kinds.Learn more about this land:Camping with a mile-long nature trail that follows the course of the old Dolgeville/LIttle Falls Railroad Line. Parking available, firewood is on property for foraging and streams with cool water and a few waterfalls to soak under after a hot day. Best rock-climbing from the Gunks to Albany with renowned climbs such as The Wind Wall and the Diehidrals, a sheer face with bolts and runs already set up by pros from our area. Bicycling and bushwacking road and trail. Historic rockcuts form the 1800's through beautiful wooded trail and an antique Rock-crusher with works of art inside.
Pets
Campfires
from 
$22
 / night
R & B Acres

4. R & B Acres

100%
(14)
14mi from Utica · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · Newport, NY
Let Renee and Bill welcome you to the beautiful Mohawk Valley on 10+ acres surrounded by farms, with spectacular views of the Adirondack foothills. Camp open field, pine grove or secluded, private orchard setting. Only 1 1/2 miles from the Herkimer Diamond Mines. 9 miles to the amazing Erie Canal cruise. Secluded, but less than a mile to Stewart's shop for essentials, and 8 miles to major shopping. Close to state parks, biking and hiking trails. Dogs welcome with an additional $10 fee. Firewood sales, generator and tent rentals. Additionally, we have a deluxe equipped pop-up camper available for rent with electricity and running water in the pine grove. We are welcoming to LGBTQ+ campers, all ethnicities, religions, live acoustic music and 420 friendly in private sites. From inexperienced campers who might need assistance to experienced campers who just want seclusion, this is the place to be!
Pets
Electrical Hookup
Toilets
from 
$30
 / night

Just 35 miles south of the Adirondacks, this small city is a gateway to central New York. With lakes, marshes, and the Erie Canal, Utica is fascinating for urban adventurers and families alike.

The Erie Canal hasn't run directly through Utica for nearly a century. Today, the paved-over waterway is the 13.5-mile Canalway Trail. The flat terrain makes for easy biking. The trail passes the Utica Marsh Wildlife Management Area, a nice spot for nature walks and birding.

The Mohawk River is also here, offering a watery view of the shore's shuttered factories and wildlife. To launch, take your canoe to Harbor Road near Genesee Street in Utica. You can also hop aboard an Erie Canal tour boat, with options from group kayaks to house boats. The guides are a great source of Erie history and can explain finer points like the canal's antique locks.

Kayakers can pitch tent at Lock 20 in Marcy, NY. The facilities have bathrooms and water, but the first-come, first-serve camping is quite small, so try to arrive early.

In nearby Rome, Delta Lake State Park sits on a peninsula jutting into the Delta Reservoir. A popular spot for fishing, the park has a boat launch and a sandy beach with lifeguards during the summer. The camp has spacious sites, some on the waterfront, and each comes with a picnic table and fire ring. The wooded grounds here are relatively flat, making for easy walking along the trails.

Pixley Falls State Park is a short drive from Delta Lake. The star of the park is the 50-foot tall waterfall. A hiking trail follows the streams uphill for deeper exploration.

The private campgrounds in the Adirondack foothills are great if you want a summer camp vibe. Close to Utica, these camps range from rustic cabins to RV parks and resorts. Several offer extras such as fishing ponds and swimming pools, plus amenities like Wi-Fi and laundry.

Utica is well-situated for day trips, with Lake Ontario and the Finger Lakes both about 80 miles away. Less than an hour away, the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown is a must-see for sports fans.

99% (1K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Reflections Homestead

1. Reflections Homestead

100%
(19)
16mi from Utica · 4 sites · Lodging · Cold Brook, NY
I am Karl and with my wife Danielle together we own 15 acres of peacefully settled forest on the edge of over 10,000 acres of State Forest land. It is on a seasonal road. I have no registered address, but a small sign marks my access road as Jacob Lane. This is a tribute to my friends. The Amish that helped me build our off-grid cabin. It is very quiet here, but we are an active homestead and work starts at 9am every day, we do our best to be considerate and ask the same from you. The forest rangers and DEC officers that patrol here keep a tight rein on the forest and its preservation. We have one guest cabin and several places a tent or RV can park. There are no hookups. Please bring some potable water. We do have spring water available but it's a drive. I first came here about 15 years ago. I would like to try and see if others would enjoy what we have made our lives. I do like to talk and although I don't lie, stretching the truth is an artform I have perfected so be prepared. There is a state-run beach and picnic area about 3 minute drive away on the Hinkley Reservoir. And a few other bodies of water to kayak and fish. We have Kayaks for use at an extra cost. We are about 15 to 20 minutes away from the Herkimer Diamond Mines. You can bike, hike, nature watch or just enjoy the peacefulness of the tree you chose to sit against. Down and ready firewood is everywhere if you want to bend over and pick it up. You can possess firearms on the property, but you may not discharge one without prior approval unless it's to save your life or that of another. There are places not far away that you can legally shoot and enjoy yourself. There are traditional outhouses on the property and for those that know how cat holing is allowed. Ask if unsure. No dumping tanks or portable toilets anywhere and that includes the outhouses. The state of New York has facilities at campgrounds that do a proper job with that type of waste. If you stop by, I will see you. If not go find what you seek and enjoy what has been created for everyone to pursue. Happiness. Peace be with you. Karl and Danielle
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$40
 / night
Beautiful downtown Little Falls.

2. Rockclimbers Paradise

100%
(9)
20mi from Utica · 8 sites · Tents · Little Falls, NY
This scenic land in the historic Mohawk Valley was once home to the Dolgeville Branch Railroad which ran from Little Falls to Dolgeville and was a light-gauge rail line which ran its last ride in the 1960's and is also home to the only lake in the City of Little Falls, Green Lake which abounds with bullhead, small rockbass, turtles and wild fowl of all kinds.Learn more about this land:Camping with a mile-long nature trail that follows the course of the old Dolgeville/LIttle Falls Railroad Line. Parking available, firewood is on property for foraging and streams with cool water and a few waterfalls to soak under after a hot day. Best rock-climbing from the Gunks to Albany with renowned climbs such as The Wind Wall and the Diehidrals, a sheer face with bolts and runs already set up by pros from our area. Bicycling and bushwacking road and trail. Historic rockcuts form the 1800's through beautiful wooded trail and an antique Rock-crusher with works of art inside.
Pets
Campfires
from 
$22
 / night
R & B Acres

4. R & B Acres

100%
(14)
14mi from Utica · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · Newport, NY
Let Renee and Bill welcome you to the beautiful Mohawk Valley on 10+ acres surrounded by farms, with spectacular views of the Adirondack foothills. Camp open field, pine grove or secluded, private orchard setting. Only 1 1/2 miles from the Herkimer Diamond Mines. 9 miles to the amazing Erie Canal cruise. Secluded, but less than a mile to Stewart's shop for essentials, and 8 miles to major shopping. Close to state parks, biking and hiking trails. Dogs welcome with an additional $10 fee. Firewood sales, generator and tent rentals. Additionally, we have a deluxe equipped pop-up camper available for rent with electricity and running water in the pine grove. We are welcoming to LGBTQ+ campers, all ethnicities, religions, live acoustic music and 420 friendly in private sites. From inexperienced campers who might need assistance to experienced campers who just want seclusion, this is the place to be!
Pets
Electrical Hookup
Toilets
from 
$30
 / night

Stories from the community

Value Prop
Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field