Caroga Lake

Address:3043 State Highway 29A, Gloversville, NY 12078
Campground Phone: (518)835-4241
Regional Office Phone: (518)863-4545
Camping Fee: $18

Campground Map PDF File (357 KB)

Make a reservation for this campground with ReserveAmerica.

Caroga Lake Campground offers large, level sites to accommodate the smallest tent to the 30' RVs. A Diversified Exercise course with 18 exercise stations wanders through the campground challenging those who enjoy staying physically fit in an outdoor environment. The sandy beach offers a guarded swimming area from mid-June to Labor Day. The campground offers boat, canoe, and kayak rentals to leisurely explore or fish East Caroga Lake. Numerous hiking trails located nearby.

The area offers historic interests from the French and Indian and Revolutionary wars. A par-70, 18 hole municipal golf course is located just minutes north of the campground.

Hours of Operation: The campground opens in mid-May and remains open until Labor Day. The registration booth is open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The facility supervisor or assistant is on the premises at all times.

Directions: From NYS Thruway (I-90), Exit 29 at Canajoharie and follow Route 10 north to the intersection of Rte. 29A. Turn south on 29A for two miles, Caroga Lake Public Campground is located on the right side of the road.

Amenities: 161 campsites (some designated as accessible for the mobility impaired), picnic area with tables and fireplaces (some designated as accessible for the mobility impaired), hot showers/flush toilets (some designated as accessible for the mobility impaired), trailer dump station, recycling center, boat launch (small craft), diversified exercise course with 18 exercise stations, sand beach, bathhouse, guarded swimming area late June till Labor Day, pay telephone.

Boating: Motor boats, rowboats, and canoes allowed. Rowboat and canoe rentals available. A small craft boat launch is available.

Fishing: Species include: chain pickerel, white fish, smallmouth bass, splake, brown bullhead, yellow bullhead, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, black crappie, white suckers, golden shiners, rock bass, and common shiners.

Hiking: Hiking trails are available nearby.

Day Use Facilities: A picnic area and swimming beach are available. * Please take note that at facilities that offer swimming beaches, there are days which lifeguards are unavailable. For the safety of our customers, these beaches will not be open and swimming will be prohibited.

Area Attractions: Shopping facilities, restaurants, and golf courses are located only a few minutes travel time at Caroga Lake, Johnstown, and Gloversville.

Historic Interest: Origin of the Indian name, "Caroga" is derived from the once nearby Indian Village known as "Caroga". Development of this campground began by Conservation Department personnel in 1927 and, when opened to the public just after the Fourth of July in 1929, the campground had camping and picnicking facilities for 1,000 persons. The present sea wall was installed in 1929-31 to clear the stones from the shoreline and the area behind it filled with gravel to make the present picnic area. The camping area loops were developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933, thereby freeing the waterfront area for the present swimming and picnic area and increasing the campground capacity. The campground size remained at approximately 100 camping sites until the late 1950's. Shortly thereafter the southern and western sections were constructed, approximately doubling the size of the campground.