Caroga Lake Campground and Day Use Area

• Dates of Operations:
  • Opening Date: May 16
  • Closing Date: September 1
• Camping Fee: $20 per night (out of state residents surcharge additional $5 per night)
• Address: 3043 State Highway 29A, Caroga Lake, NY 12078 (directions below)
• County: Fulton
• GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude): 43 07 30.97830N, 074 28 06.45104W
• Campground Phone: (518) 835-4241
• Regional Office Phone: (518) 863-4545
• Make Your Camping Reservation: ReserveAmerica
• Map: Caroga Lake Campground and Day Use Area Map (PDF) || DECinfo Locator

Firewood Restriction Map (PDF) shows the 50-mile radius from which untreated firewood may be moved to this campground. Help prevent the spread of invasive pests and diseases by following New York's firewood regulation.

Caroga Lake Campground offers large, level sites to accommodate the smallest tent to the 40' 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 rowboat, 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.

Amenities

105 campsites, picnic area with tables and fireplaces, hot showers/flush toilets, trailer dump station, recycling center, boat launch (small craft), diversified exercise course with 18 exercise stations, sand beach, bathhouse, canoe, rowboat, and kayak rentals, pay telephone.

Campsite Restoration Project

This campground has sites that have been selected for restoration. While undergoing restoration the chosen sites will be closed. For the list of sites and more information on the project visit the Campsite Restoration Project page.

Accessible Features

In the day use area, wheelchair accessible features include the:

• Restroom (near Campsite 70)

See Maps, Directions, and Featured Activities sections on this page for more details on these features. Visit the DEC Accessible Recreation webpage for additional accessible recreation opportunities including a full listing of Accessible Features at DEC Campgrounds and Day Use Areas. 

Directions

From the East (Albany) - Take NYS Thruway (I-90W) to Exit 27/Amsterdam. Go North on Route 30 through Amsterdam and Perth. At the intersection of Routes 29 & 30 turn left onto Route 29 then in 1.5miles turn right onto Route 29A. Stay on Route 29A for about 16 miles and the campground will be on the left. From West (Utica) Take NYS Thruway (I-90E) to Exit 29/Canajoharie. At stop sign turn right and follow Route 10 north to the intersection of Rte. 29A. Turn right on 29A and the campground will be on the right.

Get driving directions from Google Maps

Planning and Management

The Unit Management Plan (UMP) for the campground guides the DEC's land management activities at this facility for a five-year period, although a number of goals and objectives in the plan focus on a much longer time period. The UMP addresses specific objectives and actions for public use at this facility.

A final Caroga Lake UMP (PDF) is now available. Hardcopy or CDs may be requested by mail: NYS DEC Bureau of Recreation, 3rd Floor, 625 Broadway, Albany, NY 12233-5253, or by e-mail to: [email protected].

Additional Information

Area Attractions

Shopping facilities, restaurants, and Adirondack Animal Land are located only a few minutes travel time at Caroga Lake, Johnstown, and Gloversville. A par-70, 18 hole municipal golf course is located just 2 miles north of the campground. Other attractions within a one hour drive of the campground are: Sharon Springs, Saratoga Springs, Howe Caverns, the Farmers' Museum and the Baseball Hall of Fame.

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.

Junior Naturalist Program

Our campgrounds become an outdoor classroom for young children (5-13) and their families. Enjoy games and activities to earn a beautiful embroidered patch.