Gilbert Lake State Park - Laurens, NY

This is a gorgeous state park! Spent a weekend tent camping on the way home from Vermont. The lake is smaller but beautiful sunsets and a relaxing paddle. I’d def stay here again!

I have spent 7 years coming here since 2017, (no 2018 or 2020). Beautiful surroundings and campsites. Office is right when you pull in and has 1.50.keurig coffee on demand, many Gilbert Lake stickers, mugs, shirts and souvenirs which is nice. Firewood is sold there and left out of the park and down a mile on left is a consistent firewood seller and gives free things away. Honor system setup and quality wood. Campsites are in a loop setting and you feel in the woods mostly , but some.sites are kind of open but most have woods behind them. Some also have electric for tents. I had site 64, 68, and 127, 107 over the years and all are decent. The lake is beautiful and some activities to do there too. Cooperstown is about a 20 minute ride thru beautiful farm country. Madison Bouclville Antique Show is our draw to the area where huge massive antique show goes on in June and August. Lots to do in Cooperstown with a trolley ride and scenic train and mini golf, kayak, rail riders in Milford. Also Fly Creek Cider Mill is a fun attraction. Plenty to do around with Oneonta 15 minutes away, and a Mirabito convenience store 10 minutes down the way. Colonial Ridge Golf is 5 minutes away and incredibly beautiful, relaxing, and well priced. Paved roads are brand new and is nice driving thru with deer all around at certain times. Everyone working there is nice and professional. Nothing bad to say over the 7 years at all. Stars are absolutely amazing at night too.

This was my first time at Gilbert Lake, and I had a great afternoon there.

It was a little difficult finding the cabin where I was meeting up with people, but the staff was very helpful and even offered to lead us to the exact cabin we were looking for.

The day started with a walk around the lake (only about a mile and a half, could be shorter). The trail was very well maintained and fairly covered, so the sun wasn’t beating down on the group.

We went swimming in the afternoon and was very happy with how attentive the lifeguards were and how clean the place was overall. Bathrooms were well kept, snack bar was cash only but had great prices and selections.

The cabins were spaced out to give everyone privacy. They were fairly primitive cabins but not far from the lake at all. A few other things to do I noticed were disc golf, fishing, basketball, and playground.

Overall, this was a great visit to Gilbert Lake state park, wish I lived closer so I could visit more often!

Excellent place to go camping. Very nice staff. Bathrooms are extremely clean. Price for camping is not expensive. I would highly recommend this place for anyone who wants a day trip and or camping.

Went here for Independence Day 2024, and Memorial Day 2025.

Very well maintained park. Nice that the park staff puts on events in the summer.
Love the swimming areas as it is sandy.
Love that kayak rental is NULL/hour, NULL for double. Also have stand up paddle board rental.
Great spot to fish.
Love the campground. Large electric sites in the Deer Run loop, as well as Hill Top. Bathrooms in the campground very well kept and no bugs. Be sure to fill your RV fresh water holding tank before parking, because hose spigots are sparse.
Only downside is there is absolutely no cell reception.

Campgrounds are dog friendly. Beach area is dog friendly on the grass only. No dogs allowed in the water or the sand. Dogs can go on the kayak rental though.

Firewood we bought from the campground was wet. It wouldn’t catch fire at all (we had fire starters, but do not use lighter fluid), and we did not keep it in the rain. The wood is in a small shed at the front of the park so we thought it would be okay.