gilbert lake state park

This is our first camping experience as a family. We wanted to try camping but not sleeping on the ground in tents. The cabin rental at Gilbert Lake State Park was a great compromise. We rented one with a propane heater and spent a little more for that convenience. It turns out the other cabins have a fireplace so you can still stay warm on a cold night, you just have to use firewood. The difference being the propane is included in the rent whereas you would have to provide your own firewood. On check in the staff was very helpful. They sell firewood there at the park office but the park staff told us about another place a mile down the road that sells it for less. They gave us good directions to the cabin but I still had difficulty finding it again after dark. The signage can be confusing at night and the GPS navigator is useless in the park. Our cabin was nicely renovated and everything was clean and in good working order, other than the graffiti on the walls left by other campers. The cabins are somewhat secluded. They have their own yard with a fire pit and picnic table. There are no outdoor lawn chairs so you should bring your own. Otherwise you will have to drag chairs out from the cabin and those are not meant for outdoor use although they are heavily lacquered so can probably tolerate a little rain. There is a walled in toilet that flushes out on the screen porch. This is convenient but will be cold if it is cold outside. The only sink is in the kitchen which is on the other side of the cabin. The sink has cold running water only so you don't want to be washing dishes in it. But who wants to wash camping anyway. Disposable dishes and cutlery is the way to go. We kept hand sanitizer near the toilet. There is a master bedroom with a full bed, a room with a bunk bed and a single bed and a fourth single bed in the main living/dining area. In all, it sleeps six quite comfortably. The mattress have vinyl liners on them so a quilted liner under the sheet is a good idea. Sleeping bags could be used instead of bed linens and would be easier to pack. It was fairly warm our first night and the fans we brought from home came in handy. The second night it was cold so we had the propane heater running.The closest shower is at the Hilltop camping area which is reserved for tents and RV's. It is too far to walk from the cabin areas so we would make trips up there with the kids for showers. I must agree with other reviewers that the tent and RV sites are much closer together and less private. They are great for people into communal living. It seemed like there was always a party going up there at night. We went the weekend after Labor Day so there were a lot fewer campers there and we had the lake practically to ourselves. The garbage bins are conveniently located and easy to find. There are some near the Briggs Pavilion where we stopped to fish. We will definitely do this again either before of after peak season. Cabin rentals can be hard to find during the peak season at many of the state parks unless you reserve early. We thought about renting one at Letchworth State Park for July but all the good ones were gone by sometime in May. You must also pay at the time you make your reservation. One some of the parks offer seven day rentals for the price of four days so that's a good deal.

Camped here for 3 nights n July. Very quiet camp. Decent sized sites as well. Watch out if you are in the back as there is a road along the back with some night traffic - not a big issue. The bathrooms were clean. Its a decent sized campground so take advantage of the facilities, etc.

Swim or relax on the beach at the waterfront or explore the hiking trails. A great place to spend the day with family and friends.

First time there. camped 3 nights. Site was good, lots of trees and shade and decent privacy. sites large in loop we were in. had 106 which fit a large RV. bathrooms wee really clean all the time. fire ring and tables in good shape. large park, beautiful lake. Didn't do any of the hiking trails but looks like they had lots. nice area. Only issue was the wood we bought from them at park was wet and $6 bundle or 4 for $20. We would go back.

My daughter and I just spent a week camping here in one of the cabins. I was a little nervous since by husband could not come, but the staff was wonderful. The first cabin we were in was literally in the woods with no sunlight and damp so the 3rd day we asked if we could move to another cabin and Laurie and Kathy in the Park office searched high and low and were able to accommodate us to a perfect cabin in the sun. They also informed us the ranger could come down and help show us how to set up the fireplace and outside fire pit. The cabin was rustic, but clean and really had all the conveniences we needed. The staff was always friendly and helpful and I would recommend this place to anyone who wants to relax in the great outdoors.

We stopped at Gilbert Lake on our way to Cooperstown and enjoyed our picnic lunch and a nice walk around the lake - very doable to walk around the whole lake. It was a little chilly for our taste to swim but many families were swimming and enjoying the beach which looked clean and well groomed. There is a concession stand and a small nature center and historical display showing how many State Parks, including Gilbert Lake, were developed by the men of the CCC during the Great Depression. You can rent canoes and kayaks for the lake and we saw several people fishing. There are cabins and campsites and other trails to hike. If you are vacationing in the Cooperstown area, Gilbert Lake would make a great day trip!

the pavilions, the dock, the variation in scenery;beautiful setting for a wedding, as well as a hike!

This lovely park is a bit off the freeway but worth the effort to get there. The campsites are not located on the lake but on a hillside above the lake. You have a choice of open or treed sites. Facilities are well maintained and I was surprised that there was a washer & dryer. We had the most peaceful evening of our cross country trip. No wind, bugs or noise. Beautiful spot

My wife and I wanted to camp for the Fourth of July, and see the Baseball Hall of Fame too. We picked Gilbert Lake. We were disappointed with our actual camp site (tent camping). There was no privacy at all between sites in our location (#41). We were lucky, we had a bit of shade; there were others who didn't have that luxury. The facilites were clean as I would expect from a state park. The lake was wonderful with a lifeguard on duty at 11am. If you're local, definitely go for the day.

I have been camping here every year since I was a child. It is the most beautiful country getaway there is. If you don't have a camper or tent, or if you just don't want to rough it that much, there are also cabins to rent, but the cabins do book up to a year in advance. However, there are always campsites. I love the Hilltop area most and its the only place I choose to set up. It is very open and park like and the lake is lovely. Everyone loves to play volleyball, bbq, go to the concession stand and swim in the lake. Highly recommend.

If you are looking for a true, rustic state park, look no further. Gilbert Lake is a gorgeous park with amazing views, excellent hiking trails and plentiful things for outdoorsy people. It is what a state park should be. It's about a 30-minute drive (give or take) from Oneonta, but well worth the jaunt because it's a scenic drive. The park is decent sized, has camping and a wonderful lake. There are trails that circle the lake or take you to different parts of the park. In fact, the trails offer you a wide variety of terrain and challenges. When you get back in the woods, you can find some wonderful spots, too. There is an object disc golf course, as well, but it's been quite wet each time I've been. If just looking to throw a little, it's fine. But to visit just for that wouldn't be worth the trip. There are also plenty of geocaches there, should that be a hobby of yours. It's well worth going just for the day to explore, hike, take photos or whatever else you like to do when hanging outside. Note: The Empire Pass is good to have during the "on" months.

Gilbert Lake State Park was one of my favorite attractions when I lived in the area. Minutes from Interstate 88 near Oneonta, it is chock full of hiking trails, several ponds and lakes, and places to bike. During the summer, there is a beach open for swimming, and there are campsites you can bring your RV to as well as cabins to rent for a small fee. There is a fee to enter the park with a vehicle during the summer, but before Memorial Day, parking is free and after Labor Day it is as well, except on weekends before Columbus Day. Beautiful place, and highly recommend it.

For a set fee, per car. Well worth it for the fun you can have all day. There is swimming and cooking accomodations. We had a get together for 40 with plenty of space to roam around, recommended.

I am so lucky to have this place within a few miles of my house. Gilbert Lake has EVERYTHING.......a beach, playground, picnic area, a lake, concessions, pavilions, hiking trails, campsites and cabins...........and even a small museum. Lucky me..........I am considered a senior citizen and I get in free (along with everyone in the car with me)!!!!! My last visit was a little more than a month ago, with my daughter and my grandkids and we had a great time swimming and cooking out. One problem is this: sometimes it gets a bit crowded.........but what can I say.......Gilbert Lake State Park is a one of a kind place and EVERYONE loves to spend time there in the summer.