Herkimer Diamond KOA Resort

Alex

Be prepared to listen to pounding bass music until quiet hours start, I was in a camper and could clearly hear every note. Forget about sitting by the fire, and I can’t imagine how it is for tent campers. The owners should inform campers at the time of booking if there’s also a wedding booked, or at least that there’s a chance a wedding will occur during their stay. The owners obviously choose not to inform paying guests who are camping because they can get away with it - By the time you find out there’s a wedding, you’ve already paid and aren’t going to leave in the middle of the night. I requested a refund for the night of the wedding which was denied by management, however I was able to succesfullly charge back the night in question and would encourage other campers to do the same if this happens to them.

David Meacham

We like to camp in our RV here along with our cats. We were supposed to camp in early October but one of our cars needed surgery and had to wear that cone of shame. That being said we couldn't go when we planned. However we did not want to canel and Gloria at the reservation desk was able to push us out 2 weeks. She and all the staff associated with KDM KOA were simply wonderful people to deal with. We would have taken up their offer of 15% off our next reservation but we just dont have a time in mind for next year. We will be back!

Patrick Talmadge

We didn't stay over night but we did mine and shop at the store. The whole resort was well laid out and clean. Our experience mining was wonderful and I also bought my gal a nice diamond ring a bracelet for a great price.

K C

Rented a glamping pod (in what I new realize is the off season). Store/office is closed by 5 post season-which makes it a challenge to get things you need (firewood) if you are off site for the day. While its lovely its in the middle of the woods, truly... it presents the added challenge of not being able to get things you need locally. I was on the mountain side so never really explored the main campground as I was off site during daylight hours. Glamping pod is as described-small but functional. It would be tight for 2 people but worked for me (solo). Wish they'd add more hooks in the pod. Water was nice and hot for shower 👍👍

Ronda Ascioti

Looks like a nice campground until you have to drive across the street and up a gravel hill to get to a spot where you've paid over $100 a night but don't have access to showers. The bathroom is a converted shed for some odd reason. Be very careful when you make reservations because after going back to look at the reservations for this KOA I realized that they want you to pay an extra $25 per night to choose your spot and reserve the nice area. I've stayed at 31 KOA's this year and this is by far the most expensive and the most disappointing.

Nicole Liller

The campground setting is absolutely beautiful. The treehouse was so cool, we felt like celebrities with all the folks that stopped to ask us what it was like inside. Staff was warm, welcoming and helpful. We will be back for a longer stay next year!

Genevieve Johnson

Overall this campground was amazing, it was a second time returning here and me and my family always talk about it. The campsite is so cute, and the garden in the center is so much fun to hang out in. Campsites are nice and if you're able to have a site by the river, it's very nice. However I take away a star because the bathrooms are FILTHY. I've always seen much cleaner campground bathrooms, especially KOA ones. These ones are just downright disgusting. It's a shame because everything else about the campground is amazing, but I don't like showering with a giant spider on the wall next to me and dirt in every possible crevice of the shower.

Kendra Cagle

My family, friends and I will NEVER be back unless a major management change occurs. Human waste was accidentally sprayed all over our 2 grills while a lift station that had broke was being pumped. There were also gallons of septic human waste spilled on our site. I watched the whole thing happen thank goodness. The manager, Phil, when confronted and asked "if we hadn't been there would you have told us about the the incident," smuggly smirked and did't say a word. I wanted to cry at the thought of not knowing what had happened and feeding my kids off that grill that night, they could have gotten very sick. Im so glad I witnessed the entire incident. He was arrogant, disrespectful, and has no business being in his current role. Human waste is dangerous and should never come into contact with cook surfaces, nor be left to stand where kids play. It was an accident that could have been resolved with a more competent human, and one cut out for a role in customer service, and with even the slightest regard for human health and safety. There was ZERO protocol for handling and draling with swptic waste. NONE. They are casually and carelessly managing the major septic issues as if ut were a water leak on fresh water. MY fresh water was removed from my camper with their dirty hands. My spigot was used to rinse and hose out the lift station. Fecal Mist was going everywhere as they were essentially pressure washing it out. NO WARNING. no asking anyone to move. No taped off or quarentined area, no protective gear. One man got IN to the lift station in plain clothes, which is not proper protocol. There was so much human waste water going everywhere it didn't even feel like reality, because something this bad would NEVER happen to a guest at a resort, on vacation, right? Phil also informed us in the midst of trying to resolve the issue, that his boss said "turn those grills all the way up and cook it off." WHAT?????? I wanted to vomit. My vacation was officially RUINED. I have contacted corporate and am in the process of trying to get in contact with the owners so I can be sure they know what is actually happening in their absence. Its scary, dangerous, and a risk to public safety. Its willfull neglegence. We also travel with a large group, most of whom where over charged, and left without proper resolution. We were also without power for most of the day of the incident. We had no water hookup late afternoon through dinner time because Phil needed the water to our site to rinse the septic lift station. Thank goodness we were camping with friends so we could use their camper and grill to cook our dinner. Phil kept pushing it on to me and my husband to tell him what WE wanted to make it right, which was super off putting right from the beginning. We don't want ANYTHING except for this to have never happened. What we do want is for management to have enough integrity to go above and beyond to make up for the inconvenience they caused me and my family while on vacation. Both the inconvenience of having human waste on our grills, spilled on our site, and having a honey wagon pumping waste ALL DAY between our camper and the next over. I don't feel like I should have to ask for anything. I fully expected them to come to our site, apologetic with some kind of cleanup crew for the waste on the ground, a fence, and some kind of compensation. But instead I spent all day arguing with Phil, talking in circles, and quickly realizing he did not see the severity of the issue and certainly wasnt going to do the right thing on his own good will. By the time we left we did finally get some money back. He comped our golf cart, refunded 15% of our stay, and bought ONLY a new cooktop surface for one of the grills (we threw both grills in the dumpster, they live in herkimer now). Herkimer is not what it used to be before these new managers took over, and they need to go. And fast, before someone gets sick or hurt! My hope from posting this is that it serves as a warning to other potential campers, or people returning from the past, to beware.

Michael Lazik

Great Spot for Tent Camping and Diamond Mining with a Few Drawbacks We visited the Herkimer Diamond Mines KOA for a tent camping trip with my two kids (15 and 20) and had a great time. Our site (#99) was right on the shoreline of West Canada Creek—perfect for relaxing and tubing (just bring your own tube and good water shoes, as the creek bed is rocky and slippery). The campground was clean, the staff were friendly, and the unheated pool was still refreshing in the 90-degree weather. Stargazing at night was incredible with clear views of constellations in every direction. The biggest downside was the bathroom access. The nearest one to the tent sites had no hot water, and the next closest was surrounded by cabins and RVs that didn’t need it—frustrating for tent campers. Overall, a scenic and enjoyable stay with a few quirks to plan around. Would definitely return for the setting and family friendly vibe.

John McPeake

It's conveniently located close to the diamond mine, but our campsite was on the opposite side of the road from the pool and river. It's wasn't a short walk to get to the campgrounds' services. Also, don't advertise your bar, restaurant and ice cream if their not open. We spent 4 days there and they were never opened. I saw 3 different people fish the ponds beside me, and no one caught a fish or had a bite. The laundry room is in need of repair. 1 dryer down and another on that quits if you check on another dryer. The campground is clean and the staff is very polite and helpful. The store is well stocked, and it's conveniently located across the road from the mine.