Austin Hawes Memorial Campground in American Legion State Forest borders the west branch of the Farmington River at an elevation of 550 feet, surrounded by mixed deciduous forest dominated by oak and maple trees. The West Suffield camping region transitions from river valleys to higher elevations with some campgrounds situated in former quarries or near small mountain ridges. Winter weather typically closes most camping facilities by mid-October, with seasonal reopening occurring in late April.
What to do
Fishing the Farmington River: The Farmington River provides excellent trout fishing opportunities near campsites around West Suffield. At Austin Hawes Memorial Campground, campers have direct river access. "Trophy trout river with excellent fishing, but catch and release only," notes reviewer Melissa R. The nearby Pleasant Valley General Store offers fishing supplies for unprepared anglers.
Hiking local trails: Several campgrounds connect to trail systems offering varied terrain difficulty. Anthony and Kim C. recommend the "Henry Buck Trail" accessible from Austin Hawes Memorial Campground, while mentioning "our family likes to get out into the hiking trails and hit activities in the area vs the all inclusive campground experience." At Wilderness Lake Park, a hiking trail circles the property with a disc golf course under development.
Water activities: Many campgrounds provide water access beyond swimming. Wilderness Lake Park offers complimentary watercraft, as one camper noted: "They even had free kayaks/canoes for the lake." The region has multiple ponds and small lakes where seasonal algae conditions can affect swimming availability.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Site layout and privacy vary significantly between campgrounds. At Prospect Mountain Campground, reviewer Stephanie appreciates that there are "Lots of trees and shade. Great pool. The sites on the water looked nice- hoping to try for that next time!" Austin Hawes Memorial Campground receives similar praise for privacy, with Dawn D. noting "Love camping here the sites are spaced apart nicely."
Quiet atmosphere: For campers seeking peaceful settings, several campgrounds deliver. Onion Mountain Park provides "Very peaceful overnight camping, no permit required," according to Ricky H., who adds it's on a "first come first served basis." Similarly, at The Quarry Campground, sites offer varying degrees of seclusion with one reviewer mentioning "Many of the sites were secluded."
Nearby attractions: The region offers additional activities beyond campground boundaries. Austin Hawes visitor Austin S. mentions "there is a drive in movie theater 10 min away (we always tailgate a movie as tradition) it's close to a bunch of quaint towns." For those camping at Granville State Forest, despite mixed reviews on the campground itself, the surrounding area offers "tons of trials right off the campground. And lots of fishing off the Farmington River and local pond."
What you should know
Variable bathroom facilities: Bathroom quality and availability differ dramatically between campgrounds. Emily T. describes Austin Hawes Memorial Campground as having "Hot showers and clean bathrooms," while Katherine P. notes "The camp office only sells ice and firewood, but there's a Stop and Shop nearby, as well as a couple of general stores." At Wilderness Lake Park, "Bathrooms close by 10, something to keep in mind. And they're cash or check only!"
Wildlife considerations: Bears and other wildlife frequent the area, requiring proper food storage. Rebecca D. reports at Granville State Forest, "Bear boxes were provided which was great. Even though it was July, we were the only campers in the entire place Sunday night. So we were treated to a really great lightning bug display and watched the raccoons check out the other sites." Bug protection remains essential throughout summer months.
Connectivity limitations: Cell service varies by location, with several sites having limited or no connectivity. Katherine P. warns that Austin Hawes Memorial Campground has "no cellphone service, which is either a good or bad thing, depending on how you feel about it." Sites closer to major roads typically offer better service.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: The Quarry Campground offers extensive recreation options including "2 separate ponds: one for fishing, one for swimming; large outdoor games; Rec hall with video games, 50¢ pool table, live music; volleyball; boat rentals; and even a baseball diamond!" according to Brittany V., who suggests it's perfect for families with varied interests.
Organized activities: Prospect Mountain Campground provides scheduled events for younger children. Sandra S. explains it's "a great campground for families with younger kids. They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing. They also have a nice little store and snack bar."
Safety considerations: Proximity to water requires extra supervision at most campgrounds. For wilderness sites like Onion Mountain Park, Nora S. mentions "We ended up finding a very primitive spot off the blue trail (on top of the mountain), where we settled down for the night. The spot is not very big so make sure to bring a smaller tent (no group sites)."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Northampton/Springfield KOA offers full hookup sites, though site quality varies. Dawn E. notes "I stayed for a few months- July til October. It is a nice campground, no complaints. I was in the seasonal section, which has some interesting folks staying there. The site was very nice and felt private." At The Quarry Campground, Brittany V. discovered "They advertise full hu but turns out to be a lie when you pull in… all full hi is given to seasonal customers."
Site accessibility: RV site access varies significantly between campgrounds. White Pines Campsites has uneven terrain with Becca Z. noting "A lot of the sites we drove by were pretty sloped- I would recommend a drive though if you can beforehand." Meanwhile, The Quarry Campground provides "Sites were wide open and easy to access," according to Brittany V.
Dump station protocol: Some campgrounds have unusual waste management requirements. At The Quarry Campground, Brittany V. explains "they offer 'full hookups' but you're told to just leave your grey tanks open. We chose to wait and dump on our way out." Proper dump station etiquette is expected at most locations.
