Cabin camping near Amherst Center, Massachusetts offers accommodations within woodland settings throughout Hampshire County and nearby areas. Winter cabin rentals typically have heating options, while summer units provide basic shelters with varying amenities depending on the campground. Most cabins require advance reservations, especially during peak seasons when weekend bookings fill quickly at popular locations.
What to do
River activities: At Ashuelot River Campground, water recreation stands out as a primary attraction. "We took a lazy tube ride from one side of the campground to the other," notes a camper, while another mentions "paddling up past the campground" where they "saw a bald eagle." The campground offers canoe and kayak rentals plus shuttle service for water sports.
Fire truck rides: Family-friendly activities abound at Country Aire Campgrounds during summer weekends. "They had a hayless ride pulled by a tractor," explains a reviewer. Another camper adds, "They had hayless rides and fire truck rides. This time they had a haunted house walk through." These structured activities run regularly throughout peak season.
Hiking trails: Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground provides direct trail access from campsites. "There is easy access to hiking trails," notes a reviewer who appreciated the convenience of wilderness exploration without driving. Another camper confirms, "There are also a lot of hiking trails that start right here!" making this location ideal for hikers wanting immediate trail access.
What campers like
Riverfront sites: Sites along water remain highly sought after in this region. At Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground, campers value the riverside locations, with one noting "you can camp right beside the river!" Another adds, "The lower sites near the river are good sized and the river ambiance is nice." Many campers mention falling asleep to the sound of rushing water.
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards receive consistent praise at multiple campgrounds. At Wells State Park Campground, a camper notes, "Wells State Park camp grounds recently got new bathrooms and they are so clean!" Regular cleaning schedules matter to visitors, with another camper stating, "The bathrooms were cleaned two times a day and the park is so well maintained."
Cabin proximity to amenities: At Pine Acres Family Camping Resort, cabin locations relative to activities receive positive attention. One visitor appreciates "AWESOME pools (very kid friendly), parks, dog park, hiking trails," all within walking distance of accommodations. The layout facilitates easy access to recreation without constant driving.
What you should know
Site privacy varies: Campsite spacing differs significantly across locations. At Otter River State Forest, a camper cautions, "The sites that are near the small pond are generally larger and have better space for pitching a tent. The sites on the first two loops/spur roads are smaller." Site selection matters for privacy.
Bear awareness: Food storage requirements exist at several campgrounds. "Every site has a bear box to keep anything edible," notes one camper at Mohawk Trail State Forest. Another advises, "There are lots of black bears so keeping food in the bear lockers or locked in the car at all times is a must!"
Check-in procedures: Registration protocols can be unexpectedly detailed. One camper reports, "Checking in is a big process here - it took about 5-10 minutes to get past the front gate because they ask for so much info about your party." Arrive with identification and reservation details ready to streamline this process.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Prospect Mountain Campground offers structured programming for children. "They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing," a camper shares. Another mentions, "They also have a mini golf course and a mining area where kids can 'mine' 'gems'."
Noise considerations: Family campgrounds can become noisy during peak periods. "From my site, I could hear our neighbors blasting their radio all day (even after quiet hours), and another group of people somewhere further away singing pretty much all night," reports a camper at Otter River State Forest. Consider midweek stays for quieter experiences.
Safety features: Pool areas with designated swim times accommodate various age groups. "Nice pool with time for adult only swim time," notes a visitor to Prospect Mountain Campground. Many cabin campgrounds maintain staff supervision of swimming areas during daylight hours.
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: At Northampton/Springfield KOA, maneuvering large rigs requires planning. "Although we had requested a specific site on the KOA website, the gentleman in the front office had arranged for us to park in an easily accessible pull-through site," explains one RVer. "He advised against the tricky back-in site 'up on the hill' that we had originally selected," showing the importance of accepting staff recommendations for larger vehicles.
Seasonal variations: Campground character changes with seasons. "We stayed here for one night en route to Cape Cod," notes an RVer at Northampton/Springfield KOA who found "a quiet (besides occasional plane overhead) lots of trees, spacious sites" during their stay. Another mentions visiting "during fall foliage time. Very peaceful and very great staff."
Bridge clearance limits: Some routes have unexpected restrictions. At Ashuelot River Campground, campers warn about "covered bridges in the area with low clearance and low weight limits." Another advises "reading the directions on the campgrounds website about the covered bridge you're not allowed to cross - we discovered this the hard way." Always check campground websites for specific RV access guidance.
