Ashfield, Massachusetts sits in the western part of the state at an elevation of 1,200 feet, offering cooler summer temperatures than surrounding lowland areas. The region features wooded campgrounds that remain open from May to October, with most facilities closing after Columbus Day weekend due to the harsh New England winter conditions.
What to do
Hiking trails and swimming holes: Jamaica State Park in Vermont (about 60 miles from Ashfield) offers a combination of riverside trails and natural swimming areas. "There is plenty of trails in the area and you can go to the waterfall/rock slides and take a dip in the pools. The area is beautiful and good food across the street!" reports Jackie G.
Fishing opportunities: Prospect Mountain Campground provides pond fishing that's popular with families. "The kids had a blast fishing and riding their bikes around," notes Megin F., who traveled from Louisiana to camp here.
Mountain exploration: Mount Greylock, Massachusetts' highest peak, is accessible from Mt. Greylock Campsite Park. "This campground is a less than five minute drive to the visitors station at the base of Mt. Greylock," explains Nicole P., making it convenient for day trips to the summit.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Fernwood Forest Campground earns consistent praise for cleanliness. "This has to be the cleanest campground I've ever visited!" reports Tyler H., while another reviewer notes, "Washroom incredibly clean though."
Privacy between sites: Several campgrounds near Ashfield offer wooded sites with good separation. A reviewer at Mt. Greylock Campsite Park described it as "a different experience" with "spacious wooded sites and super friendly owners," while Fernwood Forest provides "large sites with trees give lots of privacy."
Swimming pools: Thousand Trails Sturbridge offers a pool that campers appreciate during summer months. "Pool was lovely and refreshing," notes a visitor to Prospect Mountain Campground, which also maintains a popular swimming area for families.
What you should know
Cell service and connectivity: Internet access varies significantly in the Berkshires region. At Thousand Trails Sturbridge, "Camp link Wifi for a fee is workable unless you need to do zoom calls," reports Mara S., while at Jamaica State Park, a camper notes there's "no cell service and a gorgeous back drop."
Weather considerations: Rain can impact camping conditions significantly in this mountainous region. At Woodmore Family Campground, a camper reported that "hurricane Henri, flooded out all the low areas," demonstrating how quickly weather can change the camping experience.
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds in the area operate on limited schedules. Prospect Mountain Campground runs "May 1 to Columbus Day," while Woodmore Family Campground operates from "Mother's Day to mid-October," making advance planning essential for fall camping.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Prospect Mountain Campground offers activities specifically designed for children. Sandra S. notes they have "activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing."
Kid-friendly swimming: Jamaica State Park features natural swimming options that children enjoy. "Nice little weekend getaway. Clean bathrooms, roomy tent sites, nice staff. Fun playground and nature area for kids. Very family friendly place with beautiful hikes to Hamilton falls," writes Fransheska A.
Bike-friendly campgrounds: Consider terrain before bringing bicycles. At Mt. Greylock, one camper warned, "The camp has a lot of hills and some are pretty steep. We always bring our bikes and love to bike through the campgrounds, but this one is not good for biking."
Tips from RVers
Road access challenges: Many rv sites near Ashfield, Massachusetts have difficult approach roads. At Mt. Greylock Campsite Park, reviewers noted "narrow, sometimes muddy interior roads" that can be problematic for larger motorhomes after rain.
Site selection for big rigs: For motorhome camping near Ashfield, Massachusetts, carefully research site options. At Camp Coldbrook Golf & RV Resorts, electrical system issues were reported: "The electrical system has claimed countless rv components and 2 total losses. Instead of fixing it, they simply run generators for years."
Electrical reliability: RV campsites around Ashfield vary in power quality and consistency. Becca A. at Coldbrook noted that despite some infrastructure issues, "The sites are level and a decent size with a picnic table, fire pit, shaded by the tall pines."
