The Berkshire Mountains of western Massachusetts create a naturally forested camping environment with elevations around 1,500-2,000 feet. Campgrounds near Becket sit within predominantly hardwood forests of maple, oak, and birch trees, providing summer shade and fall color. Sites typically close mid-October through early May due to the region's harsh winter conditions.
What to Do
Fishing at local ponds: Rudd Pond in Taconic State Park offers shoreline fishing access and boat rentals. "There is plenty of fishing access from shore and you can rent a boat for the whole day to fish on the water," notes one visitor who caught "2 decent-sized largemouth bass" during their stay.
Hiking on varied terrain: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground maintains numerous trails through wooded areas. "There are plenty of nearby hikes for exploring. Wish I would have brought my fishing pole," shares a camper who visited during rainy weather but still enjoyed the hiking options.
Swimming in clean lakes: Lake waters in the region maintain good quality during summer. At Rudd Pond, one reviewer mentioned "Wonderful hiking trails. Pond for fishing & swimming. Kiddie pond, children's playground," highlighting the diversity of water recreation options beyond just fishing.
What Campers Like
Platform tent sites: Mt. Greylock Campsite Park features raised wooden platforms that help during wet weather. "The platforms kept us off the ground and were helpful in setting up appropriate tarp protection," reports a camper who experienced rain during their stay.
Clean bathrooms: Fernwood Forest Campground maintains exceptionally clean facilities. "Very clean sites and facilities are cleaned to meet COVID requirements," notes a return visitor who appreciated the campground's commitment to cleanliness standards.
Stargazing opportunities: The low light pollution in this rural region creates ideal night sky viewing conditions. "Late night, stargazing over the lake is a great pastime, because the water is calm and the light pollution is low," shares a Lake Taghkanic visitor who found the clear mountain air perfect for astronomy.
What You Should Know
Topography challenges: Many campgrounds in the Berkshires feature uneven terrain requiring preparation. At Spacious Skies Woodland Hills, a visitor noted "Terrain is uneven. Hit and miss on how flat or level sights are," indicating the need for leveling equipment.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly in mountainous areas. "My first visit to New York state was amazing, largely in part due to my campsite at the Woodland Hills campground," a visitor shared, appreciating the peaceful disconnection from technology.
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather can change rapidly even in summer. "This was our second time coming to this campground and our second time getting dumped on by the rain," reported a Mt. Greylock camper who nonetheless had an enjoyable stay due to platform sites.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Prospect Mountain Campground and RV Park offers multiple children's activity areas. "They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing," notes a family visitor appreciating the variety of options.
Scheduled activities: Many campgrounds maintain weekend activity schedules for children. "Prospects mountain is a great campground for families with younger kids... They also have a nice little store and snack bar. There is also a mini golf course and a mining area where kids can 'mine' 'gems'," shares a family that found plenty to keep their children engaged.
Swimming options: Multiple swimming areas accommodate different ages and abilities. "I flew up here from Louisiana and met my sister in a primitive tent site. The grounds were absolutely beautiful and very well maintained! Pool was lovely and refreshing," reported a Prospect Mountain visitor.
Tips for RV Camping near Becket, Massachusetts
Hookup availability: Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground provides various utility options. "Big and spacious state park with many camping options. Has options for trailers, tent sites, platforms for tents and even some cabins," explains a visitor, noting the versatility for different camping styles.
Site spacing considerations: RV sites at many campgrounds offer varying degrees of privacy and space. "The sites were a little close together, but being able to fish and catching 2 decent-sized largemouth bass made everything all ok!!" shared a Taconic State Park camper.
Reservation timing: Many RV campgrounds in the Berkshires fill quickly during peak season. "We liked this campground a lot! Lots of trees and shade. Great pool. The sites on the water looked nice- hoping to try for that next time!" advised a Prospect Mountain visitor, suggesting water-adjacent sites are particularly desirable for return visits.
