Campers visiting the Charlemont area can access multiple campgrounds within a 30-mile radius throughout the Berkshire mountains and southern Vermont. Many sites feature wooded settings with elevations between 800-1500 feet, creating temperature variations that can be 5-10 degrees cooler than valley floors. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally, typically closing between mid-October and early May.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Trails near Jamaica State Park Campground offer access to Hamilton Falls within a few miles of camp. "We hiked the west river trail (which leads right out of the campground) to Hamilton falls which is a gravel closed road that follows the west river upstream 2 miles to Hamilton falls trail which then leads up hill for another mile to the falls. People have lost their lives at these falls so be extra cautious with children around the falls," warns Chris D.
Mountain exploration: Mount Greylock and surrounding trails provide accessible hiking options from several campgrounds. "The hike up Mt. Olga is 1.7 miles (round trip). There's a fire tower at the top, which provides awesome views of the Green Mountains. It's also fun to explore the relics of the old Hogback Ski Resort," notes Tara S. from Molly Stark State Park Campground.
Water activities: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming opportunities in lakes, ponds, and rivers. "The sites were beautiful with the river behind us. Not to many people there so we're got the best spot. The bathrooms are sanitary and are not port-a-potties. For us, they also had a playground to play at, and a boat dock to kayak," reports Meike W.
What campers like
Natural settings: Campers consistently praise the forested environments of the campgrounds. "This place is great. It's got so many different ducks and crannies and so many different levels up and down the hill and Valley and just a beautiful peaceful place in the woods," mentions ami B. about Mt. Greylock Campsite Park.
Cleanliness of facilities: Bathroom and shower cleanliness stands out in many reviews. "Clean, quiet and well maintained. Only downside is the showers are literally in the same space as the pooper stalls in the washroom. Washroom incredibly clean though," states TJ H. from Fernwood Forest Campground.
Proximity to towns: Many campgrounds provide easy access to small New England towns and cultural attractions. "Good location near a fantastic quarry, country store, and Manchester shopping. The camp grounds were family friendly and quiet. They even had rabbits and chickens for the kids to enjoy," notes Rachelle S. about the Dorset RV Park area.
What you should know
Accessibility challenges: Some campgrounds feature challenging terrain that may impact site selection. "Tree placement and a pretty sharp 110+ degree turn makes it challenging to maneuver. I don't think campground staff is familiar with their own campground and that larger rigs are likely to have issue in this loop. I witnessed several neighbors in my 10 day stay with major issues navigating," warns Katie E.
Seasonal infrastructure: Many campgrounds adjust their amenities based on the season. "The 'Olympic size pool' was not filled at the time but it did not effect our stay at all, there was a smaller pool for those who wanted to cool off," explains Becca A. about a spring visit to Camp Coldbrook Golf & RV Resorts.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly throughout the mountainous region. "Small town general store, no cell service and a gorgeous back drop is a perfect spot to just unwind from the real world," mentions Brittany B. about Jamaica State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Family-oriented campgrounds offer scheduled events for children. "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. There is also a mini golf course and a mining area where kids can 'mine' 'gems'," reports Sandra S. from Prospect Mountain Campground.
Site selection: Families often prefer sites with specific features or locations. "Book your site early to get a lean-to or a site near the river...it's stunning in the morning with the mountain mist rolling through!! If you're into kayaking book early for the annual dam release event (September)...the river becomes a great spot for some rapids!" advises Jaime R.
Weather preparedness: Temperature fluctuations can be significant in mountain areas. "We have gone here a couple times exceeding our expectations," shares Bryan P C., while other campers note the importance of bringing layers even in summer when temperatures can drop into the 40s overnight.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variability: RV sites near Charlemont, Massachusetts often have inconsistent placement of utility connections. "Sites are nice and most have electric, water and some with sewer hookups. One issue is the hookups are spread out on your sites. So you may need extra hose or longer cord to complete your hookups," advises Stephen R. from Historic Valley Campground.
Road navigation: Accessing RV campgrounds sometimes requires careful route planning. "They tell you clearly to avoid the GPS directions, but I can't help but think the giant hill they wanted us to avoid would've been better than the dead end and destroyed awning as a result of theirs... Stay focused and pay super close attention when driving through the streets out here," warns Brittany V.
Site leveling: Many campgrounds in the mountainous terrain feature uneven sites. "Our site was level but some definitely were not. We got twenty or so television channels with the cable hookup. The hookups were all well-placed and we didn't have any issues with the electric and the wifi at our site worked well," reports Nancy W.
