Camping sites near Cheshire, Massachusetts lie within the Berkshire Mountain range at elevations between 1,500-3,491 feet, creating significant temperature variations that can drop 15-20°F from day to night even in summer. During late spring through early fall, forest campgrounds receive approximately 45 inches of annual rainfall, requiring proper tent placement and drainage planning regardless of season.
What to do
Hike the Appalachian Trail sections: From Mt. Greylock State Reservation, access the AT for day hikes or overnight backpacking. "Me and my friends get a group site at least once a year. There are a number of rivers and little waterfalls that are always nice to visit," notes one regular visitor who appreciates the natural features along the trails.
Kayak on Pontoosuc Lake: Located near Bonnie Brae Cabins and Campsites, this lake offers calm waters for paddling. "Pontoosuc Lake is a short walk away; there are boat rentals available and I saw a number of people fishing from Pontoosuc Park just above the dam," reports a camper who found the location convenient for water activities.
Visit Mass MoCA: When staying at Historic Valley Campground, you're near this contemporary art museum. "I've stayed here for Wilco solid sound festival since 2013 and for fresh grass 2019. You're about a five minute drive to mass moca or a 20-30 minute walk," explains a repeat visitor who appreciates the cultural access.
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: Campers consistently mention bathroom cleanliness at Fernwood Forest Campground. "Great family owned campground, polite, extremely clean bathrooms, small play areas, private and well maintained," writes one satisfied visitor who noticed the attention to detail throughout the property.
Wooded, private sites: Many campers value the sense of seclusion at Mt. Greylock Campsite Park. "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," describes one camper who appreciated the natural landscape.
Access to trails directly from camp: Campers enjoy the trail connectivity at Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground. "The sites are extremely close when down by the river, but the view is awesome. There are also a lot of hiking trails that start right here!" explains a camper who found the direct trail access compensated for the site proximity.
What you should know
Terrain challenges: Many campgrounds feature hillside locations with uneven sites. At Pittsfield State Forest Campground, "Our site was slightly slanted but that did help with drainage when we had torrential downpours the last 24 hours we were there."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity is minimal at most forest locations. At Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground, a camper reported the park is "so hard to find that not even a cell signal can get there, if your looking to unplug this is a great spot!"
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially for weekend stays. For Clarksburg State Park Campground, a visitor noted, "This campground is fairly small with a lot of diversity in campsite size, privacy, and levelness," making site selection important when reserving.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with recreation facilities: Families appreciate sites with built-in activities. At Bonnie Brae Cabins and Campsites, "Fun little and safe park and we also used the pool which was great. Fab camp shop for things and lovely owner."
Consider cabin options: For those new to camping with kids, cabins provide an easier transition. At Mt. Greylock Campsite Park, cabins offer comfort while still providing the outdoor experience: "The rec room has several games including air hockey, foosball, pool and board games. All are free and we enjoyed them."
Select weekday visits for quieter experiences: For families seeking calm environments, timing matters. One camper at Historic Valley Campground observed, "It was a very quiet campground during the week. However, I have it only 4 stars because when Friday came and the weekend campers arrived, it got loud and rowdy."
Tips from RVers
Verify site dimensions before booking: RV sites vary significantly in size and levelness. At October Mountain State Forest Campground, "What site you get makes all the difference. There are Many, I would say most, Sites that you feel very exposed and out in the open."
Follow campground-provided directions: GPS systems often lead RVs down unsuitable roads. A camper at Historic Valley Campground warned, "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."
Check hookup locations: Some campgrounds have challenging hookup placements. At Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground, "The sites were a little close and not very private, but if you go during the weekdays, as we did, this won't be an issue," indicating that timing can offset some of the site limitations.
