Cabin camping near Cheshire, Massachusetts positions visitors at the western edge of the Berkshires, where elevations range from 1,200 to 2,800 feet throughout the surrounding region. Winter cabin options remain limited, with most facilities closing mid-October until late May due to heavy snowfall that averages 65-80 inches annually. Most state forest cabins operate without winter insulation or heating systems.
What to do
Hiking at elevation: October Mountain State Forest connects to several moderate trails that branch from campground areas. "The hiking trails were very pretty, with some grand vistas to pull over if you're some sort of nature pervert or lookie loo," notes a visitor to October Mountain State Forest Campground.
Water recreation options: Pontoosuc Lake near cabins provides opportunities for kayaking and fishing. According to one visitor at Bonnie Brae Cabins and Campsites, "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."
Swimming access: Several cabin locations offer swimming options with varying water quality. A camper at Woodford State Park Campground observed, "The reservoir is beautiful- plenty of space to spread out for paddling and swimming. We had no issues with noise from other campers."
What campers like
Riverside settings: Cabins positioned near water features receive higher ratings from visitors. "The lower sites near the river are good sized and the river ambiance is nice," explains a visitor to Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground.
Cabin size variations: Rental cabins range from basic shelters to more equipped structures. A camper at Bonnie Brae noted, "The cabin I stayed in was awesome...could have stayed for a week and next year I plan to do just that!"
Privacy levels: Some cabin locations offer more seclusion than others. At October Mountain, a camper advised, "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. Look for the sites that go off to the side (not on the loops) like 39-40."
What you should know
Inconsistent bathhouse conditions: Facilities vary widely across different cabin areas. At Clarksburg State Park Campground, "Bathrooms and showers were clean, some campsites have a nice view of the pond. Trails that surround the pond make for a nice hike."
Electrical limitations: Most cabin sites offer limited electrical capacity. According to a visitor at Northampton/Springfield KOA, "We had water and a 15 amp power box at our site and it was great for a tent but not for anything else."
Off-season challenges: Cabin accessibility decreases significantly after mid-October. One visitor to Savoy Mountain observed, "No hookups, but a dumping station. I was here on a holiday weekend and it was quiet with a few vacant sites, unlike nearby Mohawk Trail that was packed."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Several locations offer scheduled activities for children. A visitor to Northampton/Springfield KOA reported, "They had hayless rides and fire truck rides. This time they had a haunted house walk through."
Playground facilities: Some cabin locations feature playgrounds. At Country Aire Campgrounds, a visitor mentioned, "Great playground, pool and pirate ship. We were there with the Scouts and took up a huge grassy area with tents."
Bear awareness education: Bear-proofing represents an important family consideration. At Mohawk Trail, a camper noted, "There are lots of black bears so keeping food in the near lockers or locked in the car at all times is a must!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection factors: Limited level areas challenge larger rigs at several locations. "I could have used leveling blocks because it was hard to find a great spot that was level side to side. Sites 27 & 29 each seemed a little more level and 29 was larger," reported a camper with a teardrop trailer at Bonnie Brae.
Limited full hookup options: Most cabin-focused locations provide minimal RV amenities. According to a Country Aire visitor, "They have a pool they have games we even have a hayride pulled by a tractor. It is run by a family business, wife and I've been here many times and we will keep coming back."
Seasonal preferences: Shoulder-season camping (May and September) offers more cabin and RV space availability. At Clarksburg, one visitor shared their experience: "We took advantage of a break in the rain to get photos of as many sites as we could. Hopefully they'll come in handy for future campers. These were all taken after several hours of heavy rain, so the photos should give you a good idea of what sites have drainage issues."
