Campers visiting the Berkshire region near Cheshire, Massachusetts can find numerous tent and yurt camping options at elevations ranging from 1,300 to 2,800 feet. Located within the Taconic Mountains and northern reaches of the Appalachian Mountains, the camping areas feature mixed hardwood forests with maple, birch and oak trees. Temperatures typically drop 10-15 degrees at night compared to daytime highs, even during summer months.
What to do
Hiking at Mount Greylock: Access Massachusetts' highest peak from nearby campgrounds like Savoy Mountain State Forest. "We were able to access the Mohawk trail right from the campground, and the Appalachian trail and Mt Greylock is a short drive away," notes one visitor at Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground.
Waterfall exploration: Several waterfalls are accessible within a 30-minute drive. "Went to Tannery Falls, beautiful waterfall. About a 20 minute drive away, worth a visit," shares a camper who stayed at Savoy Mountain.
Paddling opportunities: Multiple ponds and reservoirs support kayaking and canoeing. At Woodford State Park Campground, one visitor mentions: "The reservoir is beautiful- plenty of space to spread out for paddling and swimming. We drove down to the second loop and parked on the side of the campground road and carried our kayaks down to the camper's beach."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer wooded sites with natural screening. At October Mountain State Forest Campground, a camper shares: "Some of the sites are very visible and a few are tucked away into the woods with privacy. Most are pretty close to their neighbors."
Wildlife viewing: The Berkshire region provides excellent wildlife watching opportunities. "We were greeted by some turkey and visited by some deer," notes a visitor at Piebald Mountain, one of the area's premium yurt camping locations.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high cleanliness standards. "The bathhouse was clean and well maintained," reports one camper at Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground. Another visitor at Woodford State Park notes, "The bathroom in the first loop is fine (cold water sinks, hand soap, paper towels)."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity is limited throughout the region. "I had a flicking bar of coverage at the high point of the campground on Verizon, but all you MIGHT be able to do is text. Head toward Florida, MA on Rt 2 and at the height of land (shortly before you reach the Elk monument), you'll have good coverage," advises a visitor at Savoy Mountain.
Temperature fluctuations: Pack for cool evenings regardless of season. At Country Aire Campgrounds, campers find the temperature differential significant between day and night, with nights often requiring an extra layer even during summer months.
Road access challenges: Some GPS directions may lead to difficult routes. "It is important to follow the directions and turn off of Rt. 2 onto Central Shaft Road (google maps labels it Shaft Road. It is between the Blue Vista Motor Lodge and Hoosac Range Preserve). The other road that accesses the campground is nearly unpassable with an rv," warns a Savoy Mountain camper.
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Look for campgrounds with play areas. At Northampton / Springfield KOA, a visitor observes they have "a seemingly well maintained playground/pool and a small haunted house for October" along with "weekend fire engine rides, a gem panning center."
Safe biking routes: Several campgrounds offer family-friendly cycling. "Campground has a nice loop for the kids to bike," notes a camper at Savoy Mountain State Forest.
Seasonal activities: Many campgrounds offer special events during peak seasons. "They had hayless rides and fire truck rides. This time they had a haunted house walk through," mentions a visitor at Northampton / Springfield KOA during fall foliage season.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Pay attention to site specifications and terrain. "Sites are a bit closer together than we prefer, but do have trees and brush in between," reports a camper at Peppermint Park Camping Resort, adding that their "site, 111, was a nice flat grassy site with water and 20amp electric."
Dump station locations: Plan waste management accordingly as not all campgrounds have dump stations. "There is a dump station/potable water fill station available at the park entrance, but no RV hook ups of any kind," notes a visitor at Savoy Mountain State Forest.
Power limitations: Check electrical requirements before booking. Some campgrounds offer limited amperage which may not support all RV systems simultaneously. "We had water and a 15 amp power box at our site and it was great for a tent but not for anything else," reports a camper at Northampton / Springfield KOA.
