RV parks in Cheshire, Massachusetts offer seasonal camping from late spring through mid-fall. The area sits near the western slopes of Mount Greylock, Massachusetts' highest peak at 3,489 feet, where campers experience cooler temperatures than surrounding lowlands. Many campgrounds near Cheshire require reservations during peak fall foliage season when nighttime temperatures can drop below 40°F.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Jamaica State Park in Vermont features trails leading to Hamilton Falls, about 43 miles from Cheshire. "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," notes Chris D. from Jamaica State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: The Rudd Pond Area at Taconic State Park provides shoreline fishing access for largemouth bass. "The sites were a little close together, but being able to fish and catching 2 decent-sized largemouth bass made everything all ok!! There is plenty of fishing access from shore and you can rent a boat for the whole day to fish on the water," explains Rosie R. from Rudd Pond Area — Taconic State Park.
Rail trail access: Several campgrounds connect to rail trails for cycling or walking. According to Kim R., the area has "a pretty good rail trail nearby" where cyclists can enjoy relatively flat terrain through wooded sections.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Fernwood Forest Campground offers spacious sites with tree cover for seclusion. "Large sites with trees give lots of privacy. Very clean sites and facilities are cleaned to meet COVID requirements. Very quiet," reports Rebecca B. from Fernwood Forest Campground.
Clean facilities: Lake Taghkanic State Park maintains high standards for bathrooms and shower facilities. "Comfortable, clean, great for stargazing... The bathrooms and showers are clean and the water stayed hot until the last weekend of the season," shares Seth K. from Lake Taghkanic State Park Campground.
Low light pollution: The Berkshire region offers excellent 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," notes Seth K. about Lake Taghkanic State Park.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Coverage varies significantly throughout the region, particularly in valley campgrounds. Brittany B. from Jamaica State Park Campground mentions "no cell service" as part of what makes it "heaven on earth."
Terrain challenges: Many campgrounds feature hilly or uneven terrain. At Spacious Skies Woodland Hills, "Terrain is uneven. Hit and miss on how flat or level sites are," according to Ray P.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds close by mid-October. Taconic State Park's Rudd Pond area operates from "May 27 to September 5," providing a shorter season than some other parks.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. "Nice playground and nature area for kids. Very family friendly place with beautiful hikes to Hamilton falls," reports Fransheska A. about Jamaica State Park.
Swimming options: Lakes and ponds provide alternatives to campground pools. "The pond has a fountain which sounds like a small waterfall at night, and wildflowers were in bloom," notes Ann B. from Spacious Skies Woodland Hills.
Kid-friendly activities: Prospect Mountain Campground schedules regular family entertainment. "They have activities every weekend such as dances, bingo, hayrides. They also have a great pool, playground and pond for fishing," shares Sandra S. from Prospect Mountain Campground and RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many RV sites require leveling blocks due to the hilly terrain. A review at Spacious Skies Woodland Hills notes "the site I had was steep grade from steps to picnic table. Flat ground area for camper was very narrow. Tricky footing for older folks."
Maneuvering space: Tree placement can create tight turns in some campgrounds. Katie E. from Dorset RV Park warns "Larger rigs might want to avoid loop 6-14, especially for sites 8-12. Tree placement and a pretty sharp 110+ degree turn makes it challenging to maneuver."
Winter closures: RV parks near Cheshire typically close after Columbus Day weekend. Lake Taghkanic State Park's season runs "May 6 to October 15" while most other campgrounds have similar operating periods.
