Camping sites near Chester, Massachusetts are situated in the western part of the state at elevations ranging from 600-1,200 feet in the Berkshire highlands. The region experiences four distinct seasons with typically warm summers (70-85°F) and cold winters (10-30°F). Most campgrounds operate seasonally from May through October, with fall foliage season attracting higher visitor numbers due to vibrant color displays throughout the forested landscape.
What to do
Hiking at October Mountain State Forest: The forest offers multiple trail systems directly accessible from the campground. "Beautiful area to hike. Quiet off the beaten path... Every site has a fire pit and a picnic table. Highly recommend staying here if you are in the area!" notes one October Mountain State Forest Campground visitor.
Swimming at Daughters of the American Revolution State Forest: This campground provides both a public beach and a separate campers-only beach on Upper Highland Lake. "I tent camped here for a night in early July and enjoyed the stay. There is a campers only beach on upper highland lake that was easy walking distance from the campsite and fishing opportunities there as well," reports a camper at DAR State Forest.
Fishing at Tolland State Forest: Located on Otis Reservoir, this campground offers lakefront sites with direct water access. "We have brought out kayaks and took off right from the site. There are rocks to get into the water but the water is clean and not mucky," explains a reviewer at Tolland State Forest Campground.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites at Fernwood Forest: Campers consistently rate this campground highly for its privacy and natural setting. "Large sites with trees give lots of privacy. Very clean sites and facilities are cleaned to meet COVID requirements. Very quiet. Good local access to numerous hiking trails in the area," writes a visitor to Fernwood Forest Campground.
Unique accommodations at Chester Railway Station: For a completely different camping experience, this historic site offers caboose lodging. "It is a really fun place to spend a night, especially for a train enthusiast. The caboose is stationed on a big grassy field, near a real railroad. It sleeps 4 and you can set up tents outside too," describes one Chester Railway Station guest.
Family-friendly activities at Prospect Mountain: Weekend programming makes this a popular choice for families with 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," notes a camper at Prospect Mountain Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal price differences for non-residents: Massachusetts state parks charge significantly higher fees for out-of-state visitors. "I don't mind paying a little extra some places because of being out of state, but paying $54 a night for not even any hookups when MA residents pay $17 is insane," reports a camper at DAR State Forest.
Environmental noise at some campgrounds: Certain campsites may experience noise from nearby infrastructure or equipment. At October Mountain, one visitor noted: "Outside the entrance station (near the RV sites) is a HUGE power station that emits a hum constantly. Super annoying and an eyesore."
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Some campgrounds have limited shower access while others have well-maintained facilities. At Mt. Greylock Campsite Park, a reviewer found "the bathhouse was clean but they have pay showers....really for the price you pay to camp."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access for children: Prospect Mountain Campground offers a swimming pool plus scheduled activities for kids. "We liked this campground a lot! Lots of trees and shade. Great pool. The sites on the water looked nice- hoping to try for that next time!" shares a family visitor.
Educational programs available: Some state forests offer ranger-led activities. At Tolland State Forest, a camper mentions "my daughter loved the campfire and nature talk given on Saturday night by park staff."
Select sites away from busy areas: At Mt. Greylock Campsite Park, a reviewer advises: "This campground is a less than five minute drive to the visitors station at the base of Mt. Greylock. The sites were roomy and we had water and electrical hookups... 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
Site selection is critical: Many campgrounds have variable terrain that can impact RV setup. At Northampton/Springfield KOA, one RVer explains: "We stayed here for one night en route to Cape Cod. Although we had requested a specific site on the KOA website, the gentleman in the front office had arranged for us to park in an easily accessible pull-through site, right at the entrance. We really didn't want that particular site, and although he advised against the tricky back-in site 'up on the hill' that we had originally selected, we thought we would at least give it a shot!"
Limited big rig access: Most campgrounds near Chester have size limitations and challenging access roads. Walker Island Family Camping offers full hookups but has tight spacing: "We had water and a 15 amp power box at our site and it was great for a tent but not for anything else. The sites are very close together."
Hookup location considerations: Pay attention to how utilities are positioned at each site. One reviewer at Walker Island noted: "We then noticed that our picnic table was less than a foot from our neighbors leaking septic dump and hose, which might have contributed to the rancid smell."
