Cabin camping near Chester, Massachusetts offers access to the rugged terrain of the Berkshire Mountains with elevations ranging from 600 to 1,700 feet. The area receives approximately 45 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush forests and active waterways. Cabins typically rent for $55-$125 per night depending on amenities and proximity to water features.
What to do
Hiking at Mohawk Trail State Forest: The forest features several wooded trails with varying difficulty levels. "The hike-in sites were also close together, 22 is the most private. There are baskets with wheels provided," notes a visitor to Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground.
Fishing in nearby waters: Many campsites provide direct access to local rivers and streams. At American Legion State Forest, "There is access to the Farmington River from the campground for your fishing and paddling pleasure," though one visitor cautions it's "mosquito central, so bring lots of bug spray or be eaten alive!"
Winter activities: Some cabin accommodations remain open during colder months. "The cabins are stationed on a big grassy field, near a real railroad. You hear the trains running at night. Very clean and comfortable," mentions a visitor at Chester Railway Station, which provides a unique overnight experience particularly appealing to train enthusiasts.
What campers like
Riverside locations: Cabins and sites near water features rank highly among reviewers. At Mohawk Trail, one camper noted, "The lower sites near the river are good sized and the river ambiance is nice." Another mentioned, "It was beautiful and great having running water to fall asleep to at night."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds with well-maintained bathhouses receive positive feedback. A visitor to October Mountain State Forest Campground observed, "The bathrooms were very clean. The park is great if you are traveling and need to pull off the interstate to rest your head and get a shower."
Family-friendly activities: Many locations offer structured recreation. At Prospect Mountain Campground, "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."
What you should know
Bear activity: Several campgrounds report bear sightings and require proper food storage. At October Mountain, "There are many bear boxes provided," and visitors to Mohawk Trail State Forest note, "There are lots of black bears so keeping food in the bear lockers or locked in the car at all times is a must!"
Site privacy varies significantly: Even within the same campground, privacy levels differ. A camper at Taconic State Park mentioned, "Up front the sites were too close together and this was true, but more towards the back was more spacious and private sites."
Reservation requirements: Most cabins book quickly, especially during peak season. "They have a waiting list that's quite long!" noted one visitor to Prospect Mountain Campground regarding seasonal rentals. Weekdays typically offer better availability and a quieter experience.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience higher noise levels, particularly on weekends. A visitor to White Pines Campsites observed, "Saturday night a large overnight party arrived, set up speakers and played loud music for most of the evening. So much for a peaceful camping trip."
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-specific amenities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated children's activities. At Lone Oak Camp Sites, "There's a full bar with adult only dancing upstairs in the lounge Saturday nights, and a DJ playing dance music for the younger crowd downstairs. The pools are beautiful."
Consider cabin location carefully: Family cabins situated near bathroom facilities make nighttime trips easier. At Bonnie Brae Campground, "We stayed in site 28 with a teardrop camper. 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."
Verify pet policies: Rules vary significantly between properties. American Legion State Forest is noted as "one of the few campgrounds in CT that's dog friendly," whereas other locations restrict pets in cabins entirely.
Check swimming options: Water features vary from natural to developed. At Prospect Mountain, a visitor reported, "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!"
Tips from RVers
Reserve hookup spots early: Full-service sites book quickly. At Bonnie Brae, "We stayed in 12 full hook up with a 27 ft slide travel trailer and it was a good size."
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer this service. One visitor to American Legion State Forest noted its proximity to conveniences: "The Pleasant Valley General Store down the road is great. Provides everything you need in addition to live bait and even a rod and reel to purchase if you forget yours!"
Cell service limitations: Many areas have limited connectivity. A visitor to Hawes campground at American Legion State Forest noted "no cellphone service, which is either a good or bad thing, depending on how you feel about it."
