172 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The western Massachusetts region surrounding Chesterfield features a mix of state forests, private campgrounds, and recreational areas that accommodate various camping styles. Within a 30-minute drive, campers can access the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) State Forest in Williamsburg, which offers both tent and RV sites with boat-in access from May through October. Closer to Chesterfield, Walker Island Family Camping in Chester provides family-oriented camping with basic amenities from May to mid-October. The nearby Chester Railway Station offers a more rustic experience with tent and cabin options. For those seeking full hookups and resort-style amenities, Northampton/Springfield KOA in Westhampton provides tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, and glamping accommodations approximately 20 minutes east of Chesterfield.
Massachusetts state parks and forests in the region typically operate seasonally from mid-May through mid-October, with weather conditions determining exact opening dates. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for summer weekends and holiday periods when campgrounds reach capacity. Out-of-state visitors should note significantly higher camping fees at state-managed properties, with some charging three times the resident rate. Cell service varies considerably throughout the area, with many campgrounds reporting limited or no coverage. As one camper noted about a nearby state forest, "There is zero cell service, which is fine, but wished we knew ahead of time." Most state forest campgrounds prohibit alcohol, while private campgrounds typically allow it with reasonable consumption.
Waterfront camping opportunities exist at several locations within driving distance of Chesterfield, with ponds and lakes being common features. Campers frequently mention the peaceful atmosphere of the region's campgrounds, particularly during weekdays and shoulder seasons. State forest campgrounds typically feature bear boxes, fire rings, and access to hiking trails. Site privacy varies considerably, with some campgrounds offering well-spaced, wooded sites while others place campers in closer proximity. A recent visitor to Mohawk Trail State Forest observed, "The campsites are very close together without much brush for privacy, so you should expect to see your neighbors up close and personal." Insect activity can be significant during summer months, with mosquitoes and ticks requiring appropriate preparation and protection.
"Private, wooded sites with proximity to clean bathrooms/showers. We stayed at site #3 and it was a great location with an easy walking path to the bath house and privacy between sites."
"There is a campers only beach on upper highland lake that was easy walking distance from the campsite and fishing opportunities there as well."
from $17 - $35 / night
Check Availability"We stayed in the cabins and they were clean, and we liked our proximity to the pool."
"I’m more of a quite, in-the-middle-of-nowhere kind of camper, so I tend to shy away from commercial campgrounds, but it was easier for me to commute from the KOA than from home when work was crazy because"
"Great access to Mt Greylock and LOTS of hiking close by. Staff was so accommodating-always willing to spend time giving recommendations."
"Great family atmosphere w very positive neighbors and owners... Fantastic. 5 stars"
from $40 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Good local access to numerous hiking trails in the area. We’ll certainly go again the future."
"It’s a short walk to a fishing spot and it’s very clean. Our site had a plug, there’s a laundry machine on site and the owner is super sweet."
"I tent camped here in night while exploring the fishing in Western Massachusetts. The campsite was peaceful and quiet and mostly tucked into the hillside."
"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."
from $17 - $55 / night
Check Availability"This campground is just off of Rt2 in the beautiful Berkshires of western Massachusetts. The campground is well kept, and quiet but the sites are very close together."
"This is a great campground located off of highway 2 in western Mass."
from $17 - $75 / night
Check Availability"We had season sites all around us with only a few of them occupied so it was pretty quiet in our section. Sites are a bit closer together than we prefer, but do have trees and brush in between."
from $42 - $70 / night
Check Availability"We only live about 20 minutes away from this campground, we had a nice shady spot. The owners of this campground very friendly courteous and Knowledgeable of the local area."
"We are very close to Berkshire East, in a small town of Shelburne Falls. This place is very quiet even with all the kids."
"The caboose is stationed on a big grassy field, near a real railroad. It sleeps 4 and you can set up tents outside too. You hear the trains running at night. Very clean and comfortable."
from $50 - $100 / night
Check Availability"Small park on a property surrounded by creeks and trees. Very clean."
ScoutDyrt done messed up! So far, very disappointed in this app. Difficult to use! We reserved this spot through Dyrt. The directions to the campground are way off. The host was not notified that we were coming. Don’t trust Dyrt; contact the campground asap after you reserve through Dyrt to confirm the reservation directly and confirm the address and directions.
ScoutWhere does one even begin to explain how great this campground is?! There’s truly a little bit of something for everyone here!
We absolutely loved our campsite. It had plenty of room, a good amount of privacy, and great tree coverage. Even when it rained, our fire pit somehow stayed pretty dang dry, which was a huge plus!
The rec hall was awesome and had so many cool arcade games to check out. They also offer kayak and canoe rentals for the pond, which has surprisingly clear, beautiful water.
One thing that REALLY stood out to us was how incredibly clean the bathrooms and showers were. They were well maintained and practically bug-free, which is almost unheard of at a campground!
On top of all that, everyone we came across—from the staff to the other campers—was super friendly, welcoming, and down-to-earth. It just had an all-around great atmosphere.
Seriously, don’t skip over this campground. If you’re on the fence, just book it. You won’t regret it! We’ll definitely be back!
TravelerIt’s super cute here, there’s a rec room for older kids and playground for younger kids. It’s a short walk to a fishing spot and it’s very clean. Our site had a plug, there’s a laundry machine on site and the owner is super sweet.
ScoutWe use Oakhaven as our first camping trip of the year typically it’s near a home less an hour away yet it feels like it’s much further. Well, located in a small community in southwestern Massachusetts. You can access a lot of tourist areas for day trips if you’re so inclined like Sturbridge mass or the Cobb and Reservoir area. This is a great campground for dogs nice areas to take a walk and also out into the main town area. Owners are pretty chill. There isn’t a ton of activities or special events. Just a few to keep things interesting. Camp store is well stocked.
TravelerGreat little dispersed camping area off Forest Road 71 in West Dover, Vermont. Once you get onto the forest service road, everything is gravel/dirt, with several small pull-offs and primitive campsites scattered along the road. Some sites are only a few feet from the road, while others are tucked back around 100 feet and offer a little more privacy.
The individual pull-offs can be a little more challenging to reach. Most involve some combination of hills, rocks, ruts, and mud, although nothing was too crazy. Some spots are definitely easier to get into than others, so having a vehicle with decent ground clearance is helpful.
There was a decent amount of traffic passing through the area while we were there, but nothing too crazy or disruptive. The campsite we stayed at had a fire pit, but there was no running water at our site, and I don’t believe the other dispersed sites have running water either.
Overall, a pretty good option if you’re looking for a primitive, low-key camping spot with multiple sites to choose from. Just don’t expect complete solitude, especially during busier times.
GuideThe first time we stayed here, we were in a different site. It was fine, but not near the water. This time, we chose a site near the water, but it's literally surrounded by three other sites. It's not shown like that on the map. We had to drive through someone else's setup to get to our site. There's no privacy as there was in our previous site. This is one of the few state parks in Massachusetts with a dump station
ScoutWe’ve spent several seasons camping here and have made so many great memories along the way. We have gotten to know some of the campers around us, and the campground has a nice community atmosphere. The kids always have something to do, and we enjoy sitting outside, cooking dinner, and spending evenings around the fire.
ScoutThis is our first season keeping our camper at White Pines, and we have really enjoyed it so far. It is great being able to show up on a Friday, open the camper, and start relaxing without having to tow and set everything up each weekend. Some weekends are a little busier than others, but everything still feels comfortable and easygoing. It has quickly become one of our favorite places to spend time during the summer.
ScoutWe camped with a group of friends and had a great time. It was easy to spend the day together, cook outside, and hang around the campfire at night. The campground worked really well for our group.
Camping spots near Chesterfield, Massachusetts offer access to the northern Berkshire Mountains at elevations between 1,400-2,000 feet. Summer temperatures average 75-80°F during the day while dropping to the mid-50s at night. The region features several glacial ponds and thick mixed hardwood forests with abundant wildlife including black bears, which necessitates proper food storage at most campgrounds.
Kayaking at Highland Lake: Located at Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) State Forest, campers have access to two separate swimming areas. "The lake was great for kayaking and fishing, although the boat launch is small and narrow so usually there is a wait to use it," notes Cynthia K.
Geocaching adventures: Several campgrounds offer excellent geocaching opportunities. "We spent some time on the hiking trails and found plenty of geocaches, which was awesome," reports a DAR State Forest visitor, making this a perfect rainy day activity for tech-savvy campers.
Hiking to fire towers: For panoramic views, take the 0.6-mile trail from site 44 at DAR State Forest to the fire tower. As Alan explains, "The hike from site 44 to the fire tower is only 0.6 miles and gets you a great view. Hike back via the Long Trail and it's 1.6 Miles back."
Fall foliage exploration: The western Massachusetts mountains offer spectacular leaf-viewing from mid-September through October. At Northampton/Springfield KOA, seasonal activities enhance the experience. "We went to this campground during fall foliage time. Very peaceful and very great staff. They had hayless rides and fire truck rides," notes Jason A.
Spacious, wooded campsites: Many campers appreciate the privacy and natural setting at Fernwood Forest Campground. "Large sites with trees give lots of privacy. Very clean sites and facilities are cleaned to meet COVID requirements. Very quiet," reports Rebecca B.
Free hot showers: Unlike some campgrounds that charge for showers, DAR State Forest offers complimentary facilities. Alan notes, "FREE hot showers! Only two showers for the whole camp, but there's almost no one camping in October, so there was never a wait."
Family-oriented activities: Seasonal events make camping more engaging for children. "They have a fire truck ride that brings you around the campsite and hay-less rides. There is a pool, there is a playground, there are games of all ages," explains Jason A. about Country Aire Campgrounds.
Unique accommodations: For something different, try the caboose at Chester Railway Station. "The caboose is stationed on a big grassy field, near a real railroad. It sleeps 4 and you can set up tents outside too. You hear the trains running at night," explains Esther L.
Site selection matters: Research specific site numbers before booking. At October Mountain State Forest, "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," advises Desiree M.
Bear awareness: Most campgrounds in the region require proper food storage. "There might be bears, so there's a bear box to store all your stuff in when you are not using it," explains a DAR State Forest camper, though they add that "they say they have never had an issue in the last fifteen years."
Seasonal bathroom availability: Facilities vary widely between peak and shoulder seasons. "Only two showers for the whole camp, but there's almost no one camping in October, so there was never a wait," notes a camper at DAR State Forest.
Campground noise variation: Ambient sounds differ significantly between locations. At October Mountain, a camper notes "Outside the entrance station is a HUGE power station that emits a hum constantly. Super annoying and an eyesore."
Playground options: Mt. Greylock Campsite Park offers recreational facilities for children. "The rec room had several nicely maintained games including air hockey, ping pong, air hockey, and more. All are free and we enjoyed them," shares one camper.
Swimming areas: Many campgrounds feature designated swimming spots for campers. At DAR State Forest, "There is a campers only beach on upper highland lake that was easy walking distance from the campsite," according to Justin P.
Terrain challenges: Consider mobility issues when selecting campgrounds. "The camp has a lot of hills and some are pretty steep. We always bring our bikes and love to bike through the campgrounds, but this one is not good for biking," warns a Mt. Greylock visitor.
Holiday activities: Holiday weekends often feature special programming. "They had a Halloween/trick or treat night, fire truck rides, it's very kid friendly," notes Celeste C. about the Northampton/Springfield KOA.
Shower facilities: Bathroom quality varies significantly between campgrounds. At Fernwood Forest, one camper noted, "Clean, quiet and well maintained. Only downside is the showers are literally in the same space as the pooper stalls in the washroom. Washroom incredibly clean though."
Site privacy considerations: RVers often report proximity issues at certain campgrounds. At Northampton/Springfield KOA, "We didn't like being right on top the other RVs, our sewer pipe was in front of my neighbors picnic table," mentions Celeste C.
Seasonal rate differences: Off-season camping offers better value and fewer crowds. "I'm more of a quiet, in-the-middle-of-nowhere kind of camper, so I tend to shy away from commercial campgrounds, but it was easier for me to commute from the KOA than from home when work was crazy because of COVID and I stayed for a few months," shares Dawn E.
Electrical limitations: Some campgrounds offer limited power options. At Walker Island Family Camping, tent sites with electrical access typically provide only 15-amp service, suitable for basic needs but insufficient for larger RV appliances.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Chesterfield, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Chesterfield, MA offers a wide range of camping options, with 172 campgrounds and RV parks near Chesterfield, MA and 19 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Chesterfield, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Chesterfield, MA is Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) State Forest Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 12 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Chesterfield, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 free dispersed camping spots near Chesterfield, MA.
What parks are near Chesterfield, MA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near Chesterfield, MA that allow camping, notably Tully Lake and Westville Lake.
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