Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground provides camping near Conway, Massachusetts with access to nearby hiking trails and several water bodies. Sites are primarily tent and RV-friendly, with some wooded sites offering more privacy than the open field locations. The campground sits at elevations around 1,700-2,200 feet, creating cooler temperatures than surrounding lowlands.
What to do
Hiking to viewpoints: At Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) State Forest Campground, trails lead from the campground to scenic overlooks. "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," notes Alan.
Kayaking on nearby waters: Several campgrounds offer water access for paddling activities. At Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground, campers enjoy river proximity. "It is beautiful, lots of shade, and you can camp right beside the river," explains Crissy H. The Cold River provides cooling relief during summer months.
Geocaching adventures: Outdoor treasure hunting adds an engaging layer to your exploration. "We spent some time on the hiking trails and found plenty of geocaches, which was awesome," reports Cynthia K. about her experience at DAR State Forest. This activity works well for families wanting structured outdoor exploration.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Campers consistently mention site spacing at certain campgrounds. "The sites are very roomy and wooded. The staff was friendly and accommodating, and the facilities were clean," explains Dawn E. about her stay at DAR State Forest. Well-spaced sites provide privacy even during busy periods.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness ranks high in camper priorities. At Savoy Mountain State Forest Campground, "The entire campground was very clean, as were the bathrooms. At check-in they will give you maps of hiking routes," reports Dawn S. Regular facility maintenance enhances the camping experience.
Swimming options: Access to swimming areas provides welcome relief during hot summer days. "We camped at the Daughters of the American Revolution State Forest in September of 2019... 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 a camper about the water access.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds in this area have minimal connectivity. At Barton Cove Campground, the remote setting means disconnecting from technology. Similarly at Savoy Mountain, a camper noted "the park is so hard to find that not even a cell signal can get there, if your looking to unplug this is a great spot!"
Bear awareness required: Black bears inhabit the region, requiring 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. They do run dogs through the campground once a week or so to scare the poor critters away," explains Alan about DAR State Forest's approach to wildlife management.
Campground navigation challenges: Some campgrounds have tricky access routes. For Savoy Mountain, a visitor advises, "Don't rely on GPS to get you there it will put you on the wrong end of the park in the middle of a rural neighborhood. Use the directions provided on the website, they are far more reliable."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Family-friendly amenities enhance camping with children. At Peppermint Park Camping Resort, a recent visitor noted, "It's family and dog friendly, has a pool, hot tub, newer playground with a sandbox, camp store with large lodge attached, horseshoe, volleyball and other outdoor game areas."
Kid-friendly hiking options: Accessible trails suitable for children exist throughout the region. "Beautiful place to take the family tent camping. Public beach area is small but you can find your own quiet spot away from the crowd," advises Lauren M. about DAR State Forest's family appeal.
Seasonal activities: Many campgrounds offer organized events for children. "They had hayless rides and fire truck rides. This time they had a haunted house walk through," reports Jason A. about Northampton/Springfield KOA, highlighting their fall activities.
Tips from RVers
Site limitations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. About DAR State Forest, a camper notes, "Not sure I'd try a really big rig here, but our little 16' trailer fit in great. I don't see any pull through sites, but I didn't seem them all."
Electric options: Available hookups vary between campgrounds in the area. At Country Aire Campgrounds, RVers have access to modern amenities. "The owners are always working on improving sites," explains one camper, noting the ongoing improvements to RV facilities.
Leveling challenges: The mountainous terrain creates uneven camping spots at some locations. "The sites were a good size and in good shape. Very narrow parking areas on the sites," reports a camper about navigating DAR State Forest with their vehicle, highlighting the importance of leveling equipment for RVs in the region's hilly terrain.
Ranger
