Best Campgrounds near Russell, MA

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Russell, MA has a lot to offer. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Russell campgrounds just for you. Find the best campgrounds near Russell, MA. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

Best Camping Sites Near Russell, Massachusetts (155)

    1. Northampton / Springfield KOA

    12 Reviews
    Southampton, MA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (413) 527-9862

    "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"

    2. Prospect Mountain Campground and RV Park

    8 Reviews
    Granville, MA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (413) 357-6494

    "The kids had a blast fishing and riding their bikes around. We are going to make this a yearly thing from now on!!"

    "This is over the boarder in mass from ct We did a three month seasonal Site Staff is super nice and helpful We had a nice quite spot even though we where in the road to the lake"

    3. Tolland State Forest Campground

    5 Reviews
    Tolland, MA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (413) 269-6002

    $17 / night

    "campground

    the bathroom was clean and well equipped with toilet paper and soap

    we stayed at site 70 which was very spacious and set back from the road so had more privacy, although site 71 is very close by"

    "The ground at the site was large gravel which was not great in the tent, but walking around it looks like most sites are more dirt and pine needles."

    4. Austin Hawes Memorial Campground — American Legion State Forest

    12 Reviews
    Riverton, CT
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (860) 379-0922

    $17 - $50 / night

    "Right on the farmington river and off the main road with access to many many other favorable fishing spots.

    Definitely need to come back. Great rates on all sites."

    "There is access to the Farmington River from the campground for your fishing and paddling pleasure.

    In the summer, this place is mosquito central, so bring lots of bug spray or be eaten alive!"

    5. October Mountain State Forest Campground

    16 Reviews
    Lenox Dale, MA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (413) 243-1778

    $17 - $55 / night

    "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."

    6. Granville State Forest

    5 Reviews
    Tolland, MA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (413) 357-6611

    $17 / night

    "Trails are right near the sites so def scope out your spot before purchase. Has a full shower/bath and sink for washing very well kept and water pump rnot to far from the site."

    7. Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) State Forest Campground

    10 Reviews
    Goshen, MA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (413) 268-7098

    $17 - $35 / night

    "There is a campers only beach on upper highland lake that was easy walking distance from the campsite and fishing opportunities there as well."

    "Public beach area is small but you can find your own quiet spot away from the crowd. sites book up quick so reserve early!"

    8. Chester Railway Station

    1 Review
    Chester, MA
    8 miles
    Website

    $50 - $100 / night

    "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."

    9. Black Rabbit Farm

    1 Review
    Granville, MA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (413) 374-2680

    $45 - $65 / night

    10. Walker Island Family Camping

    2 Reviews
    Chester, MA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (413) 354-2295

    "Small park on a property surrounded by creeks and trees. Very clean."

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Recent Reviews near Russell, MA

623 Reviews of 155 Russell Campgrounds


  • Lorraine H.
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Aqua Vista Valley Campgrounds

    2 month stay started July

    It's ok great water views stuff for kids to do every weekend it's the seasonal campers that make it not fun at times u have some very friendly then others that are noisy judging ,parting witch parting really ain't problem until ur not watching ur kids or being loud at times I give it a 7 out of 10

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Gentiles Campground

    Nice place to stay

    Quiet CG near Waterbury CT. Close to major stores for resupply. CG has lots of friendly seasonal campers and lots of other sites. Most sites seem pretty level, but there are some steep roads in the CG. There is an airport next to CG, but it is for single engine private planes only so not a problem. Not by a major road so little traffic noise. I would stay here again.

  • Kenneth P.
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Fort Dummer State Park Campground

    Not So Bad

    We spent one night at site #20 and enjoyed our stay.  It was rather peaceful other than the hum of I-91. The staff was friendly and helpful. The sites were generally wooded, pretty level, and fairly spread apart from one another.  I saw no signs of the problems identified in the June 2025 review.  Yes, I must agree that the restrooms are old, but they were clean.  The other problems might happen anywhere and were obviously brought under control.  Clearly, the writer of the June 2025 post knew way more than any weekend camper would be aware of and this shows that is more to their story that should have been revealed in their post.

  • M
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Aqua Vista Valley Campgrounds

    kids always have a blast!

    We went for the Halloween event, and the kids had a great day and evening! They really enjoyed trick or treating!!!

  • Nicole G.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Tolland State Forest Campground

    Great Lakeside Campground

    This was only my second camping trip ever (and first tent camping) so grain of salt here - We had a great time at Tolland. The site was spacious and equipped with a bear box, fire ring, and picnic table. The ground at the site was large gravel which was not great in the tent, but walking around it looks like most sites are more dirt and pine needles.

    The swimming area is small but sandy, great for kids, and my daughter loved thethe campfire and nature talk given on Saturday night by park staff.

  • Mike W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Cozy Hills Campground

    First time here

    Nice facility, friendly staff. They pack us in pretty tight in some sites.

  • Ricky H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    George D Aiken Wilderness Dispersed

    Not terrible

    Site was littered with places previous campers had left human excrement. While not in the site directly, it was all around it. Also had someone who decided to use the area to sight in his rifle. Which was very unexpected as it was incredibly loud with no warning at all. Was not aware this was a gun range. Tried to flag down a park ranger, but he just drove on by.

  • Willliam A.
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Woodford State Park Campground

    Good way to start my trip

    Came in here hoping to start off my weekend with a nice reserve site. Had plenty of room for my truck and RTT. Close enough to your neighbors to see but you’re not exactly on top of each other. Waterfront campsites are very scenic.


Guide to Russell

Camping near Russell, Massachusetts, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled weekend, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do

  • Hiking: The area is known for its scenic trails. Many campers enjoy the trails at North-South Lake Campground, where one reviewer mentioned, "The Catskills are very scenic, and we enjoyed our time there!"
  • Fishing: If you love fishing, check out Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds. A visitor shared, "You’ve got fishing either in 2 private lakes or you can fish in the river."
  • Swimming: For a refreshing dip, head to George Washington State Campground. One camper noted, "The lake access is excellent, obviously."

What campers like

  • Natural beauty: Campers rave about the stunning landscapes. At Woodford State Park Campground, a reviewer said, "This is a very nice campground...surrounded with trees so it feels very private and secluded."
  • Clean facilities: Many campgrounds pride themselves on cleanliness. A visitor at Mt. Greylock Campsite Park mentioned, "The bathrooms were state park clean, which means not very."
  • Friendly staff: Campers appreciate helpful hosts. One reviewer at Ashuelot River Campground said, "The people at the office are so nice and welcoming."

What you should know

  • Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have poor cell reception. A camper at Monadnock State Park Campground noted, "No cell/data service...I wish this were clearer on their website."
  • Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. At North-South Lake Campground, a visitor shared, "There are bears that visit the campground."
  • Reservations: Some campgrounds require reservations in advance. A camper at October Mountain State Forest mentioned, "First off no same day reservations or walk-ups allowed."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose family-friendly sites: Look for campgrounds with activities for kids. Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds has playgrounds and a pool, making it a hit with families. One parent said, "We had an amazing time. Plenty to do and the staff were friendly."
  • Plan for quiet hours: Respect quiet hours to ensure everyone has a good time. A visitor at Ashuelot River Campground noted, "There are quiet hours from 10pm-8am that are enforced."
  • Pack outdoor games: Bring along games for family fun. A camper at George Washington State Campground mentioned, "Everyone complains about the local small wildlife getting into your food but basic practices can keep them out."

Tips from RVers

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Wells State Park Campground said, "The driveway to site 38 was a mess...there was nowhere level on the whole site."
  • Look for amenities: Choose campgrounds with full hookups. A visitor at Mt. Greylock Campsite Park appreciated the "great amenities and great feel to it."
  • Be prepared for tight spaces: Some campgrounds have narrow roads. A camper at Rip Van Winkle Campgrounds mentioned, "We were within 2 inches or less of trees on 4 or 5 instances getting in and out of our site."

Camping near Russell, Massachusetts, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're hiking, fishing, or just enjoying nature, there's something for every camper to enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Russell Pond Campground in Baxter State Park?

Russell Pond Campground is accessible only by hiking - there are no roads to this remote backcountry site. The most common route is from the Roaring Brook trailhead, requiring a challenging 7.2-mile hike (about 4-5 hours). Alternatively, you can hike from Kidney Pond (5.6 miles) or Wassataquoik Stream (6.4 miles). Similar to Mohawk Trail State Forest Campground, Russell Pond's remote location rewards hikers with pristine wilderness. During winter months, trails may be impassable. All vehicles must park at designated trailheads, as Baxter State Park strictly controls vehicular access to preserve its wilderness character.

What fishing opportunities are available at Russell Pond in Maine?

Russell Pond offers excellent fishing for native brook trout in a pristine wilderness setting. The pond is fly-fishing only with catch-and-release regulations to protect the native fish population. Unlike Otter River State Forest where fishing is family-friendly in stocked ponds, Russell Pond provides a more remote backcountry experience. The best fishing is typically during early morning or evening hours from May through September. A valid Maine fishing license is required, and special Baxter State Park fishing regulations apply. The surrounding watershed also contains smaller tributary streams that may offer additional fishing opportunities for experienced anglers willing to explore.

How do I make reservations for Russell Pond Campground?

Reservations for Russell Pond Campground must be made through Baxter State Park's reservation system, which opens on January 1st each year for Maine residents and January 15th for non-residents. Unlike Tully Lake Recreation Area where reservations are managed through Massachusetts Trustees of Reservations, Baxter has its own system. You can book online at baxterstatepark.org, by phone, mail, or in person at park headquarters. Reserve well in advance as this remote wilderness campground fills quickly, especially for summer months. A non-refundable reservation fee applies, and payment must be made in full at the time of booking.